Jeffrey Kalinsky: Jeffrey Boutique Founder & Curator
Jeffrey Kalinsky has never believed in chasing trends. For decades, the legendary retailer has built his reputation on an unwavering point of view—buying only what he loves. As he prepares to return to Atlanta with a more personal, ready-to-wear–focused Jeffrey store in Buckhead Village, he shares why personal style always wins, the staples every wardrobe needs and how the right clothes should make you feel.
How have you stayed ahead of trends and in style for decades?
The easiest way to stay ahead of trends is not to think about fashion that way. Fashion for me has always been about personal self-expression. The things I like have never really changed—it’s just the way you express them that evolves. If you’re not trying to chase trends, it’s much easier to be a tastemaker.
In a warm-weather city where layering isn’t always practical, how do you make an outfit feel styled?
You can’t just put on a jean and a white shirt. You have to style it. Roll the sleeves, half-tuck the shirt, cuff the jeans, turn the collar on the blazer. You’ve got to make whatever you’re wearing your own. The magic doesn’t happen by just putting it on, it happens when you put your personal style into it.
What style advice do you always come back to?
If you love it, buy it. I don’t hem, I don’t haw, I don’t put it on hold. I put it on my body—or see it on a model—and if I love it, I take it off and say, “Let’s ring it up.” Nothing gets into Jeffrey without the “love factor.” And always wear your clothes—never let your clothes wear you. If you don’t see yourself in the mirror, that’s your sign to walk away. The perfect clothes enhance the person, never overpower them.
How have the women in your life shaped both your style and the way you curate Jeffrey?
My personal style was formed in Charleston by the women who surrounded me, and the women in my life today still influence me. I take them with me to my buying appointments. I’m shopping for their lives, where they’re going and how I want to see them in the world. It’s not about making someone over; it’s about the evolution of their style. My clients are my muses. And when you step into Jeffrey you become our stylists’ muse. They’re there to help you pick out the perfect piece for you and your life.
What closet staples should everyone invest in?
A big white buttondown shirt, the perfect jean and a tailored blazer. With those three pieces, you’ve got a couple of outfits that you can wear anywhere for almost any occassion.
Jeffrey’s Go To’s for Timeless Staples
“Toteme makes a really great oversized white cotton shirt, incredible denim and a fantastic oversized blazer. And almost everything from The Row is worthy of the investment—the quality and design are completely timeless.”
