Let’s Get Dressed — Episode Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Let’s Get Dressed
Host: Liv Perez
Guest: Atiya Walcott
Episode Title: From The Archives: How Atiya Walcott Found Her Personal Style Through Theater, Movement, And Movie Wardrobes
Release Date: January 19, 2026

In this “from the archives” episode, fashion insider Liv Perez sits down with Atiya Walcott, a standout content creator known for her innovative and cinematic approach to personal style. The conversation dives into how Atiya’s background in theater, movement, and a love of movie wardrobes has helped her cultivate a distinctive, enduring style, with insights about brand collaborations, the evolution of her online presence, building a staple wardrobe, and the impact of media on fashion sensibility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atiya’s Signature Style — The Anatomy of an Outfit

• Atiya describes her outfit at the top of the episode, emphasizing the blend of unique pieces and elevated basics. She highlights favorites:
  • Me+Em blouse
  • Cashmere Everlane scarf
  • Russ knit hat (Spain-based brand)
  • Aritzia pleated skirt
  • Dolce Vita heels
• On Me+Em: Both Atiya and Liv praise the brand’s design-heavy, unique pieces:

  “They do a good job of curating the look completely. I’m like, I’ll take it exactly how you styled it.” — Atiya (03:37)

2. Defining “Basics” & Staples (04:01–05:31)

• Atiya admits she’s not a classic “basics girl”, instead favoring pieces that are versatile but still intentional.
  • Loves Banana Republic for high-quality tees.
  • Aritzia for investment pieces like her skirt.
• The hosts note that “basics” are personal:

  “Everyone has their own definition of a basic...as you get older and...figure out what your closet is...you figure out what those basics are.” — Liv (05:02)

3. Getting Dressed: The Creative Process (05:40–07:07)

• Atiya describes dressing as both “piece-driven” and “vibe-driven,” often starting with one item and experimenting, but usually returning to the first instinct.
• The pressure to always create a “look” is real for creators, but both hosts emphasize giving yourself permission not to reinvent the wheel every day.

4. Living & Creating in Her Own Space (08:19–10:20)

• The design of Atiya’s home is crucial to her brand identity. She and her husband, Tim, renovated their Chicago condo to achieve a now-recognizable signature backdrop—most notably a 20-foot green limewashed wall with dramatic molding:

  “It was worth it because I really think now it's an established sort of look and set and is recognizable and more and more brands want to work with us because of it.” — Atiya (09:38)

5. Evolution of Her Content & Personal Brand (10:20–13:38)

• Atiya’s content has grown from playful OOTDs and self-effacing captions (“I’m not that fashionable”) to affirmations of her fashion sense.
• The audience’s reaction to her downplaying her style prompted a mindset shift:

  “People were reacting negatively because they were like, this is clearly a curated outfit...So I made the switch to, I’m incredibly fashionable.” — Atiya (12:57)

• Now, her platform is a “fully functioning advertising business,” partnering with Tim to create cinematic, artistic ads.

6. Theater, Film, and Movement’s Role in her Style (15:30–18:38)

• Atiya attributes her distinctive, cinematic style to her studies in acting and film, and she and Tim intentionally add “mini fashion movies” elements to their content.

  “Every day we add a little bit more filmmaking or a little bit more of a cinematic element to the video...we do really make little mini fashion movies.” — Atiya (17:20)

7. From Pandemic Outfits to Wearable Art (19:06–22:22)

• Early pandemic content was more experimental, as she dressed for the camera at home. Since returning to “real life,” her style has shifted to more wearable art: statement pieces combined with practicality.

8. The Power of a Hero Piece (20:05–21:36)

• Both hosts agree that a single standout item can elevate an entire look:

  “All you really need in an outfit to stand out or make a statement is one good piece.” — Liv (20:17) “That skirt, which is sort of the hero piece of that look, is my favorite garment of clothing.” — Atiya (21:07)

• Brands mentioned: Metopolady (Turkey), Meshki, Banana Republic, Me+Em

9. Fashion for Daily Life and Self-Expression (22:36–24:00)

• Liv notes, “We all do it...You have to get dressed every day to represent yourself in the world.”
• Atiya recognizes the influence of both family (her mother’s maximalist style) and classic cinema/TV on her aesthetic.

10. Cinematic Inspirations: Period Pieces and Costume Film (24:00–25:55)

• Period films like Pride and Prejudice and Atonement heavily influence Atiya’s styling, referencing specific details like hair, scarves, and that iconic green dress:

  “The green dress changed my life. Never forget it.” — Liv (24:35) “I’m big on costume film.” — Atiya (24:53)

11. Accepting Your Aesthetic & Being Inspired (25:00–26:44)

• Atiya embraces her influences and encourages others to appreciate rather than replicate what they love in fashion.

12. Dressing with a Feeling or Word in Mind (26:14–27:14)

• Liv’s anchor word is “grace”; Atiya’s is “chic”:

  “My word is chic, which is funny because I’m not always chic. I just want to feel chic, whatever that is to me.” — Atiya (26:30)

13. Even Loungewear Can Feel Chic (27:14–27:32)

• Atiya shares her “chic sweatsuit” (Calvin Klein, monochrome) for home projects, demonstrating “elevated comfort.”

14. Color, Accessories, and Branding (27:43–30:40)

• Colored socks/tights are a Walcott signature, with her sources being surprisingly accessible (Mango, Amazon).
• Climate and location—moving from LA to Chicago—shifted her wardrobe to more muted tones; color is now often added through accessories.

15. Fashion’s Pace & Industry Reflections (30:40–32:09)

• When asked what she’d change about fashion, Atiya advocates slowing down production cycles for industry sustainability and creativity:

  “Why are we making so many clothes?” — Atiya (31:41)

• Liv supports the perspective that diversity and accessibility matter most, as everyone deserves to find clothes that fit their needs, style, and budget.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Personal Basics:
  “As you get older and...figure out what your closet is...you figure out what those basics are.” — Liv (05:02)

• On Finding Her Voice as a Creator:
  “I made the switch to, I’m incredibly fashionable. And it was so sweet...the people who had been watching were like, I love to hear you affirm yourself now.” — Atiya (12:57)

• On Content Creation as a Creative Business:
  “It evolved to what it is today, which I would say is a fully functioning advertising business almost.” — Atiya (11:05)

• Mini Fashion Films and Taking It Seriously:
  “We do really make little mini fashion movies. And...taking ourselves a little bit more seriously has created more of this cinematic feel.” — Atiya (18:24)

• The Power of a Hero Piece:
  “All you really need in an outfit to stand out or make a statement is one good piece.” — Liv (20:17)

• On Embracing Your Unique Influences:
  “I am who I am. My influences are my influences. My aesthetic is my aesthetic. There’s value there.” — Atiya (25:27)

• The Grace of Dressing:
  “I think everybody needs to have one word that they feel connected to as they’re getting dressed and showing up in the world every day.” — Liv (26:14)

Time-Stamped Highlights

• 00:49 — Atiya describes her current outfit and brand favorites.
• 04:01–05:31 — Conversation about how each defines their “basics.”
• 05:40–07:07 — How Atiya approaches getting dressed and the creative process.
• 08:19–10:20 — How her living space became integral to her brand identity.
• 11:03–13:38 — Evolution from self-doubt to confidence and building her business.
• 15:30–18:38 — How studies in film/theater shaped her aesthetic and filmmaking approach.
• 19:06–22:22 — Pandemic content vs. “wearable art” for everyday life.
• 24:00–25:55 — Influence of period films and movie wardrobes.
• 26:14–27:14 — The concept of dressing with a guiding word in mind.
• 27:43–30:40 — Colored tights, seasonal dressing, and adapting to city weather.
• 30:40–32:09 — Industry critique and call for slower, more meaningful fashion.

Final Thoughts

The episode is a masterclass in evolving personal style, using art and film to inform a creative vision, and owning one’s unique sartorial narrative. Atiya Walcott’s journey from theater student to “mini fashion filmmaker” exemplifies intentional self-discovery and authenticity in both dress and digital presence, while Liv Perez’s hosting frames the conversation with warmth and professional insight.

Listeners leave with practical ideas (hero pieces, accessorizing, making basics your own), inspiration from cinematic influences, and encouragement to slow down and enjoy the process of getting dressed—every day, for yourself.