Colleen O’Brien’s Secret to Looking Fabulous When it Counts
Her Story

Past. Recent grad with a film degree dipping her toe in Seattle’s tech scene
Present. Marketing and communications professional, podcast and YouTube content creator, and Reel Grrls board member
Future. Entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist working to achieve gender equity in media
Height… 5’5″
Go-to outfit… dark jeans, a dolman-sleeved top, waterproof Blondo booties, Aer backpack
Mostly dresses for… day-to-day work in tech, YouTube series filming, live podcast events
Based in… Seattle, WA
If I’m meeting a new business partner or attending an event that will be photographed, I’m calling on Armoire to help me look great with bolder colors and great silhouettes.


Her Armoire
I signed up for Armoire because I am genuinely awful at shopping and dressing myself. I don’t really tend to follow trend news, or know what looks best on my body. Armoire was a way for me to hire for that weakness, and to outsource fashion to the experts.
Favorite Part
Armoire helps me adhere to Marie Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I love that I don’t need to own dozens of dresses to wear dozens of dresses. I can wear a different outfit to every holiday party, live podcast event, and film shoot without breaking the bank or remodeling my closet to contain all of those clothes.
Her Experience
Armoire has saved me a lot of time that I would have otherwise spent shopping for and dry cleaning clothes. It also helps me better prepare for the week. Instead of rifling around in my closet in the morning for a suitable outfit, I’ve pre-planned which Armoire piece is perfect depending on the day’s activities.
I’ve also started dabbling in more COLOR since finding Armoire. My wardrobe is largely filled with black and gray clothing, and the service has pushed me to a brighter place.
Favorite Armoire Pieces
Zuri orange and teal dress (with the swirls) Elizabeth & James Bradshaw skirt

Her Style
I’d describe my style as “fabulous when it counts.” If I’m meeting a new business partner or attending an event that will be photographed, I’m calling on Armoire to help me look great with bolder colors and great silhouettes. Otherwise, I’m really utilitarian. I spend a lot of time commuting by bus and urban hiking around the city. Most often, I’m opting for apparel that won’t ride up, itch, or reveal my overactive sweat glands.

What do you do with 10 minutes of solitude?
The Daily Calm on the Calm app. I try to stick to my Transcendental Meditation practice, but quick hits of meditation throughout the day help me stay focused, motivated, and creative.
Who’s your boss lady inspiration?
I’m so impressed by Dr. Stacy Smith, the Founder and Director of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative at USC. Smith studies gender and racial inequity onscreen and behind the camera. She coined the phrase “inclusion rider,” which made a big splash at the 2018 Academy Awards. I had the opportunity to invite her to speak at Microsoft last year (thanks, Judy Loehr!), and interview her for Microsoft’s Women in Business & Technology podcast.
How do you treat yourself?
Epsom salt baths, wellness podcasts, and seven hours of sleep
Plus ten reasons you should rent clothes here.