“ Ever since about junior high , there was something about fashion ,” Mari Schmitz said , the manager of JQ Clothing Co ., a sweet and sassy boutique that recently opened its doors in Hill City .
Mari is classy , unarguably so , dressed to the nines yet pleasantly understated . Her black knee-length dress with its tiered skirt and her black sneakers contrasted timelessly with her turquoise statement jewelry , and her hair was impeccably styled .
“ I think I learned my fashion from my mom . She always looked put together and always said , ‘ Never leave the house without lipstick on .’ Still to this day she is a very fashionable woman ,” Mari said .
It is pretty hard to argue the importance fashion plays in our day-today , regardless of whether one is fashion-conscious or more comfortdriven . How we present ourselves and the clothing we wear affects how we are perceived by others , says something about our personality and tastes and preferences , but perhaps most profoundly it can affect how we feel about ourselves .
“ It is ever so much easier to be good if your clothes are fashionable ,” a certain red-headed literary heroine asserted some 100 years ago . And yet , as important as clothing and fashion are , women commiserate on the difficulty of finding clothes that are comfortable and flattering and suit our tastes , and what woman doesn ’ t know the feeling of standing in front of a mirror and critically assessing her appearance ?
In a culture dominated by Amazon and online shopping , the experience of browsing small local stores with mother or sisters or girlfriends , trying things on , taking a turn in front of the mirror , and getting savvy advice from a classy and stylish saleswoman is almost a thing of the past . Almost . But not quite . Enter JQ Clothing Co . Mari Schmitz and JQ Clothing Co . owner Jessica Quandt , both of Oakes , North Dakota , have an eye for fashion and a love of helping women recognize their own beauty and feel comfortable and classy in the clothes that they are wearing . This dynamic duo has brought some of that passion for fashion to Hill City .
“ I have always loved clothing ,” Jessica said . “ Even back in high school and grade school , my teachers would joke that I always dressed nicer than they did ! I ’ ve always loved fashion and jewelry …. People would ask me , ‘ Where did you get that ? Where did you find that ? We love that !’ So , I just thought , well , I ’ m going to open a store !”
With extensive experience as a business owner , from printing stores to AT & T stores , Jessica tapped into her trendy tastes and her eye for beauty , purchasing her first store for JQ Clothing Co . in 2013 . The beautifully renovated former drug store on Main Avenue in Oakes , North Dakota , had gone to auction .
Hat , $ 40 ; Sunglasses , $ 42 ; earrings , $ 30.95 ; necklace , $ 30.95 ; graphic sweatshirt , $ 55.95 ; fray hem shorts , $ 47.95
On the grid black ruffle dress $ 57 ; bracelet , $ 25 ; earrings , $ 35 ; necklace , $ 40
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