MNG by MANGO Challenge #1 – London Style

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Dress: MNG by MANGO sz 4/XS c/o jcpenney Trench: Burberry sz 2 (similar) (for less)
Faux-Fur Collar: H&M;  Shoes: Aldo heels & Adrienne Vittadini suede booties (similar)

 

For the first MNG by MANGO challenge, we were asked to create a look inspired by our fave British style icon. I raced to my closet and whipped out this trench that has been begging to be worn. I suppose my style inspiration can be Emma Watson from her glamorous 2010 Burberry ads.
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I stopped by jcpenney last week to pick out my MNG by MANGO items. Flipping though the racks, I started to panic as every item I pulled out was cut generously. In the midst of my flipping fury (and still empty handed), Nick surfaced out of nowhere with carefully selected, potentially petite-friendly items. I thought for sure he was off wandering the mall for pretzels or checking fantasy football stats. Instead, my photog-turned-personal shopper pulled through for me in a time of need. Almost every item I ended up bringing home was hand-picked by Nick!

Old postcard
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This dress in an XS/ 4 worked for me because it has an elastic waistband. By wearing the band up higher, the hem came up a few inches as well. I love the elegant twist back that’s open, yet bra-friendly (wore a normal black bra).

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Going hand in hand with our London theme, I had a lovely time at the Burberry cocktail party last night with Carolyn and Khatu. I wore my thrifted skirt, booties, and a cozy cashmere pullover.

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Side story: The last time I popped into Burb get my trench tailored, I ran into my beloved SA, John, from whom I’ve been learning about coats since I was a fresh-eyed college gal. After chatting briefly about sleeve hemming, he suddenly threw his hands up in the air and exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! Are you…petite asian girl?! I’ve had so many ladies come in looking for coats and they told me about your blog! I just never put two and two together!” Flabbergasted, my mouth must’ve hung open for several minutes straight. I’m humbled that so many stylish ladies read this blog, actually value my suggestions, and even share it with others. It’s an unbelievable feeling – so thank you, each and every one of you.

Disclosure: This campaign is produced by Style Coalition and sponsored by jcpenney.
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65 Comments

  1. lin wrote:

    i love the dress that you picked out, the ruffled details in the front and the partial open back…..talk about sophisticated and elegant. i can totally see your pics in a london ad. 😉

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  2. Jackie wrote:

    Beautiful pictures!! *____*

    This dress is amazing!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  3. Yuni wrote:

    that dress is to die for! your blog is amazing, don't be surprised by your celeb status!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  4. Anonymous wrote:

    STUNNING photo of the back of the dress and you look simply amazing in the bottom left.
    also can you consider doing a hair tutorial one day on your , I think, everyday hair? it is kind of finished and curled at the ends and voluminous but straight throughout, I am obsessed with it.
    much love,
    Steph

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  5. alittlepetite wrote:

    wow this dress looks beautifull on you!! you are an inspiration to all petite girls! hehe

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  6. Ly wrote:

    My favorite is the back of the dress!

    http://www.lyzhang.com

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  7. Petite and Hungry wrote:

    stunning! so sophisticated and chic!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  8. Anonymous wrote:

    I would love to see what MNG items you purchased.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  9. The Little Dust Princess wrote:

    Again – I love it! Gonna wear my fur collar with the kids trench I mentioned a while ago. Are you wearing a size 2 regular? Fits perfectly!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  10. FashionFreak/Mihaela wrote:
    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  11. Vanessa wrote:

    I like the outfit but I'm always disappointed when I visit the MNG section–I can never find anything petite friendly. Maybe MNG will take note and start coming out with smaller sizes–one can only hope!

    I also find your blog very helpful and have told others about it. Thank you!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  12. newpetite wrote:

    you look stunning splly. in the pic with Khatu!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  13. Nelah wrote:

    This is a very glamorous and sophisticated look. Your bf sure has great eyes in fashion. My husband has a fantastic taste in fashion as well, everything he picks for me is classy, elegant and high quality unlike me who go for cheap stuff haha. He knows nothing about the brands but it is quite amazing how he points out to the most classic pieces in stores like a Chanel classic flap in black caviar or certain Hermes bags.

    How special you have become a style icon and an inspiration tor other ladies. Jean, you have the best styling tips out there that no one can copy.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  14. hugstiem wrote:

    "Are you Petite Asian Girl?" Oh my God, that totally made my day. What a line!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  15. PetiteLittleGirl wrote:

    When I first heard about your challenges with Mango, I immediately feared that you won’t be able to fit in their items. I’ve tried on several items in store in the past and couldn’t find anything that fits. It was great that Nick helped you to pick out this dress. Men do surprise me sometimes in terms of how much they potentially see in an item =) The dress looks lovely on you. I really love your transformation. Those pictures look like they were taken from the streets of London. Great job with the challenge, Jean! I can’t wait to see more of them.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  16. Sunny wrote:

    This post made me smile. First, that Nick was going through racks of clothes looking for petite-friendly items. Second, when John realized that you're petite asian girl. Keep up the blogging, girl! 🙂

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  17. My Dressy Ways wrote:

    Love this look Jean! The dress is amazing – love the back and I love that you can wear it with a regular bra!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  18. Elaine A (TOBeautyReviews) wrote:

    Jean, you're famous!!!!!! And yay Nick for finding that gorgeous dress, my husband is pretty good at picking stuff out for me too 😉

    What beautiful pictures, you did an excellent job with this challenge!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  19. Cee wrote:

    This is by far my favorite MNG by MANGO London Challenge look. You look amazingggg Jean! Emma Watson who?! 😉

    PS – I don't think I've ever mentioned before, but I love all the creative height difference poses with Carolyn.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  20. Elle wrote:

    You look amazing, even better than Emma Watson. 🙂

    And I've been meaning to say this, but that thrifted skirt looks amazing post alterations! I thought about hemming a similar length skirt to a mini but decided against it at the last minute but you are making me doubt my decision. 🙂

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  21. Samantha wrote:

    Jean! You're beautiful in your Emma Watson inspired look! That dress really works! Five gold stars for Nick since he became a fabulous personal shopper.

    Part of the reason why I love your blog so much is because of how much I learn from you. You have great style advice and tips (on everything). I'm Asian but not petite (I would say I'm on the Amazon side of Asian) and your advice is still so useful. Thanks for all your hard work! I'm glad it's being recognized because you deserve it!

    xo, sam

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  22. SippingGreenTea wrote:

    Absolutely gorgeous look :)! London rocks ;). Keep up the great posts :D!
    xx

    http://sippin-green-tea.blogspot.com

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  23. Erin wrote:

    Emma Watson is the perfect London inspiration! And OMG I love that he picked out your dress for you – he has excellent taste! What an awesome boyfriend. I think mine needs some tips 🙂

    Great post!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  24. Meg wrote:

    Beautiful outfit,Jean!

    I am a recent reader and have gone back and read all of your posts. Although I am not the typical reader of your blog (I'm more like Tall Caucasian Woman!), I have learned so much from your blog, such as styling and accessoring an outfit, quality and fit (now when I shop I look at HOW an item fits, not just WHETHER it fits).

    I changed jobs about 2 years ago to a more conservative office and am looking to advance to the next step. I love the way you put together conservative, yet stylish, outfits for work and have been picking up so many tips to try on my own.

    I also appreciate that you take the time to provide how-to's and details in order to for your readers to learn – rather than just "here is what I wore" that are on some other fashion blogs.

    Thanks!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  25. Chocolate, Cookies & Candies wrote:

    I loved the story you told about your Burberry SA, John. What a sweet gesture to recommend him on your blog. I've worked in customer service in my 20s and it's always such a pleasure when I get referrals from happy customers.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  26. Carla Krae wrote:

    Gorgeous pics. You're famous!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  27. Anne wrote:

    Love your look so much!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  28. Anne wrote:

    your blog is TRULY my favorite!! your sizing suggestions are always spot on, you have such great style, and you're a smart shopper (also, random side note: your hair is PHENOMENAL. seriously, major hair envy, hahahaha).
    btw, i ABSOLUTELY LOVEEEEEE your shoes (especially with the skirt!! ADORBS!!) I've been looking for similar ones but haven't found a pair I'm crazy about yet. Where'd you get yours?!
    love reading your stories and suggestions! you're the best! 🙂

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  29. Gertrude wrote:

    Wow the dress is gorgeous!! x

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  30. Vilay wrote:

    Great Team!! LOL
    You look fabulous. I love the dress and pairing with the trench is perfect.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  31. Anonymous wrote:

    I tell everyone about you lol

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  32. shweta wrote:

    PAG,

    I am 5 ft 8 inches and even though am a size 0, no chance of labeling me as a petite. I wanted you to know that this NY girl loves your style and really enjoys your posts (I might have purchased ten or more belts from Ann Taylor since you've been on my reader :D)

    Love,
    Shweta

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  33. Jo wrote:

    lol you have a "personal assistant"! So cool.

    I've always loved the burberry trench look, who doesn't? You're always so well put together.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  34. ceeceeronee wrote:

    You go girl! Rocking every piece of clothing known to men =)

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  35. Julie Khuu wrote:

    Super cute babe! Love the inspiration…keep the good vibes flowing and the flock will follow!

    xo-Julie
    Peace. Love. LOL!

    Haute Khuuture Blog

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  36. petiterealized wrote:

    jean,

    Gosh, you look amazing! London-look, well done.

    Do you know where can i track the burberry harbourne in a sz 2 aside from ebay?? shortly after you purchased yours, i looked high and low and came up with nothing. I was told the style has been discontinued. The one they replaced it with (I forgot the name) is not as petite-friendly. Please help! Thank you 🙂

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  37. Wendy's Lookbook wrote:

    Congrats Jean!!! You look amazing!!!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  38. kileen wrote:

    i love the back of this dress and how awesome Nick was able to help you pick it out! the Burberry trench is lovely on you and i'm not surprised at all that so many shoppers come in referring to your blog. 🙂

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  39. Michelle wrote:

    Yay!! We all love you blog. So inspirational and chic. ^_* I gotta get those bootie shoes….I love this look…..as all your other ones…haha

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  40. Ping wrote:

    jean– you look gorgeous. i love that back of that dress. it's so sexy! i bought me a faux fur from h&m; too after seeing it on you.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  41. Karolina wrote:

    Hi Jean, it's not only coat suggestions people get off your blog. I got married a few months ago near Boston. I got my dress on clearance and it needed to be taken in in several places. I don't have a regular tailor, so I asked around but all the suggestions were for very expensive-looking salons. I remembered your blog, Googled "Hemmingway Tailors", and took the dress there. They did a great job – the hips could have been a bit snugger, but other than that it worked out really well! So, thanks for the recommendation – and keep writing! I'm not petite by any means, but your blog is my favorite fashion blog nonetheless.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  42. Mary Ann wrote:

    Your puffy bun looks gorgeous in the third B&W; photo. Are you wearing the velcro bump? Hehe, I totally ordered one on eBay after watching your video! 😉

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  43. mai wrote:

    Lovely. I was looking forward to this post after seeing Jessica from WIW's MNG by Mango post!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  44. Ella Pretty Blog wrote:

    Love the black & white pics, especially the first one – they look like they belong in a magazine! So sweet of Nick to help you find petite-friendly clothes – my hubby is always immersed in his blackberry when we go shopping LOL! Love how famous your blog is getting – content and picture-wise, it's the best!!!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  45. Jennifer wrote:

    I have to admit, I'm one of "those girls" that tells the SA about your blog 🙂

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  46. elleandish wrote:

    Yay Jean!! 😀 congrats on the collabo and that dress looks great! I love the back! bra-friendly pieces that still show some skin are hard to find.

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  47. Beautygirl24 wrote:

    You look stunning! I love MNG by Mango and must go to take a look at the dress you're wearing!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  48. Gabi wrote:

    Yay its beautiful! u look amazing!!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  49. Ria wrote:

    Cute outfit! Very well put together!

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply
  50. DSK Steph wrote:

    GO PetiteAsianGirl!! 🙂

    Posted 9.21.11 Reply

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