As temps continue to dip, I wanted to share another holiday outfit idea that is both office-appropriate and warm! This is a New England-inspired look with preppy, buildable layers and mix-and-match details. It could also be a festive but classic option for for holiday photos! If a blazer is too formal for you, simply swap in a cardigan or skip the top layer altogether.
I’m partnering with J.Crew Factory today to share holiday-ready pieces that are good quality and don’t require breaking the bank. They are having a flash sale right now with 50% off site-wide, making each piece in my outfit here pretty affordable. I’m wearing a mix of items from both their petites and regular-sizing line, and didn’t alter anything. The sleeves are a little long for me on a regular sized button-up, but I usually wear my shirt sleeves cuffed up.
This wool-blend schoolboy blazer is an item that I get lots of questions on, now that this style is only offered at J.Crew Factory. It’s a good piece for the price with a full lining, functional pockets, and a fit that is true to size and petite-friendly. Vibrant red would be gorgeous for holiday pairings, and black and navy are easily year-round closet staples.
My sidewalk skirt comes back year after year and is a flattering and forgiving piece, due to the wider gathered waistband that stretches comfortably. The skirt is lined and also has two convenient side pockets. This particular one is a thicker textured herringbone which I love for pattern-mixing! The general rule of thumb for doing so is to combine patterns of differing sizes and scales, like the large tartan plaid here paired with mini herringbone.
If you’re getting a head start on gift shopping, this cozy gift guide has me giddy for the holidays! I see one of my favorite knit pom pom hats is back this year (see it on me), along with plaid earmuffs which are both practical and adorable.
Thank you to J.Crew Factory for partnering on this post.
I'm not sure if you'll see this comment, but what other shoe types do you think would go with this outfit? Does it only work with the black pumps?
Hi there! Did you have to have your blazer altered at all? I'm 5'2 and usually wear a 0 – 2 petite in J.Crew, but I feel like the mid-section always looks a bit baggy on me. This is such a great price for this blazer, that actually spending the extra $$ on alterations doesn't scare me as much. I have an navy blazer from J.Crew from a few years ago and it's a looser fit one that I love, but I would love a more fitted one like this. Yours looks good and fits as you would want them too! The 00 Petite is too small around the shoulders for me so going down a size doesn't help either. Oh the joys of being petite sometimes! Hehe. Last quesiton; when looking for alterations/tailoring, what tips have you got? Thanks in advance!
Super cute! I love the navy tights. Do you wear them with black or blue pumps?
Any ideas where else to get a paid shirt like that? J crew us almost sold out!
Thank you,
Ella
Where do you get your tights? I've been looking for some like that!
Hi Jean. Love this outfit as always. Out of curiosity what kind of tights are you wearing? I love how opaque they are which can be hard to find.
Jean, I have been following your blog for years. Your outfits and style are always so put together. Your pictures are always so nice and clear. What camera do you use? I like to go purchase one myself. Thank you!
Hi Jean, I started following you this year and I'm do glad I found your blog. I'm a petite Asian about your size and the clothes I wore tend to make me look frumpy. I was just sick and tired of my look so I began googling 'petite fashion' and your blog is definitely the best that fits the style I would like to have. I always look forward to your posts! 😀
This is so cute! I can actually wear this to work 🙂
Thank you!
VERY NICE JEAN!
Such a beautiful outfit! Looks so much like holidays!
http://www.vogueetvoyage.com
You look stunning! The plaid shirt is so unexpected but looks amazing 🙂
XO Janina
http://janinafran.blogspot.ca
Looking gorgeous, love the combination of all. Personally i don't like check shirts but after viewing yours, would like to try it on me.
Thanks, Jean! That's really helpful.
Hi there – I tend to experiment a lot with mixing and matching, and I know it's not everyone's cup of tea! As for Talbots, I don't know if I'll be partnering with them but I did share some favorite suggestions from their current collection, like their sweater-sleeve coat with removable faux fur hood, and their petite capes!
Thanks so much for voting, Karrie!
Hi – it's just an old belt I took from my husband and punched more holes into.
Both this skirt and the backside of my belt have some texture to it so it doesn't slide much. You could try fashion tape, though!
Hi Janet & Anne! I'm wearing dark navy tights and pumps. The shirt is listed as black, but it has blue and green stripes in it which I think makes it easy to pair with either black or dark, colored tights. I'm always a mixer of black and navy, anyways!
Hi Renee – the reviews were pretty mixed and mine would fall in the middle. It's definitely a thinner cotton shirt, but you don't see your undergarments through it like some ppl made it seem. For $30 it's comparable to some other button-ups I have in my closet at that price point.
Love the shirt and skirt combo!!
|| D I A N A ||
http://www.TheNeonFactor.com
Hi Vanessa – it's a super old belt that I took from my husband and punched more holes into!
Hi! I haven't tried it yet! (this one is a thinner cotton one btw, not thicker like flannel)
Hi Cindy – yes I host them on Flickr, a photo gallery website. I'm sorry to hear they get blocked! I can't imagine why that would be.
I was wondering the same thing !
Very New England prep!
Jen | affecionada
This outfit is gorgeous!
Kelsey | petiteinherpearls.blogspot.com
Beautiful shirt 😉
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
I'm glad to hear that this outfit has multiple sets of pockets! That's music to my ears.
Hi Jean… you are lovely as always. I always find something in your posts to translate to my wardrobe! Admittedly, I was with you until the skirt and belt. The large belt and busy black-based skirt just look jarring in the total outfit with the large necklace. Maybe it's the photos… or me needing to take more fashion risks! I do look forward to practicing that belt wrapping technique though. Any chance you'll be partnering with Talbots again this year?
I love how you tie your belt. I am going to try that with mine.
I also just voted for you on Shopstyle for the Best Timeless Style award. Did you know you were up for one? No need to log in or sign up to vote.
Beautiful as always:P
Shall We Sasa
Where is the belt from?
Jean, how do you deal with the belt sliding around due to no belt loops?
Jean, what color tights and shoes are you wearing? Does the shirt have navy or black in it? It's hard to tell. Thank you.
The reviews on this plaid top say it's very thin fabric and poor quality overall. Would you agree? It certainly looks beautiful regardless!
Where is this belt from?!
ah, this reminded me I need some winter flannel! do you have any experience with the J Crew Factory Boy Fit flannel?
Hi Jean, just curious, do you host your images on another website? I love following your blog but your images seem to be always blocked when I access your site at work. 🙁
Yes about an inch or two longer and wider. As long as you don't mind cuffing up the sleeves, I didn't think the regular sizing was too big for a button-up.
Such a cute and cozy holiday look! Always love how you style your belts too 🙂
Diana | http://thechicdiary.com/blog/11/16/2016-le-tote-review-lookbook-my-first-ever-youtube-video
This outfit is so perfect! I love the bold belt–it really offsets how ladylike the outfit is and gives it just the right amount of edge. Great look!
Style by Joules
I love how you mix and match different pieces together and I would totally wear this in this office!
xoxo
Sharan
http://www.MyGoldenBeauty.com
I love how you styled this! X
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Jean, how does the regular XXS fit compared to the petite XXS? Longer or wider? There are a few styles that I like in the button downs but they didn't come in petite sizing. Maybe I'll try the regular XXS.
I love this plaid, got the J.Crew one last year. Great styling!
xo
Pinksole
Love this ensemble, you look great! Bit random of me -> but I am really liking how you've knotted that belt!
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com