FIT & SIZING: Updates on wearing The Tiny Closet
From the days of simple ideas drafted onto the backs of Christmas wrapping paper, to sewing up my first order in my living room, the pieces you see in the shop today have been through many stages of development to get to where they are now. Thanks to the help from various pattern makers, seasoned sewers, and even a fit specialist, I’ve been able to improve upon my original designs (a few times actually) to make them easier to wear and more flattering to a broader range of body shapes and sizes. Not to mention, our clothing is just made better now - built to be even stronger work horses than before. Our fabric choices have also become even more mindful of global impact, and chosen with more intention for better wear.
In 2020, I published a blog post, detailing insights on the sizing and fit of The Tiny Closet line. Three years later, with all of the developments we’ve journeyed through, I think it’s time for an update.
Full Hips &/OR Full Bust Line
For those with fuller hips or a fuller bust line (or both!), you’ll likely love slipping on the styles below. The Day Tripper and The Painter (<<inquire for availability) dresses are both best-sellers in this category, with their signature open-statement design. When laid flat these dresses look like an upside down triangle; large on top, moving inward and narrowing toward the hemline. This means you’ll have plenty of room, both up top in the bust line, as well as in the hip area. The Day Tripper is a rayon crepe drape-y dream while The Painter is a structured durable chore-like dress.
The Dinner Dress is a knit dress with enough stretch to comfortably pull on, yet enough structure to hold you together. With ample gathering just below the waist, this dress will drape beautifully over fuller hips or hourglass body shapes. Cinch it in with a wide belt to accentuate the curves.
Our Lounger Pant (and all our bottoms with elastic banding), with an elongated crotch designed for a more “loungy” feel, can also be very accomodating of full hips as well. This style has been known to fit a whole size larger, so chances are you'll look great in multiple sizes, but if you're unsure of which range you'll fit, It's best to size down.
This holds the same for The Editor Coat, an oversize statement coat with no hardware or closures. Size down on this style, unless you plan to do a lot of layering with it. As one of my oldest and best-selling pieces in the shop, this style will always be in stock for the way it covers and flatters all figures. Excellent for full bustlines, hips, arms and waists, this coat is art you can wear and feel incredibly comfortable in - no matter the shape.
Broad Shoulders / Full Arms
The Tourist as well as The Editor Open Coat styles are known to be very comfortable for those who tend to find tops, dresses or coats too tight in the arm or shoulder area. The Tourist Range (inquire for availability!) comes in a top, tunic and dress. Its cooling heavy-weight TENCEL fabric is the only fabric I work with for this design. And for good reason - The Tourist drapes like falling water. But regarding fit, it's a straight open shape from top to bottom with a wider short sleeve opening to accommodate movement and wearability. And just like The Editor Coat and Day Tripper Dress, the sleeves are part of the bodice (no arm holes for separate sleeving) creating natural openness for broader shoulders, fuller arms, and/or a fuller bust line.
The Lounger Tie-Front Top is quite versatile, both in styling and fit. Size up for more room in the arms and shoulders, without the top being too big or bulky, and tie according to personal preference: low and loose or high and cropped. The are sleeving is made to be roomy and lightweight.
PETITE SIZING
First off, as the designer and owner of The Tiny Closet, you should know I’m about 5 feet tall. So I very much understand and appreciate the look and feel of clothing that fits my very petite frame. And while I learned how to make clothing for heights taller than me, I certainly wasn’t going to have a line that wasn’t inclusive of my own size.
I chose very specific designs and styles to work with so that my line would flatter both petites and average heights. Nearly every piece in the shop fits heights 5’3” and below, superbly! The 3 pieces shown below are the exceptions, IF you do not wear heels or platform shoes. If you do tend to wear heels a lot, then these won’t be a problem.
Straight Waistline
If a tiny waist has never been an issue for you, hi! It's never been something I've needed to think about either. Whether you’re looking for pieces that flatter an athletic build or just need a looser fit around the midsection, many of my styles drape over the waistline without cling, or flatter the midsection intuitively in design.
The Minimalist Tunic has an open fall, showcasing it’s simple, minimalist design, with no cling whatsoever. This piece is found throughout this post several times for its wearabilty!
The Nomad Wrap Dress has front wrap draping, focusing on its artful mock-wrap design and minimalist look for those who like to wear statement pieces.
The Florist Dress was inspired by loose feminine Summer dresses, and then given structure and more volume. It grazes the waistline with focus on it’s tiered skirting and somewhat dramatic midi length. With an A-line fit, this dress does not showcase curves, but a traditional gown-like shape. Size down for a closer, tailored fit.
The Doula Tank is a swing tank inspired by the classic linen shell. in A line shape, it hangs below the natural waistline in front and rises slightly in the back, with abundant options for bottoms. With ample armhole space for a breezier lounge feel, this top is also great fuller arms.
Tall / Long Legs
While most pieces in the shop fit taller heights well, I do also offer specifically tall sizing in some of my designs for those who are 5'8" and above - or for those with simply lengthier legs. Highlighting some of our best-selling styles for my tall shoppers are The Lounger Pant, which comes in 2 lengths (midi and maxi length), The Curator Midi Dress and Studio Midi Dress both come in a 43” length, The Elegant Pant in maxi length, The Nomad (check for availability) in Tall, and The Thespian Jumpsuit, made with a longer crotch length and floor-length inseam.
Take a look at the product description page of any item to see if tall sizing is available, and if you're ever curious about an item that doesn’t show tall sizing available, it never hurts to ask! We’d love to see if we can work with you.
**Conversely, if you are petite (5’3” or below), you can still wear nearly any item in the shop without needing alteration. As the designer of The Tiny Closet line, I am 5', and I model much of my clothing. Many of my designs are below the knee to shin length and that's exactly where they'll hit you too if you are 5'3" or below. For those with average height, these hemlines will only be slightly higher, if at all.
MATERNITY & POSTPARTUM
Over the years, I’ve received a lot of wonderful feedback on a number of my pieces, when it comes to pregnancy, IVF journeys, and postpartum wardrobes. Many of my designs are quite open and spacious, which leaves room for drape, a pregnant belly, a changing body, or simply emotional comfort. Not having to buy an entirely new wardrobe for each stage in our lives is a relief! Especially since body changes are a natural part of living. Feeling beautiful and peaceful in your clothes is my number one priority in designing, so leaving room in my pieces for our bodies to change, evolve and fluctuate felt… natural.
All of the pieces below are our most popular choices for maternity wear, and overall versatile wearability, with a note on The Studio Coat and Editor Coat being consistent helpers in accommodation and layering abilities for growing mothers.
sizes 18-28
I’ve had many discussions with plus size shoppers and their frustrations in finding comfortable, stylish clothing options, particularly in slow-fashion. Our sizing went to XL 16-18 for the first 5 years of being open, while I painstakingly attempted to expand the line, worried I’d disappoint the shoppers who were waiting and requesting. Because the one complaint from the plus size community is how embarrassingly off most retailers are with their sizing and measurements. For example, a size 24 actually fitting more like a size 18 (ugh). So I sought out a plus size pattern maker who took my designs and made them, not only available for more bodies to wear, but made them beautiful and flattering and consistent with my vision for how the Tiny Closet line should look and feel.
Our sizes typically run overall, roomy and this holds true throughout the entire range. You’ll likely fit more than one size well, so it mostly depends your fit-style preference. Do you want a more loose, statement look? Or a more fitted cut?
Shape is just as important as measurements, which can vary widely from one person to the next, so I encourage you to try any of these styles for yourself and of course if you'd like to get into the numbers, we’re happy to recommend the right size for your specific measurements.
I hope this has been helpful in giving some insight into the performance of The Tiny Closet line. We always welcome questions and feedback and we’re happy to recommend certain pieces for you, should you ever need a bit of assistance while browsing.
Size for me and for many others has always weighed heavily on where you could shop, the kinds of clothing that was appropriate for you, and most importantly, how you felt about yourself in the clothing you did have access to. It's my goal to remove that kind of limitation on how one can express themselves, and instead provide a blank canvas that welcomes anyone who wants to share their personal style narrative.