In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, there’s a boutique in Waynesboro, Virginia, that’s doing things differently—Adorn. Owned by the passionate and thoughtful Katie Harris, Adorn isn’t just another clothing store; it’s a place to source small batch, curated, and unique clothing where women come to feel empowered, confident, and comfortable in their own skin. Recently, Katie shared her entrepreneurial journey of creating Adorn and what makes Adorn a unique shopping experience.
A Curated Collection with Purpose
Katie, the heart and soul behind Adorn, didn’t start her career in fashion. In fact, she spent years working with children with severe autism and later managed a mobile food pantry. Her previous professions required a wardrobe that balanced practicality with professionalism, and like many women, she found it challenging to find clothes that fit her fluctuating weight and professional needs. This personal struggle inspired her to open Adorn, a boutique that curates small-batch, sustainable clothing designed to be versatile, comfortable, and long-lasting.
Katie handpicks every item in her store with one goal in mind: to help women feel confident. She focuses on brands that allow for fluctuation in body size, ensuring that the clothes fit well and make women feel good no matter what. From casual wear to professional attire, Adorn offers pieces that transition easily between different occasions.
“I carry lines that I’ve been wearing for years, ones that I know make me feel confident and comfortable,” Harris shares. “My goal is to help other women feel the same.”
Sustainability Meets Style
One of the most remarkable aspects of Adorn is its commitment to sustainability. Katie carefully selects clothing lines that not only fit well but also have a minimal environmental impact. Many of the items she offers are from local women artisans, from jewelry to accessories, ensuring that her boutique supports the local economy while offering unique, high-quality pieces.
“I encourage my customers to bring in their favorite pieces from home, and we work together to mix and match new items with what they already own,” Harris explains. “It’s all about creating a sustainable wardrobe that lasts.”
This approach to fashion helps women avoid the frustrations of constantly buying and discarding clothing. Instead, they can invest in a few key pieces that can be styled in multiple ways, allowing them to build a wardrobe that reflects their unique style without breaking the bank—or the planet.
A Boutique with a Personal Touch
Adorn isn’t just about selling clothes. For Katie, it’s about building relationships and offering personalized service that’s hard to find in today’s retail world. Many of her customers come from miles away, seeking her advice and expertise. Katie even makes house calls to help women sort through their wardrobes, finding what works and what doesn’t, and offering suggestions on how to build a more functional, stylish wardrobe.
Her dedication to her customers is evident in everything she does. Katie regularly hosts pop-up events featuring local artisans, from jewelry makers to bra fitters, ensuring that Adorn isn’t just a boutique—it’s a hub for women in the community to connect, share, and support each other.
Empowering Women, One Outfit at a Time
For Katie, fashion is more than just clothes; it’s about confidence. She has seen firsthand how the right outfit can make a woman feel empowered and ready to take on the world. For instance, after the pandemic, many women found themselves re-entering professional spaces with a bit of anxiety. Katie helped them overcome this by offering clothes that fit well, look great, and make them feel unstoppable.
“When you’re wearing clothes that make you feel confident, you can focus on the task at hand, rather than worrying about how you look,” Harris explains. “That’s what Adorn is all about.”
A Community-Focused Business
Adorn is a reflection of Katie’s deep commitment to her community. She moved to Waynesboro 18 years ago and has been an active participant in the local business scene ever since. In the past year alone, Katie has supported the Silver Line Theatre Exchange (Staunton), Red Wing Music Academy (Harrisonburg), Peachtree Softball League (Crozet), and Prism Pride Festival (Waynesboro).
She also values collaboration with other local business owners. Through Grow Waynesboro’s eight-week business program, Katie connected with fellow entrepreneurs, building relationships that continue to support her in her first year of business. This sense of community is at the core of Adorn, and Katie works hard to ensure that her boutique serves as a gathering place for women to come together, share their stories, and support one another.
What’s Next for Adorn?
Looking ahead, there are exciting plans for Adorn. She’s working on launching a website to better serve her customers and will continue hosting pop-up events that feature local artists and entrepreneurs. Whether it’s a bra-fitting event with a local lingerie shop or affordable headshots with a local photographer, she is constantly finding new ways to connect with her community and offer services that help women feel their best.
If you’re in Waynesboro or the surrounding areas, a visit to Adorn is a must. Whether you’re looking for a new outfit, seeking advice on building a sustainable wardrobe, or simply want to connect with a community of like-minded women, Adorn has something special to offer. As Reid says, “We’re not trying to change anyone’s personal style; we’re just here to help enhance the beauty that’s already there.
Learn more about Adorn on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates! For our complete interview with Katie Harris, check out Ep. 24 of the Waynesboro at Work podcast on YouTube and Spotify.