Closet Crush: Stephanie Wilson
November 25, 2024
This closet is big on boho style and full of fun, vintage finds.
by Whitley Adkins | photographs by Amy Kolo
Michigan native Stephanie Wilson moved to Charlotte in 2016 for a marketing job, but she found much more. “I would have never met my husband, Ben,” she says, if she hadn’t moved to the Queen City. With a background in apparel merchandising, Wilson is now store manager at East 8th Vintage, a consignment shop which she describes as “an eclectic vintage paradise” in historic Elizabeth. She also co-owns Soulshine Soiree, a picnic pop-up company she and her business partner, Porter McCollum, started during the pandemic. Soulshine Soiree creates custom picnics with bohemian decor, grazing boards, flowers, board games and more. With a passion for all things vintage, earth-toned and one-of-a-kind, Wilson says her biggest style inspiration comes from travel — in particular, family trips taken through the years. “I’ve been to every state in the U.S. with my parents, and my favorite memories are my trips with my parents.”
Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
STYLE
Personal style: A lot of people have described me as boho chic. My style is definitely derived from my love of vintage as well as places that I’ve traveled that I feel connected with, namely the desert and the slow mountain life. Music is a huge influence on my style as well. I’ve been collecting vinyl records since I was 13.
Style icons: It’s cliche, but Stevie Nicks, queen of the boho style. She played this spring at the Lovin’ Life Festival, and I saw her on the front row, in the rain. I cried. It was an indescribable experience. Also Debbie Harry, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Bridgitte Bardot, Farrah Fawcett and Twiggy.
Family influence: My mom and I are completely on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to style, but growing up and watching her go to big parties and galas I was just amazed by the dresses and the jewelry.
Formula for getting dressed: I do [have one], but it comes naturally. I always have something vintage, a staple, something that makes me feel girly and something that makes me feel tough. My style formula also includes dressing down a more dressy or formal piece by adding a chunky belt or tooled leather bag. Likewise, when I am wearing a more casual look, I like to dress it up by adding statement earrings and a wrist-full of bangles.
Education and professional background: I have a degree in textile and apparel studies from Western Michigan University, with an emphasis on merchandising. After graduating, I ran a boutique in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was a buyer. It was hard for me to separate my likes from the customer’s, but it was a great way to sharpen my skills. I also started my own jewelry line, and I built rustic furniture. For many years, I was the visual manager for Anthropologie in Birmingham, Michigan. I had my own personal wardrobe-consulting business in Detroit.
SHOPPING
Where she shops: East 8th Vintage — not just because I work there; it literally is my favorite store. Over half of the items in my closet are from there. Also Poshmark, Free People, StashPad, Ivy & Leo and Julie’s Boutique — they have great statement dresses. The customer service is what has brought me back — they will go out of their way for you.
Favorite brands and designers: I’m not a designer label gal, but there are a couple of smaller clothing lines out of Australia that I love: Chasing Unicorns and Nine Lives Bazaar. They are upscale but lesser known — the items are often made from salvaged materials. Also Spell and The Gypsy Collective, For Love & Lemons and Alice McCall.
THE CLOSET
The design: When my husband Ben and I were looking for houses, one of my non-negotiables was a fourth bedroom that would be my closet. Ben and my dad helped build my shelving units. I wear mainly dresses, so I knew I wanted those to be the focal point and easy to reach. I sit in there, hang out in there, I do yoga in there, read books. It is my serenity spot. It is essentially my she-shed, but it is a closet.
Wardrobe staples: I have a pair of vintage earrings that I found at a flea market in Denver that I wear pretty much every single day. They are mixed metal, so they go with everything. I have a pair of vintage blue Frye boots — if I’m stuck, I put them on my feet and they just work.
Favorite items: Besides my Frye boots, my embroidered and beaded vintage handbags. An orange lace and tulle dress I wore for my engagement photos. Also, a signed Van Morrison guitar that was a Christmas gift from my parents years ago. My mannequin, Stevie, that I got from Anthropologie when I worked there. She gives me inspiration. Sometimes I put outfits on her that are more aspirational than I would tend to put on myself, but then once I see it on Stevie, I will go for it. SP
Featured image: Engagement photograph by Amy Witt Photography
THIS OR THAT
Boot or bolo: A boot. I wear boots in the summer.
Patterned pants or dress: How do I answer that one? I can’t have enough print.
Tassel or embroidery: Embroidery.
Statement necklace or statement earring: Statement earring.
Orange or brown: Stop. You can’t do that to me! Anything desert-colored.
Spring or fall: Fall.
Dressing for Spain or for the mountains: Even following a trip to Barcelona that exceeded all expectations, I’m going to go with the mountains. My engagement photos (above) were taken in the mountains of Maggie Valley.
Leather or lace: We had to edit my leather collection for the sake of this photo shoot.
