My Spring Micro Wardrobe

Fresh twists on old faves, and a few new GEMS to fill in the gaps. PLUS: We're gifting two pairs of M. Gemi ballet flats to ATA subscribers...I hope it's YOU ❤️.

Incoming! Super long/chatty ATA today with loads of fun images. Click thru to your Substack app to have the user experience of a lifetime (ie: where it won’t get cut off!).

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A few weeks ago I was heading to a meeting in Gramercy Park and ended up walking behind a person wearing a long blazer and a white vintage sweatshirt over their shoulders. Everything about it—the anonymous tote, the suede Birkenstocks, the NYC stroll past Gramercy Tavern—just seeing them made me happy that spring is here…a reprieve, a reset, a beginning. 🌷

Springing in NYC.

I know a new season won’t fix all our problems, but finding new ways to feel good + hopeful every morning, especially as the sun shines more and the air feels warmer, is a good start. I took the above photo, and then ran to ask permission (no creeps here). They seemed so tickled that I was into the sweatshirt-as-preppy muffler moment, I knew that this image would be the centerpiece of today’s Micro Wardrobe story. Mostly because it’s about dressing for a season that doesn’t ask us for much in return. We can pack up the serious puffer shit, shedding the extra weight (literally/figuratively), and start to not only dress but BE a little lighter…more optimism…more walks outside…more intention. Nothing radical here, just a fresh lens on most of what we already have. Which always helps us figure out what we don’t have…and maybe where to start to fill in the blanks.

So, that’s today’s Micro Wardrobe—inspiration/ideas for what you probably already own, and a few suggestions of things you might want to invest in—ie: some new lace (maybe red lace:), a wonder blazer, the best white pants and sporty/sexy bra ever, and a chic brogue that 100% feels like a sneaker.

AND—before we get into it—We have an ATA giveaway today ✨.
Our friends at M.Gemi want to gift two subscribers a new pair of my favorite Una black leather ballet slippers (below). They are wonderful and comfy and timeless and will make you feel like you won the lottery (and in a tiny way, you did:). To be in the running: Drop a comment below, just saying HI and you want in, and then M.Gemi will choose two of you at random to get your gifted shoes. And everyone else this is pretty cool, too: M.Gemi is offering A Tiny Apt. subscribers an exclusive 25% off site-wide for 48 hours only. Just use the code CHRISTENE25 at checkout. Have fun!

Reminder: If you want to be in the running for today’s giveaway and ALL ATA giveaways, flash vintage sales, etc., upgrade for commenting access. I promise, it’s worth it (you get an archive of 200 stories, too!)—and know that every single paid sub helps to make this newsletter extremely handy and a total delight for ALL ✨. Let’s get into it…❤️

The snuggly vtg sweatshirt tie (because some days are still bloody brisk).

Inspired by my muse from the street above, I never realized it before but I like tying my spring sweatshirt a few different ways. Play around and see which way you like yours. For some reason on me, I like it with the body in the front and the tie in the back, which is kind of odd, but YOU DO YOU. If you don’t have a vintage sweatshirt you want to curl around your neck like my cat Pheebs, let me help u with that….

From left: Gap, Alex Mill, Vintage.

It’s ankle season!—ie: a cute made-up spring suit.

These pants are so chic and comfortable and OLD AF. Like they are the vintage of vintage. Ie: I thrifted them almost 15 years ago whilst in Paris, at which point they were already like 50 years old!!. And I cannot believe they have not yet self-destructed while I was wearing them (which let’s be honest, will be very funny someday when it happens). Every time I put them on, I simultaneously feel grateful that they exist AND also terrified that one day they will not. Until then, I wear them gratefully, and if you want a cool, wearable kick-flair pant that’s similar, the best pair I’ve ever found are these Faye pants by Ann Mashburn. FWIW I love the Donni ones, too, but they’re often sold out, so be persistent. The point of a made-up suit is just putting it together yourself, nothing matches exactly and that’s the fun of it. By telling myself this was a suit—it became a suit…and I was baller. You will hear a lot today about the above Rachel Comey Elmhurst blazer, same with the vintage jersey underneath it; the shoes are my same beloved Caron Callahan platforms (the only heels I wear lately), and the bag is new that I bought at the Mansur Gavriel sample sale a few weeks ago (thrifty!). It’s the PERFECT size, too, and perfect for the many meetings I’ve been having to dress for (yay! work!). This mini tote with cross-body strap is pretty perfect, too. I promise I won’t say “perfect” again!

My old pants. I love my old pants.

Other comfy platform options (to wear w/w-out socks): Camper or Freda Salvadore.

A vintage/second-hand sports jersey. Maybe a wild card…go with me here…