Sometimes in the morning when I get ready for work, I stand in my walk-in closet and just look at my clothes. It’s like I’m waiting for an outfit to put itself together magically. No lie, I have been late in getting to the office because of this (Oh, please don’t tell my editor!).

Catherine Horgan is a local personal stylist who helps people with just that kind of problem. She ensures that her clients’ wardrobes serve them, based on their body shape and their personal style, and that their wardrobe is fulfilling, containing all of the pieces necessary for their lifestyles. Her company, Closet of Style, has been in business for almost two years now and is steadily growing. Horgan, a lover of all things style — from makeup to skin care to fashion — started personal styling 11 years ago as a side venture from her job in corporate branding. Now that she’s gone full-time, her clientele ranges from the stay-at-home mom to the actress to the corporate lawyer. You could say that she’s shifted from branding companies to branding people now.

Recently we chatted with Horgan to find out more about what she does.

Creative Loafing: If a person contacts you and says they’d like to use your services, what do you do?

Catherine Horgan: First, I ask a lot of questions because I don’t know what the root of their challenge is. Are they unsure of what garments work for their body shape? Do they want something new and they just don’t know what to pick? Do they look at their wardrobe and can’t find anything to wear? A lot of times, all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes. I can go into someone’s wardrobe and put so many outfits together that it makes their jaw drop, as they say, 'how did you do that?' I try to uncover what it is that they truly need. Most of the time, it entails purging their closet — getting rid of things that do not serve them anymore — and outfit coordination. Personal shopping is a huge part of what I do, as well, but 9 times out of 10 when a client calls,  they begin with getting rid of things that don’t work and having outfits put together for them from their existing wardrobe.

I saw on your site that you also do product reviews?

When the Web site started two years ago, it was really a means to disseminate information. I had no idea it was going to take off. When I started [my] style files, I knew I wanted to get product information out there, and I wanted it to span fashion, beauty and skincare. So I started reviewing products that I bought, bringing awareness to them and directing them to the company website. Then companies started to send me things to review ... from accessories, jewelry, makeup, skin care and all things in between. Consumers trust the reviews and purchase based on them. Companies love promoting their products through the reviews ... it's a win/win situation. If we love a product, we’re going to talk about them, we’re going to Facebook them, we’re going to Twitter them. The word will get out. As the economy is what it is, companies are really starting to take a look at where they’re spending their marketing dollars. The only downfall for a company participating in a product review is that if I don’t like the product, I’m very honest and I will say that I don’t like it.

What was your goal when you started up Closet of Style?

To help people express their style with confidence. The biggest thing I found was lack of confidence, or not knowing how to put things together. Or, when they tried something that they weren’t sure about they didn’t own it. So, it didn’t work. Everyone is different. It’s always based on individual style, personal style. I want everyone that I work with to be happy and confident with what we've accomplished. That’s so rewarding for me. That’s always the goal.

Do you have any fashion tips for the fall season?

Oh yes. Fall is my favorite season. There are so many great things out there. I do what I call my top-10 plus list (because I can't keep it to 10).

Must-haves for fall:

The over-the-knee boot. It’s limiting in how you wear it and who can wear it — that’s the only downfall to that.

Studded accessories, whether it’s handbags, jewelry or shoes. Studs are very big.

Electric colors. What I found at fashion week in February, transcending through all the different runway shows, were those electric colors — the hot pink, the bright yellow, the cobalt blue.

Cut-outs, whether in clothing or shoes, are going to be big.

Ginormous jewelry. I say ginormous jewelry because it keeps getting bigger. Spring was all about the big jewelry and it’s getting even bigger for fall.

Some more things that I think will transcend time ... the camel coat. Trench coats are always in … this fall, it’s more about the camel coat. It’s a classic piece, so it’s not one of those things that will go out of style.

Straight-leg pants are another one.

I try to look at trends that aren’t so over the top that you regret getting it later. I mean, a fur vest, very big right now. I would probably pull out my fur vest five years from now, 10 years from now. I look at those things that are big now but you can make everlasting pieces in your wardrobe.

Interested in learning more? Check out the Closet of Style web site at www.closetofstyle.com.

Style Event heads-up!

On Oct. 1, Closet of Style teams up with Jeffre Scott Apothecary to talk about all things style at The Style Event. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and prosecco while learning how to achieve and master impeccable skin, flawless make-up and fall fashion.

Thursday, Oct. 1

6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Jeffre Scott Apothecary in Piper Glen

6432 Rea Road

What was your goal when you started up Closet of Style?

The goal was, I wanted to help people express their style so that were 100 percent confident. The biggest thing I found was just the lack of confidence, or just not knowing how to put things together, or when if they tried something, they weren’t sure, and they didn’t own it. So, it didn’t work. My goal is, everyone that I work with, it’s going to be based on their style and they’re going to be so happy and confident. And that’s so rewarding for me. That’s always the goal.

Do you have any fashion tips for the fall season?

Oh yes. Fall is just my favorite season. There are so many great things out there. I do what I call my top-10 plus list, and there’s always more than 10.

Must-haves, what’s really big for fall?

The over-the-knee boot. It’s limiting in how you wear it and who can wear it — that’s the only downfall to that.

Studded accessories, whether it’s handbags, jewelry or shoes. Studs are very big.

Electric colors. What I found at fashion week in February, what was really transcending through all the different runway shows, was those electric colors — the hot pink, the bright yellow, the cobalt blue.

Cut-outs, whether in clothing or shoes, are going to be big.

Ginormous jewelry. I say ginormous jewelry because it keeps getting bigger. Spring was all about the big jewelry and it’s getting even bigger for fall.

Some more things that I think will transcend time are like, a camel coat. Trench coats are always in … this fall, it’s kind of about the camel coat. It’s a classic piece, so it’s not one of those things that will go out of style.

Straight-leg pants are another one.

I try to look at trends that aren’t so over the top that you regret getting it later. I mean, a fur vest, very big right now. I would probably pull out my fur vest five years from now, 10 years from now, so I kind of look at those things to say, well these things are big for now but how do you make them everlasting pieces in your wardrobe.

Interested in learning more? Check out the Closet of Style web site at www.closetofstyle.com.

Style Event heads-up!

On Oct. 1, Closet of Style teams up with Jeffre Scott Apothecary to talk about all things style at The Style Event. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and prosecco while learning how to achieve and master impeccable skin, flawless make-up and fall fashion.

Thursday, Oct. 1

6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Jeffre Scott Apothecary in Piper Glen

6432 Rea Road