Dressed for success: Debbie Crane is The Woodlands dress maven

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- A lot of teenagers have part-time jobs in high school as a way to grab some extra cash or save money for college, but some end up discovering a passion that turns into a lifetime career.

That's what happened to Debbie Crane, a Creekside Village resident and the owner of Crane's Dress Boutique.

"In high school, I worked on the sales floor at Foley's in Almeda Mall," Crane said. "I thought I was going to be an accountant, but then I fell in love with retail."

Crane didn't totally silence her mind for math. She realized her interest in both business and fashion could be a winning combination.

After graduating from the University of Houston with a degree in marketing, Crane went to work on the corporate side of fashion as a buyer. Her career took her to New York, where she ultimately became a manufacturer, selling to stores nationwide.

Although Crane was responsible for other lines such as coats, lingerie and swimwear, there was just something about dresses that fit her best.

"Dresses is unlike anything else," Crane said. "You're dressing the customer head to toe. It's a hard industry to be successful in."

Crane hadn't been in an actual store selling to women directly in a while, as her career took her down the path of corporate offices - and she missed it.

When she and her husband Jimmy decided to move back to Houston, they settled in The Woodlands. Jimmy is a coach at The Woodlands High School, and Crane fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening her own dress shop just last month.

Crane is always thinking ahead by at least six months. In fact, she's already bought for prom, and soon she'll be planning for homecoming. On top of that, she's getting ready for wedding season for bridesmaids, mother-of-the-bride and second-wedding brides.

Crane is also ready to meet ladies' holiday needs, ranging from cocktail parties to full-on New Year's Eve glitz and glamor. Here's what she says is on trend this season:

• Patterned sequins, metallic lace
• Novelty sleeves and necklines: Bell sleeves, dramatic necklines with ruffles or other adornments
• Colors: Hunter green and burgundies, although the classics of gold and silver are always on point

Crane also keeps an eye on the more casual side of fashion -- for those Friday night dates, business functions, or simply any occasion that calls for a dress.

"A dress is a full body statement," Crane said. "One of my favorite sayings is that a woman is never more beautiful than when she's wearing a dress."