Spring office wear: petite chambray shirt + animal print skirt

Lately my outfits have been the same staple pieces on rotation with just small tweaks in accessories. The heavy hitters have been my favorite distressed jeans, white jeans (next on my must-find list are white pants or trousers, to convert the same pairings into business casual outfits), striped and gingham shirts, chambray shirts, and neutral shoes in flat, sandal, and pump form. I noticed I get more compliments on the most basic pairings, probably because anyone can find a variation of those pieces to create their own spin on the look. Speaking of favorite jeans, there is a good sale on designer denim going on with up to 30% off popular current-season styles…see the bottom of my post for details!

This shirt is from Nordstrom’s petites department and will be making many more appearances on here. I’m packing for upcoming trips to a few different destinations, but for each one a comfortable, versatile travel shirt is a must. This one is softer than most denim button-ups, and is medium in weight with a sturdy feel. I have not yet laundered it (tag says machine washable) but several online reviewers mentioned how well it wears and washes. For that easy casual look, I love double cuffing the sleeves…it’s pretty self-explanatory but here are the steps:

Measurements of xxs petite: 16.5″ across armpits, 14″ across shoulders, 23″ long sleeves.

Out of the 10 colors, I got the “light blue” which is a lighter chambray with a weathered, gently broken-in wash that I look for in premium denim. In my opinion, better looking in-person and not as bright as the sky blue color in both the online stock photo and my photos here. I first took note of this shirt in store, and had to double check the item number before ordering online as I thought the color looked so different. The fit of a petite xxs on me is a casual, blousy fit. I am also very particular about sleeve width and might slim these down a little bit like I did with my Converse chambray shirt. Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring the wear-to-work section of today’s post! 

As an update from my Shopbop sunglasses order, my keepers were these Ray-Ban original aviators and possibly the special fit Karen Walkers (will try to take a photo soon). I’ve been living under a rock all this time and didn’t realize how easily adjustable Ray-Ban aviators are! When I first put them on, they fell right down my nose and I almost packaged them right back up for a return. However, inspired by some helpful comments in my previous posts, I watched a few YouTube videos and realized the nose pads can easily be adjusted at home!To do so, use a firm grip with your fingers and slowly bend the metal part attaching the nose pads, careful not to bend too abruptly and risk snapping the metal. I moved both pads inward towards the center a bit, so that the nose opening was more narrow. Now they sit perfectly on my nose bridge without the lens pressing down on my upper cheeks. I got mine for 25% off and just realized that as of Monday, Saks has them for 30% off and Nordstrom will price adjust either before or after you order, if the exact style and color is on sale elsewhere.
As of today, it also looks like several Rag & Bone jeans styles are automatically 30% off to match Saks’ friends & family sale. When sale prices are the same, I usually prefer to buy from Nordstrom for their free easy returns label in case the item doesn’t work out, also if you need size 23 there’s usually more available there. This is the best discount I’ve seen yet for current-season R&B; styles!

– Left: My favorite pair (“La Paz” wash) as of late that comes in a slightly shorter 29″ inseam – see on me in size 24. These are so comfortable and don’t lose their shape with wear nor stretch out (like at the knees, after sitting for a long time)
– Middle + right: Rag & Bone dark washes “Kensington” and “Woodford,” both in the same 98% cotton, 2% polyurethane blend material and “The Skinny” cut as the pair I own. It’s hard to gauge washes online so I always Google the wash name and peruse the different photos out there.