Today’s post is my entry in a fun little contest, for which I was asked to style an Oscars-themed outfit using an ASOS brand dress. I’m happy that a large international retailer like ASOS doesn’t forget about its shorter customers–I appreciate their petite-friendly options and am excited to be part of this feature.
When I think of celebrities at the Oscars, I picture gorgeous, elaborate gowns, and dramatic silhouettes. As most of us won’t be sashaying down the red carpet anytime soon, I wanted to find a dress suitable for the life of an everyday woman, but still nothing short of stunning for a special occasion. I ended up choosing a fitted little red dress that enhances even negligible curves, and styled it with a mix of accessories ranging from DIY to Valentino. This look was inspired by old Hollywood glamour and is true to my classics-loving style.
In addition to an outfit, I also wanted to share with you guys one of the most historical buildings in this city that I love. These photos were taken in the older half of the Boston Public Library, which was built in the 1800s. This room above has two levels of tall bookshelves, complete with little spiral staircases and ladders – it felt like I had strolled right into Belle’s library!
I didn’t have the right bag for this ensemble, so made one to keep with the bold red and soft taupe color scheme:
For anyone who’s interested, I’ll be doing a review on the sizing and fit for this dress in a later post. I tried my luck outside ASOS’ petites section, and was pleased to find that this dress in regular sizing ran small. I ended up sizing up to a US 4 (for reference, I typically take XXS/00 or H&M; sz 2) and performing some at-home alterations, but in hindsight, a US 2 may work better for someone my size if you don’t mind a snug fit (which this dress is intended to be). Both sizes need a hem job if you’re on the shorter side.
Hi Jean, you look so pretty!
I love the public library! my boyfriend and I still go work there sometimes 🙂
Love,
Wendy
I love these photos, Jean! You look fabulous and great shoot at the library! I went in a few times when I lived in Boston – so pretty. 😉
Hi Jean. These are gorgeous photos of you and the Boston Library! So editorial! Good luck!
Love, Youa
What a beautiful dress!
http://www.hinnafarooq.com/
What a beautiful dress!
http://www.hinnafarooq.com/
thank you so much for your response and taking the time and effort to do so! Its much appreciated. and Im just reading the review post now. you're so detailed about everything, its what I love most about your blog.
Great dress – love the colour!
Kate xo petite-adventures.blogspot.ca
Stunning! I dare to say you are the most elegant and classy girl among all the contestants. Your blog is extremely inspiring for people who are TROP petite, like me. I'm about 5" and, as a lawyer, I always struggle to find the accurate pieces for my wardrobe.
Congratulations from Colombia. I don't even know if I was allowed for voting; however I did it.
IMPRESIONANTE !!!!!
Un Besazo
I'm so happy to see you featured the library like this! And of course you're gorgeous and the dress looks amazing on you. 🙂
Great Look!!!Love the red dress and the fur… http://www.shopperstherapy.blogspot.com
I just voted for you Jean! I love your blog
Love from Europe x
Does Asos ever restock their dresses? I love this red dress, but unfortuneately they're all gone.
Love those shoes on you! You look amazing, as always!
thecorporatecatwalk.blogspot.com/
love the shoes, the dress is so sexy…:)
Hi Jean, loving the outfit, especially those Valentino shoes! Do you think that those shoes would also work with a red full-length gown, similar to the colour of the dress you're wearing?
Jean! Just voted for you =) your outfit reminds me of old Hollywood and I love how you paired it with a little bit of faux fur and good luck!
This is such a beautiful dress and it looks like something out of old Hollywood! I love it xoxo
http://www.getthatlook.org/
Thank you all so, so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave a comment and/or vote. I read each and every one of your comments and appreciate them.
THe best part of fashion for me is slowly but surely discovering your (evolving, may I add) personal style and experimenting along the way. Good luck to you!
Hi there – yes I had meant it to be an abbreviation for "featuring" but ran out of space in the title line : )
Tiffany – I've heard about the great Harry Potter room at Harvard! How awesome that you got to enjoy it there.
Due to how fitted it is I would only reserve it for special or evening occasions like weddings, cocktail parties etc., but by changing up the shoes and accessories (I did safe red and neutral here, but you can go with a crisp red and black theme…or fun red and prints/patterns) will put a different spin on the same dress.
I agree, Bela! More saturated lipstick plus getting rid of the fur would be great for a practical evening look suitable for modern day.
I did have to take the size I got in a little bit because I went 2 sizes up from my usual (not used to wearing things so fitted!). I'm also wearing shapewear underneath which is very helpful with flabby parts : )
Thank you for taking the time to leave a first comment! I'll be sure to pass along your kind comments to the photographer : )
Thank you so much Svetlana – I appreciate you coming to read and your thoughtful comment!
Hi Melanie – it is not thick and heavy like Herve (or what I imagine their dresses to be), hence a big difference in price point. If you go with your usual size, it will be very tight and I noticed that did do some shaping and pushed my bust up to create more cleavage and overall helped with defining a more hourglass figure. The material is not thick though and be sure to wear skin-colored undies.
Coming in a week or two, hopefully! Harder than I thought to compile the pics and steps.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment despite being a silent reader! I appreciate it!
Yep! It'll just take some time to write up but I will : )
Yes, sure will – took some step by step photos but it will take some time to compile and write up. Thanks for your patience!
Thank you for the encouraging words, Angie! Means a lot to me.
The courtyard is beautiful! I see so many weddings there.
THank you! And yes he does…except for the shoddy quality indoor ones, which I take with a tripod.
We went the moment it opened so ppl were just trickling in : )
Oh the outfit is so elegant! Love it! ♥
http://www.lorietta.cz
If you take a few minutes to learn about Jean I think you will find that she was motivated by a sincere appreciation of the beauty of the library when she chose it as a backdrop for these photos. It's a magnificent building and one of Bostons's treasures. How wonderful that such grand architecture surrounds the public collections and is available for all of us to enjoy whether we are taking out a book or viewing these beautiful photos.
Susan
Sorry… what about reading books instead staying in the middle of the library with a red dress?
Really stupid.
Ale
This dress is stunning and I love the red colour!Great!
http://sonjaloli.blogspot.com
I just voted for you I hope you will like my brand new blog and support a starter.
http://aeroplaneandapparel.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/aeroplaneandapparel
Wow!! what a stunning dress! Love the library too!! I wish our library looked like that, except it looks more like a nursing home- not a very good background for blog pictures 🙂
Hope you win the contest!
Christy
Sunnywithasideof…
you look glamorous, jean, very old hollywood style. the library was a great backdrop for these photos. nick did a good job with the photography. 😀
Yes, feat is an abbreviation for feature. 😉
I suspect, as with that Anne Taylor blouse I liked (better on you than on me), you make this dress look better! Great photos and the library setting is genius… now you just need to actually make a movie. Good luck.
You are GORGEOUS!
This is absolutely beautiful!How did you get quiet time at the library? Voted!
you look so fancy and beautiful! & Nick is one awesome photographer!! great job to both of you!
http://shortandsweetjoy.blogspot.com/
Holy smokes!!! Hot Hot Hot! Gosh how did you get to take the pictures there? Did you need a permit?…the library is beautiful…goes along with your oscar worthy look!
Oh my goodness, you look absolutely stunning – Wow!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes