Charlotte’s Closet is an easy, inexpensive way for tweens and teens to borrow designer dresses for important events and parties at great prices.
The idea for the business came to owner Jen Forman a little over a year ago. She had just attended a party
and fell in love with her friend’s daughter’s dress. She was driving home trying to think of a way to ask her friend to borrow the dress for her own daughter, Charlotte. Her daughter was going through the bat mitzvah circuit, which could mean up to 30 bat mitzvahs in one year, plus proms, father-daughter dances, graduations, sweet sixteens and other parties.
“The prospect of buying dresses for all of the events teens are invited to can be expensive and overwhelming,” Forman said. “Charlotte’s Closet is an extension of the green, not wasteful, sharing economy. The way of sharing that we have all have learned, to use other people’s cars (Uber, Lyft), homes (airbnb), etc.”
Charlotte’s Closet launched its website last year. The website offers popular brands such as Jolene, Riva Designs, Blush, Dave & Johnny, Hannah S, Tiffany Designs, Un Deux Trois, Stella M’lia, Angela & Alison and many more. Prices to borrow a dress are up to 75 percent off the original price of the dress, starting at $26 up to about $200, depending on the style and designer.
“The important thing for our customers is the experience of wearing a beautiful dress and feeling like a princess, not necessarily owning the dress,” said Forman. “And since borrowing costs less, they can come back and choose a completely different style for their next event.”
A parent and teen can browse the website and once they see a dress they like, choose a color and size. Charlotte’s Closet will send a second size to try also at no extra charge. Enter the party date and the dress is delivered that week.
After the event, the dress is sent back in the original box with the pre-paid UPS label. Charlotte’s Closet also has a showroom in Manhattan where you can book a private appointment to try on dresses.
Forman grew up in Port Washington. She attended Guggenheim, Sousa and Schreiber schools. She graduated in 1989. She’s lived in Port Washington with her family for 12 years. Her daughter attends Weber and her son attended Sousa. Her mother also works at Schreiber. Professionally, Forman has worked in lifestyle public relations for 20 years.
Forman is having a local trunk show on March 20 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Nancy Sinoway Tailoring and Alterations Studio, 334 Main St. For more information about Charlotte’s Closet or the trunk show, check out the website 
www.charlottes-closet.com.
