JANUARY BUSINESS: Clothes Mentor

Just a few months into its newly developed personal shopping program, Clothes Mentor in Edmond is already seeing a steady rise in women who appreciate the styling advice tailored specifically to them and ease of having a stylist do the shopping so they don’t have to.

Melanie Harris, franchise owner of the three-year-old women’s resale boutique at 3208 S. Broadway in Edmond, said customers are raving about the new, free service. It allows clients to fill out a short information sheet online, talk over the phone with a Clothes Mentor stylist about their goals and budget, and then come into the store to try on a clothing rack full of custom curated outfits suited just for them.

“It’s been amazing to see how people will try on and buy things they never would have picked up if on their own,” Harris said. “And my staff just loves it too. They love that they have a person to put the outfits together for.”

The program is gaining popularity among women who have specific needs and aren’t sure how to dress for them. For instance, Harris has helped women who want to find styles that work for shorter strides, recent weight loss and the body of a new mom.

The Clothes Mentor staff has a real knack for pulling together the perfect outfit from their floor of current, on-trend clothing not just for their customers, but for the dozens of mannequins located around the store modeling merchandise. One of the best compliments, Harris said, is for customers to buy the outfits right off the mannequins. In fact, it happens so frequently, it’s become a running joke among her staff.

“It’s a thrill for our mannequins to be stripped and bought,” she said. “In fact, just last week the mannequin outfits were bought four times in one hour.”

Clothes Mentor, with locations around the country, is no consignment shop or thrift store. Customers sell their gently used, name-brand clothing and accessories to the store, no appointment required, and walk out with cash immediately. Clothes Mentor accepts women’s clothing, no juniors sizes or styles, and accessories of any season as long as they are less than three years old, ensuring customers find contemporary styles.

“We’re here to meet the needs of all women,” Harris said. “Helping women look good while on a budget, that’s what it’s all about.”

Visit clothesmentor.com/edmond or call (405) 285-8867 to learn more.