Kim Kendall, fashion stylist and owner of Ahwatukee-based online boutique Clothes Minded (ClothesMindedAZ.com), loves dressing women. “I’ve always loved fashion and how it can transform my look and my mood,” says Kendall. “I truly have clothes on my mind 24/7/365.”
Getting to Know Kim Kendall
Kendall has called Ahwatukee home for more than a decade. She started Clothes Minded as a brick-and-mortar store in 2013. “I have more than 30 years of retail experience, and I pride myself on serving women rather than selling to them. My customers become my friends, and I love that.”
Kendall is mom to three kids, the youngest a senior at Desert Vista. The family loves to travel, and that is a perfect opportunity for Kendall to curate the clothing she wants in her shop. “I love seeing fashion, and I go shopping in local boutiques everywhere we go.”
Kendall curates a collection of clothing that looks and feels expensive but is moderately priced. “I want my customers to look like they have spent a lot on their clothes when they really didn’t.”
Turn Clothes Minded into Your Personal Shopping Service
Kendall wants to make clothing fun and accessible for Ahwatukee residents. “During COVID, I began delivering locally free and faster than Amazon. I love it so much, and it’s such a valuable service to my customers that I’ve continued to do it.”
Kendall says it has been very popular with her customers. “If you see something I’ve posted on Instagram or something in my eblast that you love and want to wear this weekend for happy hour with the ladies or date night with your husband, just place your order on my website, and I'll have it delivered in a flash. Uncertain about sizes? I can bring you options to try at home so you’re sure the items will fit and work with your shoes.”
Kendall says May is often the beginning of the “clothing crisis” in Arizona. She has some great tips to help you feel cool, chic and beautiful even during the triple-digit days ahead.
The Best Materials for Arizona
Kendall says that cotton and linen are the old standbys for what to wear in hot weather because they both breathe and are absorbent. “Cotton gauze is having a huge moment and you can find it in many garments.”
Other options for Arizona include rayon and chambray. Both are breathable like cotton, but not as absorbent, which keeps you cooler.
Choosing Spring and Summer Colors
Light colors reflect the sun’s rays, making you feel cooler when you wear them. "I personally love white in the summer because it’s cool and it showcases a tan better than any other color," Kendall explains.
Kendall also suggests that you choose patterns over solids for summer, because if you sweat, the patterned garments conceal it best.
Kendall says Very Peri is the Pantone Color of the Year for 2022 (shown on the left). "We have many items with shades of Very Peri for summer."
Style Matters
Fit also matters in the heat. Kendall recommends loose styles rather than tight styles for the summer. She suggests choosing off-the-shoulder and sleeveless styles for feeling and looking cooler in the intense Arizona heat.
Kendall recommends choosing dresses. "Dresses are an easy option to help you look chic. Pair with sandals and a pair of statement earrings to complete the look."
Accessorize for Summer
Kendall recommends that everyone get statement earrings and a hat for summer. A great pair of earrings is better than other accessories in the heat. "Sometimes necklaces and bracelets in various metals can stick to your skin, and that's not a fun feeling," Kendall explains.
The other staple is a great hat. They now come in such fun colors and an assortment of materials. "I especially love the Fun In The Sun hats on my website," says Kendall. "They are straw and come in four different colors. Not only do they add a design element to an outfit, they protect your face from the sun."
