My husband may be a laid-back SoCal boy, but he loves getting dressed up and coordinating with me when we go out (of course he’d never admit it!). We try to avoid matchy-matchy and instead tie in elements like accent colors or patterns across both our outfits – could be as simple as a fresh white shirt + pocket square like Nick’s wearing here. We’ve teamed up with Express for this post on his & hers special occasion dressing, for those of you who shop for both yourself and your other half! They offer “short” inseams for some items, and sizes starting at 00 that may require minimal or no alterations on petite ladies.
For special occasion outfits, I often default to a dress but also love the idea of a fancier skirt pairing. My skirt actually comes with a coordinating top, but I wanted to mix textures with the thick crochet against a stretchy sweater knit. In addition to a crop top as shown, I can see a dressy skirt worn with a knotted chambray shirt, an off-shoulder tank, or a neutral moto jacket for cooler temps. I’ve also worn this same outfit to brunch, dressed down with my tan espadrille shoes plus a cropped denim jacket.
This skirt in 00 regular fits true to size for American brands, and measures about 25″ around the waist and is 24″ long. The material is a thick, heavier crochet that looks good quality in-person. I wanted the skirt to sit high up by my natural waistline, so I took the waist in about an inch. The textured outer with a separate lining reminded me of a DIY alteration trick that I demonstrated on a crochet dress in this post. Similarly, with this skirt I stitched two straight lines on the interior of the crochet material (making sure not to touch the lining) to create two waist darts. This results in a visible crease from the interior, but the crochet helps mask everything from the exterior. This is not a proper alteration, but it took about five minutes and worked for me…I never knew I could get the illusion of curves from the derrière!
Nick has tried on several cuts at Express and his favorite is the Innovator extra slim fit (similar to a regular slim fit in other contemporary brands) – he’s wearing the same suit with a bowtie in this post at the Kentucky Derby. For sizing reference, Nick usually takes a “short” blazer at other brands, but the regular length in his usual size fit best here. This may mean the “short” might work well for guys who typically find even short jackets in other brands to be too long.
Just as a note, I don’t recommend wearing white to a wedding, but I love a look like this for a night out, cocktail events, or bridal activities if you’re the bride-to-be. Another white piece I tried on is this shirtdress (comes in several other colors) with a slight high-low hem, which was fitted on me throughout in a regular size 0.
Beautiful skirt! I just moved to Boston and am curious to find out who your tailor is. Would you mind sharing the link/address?
Hi, Jean!! I've been inspired by this post to explore crop tops as options for high-waisted skirts in the summer. Your top here is sold out online in XS (but I plan to head to a store a few miles away to pick one up)! On that note, I've been searching for similar tops to augment my wardrobe options and came across this gorgeous white linen one with a 3-bow detail in the back http://chloegraceboutique.com/products/concorde-tied-top?variant=17040055876. Sold out on Revolve's site but still available in all sizes from this boutique site (20% site wide today and always 15% off for first-time customers). Thank you for all of your inspiration! I read your blog daily!
I've been wondering in the past why you don't post much from Express. It seems like you don't shop there on your own. Aside from the partnership, do you recommend their clothing?
You guys look great. Such a cute couple! Tanya (www.myshoppingdiet.com)
Hi Jean! I love the theme of this post, his and hers. Can you please do more, with attire preferably from Nordstrom? Thanks!
Hi Jean! I love the theme of this post, his and hers. Please do more of these! Preferably with attire from Nordstrom. 🙂
This is a gorgeous look. The white on white look is great for the petite frame. I love how you wore a crop top to also accentuate your legs and create length. You two look great together. You match without looking exactly the same, which is something that many people don't think to do when taking pictures. They tend to match exactly which makes everything look so unnatural.
oxo, Iesha (Lesh)
LivingLesh
So chic!!
I love that skirt! You two look amazing together.
Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture
I fell in love with these pictures. You two are adorable and I love your outfit!
http://the-renaissance-of-inner-fashion.blogspot.co.uk
You guys look amazing. Loving the outfits.x
http://www.stephylately.com
I like the look!
However, I don't recommend the Express 1MX shirts at all. When my husband first discovered that they fit well off the rack, he bought several in a fit of ecstasy. Unfortunately, they aren't durable and they don't launder well. Despite the tag, I wouldn't call them machine-washable because they shrink and come out extremely wrinkly. In addition, the fabric develops a separate, subtler crinkly texture, and it’s just more difficult to iron than his other dress shirts. They also seem to take on sweat stains along the collar more stubbornly. After a few washes, he was ready to upgrade, even though he has a pretty high tolerance for these kinds of things since 90% of the time he exists in wrinkled scrubs and white coat stashed in the trunk of his car. If it weren’t for that, they’d have been replaced already. As it is, they’ve been the bane of his wardrobe existence these past 2 years.
Gorgeous photos! You look so tan!
Jen | affecionada
That pencil skirt is amazing!
xx
http://www.mybeautrip.com
Hi Nata – he's 5'9"
Hi – yes I've been meaning to do a review but wanted to use it for some time first. It has a top zipper and you can get it at Celine or Barneys. I sprayed it thoroughly with a protectant, also it's a thick pebbled leather so I'm not as nervous about it as a softer lambskin-like leather.
Hi Rachel – it's from the Tie Bar company : )
Hello – I sewed in about half an inch on each dart. But you should just try a skirt on your waist and pinch in however much needed to get it to sit where you want it to.
Hi! It has a criss-cross back (see back photo above) so the armholes are roomy and not as defined as a typical tank.
I think my general guidelines haven't changed (ie swapping out sneakers for flats, graphic tees for blouses, putting on a dab of makeup) – I share a lot of casualwear styling posts on here so I'd suggest taking bits and pieces of those and applying what makes sense to your wardrobe! For example in my recent post on dressing up a basic outfit with knit blazer, I shared an alternative to my blazer sold at Target which is affordable. I mix and match high and low end in most posts – some of my favorite more affordable stores are H&M; and LOFT, which always has a sale going on.
Ha it's usually the other way around…the women are comfortably dressed in the warm summer summer whether while the guys are in 3 layers working up a sweat standing still
For regular sizing I think they run pretty true to size for an American brand…for reference the waist on AT or LOFT size 00p bottoms is 25 to 26" in comparison to 25" to express 00 regular
You two are so cute! You both definitely have a fantastic sense of style <3
xx, Diane || http://www.dizined.com
How tall is Nick? I'd be interested to know if the regular length blazer would fit my BF!
That skirt is gorgeous!! It's the perfect combination of sexy and professional 🙂
http://www.maggiealamode.com
You guys both look amazing! Love the lace skirt!
xoxo
Sharan
http://www.MyGoldenBeauty.com
Love the skirt! Great pics!
-Cheyanne
http://www.lifeofcheyanne.blogspot.com
Great outifits, love the pictures. Nice work there, thanks for sharing.
Camy xx
http://www.osiarah.com
Lovely! I always like it when you blog about your couple outfits since I can then show my guy too, heehee!
Annie |Petite&Minimal;
Beautiful pictures!
Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com
Hi Jean your bag is too cute , does it have a top zipper? how can you keep it looking to pristine with white color like that ? can you do a review on it and where to get it ? thanks
I love the looks! Where did Nick's tie bar come from? I'm having trouble finding a decent one for my husband!
Thanks for the tip about the darts! I am the same size as you, just a bit taller at 5'4". Can I ask how many inches you sewed the darts?
You both look so pretty!
Love,
http://thestyleventure.com/2016/05/16/on-the-go-with-otterbox/
you both look amazing! love the lace skirt
Irene
http://www.thedailylace.com
Lovely pictures!!
http://www.lacaleya.com
How did you find the armholes to be on this top? I'm similarly sized and have found many Express sleeveless tops to have awkwardly large armholes.
Hi! I've been a fan of your blog for some time now and love your style! However im a college student and am nowhere near the financial means to even attempt most of your outfits. That being said I also rarely wear business attire. Is it possible for you to do a affordable casual wear series? It's increasingly hard for me, being petite like you, to look my age. I'm a senior in college and people always think im an incoming freshman. I just need some everyday style tips for what to avoid, wardrobe essentials etc. I've seen your old post about looking older but do you have any new/current tips? I'd like to go to school and run errands without people wondering where's my parent.
Thanks
Tiffany
you both look amazing!
lovely style!
Agoprime – More than a fashion blog
Love your skirt so much! You both looks so beautiful!
Xoxo,
Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
Never quite understood how a shirt and jacket on a man matches a summer top or strapless dress on a woman warmth wise. It seems the poor woman always needs to risk pneumonia in order to look pretty, while the man's chest is protected by a layer of cotton and a jacket. Love the skirt though
I love wearing white outfits for Summer. Your crochet skirt is gorgeous.
http://doreensstylediary.com
Love that skirt!! You look so gorgeous in all these photos!
xx Genevive
http://www.genevivelaurenn.com
Love the back of the top and how subtle your skirt is and Nick looks flawless with that suit, I may need to get Will to try one, xx Maria http://mariaonpoint.com/
You guys look stunning, like models!!! Nick seriously dresses so well, and I love that he puts the effort into coordinating with you 🙂
http://www.deasynoel.com
I was curious to see what you would say about express sizing since I have NEVER been able to find anything from there that has fit off the rack as a fellow petite. Sounds like you also couldn't fit in off the rack sizing as well. Unfortunately they run so big it seems!
Love it!! Just purchased the skirt!
Great images! Love what you are both wearing.
Avanti
xxx
avantigarde.wordpress.com
So chic and cute.
|| D I A N A ||
http://www.TheNeonFactor.com