The Art of Style

I first stumbled in here by accident over the summer. I had given up on my quest to find a unique dress to wear to a friend’s outdoor wedding; everything I found anywhere in the Triangle felt like the same-​old shift dress, Lilly Pulitzer wannabe, colored lace three-​quarter sleeve, or sparkly nighttime disaster… with some hybrids in between, but all unflattering.
I had settled upon wearing my old faithful strapless dress that I’ve had since college. I got a manicure next door, and was about to hop over to HT to grab a quick coffee before running home to change. I saw TAoS on my way and stopped in, on a whim.
I ruined my manicure here because I rummaged through everything, and I regretted NOTHING.
Kendra is absolutely fantastic. Anyone selling clothes has a lot to learn from her. She has a great eye for style, a terrific sense of customer service (with a bit of an edge — no curtsying here!), and she is happy to help you feel fantastic. I’d recently lost quite a bit of weight, but she knew exactly what to compliment on my body and how to dress those parts up. I ended up with this bold mango colored dress that was super fun to style and dance in, and made me feel like Claudia Cardinale’s smarter sister. I expected the price tag to be much higher, but it was such a steal! A few hours later I was wearing the dress, loving how I looked and rockin’ the dance floor.
I have since returned to TAoS though it was a few months until I did, given some traveling I did over the summer. Guess what? Kendra remembered me, my boyfriend, and not only my purchase but also the other items I’d liked; she then started walking me through her current inventory, making sure to hit everything she anticipated I’d like (she nailed it).
Additionally, they have all sorts of fantastic discounts that they offer via social media, so you can always find a bargain or else (reasonably) splurge.
You will always feel awesome about what you buy here!

Love this place. Always friendly and attentive staff with an awesome selection of high quality clothes. Highly recommend.

I was intrigued by a recommendation to check out Art of Style so I stopped by, looking for the assistance of a woman named Kendra (owner). While I looked through their selection, she commented on the specifics of why certain colors and cuts of clothing might look better on me (skin tone, hair/​eye color, and physique) and why some things might not. I enjoyed the honesty in her observations. After finding my sizes (samples on floor, inventory in the back) it was time to see which ones would make the cut. I’m usually skeptical about new things or new looks, but after trying on a few items I noticed she was spot on about everything. In fact, to my surprise, the clothes were quite flattering… all of them! Kendra really knows her stuff! I’ll never forget how she explained it… «clothes can make you look good, but more importantly, they need to make you feel good.» What a great ethos!
The clothes were more fitted/​tailored than what I was used to wearing, but they were very comfortable and have quickly become some of my favorites. Being complemented by friends and catching people eyeballing you when you’re walking by are great ways of realizing you’ve definitely bought the right clothes! My personal style has always been a little conservative, so the distinction between «blending in» in the past and really being noticed now was quite palpable, noteworthy, and singularly satisfying. Many, many thanks, Kendra!

After living in NYC and SF, its hard for me to find clothing in the triangle area that appeals to my style. This is the only boutique that is even close to what Im searching for. This store changes the layout/​design of the store every month so its always fun to walk in and see the updated look. They also feature local artists which you can see there work hung on the walls. The staff makes you feel very important as soon as you walk in the front door til you walk back out.

I’m so glad I discovered The Art of Style! I actually popped into the Brier Creek location on a whim earlier in the week, desperately searching for a dress for the 800 weddings and graduations we have to attend this summer. I tried on a few, affordable things that I really liked, but I just can’t pull off strapless and needed something more.
When I went to the Cameron Village boutique today, I was instantly greeted and drawn to a slew of reddish dresses. I found a perfect color, neckline and length, and went to try on. Within minutes, I was paying and out the door. The selection at Art of Style is half classic and half funky — and the prices didn’t make my jaw hit the floor. I’m a miserable shopper (think lots of yawning, impatient foot tapping, eye rolling, etc.) and even though my experience at this boutique may’ve been mostly luck, I wouldn’t hesitate to return or to recommend this place to others.
The girl working the shop at the time was incredibly friendly, engaged me in conversation about my need for such a dress and let me know about a future fashion show that Art of Style would be a part of.