After stumbling upon a part-time job at a lingerie boutique in 2006, I almost instantly fell in love with doing bra fittings. At the time, I hadn’t thought it would turn into a career… but I quickly found a deep passion for helping women feel beautiful and confident in their own skin. 6 ½ years later, I opened The Fitting Room!
My boutique is situated on the first floor of a historic building in a small town near Chicago. I wanted to design a space that didn’t look or feel like a retail store… a place that felt private, cozy, and feminine. I envisioned women walking through the door, and immediately feeling as though they could let their guard down, opening themselves up to an enjoyable experience while bra shopping. In addition to the visual “feel” of the store; the vintage décor, soft music, and luxurious fabrics, it is a BIG priority of ours to create a non-judgmental environment.
One of the main reasons for opening my own shop was to address the issues that so commonly get ignored and overlooked by other stores in the area. One constant struggle I had (prior to breaking into the business) was finding a store that offered a wide variety of sizes, a knowledgeable (and honest) staff, and price points that my friends and I could actually afford. In addition to the major department and chain stores, there appeared to be a plethora of high-end boutiques scattered throughout the area, all offering the same luxury brands, not many basics or size options, and price tags too high for those of us on a limited budget. To me, there is nothing worse than a woman desperately searching for support and comfort, with no place to find it in the right size, or the right price! I think it’s absolutely imperative as a bra fitter & business owner, to provide solutions to ALL women who need it, regardless of age, size, physical capabilities, health issues, and financial means.
There is such an enormous focus these days on weight and outer beauty, which leaves women no freedom to express and embrace their own unique beauty. Not having access to the things they need to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, only worsens their insecurities.
The Fitting Room Boutique is located at:
11 S. Lake St, Grayslake, Illinois
60030
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