The Tiny Closet: black

3.29.2018

Style After Style: The Maxi Skirt

As my 2nd restyling feature, I picked a piece I rarely wear but for event/avant gard occasions. This Robert Rodriguez maxi circle skirt called to me years ago and I haven't tired of it since.

With mesh paneling, a cropped front and geometric embroidery, I found a skirt that was masterfully designed and executed. That's my sewer's perspective, lol - but as a curator of artful pieces, I highly covet this one and so appreciate it's uniqueness.

I don't have many photos of myself in this one, considering how long I've had it, eek! But as you can how I've styled it over time above, it's a rather season-less skirt. Perfectly dramatic (and full coverage I might add) for Winter with tights and a fitted top. Then for Summer with a crisp tank and printed slippers. And finally...

a Spring/Summer look. All black with a cropped textured print, a pop of color, and gold accessories. As I shot this in the Arts District the other day, I did feel like I wasn't wearing an outfit for just walking and coffee (which is my usual go-to leisure activity when I'm not home). But it just depends on personal style. Some women wear stilettos to the airport so of course I can chill in this getup while sipping a pour-over. I just wouldn't. I would wear this on a date at the museum with Theo, or at a wedding. It's funny, I actually am planning on doing both of those things.

I've been designing simple cropped bolero-type jackets in The Tiny Closet Shop. Mainly using African mud cloths that I always keep stocked. I thought it would be a creative touch to pair one with a huge skirt and a simple lace cami. I love it! But the jacket is definitely still in design...

All you petite ladies out there, don't be afraid to wear a maxi skirt! - even if it's practically floor length. Simply keep the shoes and top super simple and the top better be cropped! It lengthens you. Heels are best with such a whale of a skirt buuuut if ya know me, you know I don't give a hoot about the rules. These days, there aren't any rules anyway so wear what you love.

Anyway, I aint gonna lie, mama felt saucy in this ensemble. All black, a bit of lace, a spicy red shoe, big hair.... I felt like I was back in Spain watching flamenco dancers putting on shows in the streets of Seville.

So all black for Spring is certainly not festive, I know. I've never been into pastels but I was delighted to see that a couple of the leading colors for Spring 18' is tomato and paprika! I love a good orangey red and for Spring, both go quite will with a plethora of pinks and pale blues. Just you wait!

I hope you liked this 2nd installment of my Style After Style series!

This series really is the roots of The Tiny Closet. Styling and re-styling is the name of the game when you're working with 28 pieces year-round. After 6 years of rocking a tiny (sometimes minuscule) closet, I'd say I've gotten good at what I do here. But what's great about restyling is there is always another way to wear your clothes, another ensemble to put together, another perspective. And I still love talking about it.

So join me next Thursday for another Style After Style feature!

And see what I pick next :)

Style After Style: The Midi Skirt

Today marks the kickoff of a reprised series of Tiny Closet re-stylings! You may remember a couple years ago when I collaged blog posts of pieces I'd worn in the past and put them together to show how I'd restyled them over the years.

I am beginning this series again for the Spring season where I'll be newly restyling pieces in my closet that I've featured before - but in all new ways. Style After Style.

Because like, that's what the Tiny Closet is all about.

I'll start with my beloved leather midi skirt. This mama is gorgeous, beautifully made and actually, was able to fit me through thick and thin and always made me feel chic and modern (even though it's technically vintage as it was made in the 80s).

I've worn it through every season but Summer with oversize tops, heels, flats, hoodies, you name it. The above photos feature my most diverse looks.

I have my personal favorite ensembles but I this present look I slipped on is my new fave.

Not gonna lie, it's been freezing in L.A., but I was excited about this look and wanted to share the restyling a bit earlier than the season is permitting. Perhaps this will give you ideas on how to rock your own midi skirt!

Because actually, midi skirts can be pretty awkward. The hem has got to hit you perfectly. Not to mention, the fabric is a huge factor: too thick, you're frumpy and wide looking. Too stiff, you look like you're walking around in a paper bag.

Give us shape!

Give us drape!

Oh, and give me a slit so I can move like a normal human being. My cat-like reflexes and incessant 4-lane jay-walking demands it.

I decided to wear a very cropped tee with this waist-sitting skirt. It's my own design and practically aerodynamic. That's why I wear a bralette with it always.

My vision for this ensemble since I RARELY show this much skin? Definitely a fun date with my Theo. Dressing for my husband is always loads of fun because I can step outside my modest style, get sexy and still feel cozy.

Minimalism is always fun though. I am wearing three pieces (counting my shoes) that can be beautifully highlighted with small embellishments. Like full brows and big hair.

If anything is going to do the talking, I want it to be me. If the midi skirt is wearing you, you're doing it wrong I say. And that's a bit of a challenge for a gal like me because I'm 5' tall. Everything tends to look like it's wearing me instead of the other way around. So that's why I tend to not do too much after getting dressed. Just the really important stuff.

And the really important stuff works!

So, I hope I've shown that with midi skirts, there really is so much one can do! Not just pairings and stylings but events! From dinners to work conferences, to museums, concerts, cocktail parties, happy hour, brunch with the girls - alright, alright, you get it.

To check out the other ways I've styled this leather midi skirt, click on any of the below links! :

Army Coat & Boots

Maxi Statement Tunic & Patent Leather

Oversize Sweater & Flats

Join me next Thursday for an all-new "Style After Style" feature!

and have a beautiful day!

A Moment In Leather

Like most Los Angelites, the moments it gets cold in this desert city, we delight in joining in wearing more season appropriate styles like the rest of you... like wearing jackets and coats for instance.

I LOVE this Muubaa leather jacket but I probably wear it twice a year. It's just too hot to wear it more often than that. *sigh* So when we had couple days of high 50s weather, I popped this lover on over one of my newest Winter pieces from The Tiny Closet Shop (The Shopper midi dress) and completed a cool city look with some black sneakers.

This dress is a knockout in heels but I'll leave that to my fabulous customers to rock. For me, sneakers are the reality. Even for this lil shoot, I couldn't be bothered with heels! Maybe because I'm all work and no play these days. Easy operation is key.

I am resonating with waves lately instead of my fun tiny spiral curls. It's hard to part with them but I have a rule: when you look in the mirror and you're not totally feeling yourself (vain, I know - but that's the ABCs of me, what can I say...) change it! A change will do you good.

The Shopper is still available in my Winter collection! This is a classic piece and I think it'll be showing up in my Fall and Spring capsule wardrobes. You can wear this midi dress everywhere! But I guess the same thing goes for a lot of the clothes I wear...

You guys, it's February!! Which means I am bursting at the seams in anticipation for Spriiiing! But until then,

Come back next Thursday for another warm-Winter look!

Thanks for visiting :)

My Fall Capsule

I have been waiting to reveal this!! With the weather having been like mid July for the past couple months, I postponed showcasing my Fall pieces so that I could actually wear them and figure out what kind of look I wanted to have this season.

Finally, overnight, Fall has descended upon Los Angeles as a silvery dark cold blanket. Never mind last week, which was sunny and in the hundreds - it's Fall so get used it!

Let's get right into it:

Look-links to click! top to bottom: brown platform sandals / patent heeled mules / open toe wedges

These few pairs of heels have been my go-tos since August. The coppery brown sandals I wear pretty much year round because firstly, I'm in sunny, warm California and also because their color is gorgeous for Summer and Fall looks (sometimes even warmer Winter months). The other mules go well with denim, leggings, midi dresses - you name it. And they should because I got them for that reason actually - not for my wardrobe but for modeling with my clothing line. Having no intentions to make them part of my Tiny Closet, I bought them to wear for fittings and product shoots. None of them are even over $40! They looked so good though, I just started wearing them to the shoots and then out leisurely.

This is actually a sneak preview of my new collection of basics coming up...soon. The collection is called "Standard" and these particular designs were fundamental in creating my clothing line. Anyway, I'm very excited to share these pieces with you. For now, they are part of my Fall capsule this season specifically because I am testing the fabrics for performance and look. So far I love them! And so will you. On the subject though - I've found it very helpful to always have a set of fine tees. White, heather gray and black are my set. Excellent drape, great feel, and a feminine deep neckline for a light sexy, slouchy style.

Look-link! cropped lace camisole

And a lace or silk camisole is super helpful. A key piece in bringing a capsule together.

Look-link! black leather midi skirt & here

This midi skirt has been a keeper for years. Definitely medium weight kid leather (the most exquisite kind!) with a silk lining, I only take this babe out for Fall & Winter. I've noticed an article of leather does well in every seasonal capsule, whether it's pants, a skirt or a jacket. If leather aligns with your ethics, or maybe vegan leather, the look is all-season and you can have fun with colors for each capsule!

Look-link! one-shoulder knit midi dress / Available for preorder 11/9

My one-shoulder knit midi dress comes in handy pretty much all year. I debuted this piece as regal Summer evening wear. But I've found it's relevant and beautiful for Fall. I plan to make this piece in a long sleeve to better fit the current season.

Look-link! orange crepe wrap dress / purchase here

My orange wrap dress from Summer also does very well for Fall here. I'm thinking a scoop neck body suit underneath as an additional look for the season? Could be fun. A dress with an of-the-moment statement color or print always does well in a capsule. Always!

Look-link! black V-neck waterfall dress / purchase here

Of course, I had to include my smoke black V-neck waterfall dress. It seems to be perfect for any occasion! I designed it and even I'm surprised by its capacity. This piece became quite popular after I released it's first design as a Summer tunic (below). The fabric is heavyweight so for me, it's definitely a Fall piece. Layered with tights and an overcoat or statement sweater, it could also work as a light dress for Winter.

Look-link! white V-neck tunic & here / purchase here

A Summer tunic turned every-day oversize top. This long roomy tunic goes so well with my work clothes, it's almost as basic as a big white tee - I'm sure I'll bring this top with me through all of my capsules. I am also releasing it in a mulled wine color next week sooooo.... maybe that will be my new Fall favorite? It'll be nice to have options though :)

Look-link! railroad denim dress / purchase here

I love The Painter dress as it's called in my shop. But the original dress I released last Spring looked better on me. Also, I haven't had a chance to wear it much with the blistering heat. The denim is heavy weight like a stiff pair or jeans so Fall/Winter months only. It's got a great silhouette and damn sturdy! And since Fall came to us literally overnight, I'll have more opportunities to sport this daily workhorse dress.

Be sure to check out all my "Look-Links" to see how I styled each of my Fall capsule pieces in past and present season. And speaking of looking...

New Winter pieces are arriving in the shop next week!!!!

Fall Capsule Beginnings

I am finally taking some time to explore separates this season!

I love a one-piece-throw-on-and-go uniform, hence my infinite discussion about them in my posts (and clothing line). They're the secret to [effortlessly] getting ready any time of day, any day of the week! But I'm taking a pause for a season or two to finally tackle tops:

how to wear them / how to style them / how to design the right fit. And I think I'm on the right path...

I went from dresses to... tunics! They're considered tops too. I'm getting there.

This beauty, Portia, an acupuncturist by trade and an ever patient model by friendship shed some light while I worked out the kinks and fiddled with wear last weekend. Ah, the art of wearing separates!

I think all you need is drape. Oh, and good bone structure.

Starting with white and black, I took classic lines and played with them a bit. I always like to start from a classic foundation and build into whatever I'm feeling. And I'm not talking just design - I'm referring to style as well of course!

I've always been intimidated by separates. A lot of options can lead to a lot of indecision. But if focused on the style of look you want, I realize it's quite easy to pick out and put together the pieces that fit that vision. Rather than having some random top here and there that doesn't go with anything and a ton of tops that match one random bottom that you don't even care for. Anxiety!

So I wanted to share a little peak of what I've been up to over here in The Tiny Closet. Makin tops and talkin shop! But seriously, I've been working - experimenting, finding the perfect fit, drape and look to curate a collection of separates and statement pieces into what I believe will be my best Fall/Winter capsule yet :)

Posts to unfold later this week, guys!

And I'm super excited too because I don't get a chance to share so regularly these days. I hope you'll check back again before the week is out to see more!

Daily Looks

I am a creature of habit, especially with my clothing and keeping a wardrobe. So when I find a new uniform or daily ensemble I can count on, I wear that baby out.

I've been feeling artistically moody lately as I was mentioning earlier... feeling the misty, dark Northwest spirit. But the weather in L.A. has been nothing but sunny clear skies and scorching, balmy heat. What gives? Come on, I'm trying to have broody cool vibes over here.

At least I can capture them in photos. Even if I'm sweating under this turban.

I promise I'll have something else to talk about in my next post. But this! This dress has climbed the closet billboard to #1 in just a matter of a week. Side note, it started out longer and I shortened it - voila. Instant daily wear.

Short enough to flirt with on my way to dinner. And long enough to not have to cirque-du-soleil myself out of an Uber without disaster. The swing-like back drapes and flows so beautifully so I don't mind that there is minimal detail. I'm a minimal detail kinda girl. Give me one big statement and you can keep all the other bells and whistles.

I am normally so disappointed in how I look in wedges. My calves are built to keep me moving so needless to say, they don't have that slender swan-like look that can pull off a bottom heavy shoe like a wedge. Buuuuut, I have noticed that a super narrow wedge is much more complimenting on athletic legs like mine so long story short, I love these wedges I'm wearing! And they are perfecto with this high-low dress.

Easy and sophisticated for day and effortlessly sultry for night. What a great day-to-night outfit this turned out to be.

Visit The Tiny Closet Shop to view this piece in more detail. I'm rolling out some fantastic and fun outfits for Fall! ... If only it would start getting there. They'll be trickling in as the weather cools. Check back on Monday to see a brand new outfit and maybe some new ideas to help you put your Fall Capsule together!

Happy, happy Thursday to you!

Soft Sides

As gritty as downtown L.A. can be, I can always find the brighter, softer side of the city. The trees, the glossy high rises, the majestic views and in particular, this long serene stretch of concrete built above the streets.

It was a little too windy for this easy breezy duo but the peaceful softness of this area where we were walking matched my mood, which matched my outfit.

The easiness of this cropped top and a newly designed pair of high-waist pants in a samurai style reminded me of the soft, simple and modern roots of my fashion tastes. And modern because of all the stretch knit pieces I have. I'm a stretch-knit girl for life. Give me a bolt of it and I'll make a whole wardrobe from just stretch knit. I'll do it! Maybe I already have at this point...

But it really is all about comfort and beauty. And not beauty as in vanity but beauty as in pleasant peace. Being comfortable enough to be able to enjoy your clothing and your surroundings.

So after working with stretch knits for years, making it a substantial part of my wardrobe and also selling it in The Tiny Closet Shop, I am now seeking out new textures and fabrics that can give me the same effortless feeling as soft stretchy knits. Can I feel as effortless in silk? Leather? Linen?

I'm realizing it's not all just in perspective and tastes but it has a lot to do with the design of things. Like the city I live in. So I'm having fun exploring the softer sides of other materials. And seeing what I can come up with.

And speaking of which, there's certainly more coming to The Tiny Closet Shop this upcoming season so I'm very excited to show more!

Have a beautiful weekend :)

The Tiny Closet

Pages

3.29.2018

Style After Style: The Maxi Skirt

3.22.2018

Style After Style: The Midi Skirt

2.08.2018

A Moment In Leather

11.02.2017

My Fall Capsule

9.18.2017

Fall Capsule Beginnings

8.31.2017

Daily Looks

3.02.2017

Soft Sides

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