With so much fashion existing online, there’s something refreshing about trying pieces on in-store after eyeing them first on a little screen. Enter Just Browsing: We’re taking you into the fitting room as we preview the newest collections from some of our favorite labels. We’ll get into fabric and quality, fit and feel, and so much more as we make our way through the shop floor. Happy scrolling (and strolling)!
As someone who has spent a good amount of time in Los Angeles over the past ten years, I know the basics when it comes to shopping the town. There’s Melrose, Abbot Kinney, Sunset in Silverlake, the Platform over in Culver City, and of course Rodeo Drive. But where I hadn’t spent much time of until, recently, is a small corner of the Arts District, Signal, where you can find Simon Miller’s newly opened space; its first brick-and-mortar outpost in the area’s new development.
The store neighbors a community of eclectic and design-forward businesses, including Flamingo Estate, multi-brand menswear shop Departamento, vintage furniture showrooms, and design firms, plus other gems—like a salon, and a great coffee shop from Berlin, called Concierge—which of course has a signature beverage in collaboration with Simon Miller: a banana cream topped matcha. (The color of the beverage is a prelude to the store experience, more on that later.)
Like any California shopping mall, you can pleasantly weave in and out all of the storefronts; at Simon Miller, a small courtyard centers the space. You can already sense the community that has formed there, and surely it would be a nice place to add to your weekends’ itinerary after paying a visit to Hauser Wirth just steps down the street.
At about the sun’s highest point, I approached Simon Miller’s bright white boutique on Traction Avenue, distinguished by its arched windows and doorway. After processing the light adjustment, I was met with an extremely warm welcome and a dopamine rush from the color; I was transported to a chartreuse-colored universe straight from the vibrant and playful mind of founder Chelsea Hansford. And I mean fully chartreuse—everything from the carpeting, the displays, the custom squiggle couches, to the velvet dressing room curtains were clad in the shade.
I found myself quickly be drawn to all the statement-making pieces that lined the chrome tube rails and displays. Currently fall and holiday collections are on the floor: cheeky accessories, like an olive martini clutch, dotted the space; they stood out next to rich chocolate suede shoes and bags, and played off the tinsel and sequined-adorned ready-to-wear. Colorful knit dresses and statement outerwear rounded out the assortment. It would be hard to walk in and not try at least one thing on, but luckily for you, I tried on a lot.
Animal Style
If there’s one print to put on your wish list for fall and holiday, it’s leopard. Despite it being an absolutely gorgeous and quintessential Los Angeles 75 and sunny outside, the first thing that caught my eye on the racks of the space was this delicious faux fur robe coat. I’m a New Yorker after all. In a luxuriously soft wrap silhouette, and lapels you can snuggle up under, this coat is sure to be loved by east sider Angelenos and Upper East-siders alike. The of-the-moment print could be found on the label’s quintessential accessories too, from the Mercado tote to their signature clogs.
And for those who don’t play favorites with animal prints, there was plenty of zebra to go around—a bold eclectic pattern that’s resonated with me since I was a pre-teen. In addition to fantastic pony hair mules, this raffia-trimmed mini dress (turned tunic) was as fun to wear as it looks. I layered it over simple black knit trousers, which I had to force myself to take off. They looked good as the base of almost everything I tried on, not to mention were extremely comfortable. I can understand why they’re part of the brand’s core collection. On the footwear front, I kept things simple in a heeled thong sandal. If we learned one thing this summer, it’s that you can’t go wrong with a flip-flop, ever.
Red-Eye Ready
The Jabber pants, as previously mentioned are part of a line of bouncy compact knits which also include a cut-out tank and a belted cardigan. Without the jacket and with a heel, I was ready for night out. But when worn together the look striked the three C’s: casual, comfortable, and chic. This isn’t a chunky knit, rather a cardigan that feels more like a jacket or house coat; the top molds to the body, while somehow not feeling overly clingy. Understated but elevated, these separates feel true to the brand ethos. Consider it the Simon Miller take on a girl on the go (or perhaps, she’s happily working from home sipping on her matcha)!
Sunset Stripes and Suedes
The Axon sweater dress is core to the brand, updated each season in new shades of melting colors. Here, I played with the matching autumnal-hued crewneck around my shoulders for an ultra-cozy styling hack. Speaking of autumnal, it’s not fall without brown suede. The label’s staple Riad slipper and Lopsy bags are offered in an aptly coined “espresso” hue this season.
Old Hollywood
While we love chocolate brown for rich suede handbags or boots, sumptuous knitwear, and even wool coats, have you considered it for evening wear? With a funnel neck, long sleeves, and just the right fit on the body (the ideal middle ground for sequins between tight and boxy) I felt extremely glamorous and wished for an occasion to wear it to this winter. At $545, it feels like a steal for someone in the market for something to wear to black tie, holiday fêtes, or formal occasions.
Silver Screen
After warming up in the shimmering maxi, I leaned into the bold sequins that have become synonyms with the brand. What makes Simon Miller’s sequin pieces special is their size and shape: they fall somewhere nicely in between the tiny micro sequin you’d expect on most party-wear and large round paillettes. Their teardrop shape when piled together offers a fish scale-like texture as well as high impact shine. This is what it feels like to be a walking disco ball.
Tinseltown
One would be remiss to skip over Simon Miller’s array of shimmering and shining specialties. This sleeveless black mini dusted with long metallic gold fringe was a delight to wear over black pants and well-cushioned studded slippers, giving the embellished LBD relaxed appeal. Though, it would be just as good with legs out and a high heeled sandal; for maximum impact, double down on the tinsel trim with their coordinating trousers. The set comes in cherry red, too!
In addition to the many playful takes on tinsel (these shoes and skirt included), you can also find creative wardrobing staples to pair them back to. This button-down for example, which has additional sleeve-like ties that can be knotted in the front or the back as I’ve done here, feels fresh and rooted in the reality of how I like to dress. Consider it an updated approach to outfitting yourself for a cocktail, gallery opening, or lucky for me, the office. Similarly, I like the relaxed glamour an embellished flat can bring to a look.
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