More than a hundred women filled the Brown-Lupton University Union Ballroom last week to learn how to transform their closet and wardrobe in a more professional manner.

TCU Panhellenic hosted Caitlin Skidmore, the founder of Greater Than Rubies, to explain to students how and why she stopped shopping for a year.

“The hardest part was getting started,” Skidmore said. “However, I was able to make 365 different and new outfits with the clothes I already had in my closet.”

Greater Than Rubies started as a blog written by Skidmore. She now helps women all over the world during events, consultations, online style guides and through her website.

“I can teach women how to buy top brand items at such a cheap price,” Skidmore said. “It is my job to help women save money and save time.”

(Video footage by: Shelby Kitson Edited by: Riley Knight)
She told the audience the stores she shops at for most of her clothes are from the second hand store, Clothes Mentor. Skidmore also offered to go to Clothes Mentor with any of the girls and help them pick out new outfits.

She also showed the women how to make 14 different outfits with only eight clothing items: a white blouse, tan heels, a black jacket, pink pants, a green floral skirt, a tan tank top, cardigan and a black dress.

“I was impressed to see how many different outfits she was able to make with barely any clothes,” first-year student Kyle Cooney said. “[It] inspired me to try this when I go home.”

Skidmore gave tips on how to dress professional, business casual and for the different seasons and weather climates.

A member of the audience asked Skidmore what to wear for an interview during a hot summer day in Texas.

“It is necessary to wear a jacket or blazer because it is important to stay professional,” Skidmore said. “Now, some stores sell lightweight jackets that still look polished, but you could always take off the jacket in the car to stay cool and put it on right before you walk through the office doors.”

Cooney said she has yet to own professional-style clothes that she actually likes to wear.

“I really need to go shopping and look for the clothes that Caitlin used as examples,” she said. “I think my first purchase is going to be the lightweight jacket because it would be perfect for a summer internship or job.”

After the hour-long event, students were given Skidmore’s personal phone number and email for tips and advice.

“I encourage you all to clean out your closet because you will realize there are so many options in there you never realized you had,” she said. “If you do not know what to get rid of or what to buy, shoot me a picture of it and I will give you feedback.”