About Me
I was born "Cloe" (a subtle nod to my mom’s maiden name, Cole). That spelling became the foundation for Cloes & Shoes, a vintage sourcing concept named after the childhood nickname my parents gave me and the earliest version of a personal style identity that never really left.
Nicknames are a small social tool with outsized meaning. They create intimacy and belonging. They can be playful, affectionate, or unexpectedly revealing. Cloes & Shoes was all of those things for me.
Before I could fully speak, I already had strong opinions about what I wore. I chose outfits through emotional reactions and unmistakably clear signals. My parents learned not to have me try on clothing gifts in front of the person who gave them. Even at 18 months old, I had a point of view and refused to step outside it.
As I grew older, fashion became a quiet but enduring part of my identity: never the whole story, but always in the periphery, giving me a way to express myself and subtly stand out.
I especially love secondhand and vintage fashion. Beautiful pieces that have already been part of someone else’s story, carrying histories that may never be fully revealed. They allow someone to wear something unique that bears the quiet imprint of the lives it has already lived.
I also genuinely love finding a great deal. Being thoughtful with money has never felt at odds with loving fashion. To me, the thrill is in discovering something beautiful, distinctive, and high quality without paying the obvious price. At a moment when style can feel increasingly inaccessible, I want to help people find unique, budget-conscious pieces without sacrificing beauty, quality, or the sense of status fashion can carry.
For me, sourcing vintage is both creative and meaningful: an environmentally conscious way to rehome beautiful things that deserve to be seen and worn again - giving each piece a second chance at life and love.
And so, of all the things that could have remained true from my earliest years, Cloes & Shoes most definitely did.