CLINTON, N.Y. — With spring’s arrival comes prom and wedding season, along with the need for dresses. A local business is not only providing affordable gown options but also empowering women to dress for success.
Closet Boss in Clinton offers a unique place to shop for upscale consignment clothes and accessories.
Owner Heather Brady explained that the store is currently focused on prom season, taking in prom dresses for consignment and offering them at more affordable prices.
Brady said that the typical cost of a new prom gown is approximately $600.
Consigning allows sellers to recover a portion of their expenses while providing shoppers with an opportunity to purchase at a reduced price. She noted that her prices offer savings of at least $200.
There’s also a large selection of new wedding gowns, all unworn and in various styles.
According to The Knot, a website dedicated to weddings, the average cost of a wedding dress is $2,100 today. In contrast, Brady offers prices significantly below this average, with some dresses starting at $800.
The store also offers a selection of designer denim, outerwear, formal attire and various other clothing items.
Brady, who sold clothing online for about 15 years before opening the store, said she struggled to find the pieces she wanted locally.
She grew up and went to school in Clinton, so opening her store in the Village was important to her, especially being part of the community.
So, she opened Closet Boss at 12½ East Park Row to bring those options to the area, allowing shoppers to try on clothes in person and avoid the hassle of online returns.
The store is not a cookie-cutter shop, she said for customers looking for something different.
Brady said that accessibility and value are important.
Closet Boss is celebrating its third anniversary, and with it being Women’s History Month, Brady recognizes how her store can inspire future entrepreneurs.
“Find something you love, and then find a way to make a living doing it” is the advice she has shared for many years.
And when it comes to the clothing she sells, she said that “beautiful clothes make you feel beautiful.”
“As women,” she continued, “we tend to feel more empowered when we’re confident in our appearance.”
By making high-end fashion accessible to everyday shoppers, she believes it allows more people to experience that sense of confidence without breaking the bank.