Reviews...H&M

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and holiday! Mine was so relaxing - I went home to Long Island for the weekend and got to hang out with the entire extended family (not to mention, I think I gained about ten pounds). I also managed to squeeze in a quick trip to H&M - and I literally mean squeeze, because oh my god, the store was so crowded. It was, in all honesty, even worse than Black Friday.

The photos are, again, terrible quality, because Blackberries have awful cameras. But I just wanted to quickly share my reviews about a couple new items (and one old) with you.

I specifically went to H&M looking for a kelly green dress that I'd seen on both Elle of Fast Food & Fashion and Jean of Extra Petite. I was in love with the color and silhouette, and heard it fit fairly small. Unfortunately, the kelly green was sold out in everything smaller than 6, but I was able to find the same dress in black to try on in a size 2: 

Happy Holidays!

Have a very merry Christmas, a wonderfully happy Hanukkah, and just a terrific holiday season all around! I most likely won't have much time to post in the coming week (forget about Santa, the extended family is coming to town) so consider this me signing off until the new year. Until then, please keep in touch with me on Twitter or email, since my phone is never very far from my hands!

I hope that when it comes time to unwrap those shiny, beautifully wrapped presents, you get exactly you wished for! I'll keep my fingers crossed for all of you. :)

Lusting after...ASOS 50% off sale!

I have a bit of down-time at work today - hurrah for the holiday lull! - enough for me to have thoroughly browsed through ASOS' 50% off sale which just started today. There are so many terrific items that have been reduced and which are still available in a whole range of sizes! I wanted to share my favorites with you all.

First is this cableknit sweater in navy that I've been eyeing since it first appeared on the site. I like both how cozy it looks, and how petite-friendly the length appears to be - this sweater appears to truly be cut short. It is currently retailing for $29.09, down from $63.63, and is still available in all sizes excluding size 1.

Statement necklace and an LBD.

Is anyone as terrible as me at Christmas shopping?? Not only do I procrastinate at buying gifts in general (I still haven't bought any!) but I'm actively awful at figuring out what to get people. It's not that I don't know what my friends like, it's just that I have all these ideas floating around in my head, and then I get to the store(s) and just get completely overwhelmed by all the options and just give up entirely and pick the worst thing there is. Without fail! All I can say is - thank god for gift receipts.

For example, I stopped by H&M on Friday. I thought that, what with their year-end holiday sale going on (practically everything's on sale from $5 - $15 right now!) I was guaranteed to find stuff for everyone on my list. Instead, I ended up purchasing...just one dress. For myself. Um, oops. 

Reviews...Petite-Friendly Finds in the Zara Fitting Room

Yesterday, I took advantage of my downtime at work to head over to Zara and see what I could find. Their items, including those from their TRF "juniors" line, tend to run pretty big on me (as I've mentioned before) but I can occasionally get lucky and find an item or two that has a more petite-friendly fit.

I didn't end up purchasing anything, but I did find some really great items that I wanted to share with you all! Apologies in advance for the grainy quality of the photographs, however - these were all taken on my Blackberry, since my point-and-shoot was unfortunately out of battery at this point. I tried editing as much as I could to save detail, but...a Blackberry camera is no iPhone camera! I know what I'm putting on my wishlist for Christmas.

There were some amazing blazers on the racks - a few of which were actually on sale. This one in particular, the "Blazer with Zips" on sale now for 69.99, caught my eye. The one I tried on was an XS, and it actually fit pretty well:

Reviews...Ann Taylor

So excited today! Yesterday, I finally received my Ann Taylor shipment from when they had their $25 off $50 sale - which was at the same time they were having 50% off sale items and free shipping. Basically, I spent about $15 per item - such insane bargains! 

I wanted to share with you all what I bought and how everything fits! But before I do, I want you all to preemptively excuse both my horrendously monotonous expressions and my terrible hair in these photos...unfortunately, I a) don't know how to pose for self-timed photos and b) my hair just doesn't like to cooperate with my hairbrush after a day at work/running errands. So you'll have to excuse me for looking like Le Petite Swamp Monster, thanks in advance, all!

First up was the Striped Tiered 3/4 Sleeve Top in XXS Vanilla Creme (not petite, which was unfortunately sold out). Originally for $68, I purchased this for $13.64.

Cozy knits and glitter leggings.

I have been hunting for absolute ages for an affordable pair of black boots (in fact, they're at the top of my Wardrobe Goals list). It's been a surprisingly difficult search, but I'm so excited to say that I finally found the perfect ones, and on sale, no less!

These Studio Paolo over-the-knee boots from JCPenney's originally retailed at $120 but right now, they're only $29.99!! They fit as well as can be expected, which is to say that although they're slightly baggy, I can make do both with jeans and with tights. There's not much more I can ask for that isn't a pair of Stuart Weitzmans (which one day, one day, I will buy). 

I measured them, just in case any of you petite ladies are on a similar hunt. The calf length is 14.5'' and the shaft circumference is 14'' (although it's approximately 13'' around the actual calf area). They're made of a synthetic material, but they don't look cheap. I've worn them way too much already! I also tried on this pair from the same company which fit even better around the calf, but I personally wasn't a fan of the wedge heel since I was going for a more classic look.

I feel as though this entire outfit is made of "bargain" pieces. This knit sweater has to be one of the favorite items in my closet...it's perfect for when I just want to snuggle inside and watch television, or when it's a cool fall day and I just want to be comfortable when shopping. Best of all? It's a bargain because it's a hand-me-down...from my dad!  I used to borrow this sweater from him all the time when I was younger, and once I went away to college, I decided to just "borrow" it permanently. It's definitely my go-to clothing when I'm seeking comfort. 

Do any of you have clothes that evoke a similar feeling? Something that makes you feel comfortable and safe, or even just calm? I guess it's almost like an adult version of a safety blanket - as silly as that sounds!

Sweater, old (similar here); Leggings, Walmart (similar here); Boots, Studio Paolo Sz 6;
 Bag, vintage (similar here); Jewelry, thrifted; Watch, MK Mini-Runway Gold

I am also in love with these glitter leggings that I found, yes, at Walmart and, yes, in the girls' section. But I have an excellent excuse: they were only five dollars, and they were adorable. I don't think these photos properly showcase their subtle glimmer, but they're so versatile. I can wear them during the day like this for a casual yet interesting look, or dress them up more for a night out. 

Lastly, I want to share this bag with you all! It's a vintage piece that my mother found in our house - she's had it for ages, but it's just been gathering dust up in the attic. I'm so obsessed with it - the color is such a lovely mahogany, and the shape is a classic satchel silhouette that's very popular right now. It's a perfect carry-all for when I'm going shopping or running errands.

The weather's finally been getting colder, too - I've found myself snuggling in with this sweater and a cup of hot chocolate more and more often (and on that note, try this amazingly easy cocoa recipe from Megan at the Frugalista Diaries!). How about you? What good bargains have you found lately - or are you, like me, becoming an increasingly winter-induced homebody?

Nautical stripes and sleeveless knits.

Wow, things have been hectic this week! I've had to spend my lunch hours holiday shopping - since doing so on the weekends in the NYC neighborhood I live in would just be insanity - and a lot of my time after work has been divided between family obligations, friends, more Christmas shopping (I am so broke now!) and decorating my apartment. I love the holidays, but they really are the busiest time of the year.

I've had this sleeveless knit lying around my closet for ages. It was a "hand-me-down" from my cousin, who I remember had given to me it saying, "I never could figure out how to wear this." And you know, she was right; this sort of sweater is super confusing to style. It's long, it's chunky, it's a sweater, but it has no sleeves. What do you pair it with? How do you use it to theoretically keep you warm? What season is it even made for?!

But confusing as it is, at least it isn't this thing. (Seriously though, what?) I honestly adore the nautical theme of this sweater, with its metallic buttons and epaulets. I was determined to figure out a way to wear it in a way that was practical (i.e., I wouldn't freeze) but also cute. Do you think it worked?

Channeling Mad Men...Shift dress and leopard cardigan.

I'm so excited for the holidays! There's something about seeing the lights twinkling on every streets and the pine trees for sale on every corner that makes me so happy - and oh, all the yummy Christmas-themed drinks for sale!  

But even though it is almost Christmas, the weather doesn't feel like it! Today was almost 60 degrees; I think this has even been recorded as one of the warmest Decembers recorded in history. I'm loving it, and definitely taking advantage of it to wear out some of my dresses sans tights for as long as I can.

Shopping for the impossible: the office holiday party.

It's that time of year! Christmas lights blinking, carolers singing, store sales tempting, and its all leading to...the office holiday party! And lately, I've been hearing a lot of concern from my friends about what to wear (and maybe more importantly, what not to wear) to these events.

Work social events are inevitably awkward, something I've learned quickly since starting my first job. Not only are you trying to make small talk with the higher-ups for extended periods of time, but you're doing so while imbibing alcohol. Now, I don't know about you, but alcohol + me can make for awkward situations at the best of times, so the idea of that formula  working its magic in a professional environment is all kinds of terrifying.

From discussing work parties with friends, I know that finding dresses for such events is difficult for mostly everyone - so finding something that's conservative and cocktail-appropriate and also petite-friendly is almost nigh impossible. And, since I recently got my own invitation to our firm's annual holiday party, hunting down the perfect work-appropriate cocktail dress has been weighing heavily on my mind. A few other bloggers have posted about similar topics (namely, Jean from Extra Petite here and here, and Khatu here) but I thought I'd go ahead and share my own finds with you! I've ordered a few of these, and will hopefully be able to do a more comprehensive review soon.

Eggplant purple and mustard yellow.

The weather lately has been completely inexplicable...not that I'm complaining! I love layering clothes, but I definitely don't like -5 degree weather when not even ten layers are enough to keep you warm. And at that point, it's just impossible to look stylish if you don't want to freeze to death, too. 

I know that the temperature isn't going to stay this warm forever - 68 degrees at the end of November is just too good to be true, after all - but I'm taking advantage of it while I can! This weekend, I didn't even need a jacket when I was traipsing around outside, which made me very happy, because I really wanted the colors I was wearing to show!

Cobalt blue and H&M coat review!

Happy Cyber Monday and belated Thanksgiving, everyone! Did you buy anything during this sale-heavy weekend? I definitely did - maybe a few too many things, but that's when a good return policy comes in handy, right? 

Please forgive me for the crazy range in my photo quality! My mother just "gifted" me with her old Nikon Coolpix DSLR, and I'm still not quite comfortable with all the options...in other words, I have no clue what I'm doing yet! But nevertheless, I'm very excited to have such a quality camera - I can't stop playing around with it. Does anyone have any tips or websites they can direct me to on how to take and edit pictures with a DSLR? I'd be forever grateful!

One of my favorite colors of the season is the cobalt blue that's been everywhere. Unfortunately, I think it's a little too bright for my workplace - or maybe I'm just personally not daring enough to try it! The only piece I think I would even chance at the office is this lovely Ann Taylor ponte skirt (see on Extra Petite, Really Petite and Petite Little Girl), but unfortunately I wasn't able to snag it in my size when it went on sale. 

Boucle skirt and sky-high pumps.

This post has been a long time in coming, so please excuse the mishmash of topics! Life has been very hectic lately, so I haven't had a chance to write about a lot of petite fashion-related things that are on my mind...

Such as a more comprehensive review of the H&M items that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, for which I finally got around to taking proper photos and measurements. I'm actually obsessed with this boucle skirt, both because of the quality (it's fully lined, and the material is nice and thick - perfect for winter!) and the pretty color. Since it isn't a solid red, but instead has flecks of other colors such as green and blue, it's so very easy to match with. It goes great with neutrals, but also works with brighter hues!

Black pumps and goals for my wardrobe.

Although I don't follow astrology at all (fact: I actually typed 'astronomy' before I corrected myself - that's how much I don't follow it) there is one thing I believe: Libras are indecisive by nature. There have been so many times I've rolled into a department store, certain of what I want (classic black pumps, for example) and then proceeded to be just so totally overwhelmed by all the choices that I've ended up leaving without anything except a head full of seriously confused ideas (Do I want black leather pumps, really? Or do I want the comfier - and therefore more practical, right? - black leather wedges? Or what about boots? I need boots...and so on, and so on). It's a terribly disorganized and frenzied place, my mind.

But I was inspired by Elle of Fast Foot and Fast Fashion's recent post about "good" deals, as well as her "Sartorial Bucket List." What a fab idea! Although I keep an itemized spreadsheet of all the purchases I make throughout the month, which has helped to curb my spontaneous spending some, I still inevitably end up  dazed and confused whenever I go to most stores. No more!

I have a new goal, and that's to form a list of items that are absolutely necessary (e.g., the perfect trench coat, which I've been trying to hunt down for what seems like forever) and to only buy items from that list...well, with the odd exception here or there.

One of the items on said list is definitely a pair of black pumps - that is to say, affordable pumps, at a price tag of $150 or under. The ones I currently have are these Nine West Selene Pumps, purchased in the summer:

Reviews...H&M

So I popped over to H&M today, and was really impressed with some of the items they have out right now! I wanted to buy so many more than I actually ended up purchasing, but isn't that always the case?

Originally, I headed in to check out this tie-collar cardigan that I had seen (and loved!) on Really Petite's blog. Coincidentally, I was also on the hunt for the wool mini-skirt she's wearing too - I need more skirts that aren't black and camel, and the grey option is so cute! But unfortunately, I didn't find either of these items. I knew I should've jumped on that skirt when I saw it a week or so ago...oh well. Luckily, I did manage to find a few items that I loved - and some real bargains, too.

In particular, I wanted to highlight this wool-blend skirt - the photo is from my Blackberry (I really need to start carrying around my digital camera when I go shopping) so the colors are a little off. In person, it's a beautiful rust and grey wool blend. The reason I'm so excited about this skirt in particular is because it fits so small. Seriously, it's like I had it tailored for my pocket-sized frame!

Petite Fashion Challenge 11

First of all, I want to apologize ahead of time for the horrendous quality of these photos! My camera was definitely not cooperating - I promise this'll be the last grainy set you'll see for a while. But moving on: I am so excited to be participating in my first Petite Fashion Challenge, hosted this time around by Ski Petite. The challenge was as follows:

Vacation Vogue
When going on a vacation, it's hard to bring clothes for every possible scenario. There's only so much room in your suitcase. But beyond that, choosing outfits to wear each day while sightseeing can be daunting when the climate is different than you are used to or you're going to multiple types of destinations.  You also are usually taking tons of photos and don't want to be in the same outfit in every photo.

Now, I wouldn't say I'm an expert in smart travel attire. However studying abroad (and jetsetting every other weekend) has definitely allowed me to accrue a ton of experience in the how-tos of packing practically. When traveling on budget airlines like RyanAir or EasyJet, you're only allowed ten kilograms worth of carry-on baggage - certainly not a lot by any means!

So what's the trick to packing well? Layers, of course! Lots and lots of layers. I was a huge fan of tights and scarves when travelling, since both are fairly light and can be bunched into a tiny suitcase with ease. So that was my primary inspiration for this post - translating daytime tourist wear into a nighttime dress outfit.

Dress, Forever 21 Size S; Coat, H&M Size 2; Boots, Stuart Weitzman Kids Size 5 (Similar here); Belt and scarf, old.

Lusting after...Versace for H&M

I've always found it difficult to find high-end designer items that fit - leaving aside the fact that said designer items usually tend to be far beyond my price point anyway, I'm additionally deterred from buying anything due to the extensive alterations I'll inevitably have to do ($250 for a button-down is steep enough - I don't need to tack onto that price tag with sleeve-shortening and side-slimming!). 

But that's exactly why the new Versace for H&M collaboration has got me oh so excited. It's Versace! It's (somewhat) affordable! And, here's the kicker, if it's sized even remotely according to H&M's standard, it might actually be petite-friendly. 

After browsing through Vogue's gallery, I've come up with several items that I'm definitely going to have to nab. First is this beautiful black silk dress that's going to retail for $79.99. Amazing! I love the slit-sleeve detailing...and you can never go wrong with adding another LBD to your wardrobe, right?

Teal and orange.

I've had this outfit floating around in my head for ages - inspired by the color trends for autumn (teal! orange! so much love!). But life has just been very busy lately, since I was caught up in a flurry of birthday celebrations, long hours at work and, most happily, moving preparations. Everything is finally slowing down again, though, as I'm now settled into my new apartment and have a lot more free time.

But enough about my life - boring, yawn, I know! 

Reviews...Ann Taylor and LOFT.

Since my birthday is fast approaching (Monday, to be exact!), I've been the happy recipient of more than a few gift coupons in the mail - one of which is for $15 off any in-store item at Ann Taylor/LOFT. So what's a girl to do except spend said coupon as soon as she can? I'm lucky enough to work within walking distance of both AT and Loft - oh, the perks of working in Midtown. 

On my last visit to both, I found a couple of items which I really liked. Since I'm on the hunt for the perfect work-appropriate skirt (the ones I currently own are either too loose, too tight, too short - in other words, I'm just too picky), I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to try a few on.

I apologize for the grainy, blurry, and all around horrendous quality of these photos - Blackberries definitely do not take editorial-quality pictures!

Neutral hues and red shoes.

Just because summer's come to an end doesn't mean one of my favorite summer trends has -- colorblocking is definitely still on point, and that makes me oh so happy. This past weekend, sunshine-filled as it was, seemed like a perfect day to don an outfit that recalled summer, but with an added layer or two to protect against that autumn bite!

Maxi skirts and cropped shirts.

So basically, maxi skirts are one of the it items for fall - and for good reason! The look is generally chic, easy to put together, and oh so comfortable (loose and flowy skirts mean having the flexibility to do pretty much anything, bar possibly going for a quick jaunt on your horse). So of course, I've been on the hunt for the perfect maxi skirt to add to my own fall closet - there's nothing to lose with adding such a versatile item to my sartorial repertoire, right?

Except, of course, I tend to look a hot mess in the majority of maxi skirts I've managed to find. The problem has to do, as it always does, with my body proportions. Most maxi skirts tend to sit lower on the hips which, when you have short legs like I do, tends to emphasize just how short they really are. Of course, wedges and/or higher heels help balance out the issue (and honestly, you should always wear high heels with a maxi dress/skirt) but not enough to really make me happy with how I look in them.

So what's a pocket sized girl to do, abandon the trend altogether? I think not. Instead, I made the trend my own by going the faux-maxi skirt look - in other words, by wearing a maxi dress with a crop top. This totally works! Since the crop top hits higher up, the visual is more lengthening as a whole. 

Lusting after...the ideal LBD.

Entering the quote-unquote real world means that acquiring the perfect little black (business) dress for my closet is definitely more necessary than ever before. And while I have tons of LBDs, none of them are the LBD. You know what I mean, right? I'm talking the ideal little black dress, the one that can transition from a day at work to a dinner with family to a night out with friends. Of course, I've seen a ton that could work in theory, but as soon as I put them on, it's more like I'm wearing a three year old playing dress up in mom's closet than a 22 year old gearing up for a day in New York. Sigh.

But that's why I'm currently lusting after this dress (shown below in red, but which also comes in black) from the ASOS Petite line. Although my experience with ASOS has taught me that the quality may not necessarily be worth the price - this dress, for example, is a cool $73 and change - I've also learned that finding a dress that fits you off-the-rack is priceless. And ASOS Petite is one of the only lines I've found where "Petite" actually means petite; it fits me well, both at the hem and at the waist. Shocking!

I love the neckline and sleeveless cut - it's not so low that it would be unprofessional for the office, but the detailing definitely keeps it interesting enough for nights out, too. I want to buy this so badly, but since I'm currently trying to save up for an apartment (I'm moving into the city at long last) I think I'll have to wait for a sale. Fingers crossed that they're still a US Size 2 when one rolls around...

For those of you that can afford to splurge a little, there's also some more good news: ASOS has a 20% off sale on all items in their new collection - but it ends today! So go, go now!

High-waists and vests of lace!

Where did summer disappear to?! The weather's been absolutely horrendous lately -- I had so many petite-friendly outfit ideas I wanted to post about, but what with work in the city (and the hour-long commute home), I can't ever catch enough daylight during the week and the weekends just haven't been sunny enough either. Luckily, this past weekend was fairly perfect, autumn temperature aside. Which got me pretty excited!

Dressing wise for your pocket size!

I have a friend who is, for all intents and purposes, sample size. I’ve gone shopping with her for years, but to this day, it completely confounds me that she can waltz into a store, pick something up off-the-rack, and not even bother to try it on. “Oh, it looks like it’ll fit,” she’ll say, and buy it on the spot.

Being petite, this isn’t something I’ve ever been able to do. Clothes simply don’t fit off the rack, even if they’re from the petite section -- and on the rare occasion they do, I’m totally overjoyed. It’s a novel experience for me, to find something that fits perfectly with no alterations necessary.

But enough complaining! Because my real point is that there are perks to being pocket sized, too -- by virtue of the fact that you don’t fit into any and everything, you learn what does work for your body pretty darn fast. You’re forced to, really, when only 25% of the clothing out there (if that!) will fit. When your selection’s so small, you want to be sure you’re getting something good, am I right?

But all the same, I’m a firm believer in the fact that you can never really know enough -- and so I’d like to pass on a link to this really insightful post by Kelly of AlterationsNeeded about petite fashion and body proportions. Determining where you fall on this scale (whether your torso-to-leg ratio is weighted towards one or the other) can go a long way in helping you balance your proportions in a way that’s lengthening and flattering.

So although the wrong item can make you even shorter than you already are, the right item can do a ton of good! For example, I personally have a longer torso and shorter legs (and thus, as Kelly describes, I fall on the “appearing more petite than I am” end of the scale). Because of this, I’ve found that high-waisted items do a lot to balance between the two. Alternatively, my friend (who stands at 5’0) has a much shorter torso; for her, bottoms that hang lower on the waist (or are just lower-waisted in general!) are more flattering.

Of course, there are a whole host of other factors that come into play in determining how a skirt will lengthen/shorten your petite figure -- the shape, the hem line (for more on that, see Extra Petite’s great post), etc. But you tell me if you think I’m right! Here are two outfits, one with a high-waist, and one that hits me a little lower, near the hip. Which do you think does a better job of lengthening my proportions?

Venturing into the world of petite fashion.

Hi! This site, as I’m sure you can tell by the title, is a fashion blog targeted towards, and for, petite women.

After recently graduating from college, I’ve been noticing more and more just how difficult it is to find classy, appropriate clothes that actually fit – Abercrombie & Fitch Kids doesn’t work for the workplace, but alternatively, there aren’t many other stores that work at all. Although of course, if you’re here and reading this, chances are that you have first-hand experience with exactly this.

While petite women come in all shapes and sizes (“petite” really is such a broad term!) I stand on the smaller end of the spectrum. In other words, I'm 4’10 and 89 pounds. My measurements are 31, 23, 32. And it is downright impossible to find clothes in my size!

I used to think I was the only one, but the internet has informed me otherwise – there’s a ton of terrific petite fashion bloggers out there, such as AlterationsNeeded and ReallyPetite, who have managed to be amazingly fashionable despite their “pocket-sized” stature. Reading their blogs, I’ve been inspired to start one of my own in very much the same thread.

My job doesn’t offer much of an artistic outlet, and since two of my main loves are writing and shopping, this really does seem the perfect way to unleash my creative energy! So that’s that, really – ultimately, this blog is simply an endeavor in cataloging the petite-friendly clothing I find, attempting to make it work (just because we’re small doesn’t mean Tim Gunn’s immortal words don’t apply!), and the occasional fashion tip for petite women along the way.

I hope you’ll stick with me!

- JJ, Pocket Sized Fashion