Story by Lindsey Chester | September 6, 2010 | Tags: fashion, Go Local
Kathy Fowler Wilkerson with some of the looks from Possibilities
Cary, NC – Before moving to this town I love, I was a women’s clothing designer in New York City – Garmento is the affectionate term. I come to this passion for fashion naturally and it was a good fit. So now I’m ready to talk about what’s happening here and put a spotlight on some local retailers that you may not know.
This is the third installment in my “Passion for Fashion” series. Let me know how you like it!
Beyond Trends
Hemlines go up and neck lines come down. Jewel tones are everywhere, then it’s pastels.
Sometimes, fashion is just about wearing clothes that express your own personal style, irregardless of trends.
This week I visited two uniquely original Cary clothing boutiques, one established here for 23 years, and the other new to Cary, but open 10 years in Raleigh.
Possibilities
1247 Kildaire Farm Road
Cary, NC 27511-5523
(919) 460-1852
Possibilities has been a mainstay in Saltbox Village on Kildaire Farm Road for over 23 years, and expanded with a second store in Raleigh’s North Hills six years ago. Owner Kathy Fowler Wilkerson is quick to point out that her customer is “artsy” and loves to have fun with her colorful eclectic clothing.
The price points in Possibilities range from $41 to $300 and everything in between. Scarves are a favorite accessory- they can tie a whole outfit together. Not a scarf wearer? Kathy buys locally made artisan necklaces and jewelry to compliment the outfits in her store. She says she adds to her accessory offerings all the time.
Not Buying Trendy, Buying Beauty
Kathy doesn’t necessarily buy according to trends- she goes on to say that “I have to love everything in my store and find beauty in it” before she buys. In fact many of her vendors send her “Pick Boxes” where they have “picked” items which she may want for the store. She has been doing business for so long, they can predict what her needs will be for her customer. She will go to the Atlanta Mart in about a month and at that time will be looking for Spring 2011. Fall has all been purchased and is coming in daily, in fact the UPS man delivered 2 boxes the day I was in the store.
An example of the colors seen at Possibilities for Fall
The lines she carries include Cynthia Ashby from Chicago, Steel Pony from Philadelphia, and Lee Anderson from New Jersey. The clothes are flowy with mixes of fabrics. The emphasis is on natural fibers, with Tencel fiber from Tiancello being a top seller.
Color Color and Lots of it
Possibilities is full of color and mixes of flowing skirts and full pants. Throw on a skirt and pair it with a tank and a flyaway jacket with some cool buttons, wrap a scarf around your neck and you are dressed the possibilities way!
Racks of clothes for the Possibilities Closet sale on Sept 11.
And if you want a great deal on some Possibilities classics, but wish to save a little $$$, Kathy holds a once a year sale of consigned like-new clothing on Sept 11 in both her stores. Prices are sharp and women start lining up before the doors open. This is the 8th year of the sale, and any un-purchased , or un-perfect items are donated to the Battered Women’s Shelter’s own consignment store.
At Ease
3655 Southwest Cary Parkway
Cary, NC 27513-8913
Carol Daley has owned the At Ease store in North Raleigh for 10 years. Many of her Cary customers have begged her to locate here, so 6 weeks ago she opened beside Fresh Market on NW Cary Parkway. Her customers travel a lot and search for “quality and uniqueness” and wish to look “appropriate wherever they go, be that New York, Europe or Asia”.
Carol Daley, owner of At Ease in the Fresh Market Shopping Center
She makes buying trips 4 -5 times per year to New York City and Atlanta. She emphasized that she doesn’t buy based on price point, but on casual elegant style that is the store’s signature. Carol isn’t a slave to trends either.
Essential items
Women can’t do without a black pant- and she is known for her wide assortment of styles from skinny leggings to super wide. She told me some items have been staples with her loyal customers for years. She showed me 3 styles of sweaters from Avalin that she always stocks, just replenishing with new colors seasonally. These each were “one size- fits all”- a crop, a tunic and an oversize crew neck. They are a great price ranging from $38-$42.”Some companies make the same styles year after year with just updates in color or fabric- they are simply great styles”
Pops of Color
She always has a lot of black, and now more grey. And there will be pops of color like greens , plum and pumpkin, One thing you won’t find in At Ease: Prints of any sort. Outfits get their pattern from scarves and bold jewelry.
sweater by Avalin that At Ease stocks because it is a great basic.
Not Just Clothing
Around all the walls of the store were gorgeous big handbags, many by Hobo , a line she has carried for years. There are also large pottery pieces and other home accessories which are not just decor, but for sale. These complimented the colors in the clothes as they were arranged in color groupings and provided shots of color in turquoise and golds, greys and greens. A large display case carries several lines of unique jewelry, some made by a local women who travels to Africa for the beads with which she creates her necklaces.
These 2 stores illustrate perfectly how you can “do your own thing” and look timeless and unique, no matter your age or your size. I recommend giving them a visit and tell them CaryCitizen sent you! You’ll be glad you did and you’ll be supporting some of our “Shop Cary” local retailers.
What’s Your Fashion Story?
Let me know what you’re wearing this fall or your favorite place to shop.
