Today we’d like to introduce you to Staci Caillé.
Staci, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Reckless Swagger is a woman‑owned, punk‑inspired clothing and accessories shop in downtown St. Paul in the historic Produce Exchange Building, built on a lifelong love of music, fashion, and unapologetic self‑expression. I grew up in a fashion‑forward home and started dreaming about retail early on—but I was always drawn to the edgy stuff, the pieces that push boundaries and tell a story.
What we do is upcycle, curate, and reimagine—giving new life to underestimated pieces and turning them into something bold, wearable, and personal. Punk, to me, isn’t just a style—it’s about questioning norms, creating your own lane, and showing up as your full self.
Today, Reckless Swagger is more than a store. It’s a community. We’re proud to have a thriving brick‑and‑mortar and online presence, fueled by social media, collaboration, and partnerships with local musicians and artists. Whether you’re walking in off the street or finding us online, the goal is the same: to help people feel seen, confident, and fearless in what they wear and proud to make a statement.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Balancing entrepreneurship with a full‑time corporate role means long hours, late nights, and a lot of doing things the hard way—by choice. Much of Reckless Swagger has been built through DIY problem‑solving, persistence, and creative flexibility, from sourcing and curating inventory to marketing, merchandising, and community building.
Right now, I’m actively building a leather‑working atelier inside the shop to complement the clothing I curate and upcycle. This evolution allows the brand to become more hands‑on and intentional—adding original, crafted pieces while maintaining the punk‑inspired ethos that defines the store.
At the same time, Reckless Swagger is about more than just my work. I want the store to be a platform—encouraging and supporting independent creators who align with our vision, whether they’re fellow upcycles or jewelry artists creating pieces that complement our offerings. We’re defining ourselves in real time, and that organic growth is both exciting and challenging.
Because many of our pieces are one‑of‑a‑kind, promotion becomes one‑to‑one as well. Each item requires individual storytelling through reels, posts, and website listings—an incredibly time‑intensive process, but one that reinforces authenticity and connection with our customers.
Retail today is no longer about putting a sign on the door and waiting. It’s about driving discovery, understanding optimal hours, experimenting with what works, and even hosting pop‑ups and collaborative events within your own space to spark renewed interest. Every decision is tested, adjusted, and refined as we grow.
It’s demanding—but it’s intentional. Reckless Swagger is being built with purpose, creativity, and community at the center.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The desire to launch our own leather goods brand came after a lifetime of collecting unique, specialized clothing and a deep fascination with fashion as personal expression. More than 25 years ago—back in the infancy of eBay—I opened an online store, long before “resale” and “curation” became buzzwords. Even then, I was chasing pieces with character, history, and attitude. The leather brand development took a backseat to the idea behind a retail space when my husband found the perfect one:
I’ve always dreamed of having my own space, with my own rules—a place where creativity leads and constraints don’t. As the retail landscape shifted and consumers increasingly sought authentic, upcycled, and one‑of‑a‑kind fashion, the timing felt right. Just as important, modern retail made it possible to scale store hours in a way that worked alongside already demanding schedules, allowing passion and practicality to coexist.
We found an incredible space and began collaborating with people who shared our vision—artists and makers who help us source, rework, and co‑create upcycled garments, alongside pieces I’ve curated and collected over time. What emerged was Reckless Swagger: bold, expressive, and always evolving.
Today, our offerings include:
Statement jackets, coats, vests, ties, suits, and standout garments
Curated denim, footwear, and unusual designer pieces
Customized jewelry designed to complement and layer with our clothing
Leather accessories crafted in‑house from my atelier
Our custom candles and perfume rollerballs, Midnight Swagger
The brand has grown organically and sometimes unexpectedly. Our logo became so popular that it inspired a custom t‑shirt, created by a local creative duo. Soon, we’ll be offering a customized hat designed by a Parisian artist—because why not? Art is art. Fashion is fashion. And pushing boundaries is part of who we are.
We also love saying yes to the unconventional. From custom orders for alternate sizing to collaborating with customers to bring their boldest fashion ideas to life, Reckless Swagger exists to help people express themselves—fully, fearlessly, and without apology.
We’re defining ourselves as we go, embracing evolution rather than perfection. That’s not a limitation—it’s the point.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Reckless Swagger has built a strong digital and local presence by meeting people where they are. We’ve grown an engaged and loyal following on Instagram—nearing 13,000 and growing— supported by solid website traffic and an active presence on Facebook and TikTok to remain relevant across platforms and audiences.
Our brick‑and‑mortar shop is open Saturdays from noon to 5 pm, with appointments available outside of those hours, allowing us to stay flexible while delivering an elevated, personal experience. Online orders turn around quickly, reinforcing that accessibility doesn’t have to sacrifice intention or quality.
Community is central to how we operate. We’ve hosted special events, private shopping experiences, and pop‑up moments, and we’re actively exploring Thursday or Friday evening in‑store events that feature local musicians performing intimate sets—bringing fashion, music, and culture together in one shared space.
Beyond our walls, we stay deeply connected. We’re active in online community forums, regularly participate in local art crawl events, and continuously seek meaningful collaboration. Looking ahead, we’re pursuing partnerships with other women‑owned local shops to produce a collaborative runway event, amplifying shared voices while celebrating creative independence.
Reckless Swagger isn’t just a retail destination—it’s a platform for expression, collaboration, and community, both online and off.
Pricing:
- Handmade Ties $65
- Jewelry from $24 – $55
- Curated garments start at $65
- One-of-a-Kind from $250 – $525
- Tees $35 and Candles $18-$30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reckless-swagger.com
- Instagram: reckless_swagger_shop
- Facebook: Reckless Swagger
