I wanted to do a post comparing pieces from some of the most loved categories of the Nordstrom sale (BFD, joggers + leggings!) and how the styles fit a petite frame. I also wanted to include some simple outfits with pieces I got in previous years that are back for this year’s sale!
Barefoot Dreams Cardigan Guide
Around this time of year I always get questions on the cuddly Barefoot Dreams cardigans, and which style is best for a petite frame. I have a small collection from over the years and pretty much lived in them during pregnancy, postpartum and for travel back in the day. They also make a cozy gift for mom, MIL, aunts, sisters, even grandma!
For fit reference, I’m about 5 feet tall, size xxs / 24 in jeans
1. Barefoot Dreams Long Cardigan size xs
Weight: CozyChic Lite
In recent years, this has become the favorite of my BFD trio! A while back I didn’t even consider it, thinking it was too long for a petite frame. But tastes change, and as I’ve gotten older I find this length more flattering and versatile with the casual outfits that I usually wear. This one is cut a little slimmer throughout the body and the sleeves, helping it look sleek and drape well. Like with the other styles, I do cuff the sleeves up on this one.
Right – fall outing: Spanx Kids leggings L, SM boots (very similar), similar Rag & Bone hat on sale
2. Barefoot Dreams Drape Rib Cardigan size xs (Updated version)
Weight: CozyChic Ultra Lite
This made a cameo last year as a limited edition style. It’s the lightest weight out of the bunch but only by a little. UPDATE: they updated this cardigan to be a few inches longer and the sash belt is now removable, versus stitched on like it was beefore.
3. Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan size XS/S
Weight: CozyChic Lite
The most popular style of the BFD family! And my first step into this cozy, snuggly world many many years ago. I think this cocoon shape is the most universally flattering cut out of the bunch, and the sizing is a little more flexible, so would be my pick if you’re shopping for one to gift a friend or loved one.
If you’re debating between the long and the circle cardigan ~ same outfit, slightly different looks:
Leggings Guide (Zella, Comando, Spanx)
I rotate my Zellas for running, light workouts, lounging and travel while I love a good faux leather legging for everyday fall-winter outfits. Here’s a rundown of some popular styles and how they compare:
1. Zella Studio Lite Pocket 7/8 leggings size xxs
My favorite Zellas for everyday wear thanks to the shorter length and convenient, generously sized pocket for holding my phone! Mine in the photo are a prior year version, and they’ve since moved the pocket up to make it more flattering and flush against the leg (I do own this year’s but they were in the wash when I snapped these photos!). The 7/8 length in a regular size XXS hits nicely right below my ankles. Update 2022: I tried the 2022 version in store and find them to be the same quality as mine from a few years ago. I suggest sorting the reviews by most recent, as I think they may have changed these back to the original after some complaints!
2. Zella Live In leggings size Petite xs
The original Zellas with nice and smooth compression fabric (a tad thicker than Studio Lite) and a little slot pocket hidden in the waistband. I personally wear the Studio Lite Zellas more due to the pockets and shorter ankle length!
3. Commando 7/8 faux leather leggings xs
Just added these to my staple leggings collection! After two babies, I’ve been wanting a slightly higher rise and more compression, and these delivered with a subtle pebbled faux leather finish. The Commando have the look of lightweight leather pants with a higher rise, while the Spanx below are more like stretchy activewear leggings with a slinkier feel. Heads up, the Commando leggings fit small with a lot of “shaping” power and took me a little time to wiggle on at first. The length is a little long on me but have a raw cut bottom hem that is very easy to fold under.
4. Spanx faux leather leggings
These are thin and light, liquid style leggings with a wide banded waist and side seams. A Petite XS was a little too much like a tight second skin on me and showed my knee grooves, etc (and was ~ 2 inches too long), so I had to return. Compared to Commando, though, they are a lot stretchier and more like athletic leggings, so I can see how comfy they are for all day wear and sitting!
I was curious about their very affordable kids sizing so gave these leggings another try, unfortunately the Kids XL pictured here is too loose throughout and pretty long (hems are folded under a few inches in the pic), though might suit someone who is a Womens XS and taller. Someone my size should fare better with their girls size Large.
Zella Joggers Guide (Restore vs Live In)
Next, a quick look at Zella’s two most popular jogger pants and how they fit a petite frame!
1. Zella Restore soft joggers (regular inseams only)
There are my old favorites (read my review) and one of the top items I’d recommend from the sale! Even though they are regular sizing, the xxs length is petite-friendly on me. The fabric is incredibly soft and comfortable, but still has a smooth finish which is nice (not “fleecy” which can get pilly or nubbly on pants).
I’ve also heard that some of you got the kids version of these! I haven’t tried the kids in this particular style but I usually take a kids size L in Zella bottoms.
2. Zella Live in joggers (regular + petite inseams)
In comparison to the Restore, the fabric of the Live In joggers is less cozy against the skin and more of a lightweight woven material, making these better for athleisure outfits and running errands, compared to the Restore which I wear to at home to curl up at my desk or on the couch in! They also have a small zippered pocket convenient for things you don’t want to lose while working out, like keys.
Fun fact about me: Growing up, I never knew what profession I wanted to be, only that I wanted to carry a briefcase to work, and go out to eat lunch at restaurants. As an adult, I realized this job detail most likely fit if I were to work corporate. But alas, those plans never worked out, and now I’m on the entrepreneurial grind, though no complaints— I love it, and hope to set a trail-blazing example for my 1yo daughter! PS, your how-to on hiding belly bumps sparked a realization that I can/should do so too, just got to expand past my usual go-to fit tees and leggings!! 😂
I love your blogs and posts! Been following you since you were on YouTube. It’s been great seeing your transition to motherhood. <3
Fact: I always cry during movies.
Love your blog and your style! I enjoy sewing my own clothing instead of buying; except for jeans, sweaters and undergarments.
Nice roundup! Fun fact: i cool more fresh food for my dog than I do for myself 🙄
Love your Nsale picks! Already stocked up on the underwear for my mom and me! Can’t wait to try them. FUN FACT: I met my husband in college when he offered to help me with my cart moving into the dorms. I declined his help and we went our separate ways. I re-met him 7 years later and the rest is history. Just had our baby boy 2 months ago!
Hi Jean! I have loved your content for years. Have been following you since before even you and Nick were engaged. Fun fact: I can speak 3 languages: English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
Ooh definitely going to check out the leggings! Fun fact – I went on a medical mission trip to Zambia.
Thank you so much for your posts. I purchased several recommended items last year from the Nordstrom sale and loved them all. You really help us petite ladies!! 😊
Hi Jean,
I have bought so many of your recommendations throughout the years! Thank you so much!
Fun fact- My husband and I and both my daughters are born in September and both my girls share the SAME birthday but are three years apart!
Fun fact: I’ve traveled to over 12 countries. Just kidding I’m not interesting enough for that. But I do love your blog it’s been very helpful over the years,
My husband and I grew up in the 2 streets next to each other and never met/ran into each other. He went to private, I went to public. 15ish years later we met, dated and now are married with our first little baby boy!
Love your blog and use it for all my style inspo!
Fun fact: I followed you since college day (then grad school and now working). I am pregnant and now find myself going back to all your posts about baby gears haha. Love how your blog has become my go-to from work wear to baby-care
Always look forward to your reviews and recommendations on the Nordstrom anniversary sale. Fun fact: I love to travel.
Thanks for all your in depth reviews and recommendations! You are my go to for practically everything now that you review baby items and have recipes as well! Fun Fact: we got married the same year and we also had our daughter first and son next!
Love all your recommendations!
Fun fact: I am obsessed with pens!
Hi! My name is Megan M and I’m a new mom! I have absolutely inhaled your posts about pregnancy, birth, baby gear and the glories of post-partum motherhood! So appreciate your honesty and openness. Fun fact: because of my job, I’ve been lucky to travel to around 70 countries all over the world, but I have never properly seen much of Western Europe! Now….I just need to figure out how to travel with baby!? 🙂
I love your blog and I feel that your reviews are thoughtful and practical.
Fun fact: My first job was working at a local ice cream shop. It was one of my favorite jobs because I was encouraged to try new flavors, and I got to make waffle cones 😁
I think I’m finally going to take the plunge and order the Zell live in joggers.
Fun Fact: I discovered your website about 10 years ago when looking for recommendations on next high boots
Fun fact- I competed in a bodybuilding show 2 years ago.
Thank you for always being so inspiring! You give great advice and I love your style! I use a lot of your ideas as a mama and as a petite! Love how natural and pure you are. Fun fact: I wore my shirt backwards this week to an event with my kids, because I got them all ready and cute and barely had time to get ready myself. Realized it was backwards when I arrived there so rushed to the bathroom to switch it. ❤️.
Thank you for your reviews! There aren’t a ton of petite bloggers so it’s great to see reviews of items for my body type!! Fun fact about me is I love to travel and wish I was a travel writer!
Thanks for the post, fingers crossed BFD circle cardigan will still be available! Fun fact: our engagement date (e.g., 3/9) is the reverse of our wedding date (e.g., 9/3) totally by accident.
Being a petite person I love reading your recommendations! Fun fact: I’ve been growing my first plant which is a tomato plant since May and it’s almost ripe enough to pick!
Hey Jean,
I moved to US few years ago and I had such a hard time finding clothes. I had no idea there is a section called petite for women like us. I always felt even after discovering that your blogs help me so much to understand how to dress for our size. How to look elegant by choosing the right clothing in the right size. I have been following you for to learn and I always do a quick search in your blogs whenever I am in doubt about what to buy. I really like your style and you’re a true inspiration for keeping this effort going and helping so many women.
-Astha
Thanks for your NAS recommendations!! Can’t wait to get a barefoot dream cardigan!
Fun fact: I am on the 3rd trimester with my surprise baby! We had 2 boys and this one will be a 👧🏻!
Love your picks from the NSale! Your style is always timeless! Fun fact: your blog was my go-to when I found out I was pregnant.; it was so helpful in getting a registry together. 🙂
I have followed your blog for many years. I am an older reader but have always found your tips in fashion very useful and your style is lovely. Thank you for your efforts.
Love all of your baby recs! I sent the traveling with baby series to multiple friends. Fun fact: I’m due this fall with baby 2.
I’ve been following you for quite some time now and you have been such a blessing in this short girls life! Lol! Seriously though, your recommendations and style for petite gals is amazing. Fun fact: I have been in awe of your wedding dress since the moment you posted it ! Dream dress!!!
I love all these suggestions! I will try my best to snatch the bfd cardigan!
fun fact – i live in chicago but i work for a company that’s in Boston! So one day, i really hope to visit and try your boston rec guide!
Always look forward to your recommendations, Jean! Fun fact: I bought my first Barefoot Dreams cardigan after reading your review and recommendation several years ago! I never would’ve thought it could work on someone 5′ like me (and you!) until reading your review…so thank you! –Susan J
Always love your Nsale picks! My son Nolan is 1 month older than Rio. Celebrating his 1st Birthday next month! 🙂
Love reading about your family. My little girl was born on Thanksgiving – so blessed!
Thank you so much for your recommendations. You’re one of the few petite bloggers that I have found, and I always enjoy your style. Fun fact: after being a stay at home mom for 7 years I’ve decided to head back to school to become a Dietitian!
I love your style and appreciate the time and detail you put into your posts! Fun fact: I grew up in MS and now live in WA!
Love the BD review! I now want to add another one to my collection!
Fun fact: I don’t like to eat cheese or drink wine. People think I’m some sort of an alien 👽
Thank your for curating the collection. It makes it easier to find the best values.
Love your little family! Fun fact – my husband and I use your easy recipes all the time because we love the Asian twist!
I am so thoroughly influenced by everything you post! My fun fact: I love thunderstorms (as long as no one gets hurt). My favorite scene is curling up with a book while thunder and lightening rages outside.
I love your helpful tips! Fun Fact: A few years ago, I had a chance to recognize you and Nick and said hello during my trip to London, England.
Love your blog! Fun fact about myself is that I have been working on my minimal capsule wardrobe for the least several years, and it’s been mostly casual wear. I am going into the office this fall, so I am working on developing my work wardrobe now!
Thank you for this post! Fun fact: I used to be a leftie
Fun fact: I recently visited Boston for the first time and enjoyed my first lobster roll! I appreciated your Luke’s Lobster recommendation!
Love your style guides, especially as a fellow petite!
Fun Fact: My favourite movie is Silence of the Lambs!
Fun Fact: I just graduated with my master’s about a month ago in violin performance and Suzuki violin pedagogy.
Hi Jean! I am 4’11” and reached that height early on. One day, after feeling sick of being asked if I was 10, searched the internet for petite fashion blogs and stumbled onto yours. I’ve been following since 2010/2011 and have learned so much about dressing myself and now insist on owning things that actually fit me properly. I still am asked if I’m 12-15, but luckily don’t dress like that. Thank you for all your dedication to Extra Petite. I’ve loved and been influenced by it for the last 10 years.
Jean,
I have been following you since you were in your little apartment posting about dressing for the workplace. Love seeing you and your family grow!
I always look forward to you N sale posting since we are about the same size. Thank you for taking the time and effort to post this blog!
Fun fact: I served in the Army and did a tour in Afghanistan.
Love all the styles! Fun fact: you are the first fashion blogger that I followed and I like how you have added to it with food recipes, etc
Fun Fact: My high schools beauties used to fight to about our heights since we’re all shorts but eventually I was the shortest and had the nickname of Fun Size.
Not a petite gal here, but your photos and fit details are still super helpful! I got the BFD Drape Rib cardigan (the one with the sash) and my friend asked if it was a robe 😂 I still love it though for someone who’s shape feels a little drowned out by the cocoon and longer fit, the extra waist cinch is perfect for me! Thank you for covering the NSale, as usual!!!