The Closet Doctor Is In

Have you ever stood in front of a closet that was bursting with clothes and shoes and yet lamented you had absolutely nothing to wear? The bad news is that it’s an infectious malady in a society which thrives on malls, online shopping and keeping up with fashion fads. The good news is that JuliAnn Stitick’s Wardrobe Rx may be just what the doctor ordered to keep you from committing sartorial sabotage.

Stitick’s unique wardrobe consulting business evolved a year and a half ago as a result of her background as a personal shopper at Nordstrom. “I had so many customers who would say to me, ‘I’d really like you to come home and go through my closet with me’. It started happening to me on such a regular basis – people asking me to tell them what I thought they should get rid of – but incorporating that amount of extra consulting into an already busy job at Nordstrom wouldn’t have left me with enough quality time for my family.”

She laughs in reminiscence of how her customers compromised by bringing armloads of their clothing and accessories into the store and dumping it all out in her dressing room. “At that time, I was also speaking to women’s groups about the spiritual side of being happy and radiating confidence, which partly comes from knowing we look our best. A woman came up to me after one of these talks and asked if I could go to her house and help her sort out her wardrobe. I had already been giving some thought to starting some sort of business that would give me flexible hours and I realized the perfect answer had been in front of me all along!”

Word of mouth publicity quickly resulted in an enthusiastic following throughout the San Gabriel Valley. “Nordstrom was the greatest possible training for what I do to help people with their wardrobe choices. You simply can’t go wrong in that store and I have so much respect for the way the company is run and the level of service it provides. It’s something I strive for with Wardrobe Rx.”

Stitick’s first appointment with a new client is an extensive consultation that lasts 3-4 hours. “We literally empty out the entire closet – including shoes and purses – and take stock of what they’ve got. After we look each piece over, the rule is that it can only go back in the closet if it’s clean, pressed, ready to wear, a flattering color, and if it fits them properly.” She also teaches people how to organize their wardrobe and how to play with mixing and matching. “A lot of people don’t realize how many options they have because it simply doesn’t occur to them to put things into different combinations.”

She is fun but firm when it comes to convincing clients to relinquish items that no longer fit or – worse – didn’t fit perfectly the day they were purchased. “Shoes in particular fall into this category. I tell them that if they aren’t comfortable when they’re first tried on in a store, don’t take them home with you…even if they’re cute and on sale!”

The next step for Stitick is to make a list of items they need to supplement what they already have. “For clothes they need to get rid of – provided they are clean and in good condition - I have a really good contact with a consignment store called Rag Time on Green in Pasadena. And, of course, I also recommend the Salvation Army.”

When it comes to shopping for new clothes, Stitick offers several alternatives which are customized to the needs and personalities of her clients. “I can either shop for them or with them or I can give them a list and recommend where to go for their purchases.” Some of them have become so reliant on her expertise they even provide her with their credit cards. For others, Stitick will do the shopping and have items set aside at the store for them to try on. “I have ‘regulars’ who need my advice on a weekly basis. I also have ‘occasionals’ who are maybe looking for one specific outfit for a special event.” As an added bonus, Stitick will even take photographs of entire ensembles to help jog clients’ memories later on regarding what goes with what.

I believe that no matter what size or shape a woman is, she can look good in clothing if she has the right thing on. So many people say, ‘Well, I’m a size 10 right now but I want to be a size 6 so I don’t really want to buy anything right now’. That’s a huge mistake because they continue to feel dowdy looking at a closet full of clothing that is too small and many times the clothing is out of style by the time they reach their target size. What I tell them is to buy three outfits in size 10 that they feel fabulous in. Let’s face it, not everyone is destined to be a size 6! When I see the difference it makes when they’re wearing something that makes them look great, I’ve done my job.”

Her clients range in age from early 30’s to mid-70’s. She is quick to point out, however, that she also loves working with teenage girls. “I tend to dress pretty hip which they think is cool but I’m also a mother and share other mothers’ concerns about how our daughters are dressing.”

As a savvy fashionista, Stitick shares the top three things no woman’s wardrobe should be without. “The first and foremost is the perfect pair of blue jeans she can find. Secondly, I can’t stress enough the importance of how accessorizing can incorporate current trends into the classics we already have. Thirdly, every woman needs a dress she looks great in and is comfortable enough to just throw on. A dress is for those days you feel blah but, once you put it on, you suddenly feel fantastic.”

So what’s her favorite outfit in her own closet? “Easy one!” she declares. “My pajamas! After a day of being dressed up and out and about with clients, there’s nothing more comfy to jump into.”

New clients can reach her at Julianns@charter.net or by phone at (818) 653-2101.