I had some rare mall time to myself and wanted to do a good old fashioned try-on session for you guys! There are a few versatile, tailored pieces from Ann Taylor that caught my attention over the past seasons and are now majorly marked down. I couldn’t find my correct size in store for some of these, but just checked online and everything here is still well stocked in petites (and most regular sizes too)!
Going to start with two pieces that are very much my style – classic with a feminine touch.
- Pearl doubleweave pencil skirt
I had this skirt bookmarked for months and finally got to see it in person – I’m shocked it’s still fully stocked in petites. The doubleweave fabric is a little more substantial in weight with a hint of stretch. The cream color may seem seasonally limiting, but try it paired with either grey or herringbone pattern tights for winter wear. And if you tire of the faux pearl buttons, they’re decorative so you could switch them out or try just removing them. Fit wise, I usually need to take-in AT bottoms at the waist and I could only find a 0P to try on in store (one size up from my usual so it was a little big). Click over to the regular sizing tab to read several more happy reviews on this skirt! - Tip: if you want to tuck a darker colored blouse into a cream skirt without the color showing through, wear skin toned shapewear shorts underneath and tuck your blouse into the shorts (BTW, I just noticed my go-to affordable shaper shorts now come in a new size XS!).
- Geo icon blouse
This lightweight, machine-washable blouse has a beautiful dusty blue-grey color (a tad darker in person than online) with pleated ruffles and a nice drape. You can also style it with navy or tan bottoms for business wear, or with white or blue jeans.
- Herringbone puff sleeve top Fits and feels comfortable like a stretchy tee but looks more elevated. There are delicate puffs to the shoulders, and the material is medium weight (not thin). It’s gently fitted in the torso without being tight.
Left: Cheetah wrap dress 00P, fleece lined tights S // Right: windowpane sheath dress 0P (comes in 00P)
- MAJOR savings: Windowpane sheath dress Awesome price for a tailored office piece that’s easy to throw on for a day of meetings or presentations. I couldn’t find my size to try on, so this is one up from my usual thus is loose. It’s lined, and I like how the waistline sits a little bit higher for a visually flattering look (you can add a skinny belt to break up the pattern). Click on over to regular sizing vs petites to read a few more customer reviews on this dress.
- Cheetah wrap dress AT makes these classic wrap dresses every season in different prints. The fit is usually consistent and petite friendly, and these are also nursing friendly since it’s a true wrap style. The material is stretchy with a smooth finish.
Left: Mock neck shell xs (starts in xxs petite), high waist trousers 0P (starts in 00P) // Right: Everlane cotton sweater xxs (a staple I have in several colors), Cheetah sweater skirt xxsp
- Mock neck shell This shell in camel is an elegant staple piece – picture it tucked into high rise white jeans and sandals or ballet flats casually in the summer, or under a blazer or cardigan for workwear year round. On me, the camel was a little close to my skin tone, and would look better on complexions with a tad more contrast in either direction. This is not a loose snag prone sweater knit, but rather a tighter weave with a smooth finish that doesn’t look cheap. I could only find size XS regular to try on in store, so the torso looks loose on me in the above picture but it would be fitted in the right size.
- Madison high waist trousers (see all colors and patterns). I’ve mentioned this specific cut of trousers several times over the years as a favorite. They are higher waisted, with a gently flaring leg that looks long and lean. The downside with trousers like this is you either have to wear high heels or get the 30″ petite inseam hemmed to wear with lower shoes. A 00 petite should fit someone with an approximate 25-26″ waist (I got my older pair taken in at the waist, and it was worth it as I still love them).
- Cheetah print sweater skirt AT knit sweater skirts usually fit a little smaller than their other bottoms, due to the stretch. My usual size here fit at my natural waist, and the cut is a semi snug flare (fitted on me from waist down to the hips) so size up if you want more of a flare. The background color is beige with a hint of blush. Also, you need a slip skirt when wearing unlined fitted sweater skirts with tights, otherwise they’ll cling to each other. Personally I would get more wear out of a pencil silhouette sweater skirt – I saw this leopard sweater pencil skirt in store and it was nice quality with a classic color scheme, and would look fab paired simply with a black turtleneck.
A few more marked down items, still available in xxs / 00 petite and up:
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Got the cheetah wrap dress! Can’t wait to wear it! Do you have suggestions on how to pair tights with heels? Do you recommend the tights with grips? And suede heels? Help!
Ohhh what a great sale! Love all of your picks <3 🙂
XO, Elizabeth T.
Hi Jean. I did order the cream pencil skirt with pearl buttons in 00P. I’m basically the same size as you (5’1” 97lbs) but still found it to run a little large. Such a shame because it really is a lovely, classic piece and a steal at the sale price. It’s such a shame the AT skirts(and many other items)run so large 🙁
Hi Kathy, it’s definitely a bummer their bottoms don’t fit extra petite ladies off the rack. I’ve altered countless skirts and pants from there but the positive news is pretty much none of them have gone out of style or fallen apart so it was at least worth the alterations!
I love your style so much. Classic, timeless and elegant.
I love Ann Taylor but every time I go on the website to shop, the total cost of clothing, shipping and import taxes becomes too high (I like in Europe, Denmark) and I just cancel everything.
Could you post more Europe friendly brand reviews (H&M, Asos, Topshop etc.)?
Physical stores in Denmark don’t really carry petite sizes since the average people are so tall here.
You can only shop online for petite sizes and it’s pretty difficult to choose something when you can’t actually see how the clothing pieces look like in real life.
Hi Marta, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! I feel your frustrations trying to shop these US overseas. I’ll definitely keep your request in mind and I do like the three brands you mentioned, but unfortunately they don’t make a lot of tailored workwear for petite women which is one of the more popular requests I get from readers.
Hi Jean, great post! I usually wear BR Sloan pants to work and never know how to style them during winter months because I find they look better with either heeled pumps or ballet flats. Would love a post on what shoes to wear with ankle length pants during cold months that are also work friendly.
Hi Nora – slim ankle pants are a little hard to style with ankle boots because the ankle opening are basically the same width. I usually wear my sam edelman black rubber booties to commute while wearing my sloans and then can change into flats or pumps at the destination – is that some thing you can do? If you want to wear ankle boots with pants I find they usually look better with wider opening pants so there is some contrast between the pant hem and the boot opening.
Hi jean! Love your blog. Would you mind sharing where your necklace is from?
Hi Ali – I’m rubbing my eyes but don’t see a necklace on in this post!
You have such amazing style, you make pieces look super chic and elegant! Ann Taylor has great workwear pieces and those deals are amazing!
Xx Janine
Hello Jean!
Since it is winter, I wondered if you would share some advice on wearing chunky knit sweaters? I find they always swallow me but you mange them well! Please share your wisdom?
Hi Allie – There’s no real tricks other than finding ones that aren’t too long (I pick ones that don’t go past my hips untucked), and I love doing just a half tuck (tuck only in the front) into pants or skirts! Also, chunkier knits usually look better in contrast to slim bottoms, and you can add a waist belt too so it peeks out where your sweater is half tucked in.
Hi Jean,
Can you share which slip skirts you own? Thanks!
Hi Candice, I have half slip skirts by Vassarette brand in both nude and black. I got them from either Target or amazon!
I’m a physician and have to wear business casual with close-toed shoes on a daily basis, (preferably they should look nice with a white coat too!) so I really appreciate these posts with more classic work styles. Thanks Jean!!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! So happy to hear that. xx
Thanks Jean! Just snatched up the mock neck shell in 2 colors 🤗
Awesome! Those were an especially great price over the weekend!