24 Hours with Wardrobe Stylist Erica Hanks

24 Hrs with Erica Hanks

From attending New York Fashion Week to styling the chic denizens of Charlotte, North Carolina, wardrobe stylist Erica Hanks’s days are never dull. Keeping up with her clients’ needs, which involves everything from outfitting celebrities for awards shows to keeping closets current, requires constant scouting for pieces at major showrooms and local boutiques. Here, the busy mother of three takes a break from personal, commercial, and editorial styling to share an hour-by-hour breakdown of her day.

6 a.m.: I’m up! I have two adorable pups— a Pug and a Springer Spaniel—who have me take them out before my three kids wake up. I take my phone with me outside and check all my messages and emails before getting the kids up. With a 15, 12 and 10-year-old, there’s not much to physically do with them in the morning since they are self-sufficient at this point, it’s just more of herding and prodding them to get ready and be downstairs on time!

8 a.m.: After school drop off I love getting bi-weekly facials with Toska from Toska European Spa to keep me at my best. My skin has changed dramatically since seeing her. We are so grateful to have her expertise right here in Charlotte! Tosca recently flew out to L.A., as she also works with big names like Jennifer Anniston and Busy Phillips. Anything that Jennifer is using I say bring it on!

10 a.m.: I head to SoCo Gallery on my way back to the office for a cup of coffee at their in-gallery coffee bar. Their iced mocha is my favorite in Charlotte, and it gives me a chance to check out their current exhibitions and collection of gorgeous coffee table books.

24 Hrs with Erica Hanks

10:30 a.m.: I arrive at my office and look at my schedule to prepare for what is happening for the week. I am pretty lucky that my office is above my garage! Between my assistant and me, we service over 25 male and female clients in Charlotte and beyond, and it’s important to stay on top of their current needs and anticipate needs for their special events. Today I am working on 5 of my client needs for fall, and I’m also pulling new seasonal pieces for a client to transition into autumn amidst our heat, so I’ll check and see what’s on my rack for her and then create a list of things I still need to pick up for options.

12:30 p.m.: My assistant Sarah and I break for lunch! Reid’s Fine Foods is a great lunch spot, not only for their diverse menu but also their chic decor. And with their specialty counters, sometimes I will pick up items for dinner as well. Today, it’s all about their salmon salad—it’s so good.

1:30 p.m.: After lunch I will pop into local boutiques to finish out client options. We’re so lucky to have a number of stylish local stores in Charlotte, including Charlotte’s, Five One Five, and McKenzie Claire that offer a variety of lines and cool pieces to select from. Today I’m going to Charlotte’s to grab a pair of Marc Fischer booties and to check out their resale of Louis Vuitton luggage pieces they always have coming in for a client who is in need of a new travel bag, and Five One Five to shop for feminine, boho-chic options.

3:30 p.m.: Carpool time! Luckily my kids all go to the same school, which makes it an easy pick-up.

4:00 p.m.: I get back in my office while the kids are doing homework to regroup with my local finds and incorporate them into my rack. I send few more emails to vendors and try to wrap up so I can be a mom for the rest of the day and take the kids to their activities during the week.

6:00 p.m.: Dinner with the fam! I love to cook, and my kids do as well. It’s fun to see them come up with recipes they find on Pinterest that they want to try out, especially now that my daughters are giving up meat to be plant-based only.

9:00 p.m. It’s the kids’ bedtime, and a lot of times I go to bed early too. My husband and I will watch a show or two, but we generally love our sleep. I try to get at last 8 hours in, otherwise I start to get super sluggish in my day.

24 Hrs with Erica Hanks

Photography by Christina Hussey. Learn more about Erica Hanks and her styling services on her website, and to get a full snapshot of her day-to-day life, follow her on Instagram. Erica Hanks is featured in The Scout Guide Charlotte.