On a separate note, I saw this dress a while back on a petite lady from Boston Magazine and fell in love with the color. The flattering shade of teal reminds me of tropical waterfronts, and the looser shift shape is easy to wear. True to most Ann Taylor petites sizing, this dress is roomy on me but works with a waist belt. A triple strap belt wasn’t the best choice, so the second time around I switched to something more delicate:
A few months ago, a box showed up at my door from the stylish Wendy, and I almost fell over with surprise upon finding these vintage Ferragamo bow flats inside. I had been hard-core eying the current Varina bow flats for over 2 years, but never pulled the trigger. These shoes are a signature style (Update – thank you Iris for letting me know I misidentified this style! These are actually the Vara low-heel pumps with a 1″ heel, currently still sold in beige) that Ferragamo has been making for decades with slight updates – the most noticeable difference between older and current versions is the curved shape of the heel. I love the sleek silhouette (good for narrow feet), the leg-lengthening nude color, and the feminine grosgrain bows with gold buckles. Thank you, Wendy, for adding a classic piece to my wardrobe that will be treasured for years! 
I’ve come to accept that Ann Taylor XXSP and 00P dresses will fit a bit roomy on someone with my measurements (like the recently-posted navy crochet lace dress) so if I want to wear the brand, I’ll need to get handier with self-alterations. Blouses fit a little better, and sometimes you can get lucky with knit dresses or skirts designed to be more fitted.
Also, thank you all so much for your input on my last post (especially those who provided creative suggestions that I would’ve never thought of). I decided to keep both for the time being and will sell the ivory one only after careful consideration : )
That is a really nice color and really suit to your skin color.
Love that!
victoireannie.com
i love everything about this outfit!!
I love the blue with the brown belt. Great color combo!
Incredible color! I love that blue!
Such a beautiful dress! you look stunning as always!
Kisses
Elena
Sending you good thoughts for your exam! Hope you have treats and celebrations planned for afterwards!
love the color of your dress! it's my fave color, and love the neutral accents.
your dress is amaze balls!
The color of the dress look really good on you. Love the flats!!
Good luck with the exam! 🙂
This reminds me of one of your h&m; try-ons filled w/color. This is 100x better. No offense on the other try-on. You just look smashing in this.
i love this colour on you jean!! i'm so inspired by how you find bargains from a variety of places — if you're ever in australia, i'd love to go shopping with you 😉
Great look! I love that color. I really need to learn how to do alternations for now I'm keeping my local tailor in business.
http://fiveminutefashions.blogspot.com/
I'm glad you participated in this challenge even though you did not have time to take new pics! These are awesome pics and although I love that wrap belt I prefer the Hermes belt with this dress.
Hope to see you on my blog one day, hopefully some day in June? 🙂
A Preponderance of Fashion
Love the color on you & adore your natural beauty!
http://www.theShopaholic247.com
Again – I must express my love for this dress with the Hermes belt!
You look stunning and I seriously love this entire outfit. It is very inspirational….xoxoxox
jean, that dress is so lovely and i really like the color against your skin. those flats are gorgeous!! so nice of wendy to surprise you.
I think you did a great job! I have the same belt! My only gripe is that it's one of those stretchy (on the backside) ones vs leather all the way around. Oh well. Looks great from the front!
aneyeforfashion.blogspot.com
can we see more photos of your new shoes? and that funky 3 strand belt too, what great pieces!
The dress sold out quickly here. One minute I saw it in the store then next minute it was gone. You have amazing taste in clothes. You always looks so put together and effortless.
You look gorgeous!
Love the dress and the Ferragamo flats.
i liked reading this: "A triple strap belt wasn't the best choice, so the second time around I switched to something more delicate." I would agree. I felt the triple wrap belt was too edgy for the ruffle & the color.
I can't believe you're gonna sell the ivory AT lace dress. i rmbr the blog post after alterations and it looked amazing on you. parting is such sweet sorrow.
also glad to see you participating in this PFC!
You're style is always flawless and so lady-like. I love it! And those flats and CL shoes are seriously amazing!
octoberchic.com
New Ferragamos are pretty pricey, but I scored a very worn pair off Ebay for less than $15, brought them to my cobbler, after about $40 of work, the shoes looked like new! Plus, he loves these shoes so that should say something. They are great for narrow feet and comfortable once broken in. What a great gift from Wendy!
The color of the dress is really lovely and the accessories really complement the outfit! Just curious, but what camera are you using to take your pics? I'm on the hunt for a good camera and really like the way your pictures always turn out. Any advice would be great 🙂
That dress is simply stunning!
http://theleatherskirt.blogspot.com/
That scarf is great!
You look so great in that color, and I LOVE that belt!
http://www.highheelstosneakers.com
Lovely dress! And the Varina bow flats are so cute!
Helen
Jean, the dress looks terrific on you and the shoes are just classic and to die for !
Oh wow I love that dress, the color is just gorgeous! And the bow flats, simply adorable. You look beautiful!
xo, Yi-chia
Wow, that is so nice of wendy – those are beautiful shoes! Gorgeous outfit, too – that teal looks great on you.
This dress looks kind of bland on its own but with magical stlying with a belt and a trench coat, what a transformation. I have a top in this same color and totally love it.
That's a great dress. Really versatile!
xoxo
~Natasha Fatah~
~Natasha Fatah~
such a great color on you! I like the outfit both ways
I am loving that color lately! So pretty on you 🙂
Maria
http://www.daintyanddecadent.com
Beautiful! The colour is gorgeus!
the dress is really beautiful, I love it! Love the belt as well, to break it, and my favourite the Burberry Trench!! And I think it helps that fact that you are a very elegant petite 🙂
The teal looks perfect with Constance (but really what wouldn't look good with Constance?) and your new vintage flats – oh so gorgeous! You're in the home stretch of studying now and I hope everything goes smoothly – best of luck!
oh and i just launched my blog sale (blog sale) featuring a lot of brand new to lightly used items that would fit petites. also size 5.5-6 shoes. it would be wonderful if you could scope it out and maybe share with fellow petite ladies! these items aren't getting the love they deserve in my closet. thanks so much!
i like the bright teal toned down with the neutral jacket and shoes. your double belt is so unique! i want to learn how to tie it. wow the dress wrinkled quite a bit and it looked way better after you worked your magic! glad to see you posting again jean~
Jean, you're so classy and stylish! Wendy is so awesome for sending those beautiful flats, I love how you paired them up. The challenge sounds like fun, maybe I'll try it later this summer 🙂
xoxo,
Genie
http://www.uniqueandchicstyle.blogspot.com
looooooove that belt! i can't believe wendy gave you those shoes?!?! they are TO DIE FOR!
xoxo, jenn
the stylish housewife
That is a beautiful teal color! Beautiful flats! I love the bow detail
xoxo,
Suzie Q
http://www.StyleCueBySuzieQ.com
How do you sign up for these challenges??
♥ Duckie.
http://frikkenduckie.blogspot.com
both the color of the dress and the classic style of the flats are so pretty on you! Do you know if they're still selling the flats in the nude color?
You outfits are always flawless! I love this one as well. Great look!
Love the teal color on you!
Wonderful! The color of that dress is so crisp. & those flats are to die for.
classicglamblog.blogspot.com