How Did Wardrobe Oxygen Start?

I dreamed of writing a style advice book, but knew as an office drone in the suburbs of Maryland, I'd never get a book deal. Wardrobe Oxygen was a place where I could write the book I dreamed of, one where the advice was helpful to women 22 or 72, size 4 or 24. I started with a capsule wardrobe of what I believed should be in every woman's wardrobe and wrote blog posts like chapters in a book.

Since then, Wardrobe Oxygen has grown and matured, just as I have since being that 30-year-old know-it-all. I've created dozens of capsule wardrobes, collaborated with fashion brands on capsule collections and styling, written articles for well-known publications, spoken at conferences about styling, the importance of fashion, and my expertise as a blogger and influencer. But I am still learning, and learn the most from the Wardrobe Oxygen community.

What is Wardrobe Oxygen?

Wardrobe Oxygen is a destination for grown-ass women who believe fashion is the bookjacket to their novel, but know the cover doesn't matter if the story is a bore. Style goes beyond the closet; we've lived life but continue to do so, on our terms. Clothing should bring comfort and joy; we deserve to wear what we want. After decades of style rules being forced upon us, we're at a time in society and a time in our lives where we can play with fashion, buck the rules and trends, find ourselves and with it, our personal style. And I am here to help.

Fashion can be overwhelming; Wardrobe Oxygen helps demystify fashion, translate trends, and empower you to only embrace what appeals to you and march to the beat of your own drum. To help you be mindful of what you buy, how your purchases affect not just your style but the world around you, and to help you achieve big style with a smaller wardrobe. Wardrobe Oxygen is for the woman who has very few f*cks left to give but still gives a sh*t.

Who is Wardrobe Oxygen For?

Wardrobe Oxygen is for grown-ass women of all ages, sizes, and budgets. At Wardrobe Oxygen, we believe style is ageless, and everyone deserves to feel good in what they wear. Whether you're a busy professional, a stay-at-home mom, a recent retiree, or simply looking to refresh your wardrobe, Wardrobe Oxygen is here to affirm, empower, and simplify getting dressed each day.

How Can Wardrobe Oxygen Help?

We offer a variety of resources to help you achieve your style goals:

• Capsule Wardrobes: Learn how to build a cohesive and versatile wardrobe with minimal pieces. Wardrobe Oxygen provides capsule wardrobe guides for travel, work, everyday life, and even inspiration from Alison's own closet.
• Over-40 Beauty: Discover makeup and skincare tips for our age, along with product reviews and strategies for embracing your natural beauty.
• Real-Life Outfit Inspiration: See how Alison styles outfits for different occasions and body types.
• Travel Guides: Pack smarter, not harder, with our travel reviews and packing guides that focus on versatility and comfort.
• Life Over 40: Explore relatable content on navigating perimenopause, aging parents, and all the other joys (and challenges) of midlife.
• Sustainable Style: Learn how to make more eco-conscious choices when building your wardrobe.

Fashion should be empowering and fun. As grown women, we have earned the right to wear what brings up comfort and joy on our terms. At Wardrobe Oxygen, we'll help you breathe new life into your closet and create a wardrobe that reflects your unique style and makes you feel confident every day.

Who is Alison Gary?

Alison is the heart and soul of Wardrobe Oxygen. As a mom, business owner, and woman over 40, she understands the challenges of juggling work, family, and personal style as a grown woman. Alison shares her experiences and knowledge to empower you to feel confident and stylish in your clothes.

Before starting Wardrobe Oxygen, Alison spent almost a decade in retail, apparel, visual merchandising, styling, and personal shopping. Her experience taught her much about fashion and how to dress a variety of bodies, budgets, and personal styles. She has consulted for apparel brands, styled fashion shows and capsule collections for labels, and written about fashion for a variety of established publications.

Alison Gary began Wardrobe Oxygen in 2005 as a hobby, but in 2017 quit her job to focus on Wardrobe Oxygen full time. While called an influencer, Alison's focus is on writing and sharing advice for fellow women that makes them feel good about themselves, find comfort and joy in their closets, and to create a wardrobe with purpose, thought, and longevity. Alison lives in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., with her husband, their high school-aged daughter, and their rescue dog, Oscar.

Wardrobe Oxygen Press Mentions and Features

Alison Gary and Wardrobe Oxygen have been featured in The Washington Post, Woman's Day, The New York Times, US News & World Report, Lifehacker, Where, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Shondaland, Prevention, The Penny Hoarder, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, WhoWhatWear, and MSNBC.

Alison Gary authored columns for Redbook, The Plum,  The Washington Post, and Savings.com and has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning Washington, Let's Talk Live, WUSA9, FOX 5 DC, Washingtonian, DC Modern Luxury, Washington Life, and DC Refined.

Alison has hosted events and led projects for cabi, Universal Standard, Full Beauty Brands, IKEA, Gwynnie Bee, ELOQUII, Foxcroft, Goodwill, and Talbots. She has spoken at conferences such as Rebelle,  PR News, cabi, Mediavine, and the TCF Style Expo.

Alison Gary is available for conferences, panels, and consulting.

Follow Wardrobe Oxygen on Social

Find more about Alison Gary and Wardrobe Oxygen on Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, and Facebook, and request to join the Wardrobe Oxygen private community. You can reach Alison at [email protected].

Many of you have asked for a way to support Wardrobe Oxygen.  Why not buy me a coffee?