I LOVED the Gulde Schoen Antwerp - the rooms were HUGE , fireplace, beautiful and the price incredibly reasonable (like I want to say $300 range) and right in the middle of town near Dries, near the museum, perfect perfect place.
Please check out the designer Lera Treyger- you can find on insta - she is a real human based in Antwerp and I’m 100% she will have a lot of recommendations for you. Also Eugene Rabkin (you can find him on substack) has done some great recs for Antwerp
Summer sandals! I go between a 38.5 and 39 in Tibi but have gone up to a 39.5 in slides like the Tris and Granger bc of my high arches. And took a 38 in the Dwayne so the toe loop was secure. Wondering about sizing in the summer flip flop and Aldwyn-especially to be sure the little toe is captured in the front band. Also concerned that the ankle strap isn't too short in a smaller size for my sturdy German ankles (thanks, Oma!).
Not normally a Ring 4 person in my home environment I couldn’t resist the red Winslow pant. What Ring 2 plus 3 colors can I use to quiet them down a touch?
I’m asking this as a general question with regard to all Ring 4 colors. How can I use Ring 3s to tone down — using not just Ring 2s.
I am retired and travel a lot. I love all the crispy nylon pieces, and I do wash them, even though the tag said dry clean. I recently purchased the black and the blue slip dress made with acetate. The tag says dry clean, but when I spilled on it I wash out the spot….has anyone washed the dress…it makes it so much better for travel
Speaking of luxe fabrics...I prefer natural fabrics like cotton, silk, wool, linen, cashmere, alpaca, hemp, etc. instead of synthetics such as polyester, viscose, rayon and nylon. The natural fabrics are more comfortable and durable, however, I do see the need for a synthetic blend for certain items. Help me get past my aversion to "polyester is bad for the environment"?
Unfortunately, many things can be bad depending on 1. Where it was grown and how it was treated and 2. The quantities made. A company like H&M that owns brands like COS and &Other Stories produces 3 billion items a year. A lot of it is cotton. Anyway you slice it, there is nothing good for the environment here. Many of the fabrics we use are recycled, if you look at companies like Manteco they show a lot of the processes they go through - separating out materials by color so even the yarns don’t have to be re-dyed.
BUT HERE IS THE REAL PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY: That blazer with the curved sculpted sleeve - we made maybe 90 pcs. If we make 300 pcs in something, then that is a really big production run for us. I have a saying for our business, we eat what we kill - don’t get to far out ahead of our skis, it allows us to stay small- offer a range of items like color wheels, books, etc. But bottom line, it’s important where it came from and MOST IMPORTANTLY how much was made and how much got carted off to a landfill.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and informative answer. I avoid fast fashion brands for the reason you stated. Your business model of quality and considered sourcing over quantity has the values and ethics that I aspire to.
Just a comment: so grateful that you bring old time items and update them over and over again. I had the feeling to have discovered tibi probably too late. Keeping your identity through “fundamentals” and also updating designs from previous campaigns is wonderful, while introducing new shapes and materials. I appreciate a lot your shoes. They are the key item for me when dressing. I always hesitate. Yours are comfy and great “tools”.
Thank you so much for this. Traci and I realized a while back that it was just exhausting trying to pretend each season we wanted everything new - when really we have what we love and often we just want it to feel new and re-inspire us - but that can be done with just a twist and add on of an accessory or a styling hack. No need to reinvent the wheel or get you to hate what you bought so you can get something new.
I’m travelling to Paris and then to Italy but living in Marin County I have a pretty laid back lifestyle. I just bought the pale blue Liam and I wonder what piece would work both on my trip and in my RL. Retired.
I had a second question, please. Which of your Tibi shoes/sandals offer great arch support? Can you add this info to your website to help us shop?
Like many women, whether a shoe offers built-in arch support is a deal breaker when it comes to purchasing it. I’ve tried inserts, stick-ons and orthotics - they don’t help and often make the problem worse.
My go-to sandal is the Lissandra by Mephisto because of the cork sole and *awesome* arch support. Think Birkenstock-type comfort. I can literally walk 10 K + steps without hurting my feet. Plus I love the Velcro straps that allow me to get the perfect snugness (the buckles are for show only). I have over 10 pairs because this shoe works for me.
Is the Lissandra an attractive shoe? Not really, it’s a little on the fugly side. But it’s the most attractive shoe I’ve found that also offers comfort. Life is full of trade offs, especially when it comes to women’s footwear.
I’d like to branch out and add some new styles to my closet. Your shoes are gorgeous yet I’m not sure how wearable they are for someone who needs arch support and does a lot of walking? Please help!
I wish I could make shoes with great arch support - that’s an art perfected by the brands you mentioned. But if you dm @traci.tibi she will fill you in here on which she chooses for the very same reason you mention above!
I think that I know the answer, but I’ll ask because it never hurts to ask.
Any chance that you’ll add a size 16 for your tailored pants and denim? I know that sizing is all over the place and that your 14s are pretty generous, but any chance of adding an extra inch to the waist?
Thank you for this. We are always looking at where we have demand for additional sizing, or giving helpful tips for ways to tailor or hack items to make them work. @acacia.tibi is super helpful on any sizing questions
I am new to the Tibi brand. How do I know which clothes on your website are for women vs for men?
The Structured Wool Zipper Jacket (grey multi) and matching pants caught my eye - but I am a woman and the model is a man. So is this outfit for women?
Also, why are the pants so long? (The photo I’m looking at shows the pants so long they’re under the shoes). Am I supposed to wear it like this or is this just an edgy runway photo.
Sorry I’m confused. Thanks for sorting this out for me.
Hello, Amy! I watched a recent Tibi style video that explained how different cities wear different colors. The video then related this idea to the four rings on the Tibi color wheel. For instance: in Berlin, one wears black to fit in.
This explains why the navy top and skirt I recently wore to a dressy dinner in San Francisco felt too serious and dull compared to the colorful outfits worn by other women.
I am traveling to Paris and London soon and want to fit in.
Is it possible to add a feature to your website so that a user can type in a city - “Paris” - and voila: clothes are displayed that are appropriate for that locale?
As far as I know, no other retailer lets users search based on city, so this would add some ooh la la.
Thank you!
PS: I’m reading The Creative Pragmatist and love it!
Thanks for this. On this substack you’ll find a story on The Definitive Guide to color math by city - please take a read - I think it will be SUPER HELPFUL.
In the fall we have a series of books coming out and one is dedicated solely to this topic!
I think it is simply safe and easy to size up. Some of the models for runway that we tried the size 4 sample pant on were a 2 or a 0, and the pant fits - when it fits slightly larger, it just simply hangs. That said, I’ve seen women wear it on the smaller side, and then it reads more like a legging (albeit rich one) - and they love that. It wasn’t the intent - but that’s the beauty of clothing is it’s yours to make your own. So I would say if you want it to have a bit of fluid ease, size up. If you like it grazing the bum and thigh, stay with your size. You will always FIT IN THEM, it’s just more of IF IT IS THE FIT YOU WANT.
Small question but every time I put Tibi pants on it makes me wonder. Why do you manufacture them with the zipper/buttons on the left hand side instead of to the right as most women’s pants do?
We use traditional mens tailoring and pattern making in our designs. There is a bit of a more inherent ease in that - NOT THAT men are more at ease (2 sons and a husband, so I have empirical data here) but rather that men’s tailoring is typically not cut so formed to the upper body. In much of women's clothing, when pieces are intended to have more ease, they tend to be only in fluid fabrications and elastic waisted. Or high at the waist and then fluid from there down We aim for the tailored and refinement of structure but with ease at the same time. The chill of the chill, modern and classic.
You wear the navy macrame because it follows the rule of 3. It’s a color, it’s chunky knit, it’s open weave - 3 elements only. That’s why we did it in a pencil skirt style. Had it been a flamenco shape, peasant tiered, it would be relegated for very specific moments. But the simplicity with the interest makes it a go to whether with a sweatshirt, a tank top, a button down or an oversized polo.
That was a good one and I think with a lot of the drop waists on the runway right now, it’s all the sudden having a major resurgence. I would keep checking maybe any resale sites if anyone is willing to hand one over.
Hi Christine, I’m Heather——-from time to time, I see that sweatshirt on The Real Real. I have one, size medium, in the Bordeaux color that I have been considering selling on TRR because I like the scuba fabric extra slouchy. If it’s something that appeals to you, I’d be happy to give you a super good deal or do a Tibi trade :)
Heather that is so nice! I am eager to get the grey one but really appreciate the offer. I’ve looked on TRR before but I don’t have time to explore often; I’ll look again.
Not a fit question but can you recommend a hotel in Antwerp? Thank you!
I LOVED the Gulde Schoen Antwerp - the rooms were HUGE , fireplace, beautiful and the price incredibly reasonable (like I want to say $300 range) and right in the middle of town near Dries, near the museum, perfect perfect place.
I have our hotel booked ( see below) however Antwerp restaurant recommendations in town center would be appreciated!
Please check out the designer Lera Treyger- you can find on insta - she is a real human based in Antwerp and I’m 100% she will have a lot of recommendations for you. Also Eugene Rabkin (you can find him on substack) has done some great recs for Antwerp
Thank you! Yes, I get Eugene’s Substack.
Thanks so much!
We have booked Hotel Julien based on a recommendation by the avant guarde designer Axel Vervoordt whose business is based there - it looks fabulous!
And if you are going this year make sure to see the Antwerp Six exhibit at MoMu!
Summer sandals! I go between a 38.5 and 39 in Tibi but have gone up to a 39.5 in slides like the Tris and Granger bc of my high arches. And took a 38 in the Dwayne so the toe loop was secure. Wondering about sizing in the summer flip flop and Aldwyn-especially to be sure the little toe is captured in the front band. Also concerned that the ankle strap isn't too short in a smaller size for my sturdy German ankles (thanks, Oma!).
Not normally a Ring 4 person in my home environment I couldn’t resist the red Winslow pant. What Ring 2 plus 3 colors can I use to quiet them down a touch?
I’m asking this as a general question with regard to all Ring 4 colors. How can I use Ring 3s to tone down — using not just Ring 2s.
I am retired and travel a lot. I love all the crispy nylon pieces, and I do wash them, even though the tag said dry clean. I recently purchased the black and the blue slip dress made with acetate. The tag says dry clean, but when I spilled on it I wash out the spot….has anyone washed the dress…it makes it so much better for travel
Speaking of luxe fabrics...I prefer natural fabrics like cotton, silk, wool, linen, cashmere, alpaca, hemp, etc. instead of synthetics such as polyester, viscose, rayon and nylon. The natural fabrics are more comfortable and durable, however, I do see the need for a synthetic blend for certain items. Help me get past my aversion to "polyester is bad for the environment"?
Unfortunately, many things can be bad depending on 1. Where it was grown and how it was treated and 2. The quantities made. A company like H&M that owns brands like COS and &Other Stories produces 3 billion items a year. A lot of it is cotton. Anyway you slice it, there is nothing good for the environment here. Many of the fabrics we use are recycled, if you look at companies like Manteco they show a lot of the processes they go through - separating out materials by color so even the yarns don’t have to be re-dyed.
BUT HERE IS THE REAL PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY: That blazer with the curved sculpted sleeve - we made maybe 90 pcs. If we make 300 pcs in something, then that is a really big production run for us. I have a saying for our business, we eat what we kill - don’t get to far out ahead of our skis, it allows us to stay small- offer a range of items like color wheels, books, etc. But bottom line, it’s important where it came from and MOST IMPORTANTLY how much was made and how much got carted off to a landfill.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and informative answer. I avoid fast fashion brands for the reason you stated. Your business model of quality and considered sourcing over quantity has the values and ethics that I aspire to.
Just a comment: so grateful that you bring old time items and update them over and over again. I had the feeling to have discovered tibi probably too late. Keeping your identity through “fundamentals” and also updating designs from previous campaigns is wonderful, while introducing new shapes and materials. I appreciate a lot your shoes. They are the key item for me when dressing. I always hesitate. Yours are comfy and great “tools”.
Thank you so much for this. Traci and I realized a while back that it was just exhausting trying to pretend each season we wanted everything new - when really we have what we love and often we just want it to feel new and re-inspire us - but that can be done with just a twist and add on of an accessory or a styling hack. No need to reinvent the wheel or get you to hate what you bought so you can get something new.
I’m travelling to Paris and then to Italy but living in Marin County I have a pretty laid back lifestyle. I just bought the pale blue Liam and I wonder what piece would work both on my trip and in my RL. Retired.
I had a second question, please. Which of your Tibi shoes/sandals offer great arch support? Can you add this info to your website to help us shop?
Like many women, whether a shoe offers built-in arch support is a deal breaker when it comes to purchasing it. I’ve tried inserts, stick-ons and orthotics - they don’t help and often make the problem worse.
My go-to sandal is the Lissandra by Mephisto because of the cork sole and *awesome* arch support. Think Birkenstock-type comfort. I can literally walk 10 K + steps without hurting my feet. Plus I love the Velcro straps that allow me to get the perfect snugness (the buckles are for show only). I have over 10 pairs because this shoe works for me.
Is the Lissandra an attractive shoe? Not really, it’s a little on the fugly side. But it’s the most attractive shoe I’ve found that also offers comfort. Life is full of trade offs, especially when it comes to women’s footwear.
I’d like to branch out and add some new styles to my closet. Your shoes are gorgeous yet I’m not sure how wearable they are for someone who needs arch support and does a lot of walking? Please help!
Thanks!
I wish I could make shoes with great arch support - that’s an art perfected by the brands you mentioned. But if you dm @traci.tibi she will fill you in here on which she chooses for the very same reason you mention above!
Will you bring back the silk nylon liam or other styles in that fabric? I missed the boat on that one!
Yes. We are bringing back the silk nylon for spring 27 - Traci and I just finished designing the core of the colleciton last week.
I think that I know the answer, but I’ll ask because it never hurts to ask.
Any chance that you’ll add a size 16 for your tailored pants and denim? I know that sizing is all over the place and that your 14s are pretty generous, but any chance of adding an extra inch to the waist?
I love this feature on the stack!
Thank you for this. We are always looking at where we have demand for additional sizing, or giving helpful tips for ways to tailor or hack items to make them work. @acacia.tibi is super helpful on any sizing questions
I am new to the Tibi brand. How do I know which clothes on your website are for women vs for men?
The Structured Wool Zipper Jacket (grey multi) and matching pants caught my eye - but I am a woman and the model is a man. So is this outfit for women?
Also, why are the pants so long? (The photo I’m looking at shows the pants so long they’re under the shoes). Am I supposed to wear it like this or is this just an edgy runway photo.
Sorry I’m confused. Thanks for sorting this out for me.
Hello, Amy! I watched a recent Tibi style video that explained how different cities wear different colors. The video then related this idea to the four rings on the Tibi color wheel. For instance: in Berlin, one wears black to fit in.
This explains why the navy top and skirt I recently wore to a dressy dinner in San Francisco felt too serious and dull compared to the colorful outfits worn by other women.
I am traveling to Paris and London soon and want to fit in.
Is it possible to add a feature to your website so that a user can type in a city - “Paris” - and voila: clothes are displayed that are appropriate for that locale?
As far as I know, no other retailer lets users search based on city, so this would add some ooh la la.
Thank you!
PS: I’m reading The Creative Pragmatist and love it!
Thanks for this. On this substack you’ll find a story on The Definitive Guide to color math by city - please take a read - I think it will be SUPER HELPFUL.
In the fall we have a series of books coming out and one is dedicated solely to this topic!
Hi, if I’m a size 4 in Tibi but fuller areas are butt/thigh should i size up in the Corbit pant? Thanks
I think it is simply safe and easy to size up. Some of the models for runway that we tried the size 4 sample pant on were a 2 or a 0, and the pant fits - when it fits slightly larger, it just simply hangs. That said, I’ve seen women wear it on the smaller side, and then it reads more like a legging (albeit rich one) - and they love that. It wasn’t the intent - but that’s the beauty of clothing is it’s yours to make your own. So I would say if you want it to have a bit of fluid ease, size up. If you like it grazing the bum and thigh, stay with your size. You will always FIT IN THEM, it’s just more of IF IT IS THE FIT YOU WANT.
Thanks Amy
Small question but every time I put Tibi pants on it makes me wonder. Why do you manufacture them with the zipper/buttons on the left hand side instead of to the right as most women’s pants do?
We use traditional mens tailoring and pattern making in our designs. There is a bit of a more inherent ease in that - NOT THAT men are more at ease (2 sons and a husband, so I have empirical data here) but rather that men’s tailoring is typically not cut so formed to the upper body. In much of women's clothing, when pieces are intended to have more ease, they tend to be only in fluid fabrications and elastic waisted. Or high at the waist and then fluid from there down We aim for the tailored and refinement of structure but with ease at the same time. The chill of the chill, modern and classic.
btw! I wear the navy macrame skirt more than you would think - it's so incredibly versatile and I am thrilled I own it!
You wear the navy macrame because it follows the rule of 3. It’s a color, it’s chunky knit, it’s open weave - 3 elements only. That’s why we did it in a pencil skirt style. Had it been a flamenco shape, peasant tiered, it would be relegated for very specific moments. But the simplicity with the interest makes it a go to whether with a sweatshirt, a tank top, a button down or an oversized polo.
I am so disappointed that I missed out on the sweatshirt with low belt loops - any chance you will bring this (or a version of it) back?
That was a good one and I think with a lot of the drop waists on the runway right now, it’s all the sudden having a major resurgence. I would keep checking maybe any resale sites if anyone is willing to hand one over.
Hi Christine, I’m Heather——-from time to time, I see that sweatshirt on The Real Real. I have one, size medium, in the Bordeaux color that I have been considering selling on TRR because I like the scuba fabric extra slouchy. If it’s something that appeals to you, I’d be happy to give you a super good deal or do a Tibi trade :)
Heather that is so nice! I am eager to get the grey one but really appreciate the offer. I’ve looked on TRR before but I don’t have time to explore often; I’ll look again.
Totally understand!