Pioneered by my fashion idol, the combination of tweed and pearls has such a simple elegance to it. I love the top half of this outfit, but oh, drat these cheap H&M; pants! I wear them a lot because the rich color is so versatile, but every time I see photos I want to burn them and get a quality pair.
A while back, Anna of UniQUEEN (based in Toronto) contacted me to try some of her petite-friendly Korean clothing. At the time I declined, but offered up some feedback. Although Korean casualwear is trendy and cute, I mentioned that I’d love to see more classy, elegant pieces available as well. I feel like petite women can currently find affordable and well-fitting casualwear from a variety of retailers (ASOS, Gap, H&M;, F21, LOFT, Urban Outfitters, etc…). It’s with work clothes, blazers, and coats when the options get limited. What do you guys think?
Style: Classic and collarless, with four functional pockets and fringe trim. I think the fringe on the sleeve opening is a little too much, and hid it just by cuffing it. Pink is fully lined in a satiny material, and blue is heavier in weight and lined in a quilted material. UPDATE: Both jackets are now lined in a heavier quilted material, making them more like warm jackets than blazers.
Sizing: Comes in two sizes, S and M. The measurements provided online for a sz S are 14.5″ shoulders (14″ before the padding), 17.4″ bust, 18.5″ sleeve length, and 20″ total length. Looking at the bust measurement, I was doubtful about how this would fit. Upon receiving the jacket, however, I saw that the front naturally overlaps a bit. When lying completely flat with the front overlapped, the bust of my sz S measures 16.5″ across, with 20″ long sleeves. Per Anna, the blue/teal has 2″ longer sleeves.
Fit: Size S fits me in the shoulders (most important), is slightly loose in the torso, and the front flaps overlap. Since it’s an open-style jacket, I don’t mind some torso room. One alteration I’m contemplating is shortening the hem an inch or two, to hit above my hips. At 4’11” and three-quarters (Nick just measured and wouldn’t give me the last quarter), I am on the shorter side, even amongst petites. The proper garment length is key to maintaining my proportions.
Note: I like how on the bottom of every item listing, UniQUEEN provides the model’s measurements for reference. The girl modeling this jacket is 160cm / 5’3″ tall, with a 25″ waist.
Quality / Value: I am impressed by the jacket workmanship and the tweed blend. No material label (not required in Asia), so I assume it’s mostly polyester. *Updated price (as of 2012) for new colors is $117.81. The price is not cheap, but my Zara juniors tweed jacket retails for the same, and the UniQUEEN one is noticeably better quality.
Payment/Shipping: Ships to US, Canada, and the UK. PayPal accepted. There is a promo going on until 11/27 for free shipping, however it is uninsured and un-tracked for the US. If you live in Toronto, you can actually opt to do local pickup and get a 15% discount instead! I believe returns are for credit only, unless the item is defective. Since this is a new store, please email info@myuniqueen.com if you have any issues or questions. I had a long list of them and Anna was so responsive – that’s why I love small business owners.
Last weekend, my dear friend Vi -in the sunny yellow dress- was back from Texas. We stuffed ourselves silly with brunch on Newbury St. Shortly after (probably while Nick and I were aimlessly wandering H&M;), her then-boyfriend got down on one knee and proposed to her in the Boston Public Garden. I still cannot believe I missed it!
I remember the fruitless nights as Vi’s wing-woman out in Boston, so I can smell a “keeper” from afar : ) They were friends for over 10 years before realizing that each other was the one. I am so very happy for them, and can’t wait to attend my first ginormous Vietnamese wedding in Texas!
I am a man of dimunitive size (5'3), so you can call me an Extra Petite Gentleman. I have a proposal for all the beautiful Extra Petite women. I believe the spirit of the blog is to find the best fit and proportions for all of you petite ladies.
So, here is my proposal or tip – a seed planted, if you will.
To set the best and most flattering silhouette and fit, may I humbly propose that you should choose an extra petite gentleman as a companion – a proportional arm candy. I want to be highly transparent with my intention, which is to help my fellow awesome, gorgeous but short'ish dudes to have a chance with beautiful, hot, confident and dimunitive women. Think about it.
Just like you do not wish to wear a coat or dress designed for a 5'8 woman, you also don't want to have a tall dude beside you. It makes you look shorter and just plain out of proportion. Unfortunately, you can't really alter men (most of you have tried), so get ones that fit right off the rack.
Short dudes rock!
I've always wanted a Chanel-esque jacket but Vancouver is so casual so I'd look out of place. You wear it so well. I agree about the pants – too much creasing and with my ample hips…would be even more so on me.
I don't think it's too far away when you and Nick will be receiving many congratulatory comments. I feel it in the air (listening Nick??)
If you're looking for a pair of camel pants, maybe check out these camel colored pants:
http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=50905&outfitID;=1701&categoryID;=428
I usually stray away from junior brand clothing but I ended up in their store the other day and picked up the black ones that were on sale for 19.99. The 00 fit perfectly in the waist and no puffiness at the back of the thighs! More like a skinny jean fit. And of course they were too long but that's easy to fix. For reference, I'm 5' and ~90lbs.
And I would say the material is sturdier than the H&M; pants.
What kind of makeup would you recommend for a job interview? I heard you're supposed to look like you're not wearing any makeup. The obvious choice would be mascara, but I don't like wearing mascara because it can be annoying to remove. I have short, thin eyelashes anyhow, and virtually nonexistent lower eyelashes.
Oooh I love that blouse. I've been trying to find nice blouses here with no luck 🙁
can u make a post on how to not look sloppy? i always look sloppy all the time. i want to have a clean look. and tips or tricks?
I like the texture and subtle color variations on the jacket, and your inspirational styling, as always. You might be able to give the fringe trim a "haircut" if you find it to be too much on the sleeve cuffs (or anywhere else).
Hi!
I love your blog and this post. You always have great detailed reviews :-)It is appreciated!
Would you happen to know where your friend's yellow dress is from???? I love the color and it looks awesome how she styled it.
Thanks!
Amusemehplehs
Wow I would never have thought that jacket was wearable but you proved me wrong!
On a completely unrelated note, have you had any luck in your fall boot search? I've been searching for tall black (short) heeled boots but have been unsuccessful, mostly because shafts are too big for my calves!
Really, Toronto? Never heard of them! I just checked out their website and I'm curious to know why everything is in US prices if they're based in Toronto. I will check out the site more but I have to admit I find it too busy for me – perhaps I'm too old for their target market LOL!
Great review and lovely pictures. Congrats to your friend too 🙂
Please offer Vi the warmest congratulations! May their love be beautiful and always always kind 🙂
LOVE that jacket – you look gorgeous! I've gotta be hands off this Fall for clothes while I scout presents for friends.
And man, what a good looking bunch you and your friends are =)
So cute – and really, the pants look great! Don't burn them!
Beautiful tweed jacket! I've been looking for an affordable one as well, but the only one I've been able to find is that H&M; Divided one you posted about recently – and that definitely doesn't do it for me!
The bag! The bag! Love the colour. I don't know why a gorgeous colour like this isn't permanently available? It's so much prettier than the light beige that they always have.
love the jacket. just ordered one. keep with the posts!
I too love the look of pearls with tweed. There's just something about it *sigh*
I agree that work clothes are a lot harder to find for petites, especially XXS petites like myself, where as we can rummage the juniors for casual clothes if we need to =X
Really beautiful tweed jacket. I might have to pick one up myself. And the H&M; pants aren't that bad. They look great! Overall, I really like the outfit.
Hi Jean! What a beautiful jacket! Your photographs and modeling are so awesome. I just started following your blog and I must say, I am smitten! I really enjoy reading your reviews and look forward to seeing what's new each day. Thanks for all your wonderful fashion advice!
This jacket looks so classy and beautiful on you Jean. Did Anna tell you what was the best way to clean the jacket? Does it need to be ironed?
I need a H&M; tweed vs Malang tweed vs Zara tweed battle. cuz I sure did think the H&M; tweed looked good on you, and would imagine the Zara looks good too since I"m a fan of the leather detailing.
what wonderful news for your friend!
That jacket is gorgeous!! What I love most about UniQUEEN is that the website has so many pictures of the item! That definitely helps the buyer make the right decision when ordering something!
I think you are right about shortening it, but how does that work with the fringe lining? I have zero experience with tailoring!
Congrats to your friend! Lol! about the snap button!
Im looking for a tweed jacked ! They never fit my shoulders and they make me feel bulky! I went to Zara, see if they had some thinner ones and I'm still searching. I live in mexico so i'll keep you posted! 😀 hugs thank you so much for this review!
Jean- just want to say that I appreciate your thought when it comes to c/o's and that you don't just automatically feature everyone who decides to sponsor you. Instead, you give feedback both to your readers and the companies themselves, allowing them to improve their products. You always stay true to your vision for your blog and I can always trust you to provide excellent, unbiased, and discerning content, not just photos of outfits (which are great too!).
lol, r u really 4'11 and 3/4"…i'm not much taller than you. i need to remeasure myself. good news is that you don't look it. i'd love to see the blue on you. i think that blue jacket would be totally cute with skinny black jeans or liquid leggings.
congrats to your friend. everyone is getting married of pregnant these days….will u and nick be next?!? 😛
You can pull off such beautiful classy styles so perfectly.
I think the jacket is nice, but not too crazy about the fringe…
that is a nice jacket. i really like how you styled it. you look great! congrats to your friend on her engagement. 😉
Looking for a great chanel jacket substitute. Just ordered! Thanks for posting!
Hey Jean! Was the restaurant Maggiano's??
I laughed when I read your kid jeans tip. 🙂
Lovely jacket, I'm so glad to hear about a Korean retailer that ships to the US! I've been envying some of the blazers that my friends bought when they visited Seoul.
And congratulations to your friend. (When is Nick going to pop the question?;)
Congrats to your friend Vi and her fiance! I giggled when Thao and Sunshine both mentioned they also know her. What a small world indeed!
Forget about my F21 find, now this tweed is a keeper for sure! Love the closeup shot with all the gorgeous detailing and pastel colors, but heart your casual styling on the jacket even more. I think the slightly long length works quite well in this instance, but I can see how a few inches shorter would look better with a dressier outfit. It's a tough decision Jean… maybe shorten the pink one but keep the blue as is? That is, if you have the blue one as well.
Please, please share with us how you make your hair look so great! I'm Asian as well with healthy, smooth and shiny black hair — but always flat! I've tried styling products to increase the volume but ended up looking stiff or greasy… Thank you!
you look gorgeous!
Great outfit. Love the boots too! Where are those from?
I prefer your tweed Ann Taylor better, but I love lapels. Are you also keeping the blue one? The pink tweed pattern looks so much better, but I'll probably like the blue as well when you style that one. Will taking up the hem be costly bec of the fringe? I would suggest removing the top two pockets if you do get alterations as the jacket has a lot of fringe going on. Otherwise, great find!
Congratulations to your friend and her fiance! Is she the one that moved to Houston? Congrats to the expectant parents as well! (I am assuming that's a baby in there, not a food baby…I sincerely apologize if it is the latter >_>)
Lmao at the kids jeans tip.
Beautiful jacket! 🙂 where on ebay did you get your boots from? i love it!
The jacket is soo cute & feminine on you!
In the last pic, I thought you were wearing something on your head just for a brief moment. LOL Halloween is still on my mind..clearly.
And congratulations to Vi!!! I love hearing great news like that!
I LOVE love LOVE that jacket…the color combination is SO pretty and your whole outfit is so classy and elegant.
Also loving your boots and your gorgeous Chanel bag.
oohhh i have a similar cream tweed jacket from Victoria Secret (old old stuff from years ago) and i also get lots of compliments when wearing it. the sleeves are a bit too long though so they always get super dirty. so much $$ to dry clean sigh. this jacket definitely looks expensive and i think the proportions look good on you! but maybe my fit standard is lower than yours hehe….
btw, your friend Vi is a friend of my friend. i actually saw a pix of you and her on her fb awhile back (the one at the pumpkin patch) but didn't say anything cuz i didn't really interact with you back then yet haha. small world 🙂
I love your style and i love coco chanel!
Great post. I'd love to see more coco inspired looks 🙂
Aww, congrats to your friend! That jacket is so elegant, but I love how you decided to dress it down. I personally love how your H&M; pants fit you. These days fitted bottoms are EVERYWHERE and it's refreshing to see a casual fit. Sometimes I'll see a girl (usually with pin straight hair) whose got every single detail perfectly in place, and she looks good but "too perfect". Know what I mean? Your H&M; pants is such a better contrast to that sort of look if that makes any sense..
lol so hard on the kid's jeans tip.
The jacket looks so beautiful on you, Jean. I'm glad you found it! This reminds me that I need to wear my BR one more often. (BTW, I am totally copying your outfit here!!!) The pants don't look as bad in person as in pictures, I don't know if you have noticed. The pants have a metallic gloss to it, and cameras pick up the creases like there is no tomorrow.
omg i know vi and her fiance! i'm going to show their family this article 🙂
Stunning jacket on you! It's really hard to find the right tweed Coco jacket – some are too frilly, some have bad colors (as you pointed out in your previous post) and some are just "off" – this is really nice and I like how you cuffed the sleeves. Great pick!
Congrats on your friend's engagement! Your tweed jacket looks great, and I think for that price it's totally worth it, since it is definitely a piece you'd wear often.
xx maggie
i love it!! so sassy looking!!! mind if i ask what DSLR did they use to take photos of you? Thanks =)
I love this look! I wouldn't have thought to pair the deep mustard with the pastel jacket, but I love the combination.
Regarding alterations, I think the length on the jacket looks great with a higher waist-ed bottom like the one here, but I can see how you might prefer a shorter hem with a skirt or lower-rise pants. Either way, it looks great on you.
That jacket is like a dream comes true, GORGEOUS! That is a really great find Jean, I can't imagine paying for a real one (unless I won a lottery which would never happen). I love how you style it both way with mustard pants and jeans. I have to check them out, thank you for sharing. How romantic is your friend's story! It sounds like stuff like that only happens in the movie.
So when are you coming to Texas?
Stunning on you! I don't think I could pull that off, but it is very classy and feminine. I love it!