Episode Summary: "Everyone Needs to Stop Making So Much Stuff": Tibi Founder Amy Smilovic on Finding and Refining Personal Style

Release Date: November 25, 2024
Podcast: Let's Get Dressed
Host: Liv Perez
Guest: Amy Smilovic, Founder and Creative Director of Tibi

Introduction to the Episode

In the November 25, 2024 episode of Let's Get Dressed, host Liv Perez welcomes fashion luminary Amy Smilovic, the founder and creative director of the renowned women's wear brand Tibi. The episode delves deep into Amy's philosophy on personal style, effective wardrobe organization, and her upcoming book, Creative Pragmatist Volume Two.

Defining Success and Independence in Fashion

Timestamp [07:01]:
Amy shares her evolved perspective on what "making it" means in the fashion industry. She emphasizes the importance of independence, working with people she loves, and maintaining a work-life balance.

"We determined that it would mean that we would only work with people that we loved... have time for family and a life and enjoy what we were doing every single day."

Amy recounts how the COVID-19 pandemic forced her and her team to redefine success. Instead of chasing lofty financial goals, they focused on sustaining their brand without external investment, ensuring they retained creative and operational control.

Organizing Your Closet: Without Fails, In & Outs, Had to Haves

Timestamp [26:34]:
Amy introduces her signature method of categorizing a wardrobe into three distinct sections:

1. Without Fails: Fundamental pieces that align with your core style adjectives. These are the staples that make up about 50-60% of the wardrobe.
2. In & Outs: Items that you're emotionally drawn to and can refresh your look without overpowering your fundamental style.
3. Had to Haves: Unique, emotionally significant pieces that may not fit into everyday wear but hold personal value or artistic appeal.

"Once you understand your adjectives, I can look at something from Chloe and say, oh, that's beautiful. But maybe there's one bit of softness that is just too feminine for me, and I can make one outfit for it, but I'm not going to make multiple outfits."

Dressing by Mood and Capsule Packing

Timestamp [13:23] - [20:19]:
Liv and Amy explore the concept of dressing by mood versus traditional outfit packing. Amy advocates for selecting key pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple looks, enhancing versatility without cluttering the suitcase.

"It's a great way to pack. You get way more out of your suitcase."

Amy provides a practical example of how to build outfits around a single statement piece, ensuring each combination aligns with different moods or occasions. This approach not only maximizes outfit options but also maintains a cohesive personal style.

The Creative Pragmatist: Balancing Creativity and Practicality

Timestamp [21:06] - [22:15]:
Amy defines a "Creative Pragmatist" as someone who comfortably navigates the spectrum between high creativity and practicality. This balance allows for versatile styling without sacrificing personal identity.

"It's someone who really defines themselves as chill, modern, and classic. And it's always on their body all at once in some way."

Using Tamu McPherson as an example, Amy illustrates how maintaining consistent style adjectives—chill, modern, classic—allows for both creative expression and functional dressing.

Finding Your Three Personal Style Words

Timestamp [23:46] - [26:28]:
Amy emphasizes the importance of distilling personal style into three core adjectives. These words serve as guiding principles for wardrobe selection and outfit creation.

"It's really about thinking of them as first principles... that it can't be drilled any deeper."

She advises listeners to choose adjectives that are broad yet descriptive, avoiding mere synonyms to ensure each word adds distinct value to their style framework.

Advice for Those with Overwhelmed Closets

Timestamp [35:29] - [38:13]:
Amy addresses common challenges faced by individuals with cluttered wardrobes. She advocates for establishing a strong foundational wardrobe with versatile, neutral pieces before incorporating trend-driven items.

"What most people are struggling with is they've got so much life happening in their closet that they're really just looking to create a stronger through line so that they can be more experimental with purpose."

By focusing on investment pieces that align with personal style adjectives, individuals can streamline their closets and make intentional fashion choices.

Upcoming Book: Creative Pragmatist Volume Two

Timestamp [34:03] - [34:23]:
Amy announces the forthcoming release of Creative Pragmatist Volume Two, which promises to delve deeper into the principles outlined in her first book. This sequel aims to provide enhanced insights and refined strategies for cultivating a purposeful and stylish wardrobe.

Key Tips: One Ton or None

Timestamp [38:13] - [41:05]:
Amy introduces the "One Ton or None" philosophy, a strategy for achieving visual balance and harmony in outfits. This approach ensures that the eye focuses on a single element, preventing the outfit from feeling cluttered or disjointed.

"When you put on a top from Loewe and you can put it with your favorite pair of pleated nylon trouser pants... those fundamentals keep you grounded."

She contrasts this with over-the-top runway looks, explaining how too many focal points can disrupt the overall aesthetic and personal comfort.

Final Thoughts: Reducing Overproduction in Fashion

Timestamp [41:41] - [42:53]:
In her concluding remarks, Amy passionately calls for the fashion industry to minimize unnecessary production. She advocates for brands to focus on creating fewer, high-quality pieces that resonate with their core style adjectives rather than diversifying excessively.

"Everyone needs to stop making so much shit. Just stop it."

Amy stresses the importance of intentional design and production, both for consumer satisfaction and environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

Liv Perez wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude for Amy's insightful contributions, highlighting how her principles have transformed her own approach to fashion. Amy's emphasis on intentional wardrobe curation, personal style definition, and sustainable fashion practices offers listeners actionable strategies to refine their own style and make meaningful choices in their fashion journeys.

Notable Quotes:

• Amy Smilovic ([07:01]):
  "We determined that it would mean that we would only work with people that we loved... have time for family and a life and enjoy what we were doing every single day."

• Amy Smilovic ([26:34]):
  "Once you understand your adjectives, I can look at something from Chloe and say, oh, that's beautiful. But maybe there's one bit of softness that is just too feminine for me, and I can make one outfit for it, but I'm not going to make multiple outfits."

• Amy Smilovic ([21:06]):
  "It's someone who really defines themselves as chill, modern, and classic. And it's always on their body all at once in some way."

• Amy Smilovic ([38:16]):
  "One Ton or None came about because I really try and help people figure out where the antsiness comes from when you're getting dressed."

• Amy Smilovic ([41:41]):
  "Everyone needs to stop making so much shit. Just stop it."

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of building a personal wardrobe that is both stylish and functional. Amy Smilovic's expertise provides listeners with valuable frameworks to enhance their fashion choices, fostering a more intentional and satisfying relationship with their clothing.