Peplum Swing Top for Work-to-Weekend Outfits

navy pants professional work outfit ideas petite fashion blog

Peplum swing top xxsp (similar in fall pattern), Banana Republic pants 00p, Ann Taylor heels sz 5 (updated version), H&M; blazer, old (similar), Prada bagglass pearl earringsfaux pearl necklaceThierry Lasry sunglasses

I’ve been in a real style rut this Spring when it comes to cute work outfit pieces! I just haven’t been excited by many options lately, also my search for white skinny ankle pants (a longtime void in my wardrobe) keeps coming up empty. I did recently find this peplum top though which I adore, and as a bonus, it can transition easily from work to casual wear!

gingham peplum shirt topshop jamie thick white jeans petite

Topshop white jeans sz 25 x 30 (no hemming needed), BP flats sz 5.5 (updated version)

The reviews for this top are mixed and I can see why, because it’s a shorter and wider swing style that won’t suit everyone. The petite length is perfect on me (I’m ~5′ tall) worn with mid or high-rise bottoms, so someone taller might want to try regular sizing. If you want to make extra sure no one gets an unwanted flash of midriff, you can also wear a navy or white camisole underneath and tuck it into your bottoms! As a side note, I finally found nice, thick and opaque (although I still always suggest wearing skin-toned underwear) high-waisted white jeans for under $100 that you guys will love. They’re in one of my favorite cuts with good tummy holding power, and don’t need hemming on me (FYI, their 30 length ankle jeans actually measure 27″ at the inseam). If you haven’t tried on Topshop jeans before, go one waist size up from your usual!

gingham peplum top cute spring summer work outfit petite style
spring summer white blazer work office business casual outfit ideas
prada saffiano caramel tan tote work outfit bag

The photo below shows how this top fits wider throughout the torso, swing-style. The material is stretchy and has a cotton / poplin-like feel to it. There’s a back zipper entry, so you could slim down the sides if you want and still be able to get in and out of the shirt with ease. I tried this top on in the floral and mixed stripe versions as well, and thought those were also adorable paired with navy pants or jeans.

classy spring summer work office outfit petite fashion

My Banana Republic Sloan pants are from last year, and unfortunately per the online reviews, it seems the latest version might run a little differently. **Update 5/15: Just bought a pair of the latest Sloans and the fit seems to be better again! After machine washing & drying my new pair, they now fit like a glove. Please machine dry at your own risk because they are labeled dry clean. If you’re trying to shrink them on high heat, check them and try them on every 10 – 15 minutes to make sure they don’t shrink too much!** A few other navy pants available in petite include:

– J.Crew cotton Martie pants starting in 000 petite. These are the only navy pants I’ve found that will actually fit ladies smaller than me off the rack. I take a size 00 petite in these without alterations needed – see them on me in the wool version instead of cotton.

– Loft Marisa skinny ankle pants starting in 00 petite. These have great online reviews – I haven’t tried them on myself, but LOFT pants typically require waist alterations or shrinking on me.

– Halogen Taylor ankle pants starting in 00 petite. I also haven’t tried this style, but I recently tried on another pair of Halogen petite pants and was surprised that the waist fit better than expected.

gingham-peplum-6

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36 Comments

  1. Petiteilyl wrote:

    Can someone tell me where to find this peplum top?

    Posted 7.5.17 Reply
  2. Nikki Lin wrote:

    Hi Jean, I got the peplum top too and just realized it said 'Dry Clean'. Have you tried washing it yourself with machine? Wonder how it came out.
    Thanks!

    Posted 6.1.17 Reply
  3. Laura Coleman wrote:

    I just got the Halogen jacket you recommended as an alternative to your H&M; jacket in this post and LOVE it!! I have been searching for a blush structured jacket and I hit the jackpot! I want it in every color now! I got the XXSP and the sleeves are slightly too long but I always roll up my jacket sleeves anyway. Thanks for the recommendation Jean! You make it so easy for us petite girls 🙂

    Posted 5.12.17 Reply
  4. nomoneyfun wrote:

    Oh my. I'm with you on feeling uninspired by workwear. Workwear for women has been so blah lately. If the quality isn't poor, then the styles and fits are all wrong for most office environments. Like, what would possess me to wear "cold-shoulder" styles in my already freezing office? And while I know petite ladies don't have this problem, as someone who is 5'8", hemlines are too short at the moment.

    Posted 5.10.17 Reply
  5. Amanda G. wrote:

    Is the gingham top being sold out in XXS, XS, and S for both regular and petite sizing both online and in stores around NYC/my parents' home in California considered "The Extra Petite Effect"? 😉 Fingers crossed this color (or something similar) comes back in stock because I love it! I actually have the same navy blue Sloan pants from last season and wear them all the time. I was so excited for a new blouse to pair them with! Too bad – I'll need to check your posts out much earlier next time!

    Posted 5.9.17 Reply
  6. Samantha Yuen wrote:

    I have a pair of Sloan pants from a few years ago. I tried to shrink them in the dryer but they shrunk too much and now fit like leggings rather than ankle pants. Sigh.

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  7. Jenna Power wrote:

    Great post! I wouldn't have thought of gingham for work but it actually looks really smart with the blazer.

    Another navy option that I really like is the Gap bi-stretch skinny ankle pants. I found them after Wendy posted them in black here: http://www.wendyslookbook.com/2016/01/restyling-classics-peplum-silhouette-slim-pants/

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  8. Mizeats wrote:

    I can't thank you enough for this post! I love that you show us how to take the beautiful peplum top from a work look to a casual look!! I have been stuck in a rut fashion-wise with regards to work wear as I relied solely on dresses and skirts. You've convinced me to pick up a pair of the BR Sloan pants to bring more variety to my outfits! Btw, these pictures from RI are so beautiful,and your looks embody the New England spirit – classy and chic! I've never been to RI, but now I need to visit!!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  9. Lindsay Bodkin wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  10. Jae wrote:

    I love gingham and peplum. The two together = perfect! Thanks for sharing your review.
    Jae || http://www.allthatjae.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  11. Jean wrote:

    Hi Lindsay! These are the Martie pants on me, but in wool, not the cotton:
    https://www.extrapetite.com/2016/02/martie-pants.html

    They're not my absolute favorite (I miss old BR sloans) but I thought they fit pretty well off the rack. Which J.Crew pants did you try on? Was it the Maddie? Because the Martie definitely fit better on me than the Maddie.

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  12. Lindsay Bodkin wrote:

    Hi Jean, have you tried on the J Crew Martie pants? What did you think about the fit? I have been looking for a navy pair of ankle pants. The last pair of J crew pants I tried fit but weren't very flattering. They ankle opening was too wide and hit at a funny spot.

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  13. The Pink Pineapple wrote:

    Beautiful look
    xx
    The Pink Pineapple
    New post:http://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com/

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  14. Sasa Zoe wrote:

    Such cute work outfits:P

    Shall We Sasa

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  15. Kelsey Quackenbush wrote:

    This top is gorgeou two of the post amazing things ever, peplum and gingham I love it!
    Xo, Kelsey | http://www.petiteinherpearls.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  16. Daneisha Smith wrote:

    I love our casual chic way of wearing Gingham print. It’s a very versatile print and it really stands out. So Cute on You!

    https://officiallychic.com/

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  17. Jessica PetiteStyleScript wrote:

    Hi Jean,
    This peplum top is perfect for work to weekend wear! I agree, I see why there are mixed reviews of it. I would prefer a slightly longer version myself. I've found that the new Sloan pants fit ok in Petite 00 but do require high heels to elongate the legs. My other pairs are shorter in length and ballet flats are ok with them.
    ~Jessica

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  18. Jean wrote:

    Hi Xena – I just updated my post because their sizing is confusing! Their 30 length in this style actually measures 27" at the inseam, because these are "ankle style" jeans and not full length, apparently. I still need to cuff them slightly at the bottom sometime, but in general I'm pretty happy with the length of these.

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  19. Jean wrote:

    Yes! I wear my gray ones so much, I was so excited to find these and see they are actually nice and thick (unlike other Topshop white jeans that I've tried on before which were paper thin)

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  20. Xena Zheng wrote:

    Hi Jean, I love those Topshop jeans you've found! I've been searching for a pair of well fitting white skinny jeans for quite some time. I am curious about the inseam on those jeans and about the inseam you usually get? I am also 5'0 and a 30 inseam is usually way too long on me. I was surprised that they fit you lengthwise without alterations (though you probably have longer legs than I do). Is the 30 length you mentioned on a different scale than the standard?

    Thanks!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  21. girl from JAPAN wrote:

    Thank you Jean for your helpful blog post.

    I love Topshop Jamie jeans. They are super flattering! I already own one in gray, purchased this white one today!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  22. Khanh Nguyen wrote:

    Great outfit! I'm not particularly a big fan of the top's pattern so I will just go with plain top, great blog still <3

    https://www.myblackcloset.com/

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  23. Jean wrote:

    I wrote in the post that it's a shorter and wider swing top! Made sure to include photos from the side so ppl know what to expect : )

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  24. Julia Mazzucato wrote:

    I love this top, it fits you so well!
    Julia・Little Miss Haute Couture

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  25. Sophie Spiegelberger wrote:

    Love the gingham peplum top!
    http://styledfortheoccasion.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  26. Kirsten wrote:

    The top looks super cute on you but a little wide around the waist – is it supposed to fit that way?

    Kirsten // http://www.porkandcookies.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  27. Kaitlin Schubert wrote:

    Cute! I would definitely wear this to work!!

    xo, Katie
    Willow and White

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  28. August Harvest wrote:

    Such a cute look, love the pearls and Prada bag <3

    'Share' by August Harvest
    Instagram

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  29. Rachelle Pinksole wrote:

    perfect work look, this top is adorable.

    xo
    Pinksole

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  30. Ewa Macherowska wrote:
    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  31. Neeltje | Thoughts in Style wrote:

    That top you're wearing is so cute! X
    http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  32. Michael @ Mile in My Glasses wrote:

    I love your outfit, Jean! And that porch is gorgeous, too! I hope you had the most amazing weekend!

    And have a wonderful Monday, too!
    Michael
    https://www.mileinmyglasses.co.uk

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  33. Lucy Lai wrote:

    Absolutely love this look for work!

    MISS LUCIA | Fashion & Lifestyle

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  34. mybeautrip wrote:

    Lovely outfit. Your blouse looks so cute!
    xx

    http://www.mybeautrip.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  35. La Bijoux Bella | by mia wrote:

    Gorgeous gingham look … always a beautiful look for Summer! 🙂

    ��LA BIJOUX BELLA ��| By Mia | A Creative Lifestyle Blog

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  36. Charmaine Ng | Architecture and Lifestyle Blog wrote:

    I love the way you paired the top with a blazer. Looks so sophisticated and smart!

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply

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