Lady in Red at LA Urban Light

ann taylor red coat LA urban light-1 small

Ann Taylor coat & dress in xxs petite c/o
Steve Madden heels (runs narrow)

We flew to SoCal recently for our friends’ wedding and decided to spend some extra time in the area. Compared to Boston it’s a bit of a heat wave here, but the abundance of good eats sure makes up for it! These photos were taken by the Urban Light display in LA – it’s a tourist favorite but still leaves me in admiration each time.
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Ann Taylor let me pick out pieces from their most recent collections to review – I chose the flared sweater dress last shown here, and also wanted to post these bold red pieces that I thought were notably petite-friendly. The style of the jacket feels like a nod to the timeless coats that Audrey Hepburn liked to wear. It first reminded me of this one, from the flattering swing silhouette (one of my favorite cuts) down to the collar and bracelet-length sleeves. With the collar popped up (see stock images), it felt reminiscent of her bright tomato funnel-neck number made famous in the movie Charade. The fit of an xxs petite is slim in the shoulders and sleeve width, which I think is key for swing-style pieces.
ann taylor red coat LA urban light-4 small
The material of the coat, although an entirely synthetic blend, feels of sturdy weight and good quality, as mentioned in the online reviews. Some said it’s a very heavy coat, which I think will definitely differ based on where you’re from. In my opinion it’d be suitable for ~60 degree F weather down to ~40 with a sweater layered underneath. The buttons are sturdily sewn on and covered with fabric, the jacket is fully lined, and there are two front pockets. The curved “shirttail” hem on both sides gives the swing cut a little something extra.
ann taylor red coat LA urban light-5 small
On to this sheath dress – I usually get my Ann Taylor dresses altered to fit so was surprised that this dress was fairly fitted on me off the rack. Reading the online reviews, several shoppers mentioned they had to go up one or two sizes from their usual size. I found the cap sleeve and V neck cut to be flattering at the décolletage area without revealing too much. I wore this, sans coat, to some pre-wedding festivities.
ann taylor red coat LA urban light-3 small
The stretchy fabric in a poly blend feels reminiscent of lightweight wool crepe on some of my Theory pieces. The downside is it is unlined, and I can see it’d be unforgiving with bra and panty lines if it were any more form-fitting, like some reviewers also noted. For dresses like this, I hope AT will listen to their customers and include a lining in the future.

Measurements of coat in xxsp: 13.6″ across shoulders, 16.5″ across bust, 20″ long sleeves (bracelet length), 30″ long. These are outer measurements, so please account for thickness of the material and lining.

Measurements of dress in xxsp: 15.25″ across bust, 12.5″ across waist, 33″ long
ann taylor red coat LA urban light-2 small

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33 Comments

  1. Anonymous wrote:

    http://www.anntaylor.com/petite-pleated-flare-dress/390582?skuId=19805726&defaultColor;=5899&colorExplode;=false&catid;=cata000028 I bought the dress in the post and had to go up a size. It is so tight. What do you this of this red flare dress?

    Posted 10.14.15 Reply
  2. Emily wrote:

    The red suits you great!

    Posted 10.7.15 Reply
  3. Anonymous wrote:

    Fantastic dress, the cut and colour really suits you! 🙂

    Posted 10.1.15 Reply
  4. Anonymous wrote:

    Ann Taylor coats run huge in the waist IME – it works for this swing style but not in most other styles

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  5. tellmeyblog.com wrote:

    Wow, these lights look stunning! Love how you pulled off a red on red combo, you look absolutely amazing!

    xx
    Yvonne
    http://tellmeyblog.com

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  6. Deasy Noel wrote:

    Ah! I live in LA and I have yet to go T_T I think you look really classy in red on red and that coat is so timeless :3

    http://www.deasynoel.com

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  7. Joyce Pak wrote:

    Really love all the photos, and red looks so good on your skintone! I love seeing all your suggestions for AT, so helpful 🙂

    Characters & Carry-ons

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  8. Keri H wrote:

    It's more professional to wear a matching suit. However, it can be pulled off!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  9. Keri H wrote:

    I aspire to be as elegant as you one day. This is seriously gorgeous. You were born to wear that shade of red!

    Enclothed Cognition

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  10. Anonymous wrote:

    Hi Jean, your red dress and coat looks beautiful on you. Perfect for Christmas time http://www.kblossoms.etsy.com

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  11. Diane Hoang wrote:

    This looks beautiful! I love all the red you're wearing. It's such a bold look!

    xx, Diane || http://www.dizined.com

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  12. Maggie Moore wrote:

    I love the red on red! It's very bold, but works well. Great coat!

    http://www.maggiealamode.com

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  13. Thanh wrote:

    Hi Jean,
    Love your blog. I have a question. If anyone has an answer, feel free to chime in. I'm going on an interview for grad school and I'm trying to pick out a suit. Is it appropriate to wear a navy suit dress with a black suit jacket or does it have to be all one color? Thanks!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  14. Julie Hiller wrote:

    Pretty dress! You look lovely in bright red!

    lifestyle by joules

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  15. Petite and So What wrote:

    I am in love with the pictures and the shooting place! Wonderful!
    The red dress is awesome and perfect on you.

    Xxx

    Petite and So What

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  16. Sasa Zoe wrote:

    Love this red look<3

    Shall We Sasa

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  17. Jean wrote:

    Thank you for the heads up!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  18. Jean wrote:

    Unfortunately was just there for the day…always wish there was more time to explore!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  19. Jean wrote:

    Haha oh I'm not so brave – we had to leave LA early so took these before sunrise when it was thankfully a balmy high 60's

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  20. Laurie at Bird in Hand Vintage wrote:

    Beautiful photography! Love the contrast of the red against the lights. The coat and dress appear to fit you well. I used to love Ann Taylor but their sizing has become so inconsistent that I no longer shop there.

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  21. J wrote:

    Love all the red!!! The dress and coat look fantastic on you. And for all your readers, Ann Taylor is having a 40% off sale today that includes both the coat and dress!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  22. Paola wrote:

    Stunning outfit!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  23. Merrie K. wrote:

    I know…she does a fantastic job picking out her backdrops!

    http://www.PetiteCareerGirl.com

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  24. Merrie K. wrote:

    Beautiful, Beautiful back drop! The dress is lovely to begin with, but it looks even more fabulous against the white. Lovely!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  25. Taramixandmatch wrote:

    Love this color on you!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  26. prudence yeo wrote:

    Very elegant red coat and dress combo! The shade of red is so stunning too, gorgeous!

    Prudence
    http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  27. Trang Do wrote:

    You looks gorgeous dear!! Love your dress very much!!
    Hugs,
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  28. Fashion Petite wrote:

    You look perfect in red and I LOVE this location!!! How long will you be in LA?
    xoxo Lynda
    http://fashion-petite.com/

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  29. Anonymous wrote:

    I love how these look on you! I tried on the coat in store but I found the color to be way too bright and intense… and I'm not someone who is scared of bright patterns/prints.

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  30. Helen Veyna wrote:

    Urban Lights is just one of those landmarks that immediately reminds me of L.A. Also, that dress is so perfect on you and that coat is gorgeous!

    -Helen
    Sweet Helen Grace

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  31. Anonymous wrote:

    It was almost 100 degrees in West Los Angeles when you took these pictures! Admire your ability to take endure the heat in a winter outfit to share with your readers!

    Posted 9.30.15 Reply
  32. Bella B wrote:

    So cute! love that red dress

    http://xoxobella.com

    Posted 9.29.15 Reply
  33. Petite Picks wrote:

    This dress looks amazing on you! And that's a lot of lights.

    Posted 9.29.15 Reply

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