Behind the Rack: How We Narrow Picks So Every Piece 'Feels Like You'

Ninety-seven percent of women say they've bought clothes they never wear. We know this statistic by heart because it haunts every decision we make as we curate each season's collection. When you're standing in front of your closet feeling like nothing fits who you are, we've already failed you.

As sister-founders, we've spent countless hours debating whether a particular blazer makes the cut or if those pants truly deserve shelf space. Our selection process isn't just about following trends - it's about understanding the woman who will eventually slide that piece off the hanger and into her life.

The Three-Filter Philosophy That Guides Every Choice

Every piece that makes it into our collection passes through three non-negotiable filters. We developed this system after watching too many friends accumulate clothes that looked perfect on hangers but felt wrong on their bodies.

The fit filter comes first. We're not talking about size charts or standard measurements. Real fit means the garment moves with your body instead of against it. When we evaluate a new piece, we consider how it feels when you're reaching for something on a high shelf, sitting at your desk for hours, or walking quickly to catch a train. If it restricts movement or creates awkward pulling anywhere, it doesn't matter how beautiful it looks.

Movement testing happens in our studio space where we literally put pieces through their paces. We sit, stretch, bend, and move in everything we're considering. Our rule is simple: if we wouldn't feel confident wearing it through a full day of real activities, it doesn't make the cut.

The versatility filter eliminates pieces that only work in one specific scenario. Every item needs to transition seamlessly between at least three different occasions. A dress that only works for formal events or pants that require specific shoes to look right don't earn their place in smaller wardrobes where every piece needs to work harder.

The Emotional Weight of Saying No

The hardest part of our curation process isn't finding beautiful pieces - it's rejecting them. Last season, we fell in love with a stunning silk blouse that photographed beautifully and felt luxurious. But after wearing it for a week of testing, we realized it required constant adjustment and special care that would frustrate busy women.

Saying no to that blouse meant disappointing our team who had invested time in sourcing it. It meant explaining to excited customers why something they'd seen in previews wouldn't be available. But it also meant protecting the trust of women who rely on us to choose pieces that actually work in their lives.

We've learned to recognize the difference between pieces that make us feel something and pieces that make our customers feel like themselves. Sometimes those aren't the same thing. Our personal style preferences have to take a backseat to what serves the women who trust us with their wardrobe investments.

How We Read the Room for Each Season

Seasonal buying requires balancing timeless appeal with current relevance. For our upcoming spring capsule, we're focusing on pieces that work for the hybrid lifestyle most women are navigating. This means fabrics that travel well, silhouettes that translate from video calls to in-person meetings, and colors that feel fresh without being so trendy they'll look dated next year.

We spend weeks researching not just fashion trends, but lifestyle trends. How are women working differently? What activities are they prioritizing? What challenges are they facing in their daily routines? These insights shape our seasonal direction more than runway shows or fashion week coverage.

Our spring 2024 edit reflects what we're seeing in real women's lives right now. There's a desire for pieces that feel polished but not precious, structured but not stiff. We're including more knits that look tailored, pants that feel like leggings but photograph like trousers, and jackets that work over everything from tank tops to sweaters.

The Stories Behind Our Selection Process

Every piece in our collection has survived multiple rounds of evaluation. We source from manufacturers who understand our quality standards and share our values about fair labor practices. But even with trusted partners, we never assume anything will work until we've tested it ourselves.

Our fitting sessions involve women of different sizes and body types because standard fit models don't represent everyone who shops with us. We've learned that a piece can fit perfectly on one person and create issues for another, which is why we focus on designs that flatter a range of body types rather than just looking good on a size 6 mannequin.

The final test happens when we wear pieces in our own lives for at least two weeks. We need to know how they wash, how they hold up to daily wear, and whether we still reach for them after the initial excitement wears off. Only pieces that pass this real-world testing make it to our customers.

This process takes longer and costs more than simply buying what's trending, but it results in collections where women consistently tell us they wear everything they purchase. That's worth every extra hour we spend debating, testing, and sometimes starting over.

Contact us to learn more about our curation philosophy and upcoming seasonal releases.