The Tiny Closet

Soooooo, before I start I have to admit, typing this is grueling!!!!!

If you follow my Instawammies, you might have noticed that I got some colorful acrylic talons to sport during my vacation.  

And now I am completely inoperable.  Yes, my hands are worthless and this post is already taking way too long to write - but oh, looking down at my keyboard...  My claws are so preeeeetty.

Okay!

So I am home for the holidays and that means:

Lots of sweets.

Lots of sleep.

Lots of pampering.

Aaaand lots of long talks with the coolest woman in the world, my mom.

And speaking of my mother, I also look forward to rummaging picking carefully through her treasure trove of jewelry, bags, and... makeup!!  Plus her bathroom is like the most beautiful room in the house (eeee!).

I will be posting a couple more times before the new year but you can also stay updated on my lil adventures and musings by visiting me on my Instagram!

While I'm cozying up in the misty Northwest, I hope you're doing the same for the holidays.  I am cooking up some new ideas and looks for the new year but until then, I wish a very Merry Christmas to you, lovely, dear readers and your families.  

It's always nice to be back home.

Around this time of year, I see the display cases and department store racks loaded with Fall/Winter staples.  And with each passing year, fashion is definitely becoming more and more mass-generalized.  Is that the correct term?  I mean with all the H&Ms and Forever21s circling the globe, trends have truly been made available to all (yay!) but at the great expense of quality, fit and authenticity (boooooo!).  And now when I see these stacks on stacks of staples, and being told "every woman should have this in her closet", they start to look more like humdrum uniforms instead of classics.  Especially when I see women wearing them.  Are we clones, ladies? 

Yes, I love that oversize tee with the leather short sleeves... but do I really want to blend in with the other 50,000 women who are rocking the same trend as well?  I'll pass on that one.  But I keep on passing.

The world has become tiny.  I can buy a top in Portland and return it in Barcelona.  Not really, but pretty much.  In fact, I think I tried to do that once.  They gave me a store credit.  Anyway, the point is we can all look identical if we wanted to.  Stores sure set it up that way.  And sadly, for some who are exhausted by the thought of cultivating a personal style, they are happy to look just like the mannequin and go about their day.  Don't do it!  A wardrobe is so much more fun and valuable when you make it your own.

I took two of the most popular classic articles of clothing that stores are always trying to sell at me and I searched for inspiration on how to make them my own.  And now on this fine Monday, I'm sharing it with you!  Here's what I found:

The Classic Trench

Unless you truly want thee classic trench coat look, it may be more enjoyable to change it up.  Make the "look" look more like you.

glamouparis.com

I love this juicy bright berry color on Lea Michele.  Absolutely a unique spotlight on a classic coat that can often times look commonplace.

I also love the idea of embellishing the classic lines with lace, polka dots, dye or trim.  Turning a staple piece into an art piece!

Top Shop / SheInside.com / kate spade

Of course, Burberry has been exploding with stunning styles for the blank canvas that is the trench coat.  I've especially been inspired by their edgier biker chick class:

Burberry

If you're romantic...

trendsfashionwomen.blogspot.com /  cichic.com / sheinside.com

And if you're cheeky!

Wanda Nylon brownsfashion.com / Photo taken by Tim Regas

None of these options will ever drown in a sea of everyday, every girl looks.  Each are unique like the person who imagined them up!


I then paused on The Basic Black Blazer
This was mainly for women who count on the black blazer for work.  I can't tell you how many blazers I've tried on in I don't know how many stores and they all fit miserably.  Where's the tailoring?  Oh, that's right, one size fits all...  I also can't tell you how many women I see wearing ill fitting blazers.  A black blazer is the sexiest thing when worn well.  But finding one or tailoring one takes a bit more work.  And it's soooo worth it.  Try these ideas on for size:

You can try an ultra fitted, ultra fem blazer.  This works for both curvy and athletic built women.
Lookbook Store / L'Wren Scott anothermag.com

And going leather is a stylish direction.  A nice break from the stretch polys that tend to line the shelves.  For a chic finish, I like an invisible lapel.
Burberry / Brooklyn Blonde in Helmut Lang 

I personally don't like wearing blazers indoors.  They feel too much like jackets and I have a thing about wearing outerwear inside.  Still, I love a black blazer and recently I've liked the oversize, slouchy sweater-like blazers.  They're cozier and less clingy.  A very wearing-my-dads blazer look.  A style very well suited if work in the hair, retail or fashion industry.
 Her New Tribe blog / unknown / TheChicStreetJournal.com

And lastly, a collection I've gathered showing some very atypical designs for the black blazer.  Surely to fit that individual who chooses it over all the others.
unknown / alldaychic.com / Atlantic Pacific blog / SincerelyJules.com

From lush silk velvet to a tuxedo inspired lapel.  And completely sleeveless and minimal or slinky and heavily embellished.  It's so easy to forget just how unique and one of a kind you can be with your clothing.  Even the basics!

Just some musings that evolved recently while in the spirit of preparing for the holiday season...  I'm  excited to show you an all new Tiny take on holiday dressing!  Sharing how I dress up with customized touches using very basic pieces.  Looking forward!

Happy Monday :)

My sister and I used to have this funny saying when one of us would try to be cool or glamorous...

I laughed to myself yesterday remembering that old saying as I put this outfit together.  Sunday was pretty chilly and I was prepared with one of my favorite Tiny Closet Collection pieces: a cobalt wool poncho with a gigantic, fabulous collar and tail

And just like Tiny Closet style, I have worn this all before :) 

Check it out:

mary-jane heels with black leggings

gypsy pants with army boots

poncho with belt and jeans

Working with a new hairstyle.... we'll see what the survey says - it might just be my new do!

Anyway, HAPPY MONDAY!!

So!  Last week, I made a wool poncho and debuted it a couple days ago.  It was cool.  You know.  It was very plaid.  Anyway, I tried again :)  

This time, I used a stiffer fabric.  I wanted something more dramatic like dupioni or tulle - but warmer: 

I went with felted wool...  In cobalt!

 poncho: Tiny Closet / belt: Zara Man / denim: Benetton / heels: Aldo

accessories - cuff: Nordstrom / cage ring: H&M

As much as I love black, the original ensemble I had in mind was leather pants and black booties, but I wasn't in the mood to be predictable.  So I chose cognac, nude and sandblasted denim colors to coordinate with this blue!

I really like the croc print on this Zara Man belt.  Ooo, that texture with this felted poncho!  And of course, gold really was the only accessory choice in my mind for this.  Maybe because I'm obsessed with gold jewelry :)

So I am much happier with poncho #2!  

What do you think??

Aaaand, a few ladies wanted to know how this super simple poncho was made.  I felt a quirky iPhone-staged tutorial was in order!

I didn't have enough wool to show you how I made this in full size so I made a miniature version of the poncho but also used my mannequin in parts to show you how to measure the poncho for length and width.  I am not P.S. I  Made This nor a pair and a spare (I'm obsessed with both though!) so bear with me!

This is my first tutorial.  Shall we begin?  Okay:

Step 1.  You Will Need...

2 yards of material / scissors / measuring tape / needle and matching colored thread

Step 2.  Measurements For Your Poncho

The poncho itself is one piece of material.  So since it's one piece, hang your measuring tape over your shoulder, placing the start of your measuring tape where you wish the front of the poncho to hit you.  Note the inches where you want your poncho to end in the back and voile, you've got the length of your poncho.

Next, hold the start of your measuring tape from elbow to elbow, going up over your shoulders.  Now you've got the width of your poncho!

With the length and width of your poncho, you are now ready to cut your material.  And yes, it's just a big square.

Step 3.  Cut Your Material

Now we get into the miniature part of the tutorial.  I like the edges of my poncho to be rounded so that it doesn't look like a blanket and it drapes better.

This is a model of the poncho laid out flat.

Step 4.  Create Neck Opening

You may have chosen the front of your poncho to be a different length than the back.  I made my front shorter than the back.  So cutting your neck opening on the poncho depends on those two lengths.

Step 5.  Measure & Cut Neckline

In order to make that huge collar that you see on both ponchos I've shown, the neckline can't just be a slit.  You will need to measure how wide your neck hole will be.  

If you're not sure, you can easily measure the neck hole of a sweater or top that you own.

 

Step 6.  Create Collar

Time to sew!  You may sew by hand or use a sewing a machine.  The collar I've made is 14 inches (2') and then I crunch and fold it over.  Of course, you can make your collar as long or as short as you wish.  

Step 7.  Finishing Up!  Attaching Neckline

If you do want to have a large folded over collar, you will need to sew it onto the poncho inside out.  This is so that when you fold it, the folded side will be the correct side of the material, hiding the seam.

Lastly, you will then attach the collar onto the neckline of the poncho!  

You can hand sew this or use a machine.

If you haven't seen the first poncho, click here