Fall reviews: cozy casual petite sweaters

LOFT pocket sweater in pxs & jeans sz 24, BP Trolley booties (go up half a size)

I can't remember the last time I burst out of a fitting room and wanted to get all the things...but LOFT is killing it with their latest fall items. My friend needed to go sweater shopping and we both got more than we had bargained for. There's lots of drop shoulders which I usually am not a fan of, but I thought they worked well with the slouchy silhouettes. Read on to see what I ended up getting!

LOFT pocket sweater (in pxs), in "Cocoa Cream Melange"

This sweater is a swingy, poncho-like tunic sweater with a turtleneck and adorable kangaroo pockets. I absolutely loved this cocoa cream color, which is a mocha-taupe. My only issue with this sweater was that the head opening doesn't stretch much - if you have your hair done nicely it will definitely rumple it up. Once on, it's roomy and comfortable around the neck. The knit is a more open knit but not loose in the sense that I feel like it'd snag. You can wear a layering tee underneath due to the openness but in the photos above I don't have anything under. I don't think anyone needs to size up for this one, but I liked how the pxs fit and didn't bother to go find my regular size (plus didn't want a smaller neck hole). This way if it shrunk inadvertently in the dryer it will still be a loose swingy fit.

LOFT textured dolman tee in xxsp and legging jeans sz 24 (not yet online), BP booties 

My friend and I both made a beeline for this on the rack - it's one of those super basic items but in a cut that makes it something you'll reach for time and time again. I love a good dolman sleeve and this one was balanced out by nice and narrow lower sleeves, and a good length that hit me at the hips. It's a poly/ linen blend which helps give it a little texture. I just saw that it comes online in navy stripe...aah! Both just got marked down with extra 40% off, no code needed.

LOFT relaxed turtleneck sweater in XSP

This sweater had a really nice, thick and soft material the felt good quality. There are more colors under regular sizing including a pretty "faded rouge" for fall. I did struggle on this one with the best size to get. For items that I like in-store, I usually look them up online to scan reviews, in case something doesn't wash well or any other issues I might've overlooked. I was really surprised at all the shoppers' suggestions to size down on this sweater. My usual size xxsp hit me at the high hips and was too short for my liking for a casual sweater like this. I thought the charm of it was the loose, swooshy, fit and I had actually grabbed 1-2 sizes up to try. Here I am trying the grey in XSP and the mustard ("aztec gold") in SP. The swingy, A-line side view on this sweater is my favorite.

I also struggled with what color to get...the grey was the perfect light grey melange but I love a good mustard for fall/winter. The mustard color though did look a little more pill-prone (get your sweater shavers ready for this season) than the grey, or maybe they'd just be more visible against the solid color. The store was closing so I brought both home to try on more and decide.

LOFT relaxed turtleneck sweater in SP

Below, I passed on this next sweater in an effort to whittle down my armload of favorites, but it was very cozy. The PS was the smallest size left in store - I think a xsp would've been perfect. I loved the curved high-low shirttail hem seen on lots of pieces this season, which would look cute with a patterned or striped tee layered longer underneath. I don't see this color online (may be sold out) but the item # matches up, however lilac shaddow is the same color code as my lace top which is the prettiest pale lilac.

LOFT petite curved shirttail hem sweater in petite Small

For sweater care, most of these are machine (woo hoo!) or lay flat to dry. For items that I feel should truly be shaped and laid flat to dry, I use my sweater drying rack over the bath tub.

Here's a few other suggestions and items my friend got (that I'll be looking to borrow!):
- For work, she got this dotblock ruffle shell paired with this cozy cardigan (soo soft) with rave reviews. The shell is cuter in person, and the pattern has pumpkin orange speckled through it. The cardigan was super soft and I loved the slight grandpa look to it. Pumpkin is one of my favorite colors for the season but it's hard to find it done right and not a jarring orange. I went online to find it but alas the pumpkin does not come in petites, although the cut of the regular looked on the shorter side. These would look adorable with the top tucked into a navy or cream pencil skirt, or untucked with sloan ankle trousers.
- Sweatshirt tee in navy or grey looks like a great layering staple or canvas under patterned scarves
- LOFT's "modern skinny" cut denim is still my favorite there and I don't know why they don't make more washes and stock. The modern black skinny is still in all sizes as well as this modern high waist one in a vintage-y blue wash, with good reviews.
- And of course my beloved lace swing tee with clean camisole (see my review), now marked down with extra 40% off and finally online in petite sizing.