Women and children entered the big walk-in closet known as My Best Friend’s Closet at Gospel Chapel Nov. 22, where they happily modelled outfits and picked through a variety of clothing to take home.
At this event, there were no price tags attached to any of the clothes. If the outfit fit, the ladies wore it home.
“The pressure isn’t there when you don’t have to pay money,” said Ashley Butcher, who attended to look for a new outfit. “You just get to graze. You feel very comfortable, and there’s no feeling of not wanting to look at something because you don’t want to buy an extra-large.”
Kelly Mykyte, who founded My Best Friend’s Closet, said her husband helped her with the idea as she has a love for clothes and felt driven to share her passion for fashion with others by helping them find clothes they need at no charge.
“I really love fashion and clothes,” Mykyte said. “I wanted to do something good with my obsession with clothes.”
During the event, there was no limit on what women could try on and take home. It was clear they were having a great time co-ordinating outfits with each other.
Some of the women peruse the selection of clothing while making use of the occasion to get to know, and socialize with, one another, Mykyte said.
Others, she added, may have spent their budgeted money on clothes for their children, and come to find clothes for themselves.
“It might be a tough month or they’ve used all their money for their kids’ clothes, and they are fine, they just can’t afford that new outfit,” Mykyte said. “When they come to My Best Friend’s Closet, all can benefit.”
Mykyte said she’s sometimes wondered whether anyone really needs anything from her vast collection of clothing. Then she’s received phone calls from people in need of help.
“I’ve been sort of discouraged sometimes because I feel like does anyone actually need this stuff, and then someone will call and ... it’s exactly what they need,” she said.
Mykyte is inviting anyone in need of new clothes or a new outfit to arrange an appointment with her by calling 403-391-1148.
“We want to show that we care and that we’re out to help people,” she said. “I think that as long as you’ve helped one person, you’ve succeeded.”