Altar'd State: How Free Market Can Make Christian Clothing a Success

As you wander the malls this holiday season, a couple stores down from Victoria's Secret you will find a women's retailer named Altar'd State.

A total of 550 more people will join their ranks this shopping season — courtesy of a very successful Christian clothing retailer — and an extremely successful economy.

It’s a story that hasn’t gotten a lot of press — possibly because it reflects well on the president, the free market — and (heaven forbid) conservative Christianity.

Altar’d State — which specializes in women’s apparel — is one of the most successful stores you’ve probably never heard about in the news.

It’s only about 10 years old now, but since its founding back in 2009 — in the trough of the worst recession in a generation — it has grown from a single store in Knoxville, Tennessee, to 100 outlets in 19 different states in the South and Midwest — and a multi-million-dollar payroll.

Interestingly, the clothing sold by Altar’d State is not overtly religious - or even political. No MAGA hats, or WWJD shirts, just tasteful competition for Abercrombie & Fitch, H & M or Anthropologie.

It’s mostly “Bohemian Chic” — entirely secular lace and crochet detailing, blouses and wraps — marketed toward women ranging in age from teens to their moms.

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