You know the little nod that says “That looks great on you?” Until you get it, a new outfit is still somebody else’s clothing.

It’s a silent conversation that happens in an instant - an intimate dialogue that flashes from one face to another and back again before a single word is uttered.

You emerge from the dressing room feeling slightly less vulnerable than Bambi was the day he was born and your expression says it all: “Is this really me?”

Suddenly it happens. First the nod. Then the words. And all from a total stranger. She’d simply been sitting there, probably waiting for a friend in another dressing room. But now she’s your closest confidant. “I don’t look fat?” “Not at all. More like elegant. I wish I could wear that.” Sheer poetry.

What’s interesting about this spontaneous support group is that it’s an all-ages show. We see twenty-somethings admiring the quiet confidence and relaxed style that accompany stylish aging. And we hear the more worldly openly encourage young immortals as they squeeze into their little tubes.

Of course, we’re proud to host these impromptu encounters. Like a great friendship, a great wardrobe depends on just the right combination of trust, time and place.

Feeling comfortable enough to say exactly what’s on your mind doesn’t hurt, either.