Sale Reviews: Versatile Work Wear + Petite Jackets

Happy happy Friday! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is now open to the public (prices go back up August 6). Refer to my big sale roundup post for lots of shoes & BEAUTY picks, to this post for baby products, and I have several new reviews for you guys today!

Ann Taylor is also having a big event and extra 60% all sale items. My mom’s been here for our baby shower and we hit up both sales! She is all about comfort dressing, and usually just orders outfits off my blog in a size up. In this post she’s modeling some “keepers” which are versatile for both busy moms and young professionals alike. For fit reference, she’s a little under 5’2″ and 105 lbs, and typically wears an XSP (0P for tops, 2P for bottoms).

Kut from the Kloth Petite Jeans
$59.90, originally $89.50. Regular & petite (00p and up)
This brand makes several denim styles starting in 00 petite! These flattering “Connie” step hem jeans were the winner after we tried lots of pairs from various brands. According to my mom, they are soft, stretchy, and fitted without being too tight. The distressing is very minimal, and the step hem is perfect for showcasing cute shoes and ankle boots!

1901 Striped Tee
$27.90, originally $42. colors. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
This one is a straighter-cut, casual tee in 100% cotton. It’s going back because my mom preferred the Halogen bell sleeve one above for its more soft, draped fit.

Ann Taylor knit skirt
50% off + 10% off. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
You guys know I love my knit skirts – I first saw this one in store and had to order petites online. It’s a stretch medium-weight knit material with grosgrain ribbon waist, and the print is something that can pair easily with either colorful or neutral tops. Add a grey or white blazer for summer, or black one for more formal offices. I got my previous size to (hopefully) wear postpartum. Ann Taylor bottoms usually run a little big – xxsp measures 13″ across the waist, 16″ across the hips when un-stretched.

Halogen Slingbacks
40% off. 6 colors. Starts in sz 4.5 (TTS)
These are good if you want a basic, low (~2 inch heel) office slingback in a host of colors like nude, red, black & white!

Halogen Scallop Sweater
$39.90, originally $59. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
Petite sizing in these sweaters go so quickly each year! Length is on the longer side, and the material is a tighter weave knit (so not snag prone). Looks nice either tucked or untucked, as shown above!

Ann Taylor Plaid Ankle Pants
50% off + 10% off. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
These cute plaid pants look like a fall fabric from afar, but are actually lightweight enough for warm weather (and unlined). AT bottoms in my opinion fit a little big compared to other brands. My mom is wearing 0P here compared to 2P in other bottoms in this post.

1901 Ruffle Sleeve Shirt
$29.90, originally $45. 6 colors. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
Your basic cotton tee with a little ruffle. The navy one is quite versatile, but the tee itself isn’t as soft as I’d hoped.

Eliza J Fit & Flare Dress
$98.90, originally $149. 3 colors. Regular & petite (0P and up)
This is one of the cutest work-appropriate dresses from the NSale selection! Pair it with block heels like Tory Burch Benton pumps (on sale) for the office, or with a statement necklace and clutch for special events. The material is a stretch knit with slight waffle texture, and the dress is lined except at the sleeves. My mom sized up to 2P for comfort, but I feel this dress runs TTS – 0P measures 16″ across the underarms, 13″ across the waist.

1909 Striped Shift Dress
40% off. 3 colors. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
Not workwear, but if you love nautical stripes and casual-fit style tees, definitely give this 100% cotton shift dress a try! We thought this was adorable but the petite is a little too short on my mom for her liking (although I like my own shift dresses to be pretty short in order to offsetting a straighter cut). The double-handed pockets make the dress!

Halogen Bell Sleeve Knit Top
$29.90, originally $49. 4 colors. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
Very soft shirt that’s not too thin and nicely fitted. The slight bell sleeves elevate a staple knit tee! Torso length is a tad long for petite sizing.

1901 Button-Front Skirt
$49.90, originally $79. 3 colors. Regular & petite (0P and up)
Another underrated Nsale find! This skirt runs small at the waist which is good news for some ladies. My mom sized up to 2P, which measures 13″ across (for reference, this is smaller than some Ann Taylor 00P skirts). The textured material is nice and thick, slightly stretchy, and fully lined – so pesky lines from tucked-in tops don’t show through as easily.

Halogen Petite Leather jacket
$199.90, originally $299. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
ALL sizes are still in stock! I tried on a whole bunch of petite-sizing leather jackets on sale and this one is my favorite. In particular, the length is just slightly cropped and hits at a flattering point, I like the matte black hardware, plus the leather is lighter in weight and more supple and pliable. The overall look is a little more refined than a traditional, edgier moto jacket.

Size xxs petite: 14.25″ shoulders, 17″ across underarms, 22″ sleeve length, 19.5″ length.

Ribbed bodycon dress
$29.90, originally $45. 2 colors.
This is not maternity, it fits a bump nicely and can be dressed up or down! Ribbing is very stretchy, and the olive color is more of a pretty sage green. I sized up to a S – over my third trimester belly, it hits knee-length on me and the 3/4 sleeves are a good length on short arms.

Topshop Petite Leather Jacket
$196.90, originally $295. Regular & petite (0p and up; note Topshop sizing runs small)

In comparison to the Halogen one, this is a much thicker leather jacket (almost double the weight) with more traditional metal zips and details. This would be my pick if you want a warm leather jacket that also won’t need sleeve shortening on petites! The leather feels durable in quality with a slight pebbled texture to it. I’m trying on Topshop US 2P above, and the fit is pretty good throughout for layering. This jacket is available right now in one size smaller (US 0P in this brand fits more like a 00P) for more petite ladies!

Size US 2P measures: ” 14.25″ shoulders, 17″ across underarms, 22″ sleeve length, 20.5″ length.

1901 Bow-front Tweed Jacket
$89.90, originally $139. Regular & petite (00P and up)
Soo I could not resist ordering this for post-partum wear. I love the cropped fit and flattering knit peplum of this, since most work jackets tend to run long! This length is perfect for pairing with high-waisted pants and skirts, and looks more expensive than it is from the stretchy navy tweed down to the grosgrain bows (jacket is button closure, so the bows are all sewn onto one side). My main complaint is I wish the bows were “fixed” (by stitching them at the center or something), since they may come untied. Also this is right out of the package and my bows clearly need to be ironed a bit!

Lauren Ralph Lauren Piped Trench Coat
$159, originally $240. 3 colors. Regular & petite (xsp and up)
This is one of the more underrated winners from the NSale, in my opinion! It’s very good quality in-person and looks flattering & sharp – I only wish it came in one size smaller for very petite shoppers. The jacket is labeled as water-resistant is also machine-washable. It’s fully lined and feels nice and warm for a trench, plus the faux leather piping adds just a little edginess to a classic piece. My mom was happy with the 1901 trench (reviewed below) until she tried this one, which ended up being the keeper!

XSP measures: 15″shoulders, 17″ across underarms, 15″ across waist, 22.75″ sleeve length, 32.5″ length.

Olivia Moon Knit Blazer
$64.90, originally $98. 3 colors. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
Knit blazers are the perfect piece to polish up more casual outfits. A lot of times knit jackets are unlined and unstructured (like the Caslon one, if that’s the style you’re looking for), but this one is shapely, nipped in at the waist, and thicker-weight knit fabric is fully lined in a dotted material. I wonder if fabric quality differs by color, because I did not have any of the issues some reviewers mentioned (the grey seems wrinkle-resistant and is definitely not quilted).

1901 Trench Coat with Liner Vest
$112.90, originally $169. Regular & petite (xxsp and up)
This is a very classically-styled tan trench, with the addition of a navy liner vest (with pockets) that can be detached and worn on its own. The downside is, the outer jacket is unlined. My mom is trying on the XSP, and I think XXSp would fit ladies who are my pre-pregnancy size pretty well. XSP (w/ vest) measures: 15.25″ shoulders, 17.5″ across underarms, 17″ across waist, 21.75″ sleeve length, 32″ length. Jacket is labeled machine washable.

Tahari Double Faced Wool Wrap (see picture below)
$169.90, originally $268. Regular & petite (Petite P and up)
Petite P in this = petite xs and would best fit someone who’s around a sz 2. This one is elegant like a draped trench, but can also be thrown on like a thicker long cardigan. However, just like all “doublefaced wrap” style jackets on the market, note this one is unlined so is best worn over a long sleeve top or sweater to avoid any itchiness. The “sea grey” is a beautiful navy-grey shade.

Several of you requested this, so below are Nick’s picks from the sale! For fit reference, he is 5’9,” 165. I’ll try to take some photos soon, but wanted to post this list & some fit notes from him while items are still in stock!

Sperry gold cup loafers
$106.90, originally $160.

“Read all about these in my previous post on 5 mens’ wardrobe staples!”

1901 stripe cotton blend sweater
$45.90, originally $69.5. (xs and up)

“I have an old white and navy striped sweatshirt that I wear so much it’s now, uh, more like yellowish white and navy. But this versatile slim fit sweater (tightly knit, so feels kinda like a sweatshirt) seems like it might be the replacement, although it had quite an odor out of the package so needs to be washed first.”

Patagonia slim fit zip Jacket
$109.9, originally $149. 2 colors. (s and up)

“Comfy but still respectable lookin’. S is stretchy and slim fit but runs a little long on someone shorter (for reference, I’m 5’9″ and this jacket is slightly on the long side). Thinner in weight but feels warm and insulated and would also be great for layering under a winter coat.” See all Patagonia on sale.

Barbour slim fit quilted Jacket
$132.90, originally $199. 3 colors. (s and up)

“Ideal weight jacket for fall. Ideal added insulation for winter. The one downside is Barbour’s “slim” fit is still a little roomy. The shoulders of a S were good on me, but the arms were a little loose. lf you prefer more of a classic fit or have muscular arms, though, definitely worth checking out.” 

Topman skinny fit blazer
$86.90, originally $130. (34R and up)

“Topman always has some fun variations on a classic blue blazer. Runs small, so order a size up (for reference I’m 36S in J.Crew Ludlow and 38R in this Topman). Great news for guys who might typically find off-the-rack blazers to be too big all around.” See several other Topman blazers on sale, including a darker navy and several in classic gray.

The North Face quarter zip fleece pullover
$39.90, originally $55. 6 colors. (s and up)

“I have this in S, and it’s actually a pretty trim fit. Note this is a very thin fleece pullover but feels warm for the weight. Works over a tee on crisp days or as insulation for winter athletics.” See all North Face on sale.

Boys Nike Windrunner Jacket
$47.90, originally $65. 3 colors. 
Okay so this is a “little boy’s pick,” but my 13 year old brother has been begging for a Windrunner so I finally got it for his birthday! See all Nike on sale.

To make things a little easier, here are the beauty & gift set picks from my first post that are still in stock!