Petite Lookbook: Cropped Jacket & Cuffed Shorts

Being so petite, I feel like I can push the limits with hemlines without crossing into "trashy" land. Two of my favorite wardrobe pieces are the cropped jacket and short shorts. These high-waisted shorts have become one of my favorite things from H&M, for only $25. They weren't short enough to my liking, so I even had my tailors widen the cuff and bring up the length for $15.

I always refrained from doing the shorts with tights thing, thinking it would be too trendy for me. Once I tried it, though, I fell in love! And now that I'm finally comfortable with the look, winter is about to be over...bummer!

 

Jacket: Banana Republic Cropped Swing Jacket in 00P

Shorts: H&M divided sz 2

Booties: Calvin Klein sz 6

Bag: Chanel Petite Shopping Tote

Shop this look in petite-friendly sizes:

The Cropped Jacket:
1. INC Cropped Knit Jacket in XS - I was a little hesitant about sharing this since it's from such a mom store, Macy's, but it is just so cute. Although it is a womens XS, I feel like the ponte knit and cropped style may make it petite-friendly.
2. Express Pleated-Front Cropped Jacket in 00 - so little and chic!
3. Ann Taylor Ruffle Collar Jacket in P00 - on sale for nearly half off. 

The Cuffed Shorts:
1. Bebe Linen Cuffed Shorts in 00 - love these! Pretty pricey for shorts, but I can see myself wearing these neutral-colored shorts all summer long.
2. Forever 21 Linen Cuffed Shorts in XS - the very affordable rendition in gray cross-hatch linen.
3. GapKids Cuffed White Shorts - shorts from the kids department work really well for me. Unlike tops and pants, there's little room for the fit to go wrong on shorts. These little white shorts go up to kids size 18 ... isn't that nuts? That's like a sz 4 in womens!

Quick Review: Ann Taylor Petal Shell and Perfect Pumps

Sorry for yet another Ann Taylor post, but I wanted to share the last of my work loot from last week. This top didn't catch my eye the first time around, but I added it on with my shoe spree:

 Ann Taylor Petal Front Shell in PXXS (sold in Dusty Mauve and Dark Basalt)

The top doesn't look like much online, but the details are so pretty in person. The shirt itself is a stretchy and soft rayon/spandex blend that actually draped and fit as expected. The arm holes are trimmed with layered chiffon, and the petals are hand-sewn on with beaded centers. My only complaint is the larger-than-usual arm holes, but I can deal with that. Here's how it looks under a jacket and tucked into a skirt:

Top: Ann Taylor Petal Front Shell sz PXXS

Jacket: Theory Gratian Blazer sz 00

Skirt: H&M sz 4 (waist and sides taken in, hemmed)

Shoes: Ann Taylor Elle Pump, sz 5

Annnd my shoe spree:

AT Pumps (in exotic, black leather, black patent, and soft pewter)

I admit I did go a little crazy, but I don't like shopping for work shoes. When I find something that works I tend to grab it in a variety of colors, then wear them happily for the following year. These pumps are exactly what I was looking for - classic, round toe pumps showing just enough toe cleav. with a comfy, work-appropriate 3.5" heel.

A word of warning, though - if you are between sizes you should probably size down. I can wear a 5.5 to 6 normally and I bought these pumps in sizes 5 and 5.5. Also, I take back what I said previously about AT carrying 5's in store ... that was a complete and utter lie told to me by a sales associate! The closest store to me carries 6.5 as the smallest size. How crazy is that?

AT Perfect Pump in Soft Pewter (sold out online, but still available in this purrty, rich Cognac color)

J.Crew Petite-Friendly Picks and 20% off Sweaters Sale

***J.Crew is having a 20% off sweaters sale from now until Sunday. No coupon code necessary.***

I fell in love with this tulle and cotton shell during my last trip to J.Crew. It comes in 5 colors that are perfect for the spring and summer.

J.Crew Grand Ruffle Shell, in Slate (left) and Light Berry (right)

And the best part? It runs small! Here I am wearing a size XS in cream. It may look slightly loose, but this tank has an A-line shape so I don't think it's meant to be too fitted. The cotton jersey material is heavyweight and sturdy, which is a bonus.

I loved it over leggings and almost bought it right then and there, but decided to go home and browse online. Good thing, too, because I discovered that this is available in size XXS online!

I noticed that I got a new follower last week - J.Crew Boston Sales Associates ... uh oh. I know that photography is shunned inside retail stores, but I'm just trying to promote the brand  :  )

Petite Lookbook: Classic Black Coat

Outerwear is one of the hardest things to shop for as a petite - and alterations alone can run pretty high. I invest a lot into my outerwear, but I feel like the cost is justified. Cold weather in the Northeast settles in around October and stays until April, so I get tons of wear out of them. Not to mention, a nice coat definitely makes dreary winter days more tolerable : )

Coat: Burberry F/W08 sz 2 (read about alterations here) (2009 version sold here)

Leggings: H&M sz 2

Scarf: Abercrombie cashmere

Bag: Chanel Petite Shopping Tote

Shoes: Target Mossimo nude pumps sz 5.5

Shop winter coats in petite-friendly sizes:

1. The J.Crew Lady Day Coat and Wool-Cashmere Plaza Coat in P0 are still lurking on final sale in numerous colors. I've heard that their coats run smaller than their tops, but cannot vouch for this myself. Price was just lowered today to $150, but wait for EXTRA20 or EXTRA30 if you can.

2. Nordstrom Wool-Blend Walking Coat in Juniors XS is a very inexpensive option. This coat was introduced to me a while back by a reader. There are 90+ reviews giving it an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars, and it should run small since it is juniors sizing.

3. Victoria's Secret Classic Wool Coat in P0, on sale as well. First came across this coat in a thread on the Alterations Needed forum. Per the reviewer (who is a tad bigger than me), the fit was decent, however the quality was not great.

4. Mackage Penelope Coat in XXS. Whenever someone hears that I'm a coat fanatic, they tell me that I have to try Mackage. According to the size chart, an XXS is for women measuring 32-25-34.5, which sounds like a P0 to P2. Any petites have experience with this brand?

Review: Ann Taylor Spring Tops in Petite XXS and XXS

There were lots of sales to be had on AnnTaylor.com last week, and I kind of went to town on petite tops for work. As soon as I thought I was done, they go ahead and have another big sale on "perfect pieces." AT, you're killing me! I'm oogling this pocketed dress from this week's sale:

Ribbon Front Shirtdress in 00P, $138 just $62.65 after sale and SHOP30

Two more picks in size 00P: The Perfect Button-Up $68 is now $35 with SHOP30. The Ponte Pencil Skirt $78 in black or charcoal is also just $35 with SHOP30. I actually have little experience with Ann Taylor's 00P, but I assume that it fits similar to Banana Republic?

Apparently I made several mistakes last week while ordering online and didn't get a few things I "thought" I ordered, instead getting the same blouse in the same color twice. Oh well. I'll start with the good ...

1. Ann Taylor Cut-in ruffle shell in Petite XXS, was $48 before discounts and coupons:

On me in "Soft Ribbon" :

Pants: Theory "Mark B" sz 00; hemmed and legs slimmed throughout (were wide-leg)

Pros: Fabric was drapey and fit as expected.

Cons: Fabric (rayon/spandex mix) seems pilling-prone again. 100% polyester neck and ruffle detailing causes mad static every time I pulled it over my head. Thinner material showed bra lines, but I probably just need more seamless bras.

Verdict: Keep.

Petite Lookbook - Moto pag?

The first time I went into a TopShop, it was a Sat. afternoon in NYC and the store was filled to capacity. The bf gave me a look that said EXIT NOW. I didn't find anything smaller than a 2, and left empty-handed. The second time I went in, I discovered a sign that said "Petites" and followed it gaily to the top floor, and found a tiny corner of pretty clothes in size 0 made for women 5'4" and under. I think I squeeled loudly and started grabbing everything in sight.

In the end I left with just 1 item, because it turns out that this brand is a bit overpriced. $60 for a skirt that looks akin to F21? $40 for a tank top? They do offer a 10% student discount, though, which I shamelessly used despite being not quite in school.

Me trying to look rocker chic and sultry:

 Tank: Forever 21 sz S

Jacket: TopShop Petites sz 0 (similar here)

Jeans: H&M kids skinnies sz 11/12 (similar here in 00 w/ multiple lengths)

Shoes: Calvin Klein ankle booties (similar here)

Some picks available in size 0 that I'm seriously contemplating. That lace-trimmed skirt...want.

Petite Lookbook - The Tailored Jumper

Happy Tuesday, readers : ) Today I am wearing my first Theory piece ever, which almost instantly spurred an ongoing and wallet-draining obsession. Thankfully there is a Theory outlet an hour from my house, so I have not yet had to pay the overpriced retail.

This jumper dress is so simple, but like many of their pieces, it is tailored to perfection. A size 0 fit me with no alterations needed, which was baffling at the time of discovery (2 years ago). Fellow petites should be sure to look for Theory dresses in stretchy fabric and numerical sizes. Their shirtdresses and dresses in letter sizing (P or TP is the smallest) fit quite generously and do not work for me.

 

Dress: Theory jumper in 0 (similar here in P00)
Blouse: Target Go International in juniors XS (similar here in PXXS)
Shoes: Tory Burch Sophie Wedge in 5.5 (sold here)

In other non-news ... I'm actually wearing "real" makeup! In addition to my plain-Jane routine of Bare Escentuals and black eyeliner, that is. Reading the beauty blogs of some of my lovely readers motivated me to try and glam up, but more on that later.  

Petite Lookbook - Perfect Oversized Tee

Since I live in leggings and skinny pants 24/7, it has been my goal to find more loose and flowy tops that offset the tight bottoms. Most of the time I just end up looking like a frump, but the other day I did have success in the Divided section at H&M ... for only $7.95! Can't beat that!

As soon as I saw the sizing (numerical instead of XS, S, M .. etc) I knew that it would be a great fit. I picked size 2 in a shroomy, taupe-gray color. The reason this tee works so well on a small frame is because it is oversized and slouchy on top, but tapers in at the bottom to fit almost snugly around the hips. The length is also great on petites.

 Top: H&M Divided tee in size 2 (similar here w/ banded bottom)

Scarf: H&M

Bottoms: H&M thick leggings in size 2 (similar here in Girls Large - a steal!)

Shoes: Zara (similar here)

A note about leggings - I started buying mine from the kids department as of late. Their size 12/14 or L hits my ankles at a perfect length. Splendid makes some great basics for kids, from the same soft and comfy materials as their adult lines. Two picks - jersey tuxedo leggings in sz 14 and super trendy tie-waist leggings. Wonder whether I can pull those off...