FOUND! Bangles for tiny wrists

I was so excited to come across these small sterling silver bangles while adventuring in downtown Mystic, CT this weekend! For the past few years, I've been searching for elegant, silver bangles to fit my toddler-sized wrists (5.5" circumference). I had come across a few potentials here and there, but they were always $50 or more each, which I simply can't do on my college student budget. These little bracelets are pure sterling silver, which is why their $17 price tag surprised me!....

Apparently, the saleswoman at Dexter & Company jewelers told me that had been sitting there for AGES since they didn't fit anyone, so they had to mark down the price considerably. Lucky me! And lucky for you fellow small-wristed ladies too if you visit, since they have several other tiny bracelets.

Dexter & Co. storefront, on Main St. in Mystic CT

I have much more to post about my New England adventures, stay tuned!

*ShortBlonde*

Petite Clothing Review: Work Attire from the Outlets

I finally was able to take some photos of my most recent purchases at the wonderful Tanger outlet mall in Rockville, NY (we took a visit on our way back from the Hamptons). During this outlet trip, my main goal was to find teacher attire for my upcoming student teaching: I needed well-fitting slacks, and I was lusting after another non-iron shirt from Brooks Brothers. Needless to say, the trip was a success!! Here are my great petite finds:

ANN TAYLOR FACTORY STORE

I wasn't even planning on visiting AT Factory, since I'm always horrified by how the prices of the made-for-the-outlets clothing are often more expensive than the sale prices of the good quality normal-store clothing. However, I decided to take a peek anyways, and I'm glad I did! Turns out their trouser pants are roughly the same quality and price as LOFT, AT's sister store, with the exact same fit system. As advised by my tailor, I always go for the low-cut modern fit, which is the appropriate cut considering my short stature and low butt-to-thigh ratio. For slim-legged  ladies with a bit extra in the derriere, stick to low cut pants as higher cuts won't drape properly and will cause bunching (as taught to me by my tailor, Noemi!).

Pants: Ann Taylor Factory Store, Modern Fit, sz. 00P

With heels, no shortening is necessary! The length is perfect as is. I also picked up a pair in a subtle plaid pattern:



I realize they draw attention to my backside, but I prefer to err on the side of overly flattering than overly frumpy (as long as it's tasteful, of course)!!
While in AT, I also found a nice top:


Top: Ann Taylor Factory Store, sz. XXSP(Watch: Vintage)

The quality of this top is nothing exceptional, but it's good enough, and it fits very well. I'm very fond of bunched necklines, since they draw attention away from my tiny bust and give my narrow neck/shoulder area some dimension (note: if you are also narrow on top and wider at the hips, bunched or gathered necklines are a great way to balance your figure!). This top could be worn as is during the warmer months, and paired with a blazer during the colder months. The black and white coloring and subtle pattern makes it super easy to pair with pretty much any solid blazer or cardigan.

BROOKS BROTHERS FACTORY STORE
Lo and behold, I found my petite non-iron shirt!! Although it wasn't the exact fit I wanted (I wanted the more feminine "tailored" fit), this "fitted" shirt works just fine, and it's my favorite color:


Shirt: Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Miracle Shirt, Fitted, 0P

This shirt fits me how a "classic" fit would fit most women- slightly looser and a bit more modest. The cut is perfect, and the sleeves are the perfect length (although I think I look hideous with the sleeves rolled down!). The quality is great for a made-for-factory shirt: when I asked the saleswoman the difference in quality between the factory store shirts and those from the regular store, she said the only differences are what country the shirt is made in, and a slightly lower thread count. It still has the same non-iron "miracle" fabric as the regular store's shirts have.

GAP OUTLET
I have never had any luck with Gap (they usually run HUGE), but I remembered reading something about a petite-friendly pair of Gap pants in the Alterations Needed forum, so I decided to give the store a try. I am so happy I did, because I was SHOCKED by how well these pants fit:



Pants: Gap Skinny Pant, sz. 1

(Shoes: Payless Shoe Source, sz. 5. These pants are dying to be worn with a cute pair of flats, but I had to make due.)

I'm guessing these pants are meant to fit average-sized ladies as a cropped pant, although the tag didn't mention anything about it being "cropped." What's even more shocking is that the sz. 0 was too small!! Just to make sure I wasn't going crazy, I checked out a different style of pants in sz. 00, and sure enough they were super long and too big. This pair alone is magic, I guess. Even so, I will no longer write off Gap as being hopeless.

*   *   *

Successful shopping trips are such a mood-booster, even more so when I'm pleasantly surprised. I'll soon be posting about a slight tragedy that happened with my Brooks Brothers shirt, as well as some wonderful news regarding a J.Crew cardigan.

*ShortBlonde*

L.L.Bean: Great for totes, awful for slim petite clothing.

I love button-down shirts. You can roll up the sleeves and wear it with a pair of jean shorts for an effortless, classy casual look, or wear it with slacks, pencil skirts and/or a sweater for an instant professional look (hello, teacher wardrobe staple!). Finding good ones for reasonable prices has been difficult: the shirts that the always-petite-friendly H&M carries are of questionable quality and are usually too tight, and have buttons that only start mid-way down. I've found gems at Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers, but I need a more affordable option to fill out my currently limited professional wardrobe.

So what store came to mind for affordability and quality? L.L. Bean, of course! I never cease to be amazed by how well their products hold up, namely my beloved tote:

Perfect for picnics!...and pretty much everything else.

I was super happy to see that L.L.Bean not only has a petite line, but also a GREAT selection of oxford shirts at reasonable prices! I ordered a pink pinstripe oxford shirt in XSP:




Mind you, I wasn't expecting a fit as tight as a Hollister button-down, but rather a somewhat loose, relaxed fit like the one shown on the model above. I specifically ordered the SLIMMER FIT, rather than the classic fit...but here's what I got:


No no no!

An XSP, which I was hoping would fit somewhere in the sz. 0-4 petite size range, ending up being as wide as an 8P (Not that 8P is wide! It's just too wide to be considered an XS.) Since my mom is a size 8 petite, I had her try on the shirt, and of course it fit her perfectly. In other petite lines such as Talbot's, she is a medium petite. So why do they call it an XS if it actually fits like a M? I'm not talking normal vanity sizing, either. Here's a comparison of three different brands of button-downs:




Hollister's XS fits me quite snugly, but I prefer not to wear it since teen-store clothing makes me look more like a high schooler than I already do. Brooks Brothers' size 0P is ideal: not too tight, but comfortable and flattering. L.L.Bean's size XSP is petite-friendly in the length and shoulder width, but much wider.

Moral of the story? Curvier/bustier petites may benefit from L.L.Bean's more relaxed fit, since the length and shoulder width is true to petite size. Slim petites, stay away!! Unless you're at least a size 8, don't expect to fit into L.L.Bean's shirts.

I'll stick to the accessories!

*ShortBlonde*

Dresses! Part 2: Dresses for Petites

"It's cute...but will it make me look like I'm 10?"
"Is this worth hemming?"
"Will this still look good even with my small chest?"

These are some of the questions I ask myself while dress-shopping in regards to my size. Unfortunately, many dresses just don't work on petites for a number of reasons that I'll get into shortly, but right now I'll start with a dress that DOES work:

At a polo game- please excuse my awkward divot-stomping posture...
Dress: Urban Outfitters, sz. XS
Sandals: Jack Rogers, sz. 5
Sunglasses: good question!

There are many things that I like about this Urban Outfitters dress. First, it flatters a small bust and a petite waist: the straight-across bandeau-style top hides a lack of cleavage, and the parallel lines underneath not only accentuate a small waist, but are far down enough to suggest that there is more to the bust than there actually is! Even larger-busted, not-so-tiny waisted petites would look good in this dress, since they would be able to fill out the upper part more (and then the blue lines would fall more closely underneath the chest and further from the waist). The lines, the light blue hem, and the patch of blue detail on the top all add structure (and structure gives us shape in a good way). Lastly, the length falls right above the knee, which is ideal for short ladies (as below the knee is not).


Now, let's take a look at a not-so flattering dress...



Forever 21

Okay, this isn't totally fair since I wouldn't be attracted to this dress in the first place. What's wrong with it, you ask? First off- it's a babydoll top. For small ladies trying to not look like a tweenager, babydoll tops are a no-no! It's a youthful look that is very flattering on normal-sized and curvier ladies, since it accentuates the cleavage and hides the inevitable woman-pooch. However, on youthful-looking petites, it makes us look like we belong at a Justin Bieber concert. The loud, colorful and cheap-looking print does not help either. I don't think that loud prints are always a no-go for petites, but I think that sticking to loud prints consisting of only 2 colors  are a better choice.


And now for another petite-friendy dress...



Ann Taylor

Bateau necklines (such as this) and boatnecks are very flattering on petites with narrow shoulders and small chests- they broaden us out. I was originally going to choose a LBD version of this dress, but I chose a print instead...black is flattering on everyone, but not everyone can pull off a fitted printed pattern (but we can!). This is an example of a style that petites can pull off better than most. Of course, if you petites were actually going to buy this dress, you'd probably have to get it shortened (unless you're 5'3"). Ann Taylor sheath dresses are generally worth hemming. They're good quality, and only have 2 layers. But getting a dress hemmed isn't all that cheap, so take that into consideration when buying a less-than-great quality dress that's too long.

A few closing tips for petite dress shopping:
-Fitted is better than flouncy. (I love flouncy dresses, so this is hard!) You can rock fitted dresses better than most, and flouncy dresses will make you look childlike.
-The skirt should fall mid-thigh to just above your knees, or all the way down to your feet. Knee-length and tea-length aren't flattering.

I've learned some of these tips from my own experiences, and some reading petite blogs.
Petites: What are your dress-shopping tips and experiences? Everyone's bodies are different, so I'd love to hear tips from all of you!

*ShortBlonde*

2 Shoe Disappointments + New Vineyard Vines Skirt

I spoke too soon! I got my Sperry rain boots in the mail today...

Lookin' good....but then....

Aargh! Huge calf space!

The boots are ridiculously comfy and the foot-part fits SO WELL...but the calves are enormous! What person with size 5 feet has calves/ankles that wide? So disappointing.The comfort and good foot-fit though are too good to beat, however, so I've decided to keep them.

I also got my neutral Fitzwell pumps in the mail a week ago (sorry for the delay), and took a less-than-great mirror shot:

So cute, right? Unfortunately these are a return ...not because I don't like the way they look or fit, but because the heel height is too high. Lesson learned: I cannot walk in 4-inch heels. I look ridiculous when I do. :)

If only these heels were an inch shorter! At least they're not a total disappointment.

*   *   *

There is good news, though. I had to drive my boyfriend an hour south to pick up his car from a repair shop, and decided to make a stop at the Vineyard Vines outlet at Woodbury Common, which was on the way. Most of the stock hadn't changed since my last visit, but I did manage to snag this adorable white skirt (in a girl's 14, no less!) for the bargain price of $12.99 (as opposed to the original $59.50):

hmm...why does my hair look so dark?
Shirt: Ann Taylor, sz. XS

Skirt: Vineyard Vines, girls sz. 14

Belt: J.Crew, sz. S

Shoes: Rockport, sz. 5

The skirt's a tad on the short side, but the thick material and fitted style will keep it from exposing too much. I also tried on a sz. 0 dress, but with less luck:

Nothing tragic, but just a bit too wide and long. I guess their dresses don't fit as well as their bottoms! However, most companies' shift/sheath style dresses tend to be on the larger side, so I'm not too discouraged.

Spring is finally starting to peak through here in NY!

Hoping there's sunny, warm days ahead,

*ShortBlonde*

A well-fitting jacket + a Vera Bradley teapot

Since I'm spending my spring break at home in cold, dreary suburban New York (it SNOWED this morning!), one of the most enjoyable ways to spend the time continues to be shopping. And since I hardly ever fit in anything I like, I never end up spending obscene amounts of money (one of the advantages of being petite!).

I've been on the hunt for a well-fitting, simple spring jacket. And where did I finally find one? H&M, of course! The quality is nothing spectacular, but I knew I wouldn't be able to find a better-fitting jacket anywhere else:

 

Jacket: H&M, sz 2 (in stores now)

Tee: Banana Republic, XS

Jeans: Abercrombie sz 14 kids, ancient!

Boots: Ralph Lauren, sz 5

I didn't wear a scarf in the picture so you could get a better look at the jacket, but I feel like this outfit is naked without one! The canvas-y, thick cotton jacket  fits well around the waist and its length is perfect, although the arms could be a bit shorter (for reference- I'm 31-25-34). It's good for that awkward too-warm-for-a-coat, too-cold-to-go-without-one season, especially if you're like me and don't like wearing sweatshirts when it can be avoided.

Where did you find your spring jacket?

On the same day I bought this jacket, I also stopped by our local Simpson & Vail tea shop with my mom and brother to pick up some specialty green tea. And who was the tea for? My 14-yr-old brother! Ever since his tae-kwon-do black belt ceremony, he's had a taste for green tea. I thought this was a bit peculiar, but as we were walking in, we walked right by another young boy in a martial arts uniform. Go figure!

As soon as we walked in the door, I spotted THIS lovely item:

A Vera Bradley tea pot! In Pinwheel Pink, nonetheless! The recovering Vera Bradley addict inside me couldn't resist. It was just too pretty, plus it was on sale for $15.

And I have the bag to match:

I'm not sure where I'm going to keep this pretty pot. At school, I live in a teeny house with 6 girl friends, and anything in our kitchen is bound to break. I never really use teapots either, but now I'm inspired to!

Hope your weather is better than New York's,

*ShortBlonde*

Spotlight on: Vineyard Vines

Although the company's only been around since 1998, Vineyard Vines is already a well-loved icon of preppydom that I'm sure you preppy readers already know and love. For those outside the preppy realm, however, the brand's pretty much unknown (my college friends have NO idea what Vineyard Vines is! Remember, my college is in the middle of hippie country). For my petite readers, I'm delighted to tell you that Vineyard Vines is petite-friendly! (yay!) I recently went on a MASSIVE shopping spree at the VV outlet, and thought I'd share a few finds:

 T-shirt: XS Banana Republic
Belt: Vineyard Vines sz XS
Skirt: Vineyard Vines sz 0

for reference, my measurements are 31-25-34, and I'm 5' tall.

This was my first time trying on bottoms at the store, and I was thrilled! (In my past visit to the VV in Southampton, I've only tried on tops such as their susie-fit polos, which I also had success with.) The company doesn't have a petite line, but many of their smaller-sized items have a petite-friendly length and waistline.On me, the size 0 fits well in the waist and especially in the length, which I was really happy about when buying these shorts:

I got this picture from the website, since my pair is back at my parents house. I bought them in a lovely shade of blue (my oh-so-favorite color), and was very happy with the length, which was flattering to my shortness without being "hooker shorts," as my mom would call them. I also liked the lack of frills on the waistline, which gets in the way when I choose to wear them underneath my shirts rather than over.

They also had a seriously adorable collection of belts, and although the belts covered in little whales and pina coladas were too cute, I opted for this beautiful rope knot design that I could wear regardless of the season:

Unlike Ann Taylor and J.Crew's outlet stores, Vineyard Vines' outlet carries clothes from the actual store that are not made for the outlets (shocking!). Therefore their clothes are of the same quality as the clothing in their regular stores, but are usually from the past seasons. Now I know not to pay full-price for store staples like their polos, since I can get the same shirts for half-off at their outlets!

Blogger ROS over at Cincinnati Prep is giving away either a Vineyard Vines or Lilly Pulitzer drink coozie, depending on the winner's choice! The VV ones feature the adorable pink whale logo, and the Lilly ones come in a super pretty Lilly-style floral design. Check out his prep-tastic blog and his giveaway here.

 

Until next time,

*ShortBlonde*

My Love, Not-so-love Relationship with J.Crew.

If anyone asked what my favorite stores are, J.Crew would definitely be among them. But to be honest, my feelings about the store are divided. Here's why:

love: their classic style.

By classic, I'm referring to the style of sophisticated-yet-casual clothes they've had for a while...like the Jackie cardigan:

It comes in a multitude of colors, and the length/arm length is perfect for petite ladies. It's a classic fit that reminds one of the sweater's namesake, the lovely Jackie O. I wish I had every color!

not-so-love: the sequins!!

I'm sorry sequin-lovers, but this gal is a FIRM believer that sequins are only for cute evening dresses and New Year's. I understand that J.Crew's trying to appeal to a more broader, hip young market, but I'm not a fan of the unnecessary glam; give me glam cocktail dresses, not this madness:

love: the quality.

Although I definitely can't say the same about some of my other favorite stores, J.Crew has never let me down in the quality department. Their clothes are always (in my experience) well-made with great fabrics. Take the "Perfect Tee" for example:

This t-shirt is the only one I've ever seen that is thick enough to not have to layer. The cotton is soft, the variety of colors are wonderful, and I can feel confident that I'm not giving the world a view of my bra underneath. I recently picked up a spearmint-colored one that perfectly matches one of my pairs of Jack Rogers sandals. :)

not-so-love: the sizing.

  Alas, my age-old problem: Their clothes are too big. I applaud them for having a petite line, but it would help if the petite sizes were petite-friendly! Blogger PetiteAsianGirl from Extra Petite sums it up perfectly in this picture of  her wearing a size 00P skirt:

Sad, right? A size 00P should be much smaller and should fit ladies at LEAST as small as me and Jean without all the clippage! I make due by buying clothes that a totally perfect fit isn't necessary for (3/4 length sleeves are good normal-length sleeves, for example...) Their petite sizing is definitely an area of improvement...but the same could be said for many other petite brands/lines.

love: the student discount

Yes! Being a college student means that I get 15% my J.Crew purchases. Woohoo!

BUT....

not-so-love: the student discount can no longer be used on online purchases.

Boo. Considering I do about 2/3 of my J.Crew shopping online, this is a major disappointment.

What do you think of J.Crew?