Finally found the perfect chunky sweater from Zady, so I can't wait for it to get chilly again in LA this week. I plan on wearing the navy knit with vintage Levi's jeans, a nude Vince bag, and my new Common Projects sneakers. This may just end up being my Thanksgiving look!
Here is my take on a chic neutral look for fall. I used my top picks from Macy's to style the look, and what's great is that each piece can be used through winter and spring. And yes, I'm all about wearing crisp white jeans year-round, especially with other neutrals!
This asymmetrical printed skirt from Neiman Marcus makes quite the statement. For fall, I thought it would be great styled with a luxe camel sweater, chic sunglasses, a simple silver watch, and a classic quilted bag. As for the shoes, rather than go with an expected pair of lace-up heels or ankle boots, I went with sleek white sneakers give the look a laid-back cool feel. Top with a bright red-orange lip, and you've got a comfy, yet chic fall look!
I'm not one to normally go for a pink look, but Kendall Jenner made a chic model-off-duty case for the color with a pink skirt look during New York Fashion Week.
Sale: Cole Haan Elisha boots; sizes 5, 5.5, 10, 11 available at Amazon (prices vary by size)
All whole sizes avail. at Lord & Taylor (use code FINAL for up to extra 30% off)
This is the last of my unseasonable cold-weather posts, but just had to share a few items while they are at great prices. Do the boots above look familiar? They're the lower-heeled, below-the-knee sisters of the ones I got from the Nordstrom sale, on big clearance from last year. Thank you to an anonymous reader for the great suggestion! She wrote: "I got these last winter and they are perfect. I've sprayed them with suede protector from Clarks and so far so good...I am 5 feet tall and the shaft height is perfect." My friend saw this comment and ordered quickly. She video chatted me today and the boots looked really nice...slim-calf and short-leg friendly indeed. I got the measurements of a size 5 from her: 2.5" lower heel, 11.5" calf circumference when unstretched (material is stretchy suede), 8.25" around the ankles, and 14.5" shaft height. Very different from the listing measurements, which makes boot shopping online all the more difficult. My friend found them to run narrow in the almond toe, so sounds similar to my experience with their OTK "Marina" boots.
Next up, now I almost never encourage shopping in the kids department these days. Sure the sizing may be small, but the proportions and cut rarely fit right on adult women. I'm making an exception in recommending this knit coat that is surprisingly chic, flattering, and of good quality...and is an absolute steal at under $50!
The cut is a swing jacket / A-line cut, and the material is a 100% cotton sturdy knit, stretchy fabric. The top portion is a marled grey and the bottom is navy - a very classic color combo. Please note I've lightened the photo a bit to show the details. Fit wise, I'm trying on an XL (14/16) for a looser look and have the sleeves cuffed up 2 inches. There is a little room to spare in the fit of this size on me. And as with most shift-style items, I would recommend this cut for those with smaller busts so that the A-line doesn't pull at the chest.
This top is listed as "narrow in shoulders" with a suggestion to size up - I'd say true to size and fits just like Ann Taylor petite tie neck blouses. The machine-washable poly makes this a nice silk substitute, and the styles transitions easily from work (wear underneath suits and tucked into skirts) to casual wear.
These Articles of Society jeans are not on sale (still very affordable at $49 retail), but I gave them a try because I've been so pleased with my white jeans from the same brand. I was very impressed with the slim fit throughout and the feel of the denim. They reminded me a lot of my J.Brand dark skinny jeans which are one of my go-tos. I'm trying a size 23 and have the bottoms rolled up twice - the inseam is 30" so shorter ladies will either need to do the same or get a hem, which is an easy alteration. I will definitely be buying more of this brand going forward, especially after seeing how well my white ones last through wash and wear.
I also wanted to show the Michael Kors Jet Set tote (on sale for $132 from $198) with the large logo medallion tucked away. There are 4 versatile colors including merlot and dark dune, shown above. If you're in need of a basic work tote, this has many solid features: the size fits a laptop, coated saffiano leather makes it easy to maintain and wipe clean, lots of zip compartments inside, large compartment on the outside, protective metal feet, and adjustable straps to get the right over-the-shoulder fit. In the photo above, the tote looks more oversized on me than it did in-person, due to the photo angle.
For another everyday tote option in supple, less structured leather (and for under $100!), this suggestion from my original post is still available in classic black and tan with good reviews so far. It reminds me of Cuyana's signature totes except with a few more features. The little detachable pouch is a bonus clutch that can be worn on its own.
Leaving you guys with a few reader favorites from the Nordstrom pre-fall sale. Thank you all so much for the numerous item recommendations, many of which sold out during early access (ie. Lorac $15 palette was a popular one)! Here are a few with petite-friendly sizes still left in stock:
- Rag & Bone Margot booties, $350 on sale from $525. From Anon: "I LOVE the comfort and style of the Rag and Bone Margot bootie. I have very skinny ankles, these look great on with the narrow ankle opening...they also come as small as size 5 (35) but run about half size small. I wear 6.5 and the 37 fit nicely." - BP plaid shirt, $24 on sale from $38. From Lucia: "Picked up the BP Plaid shirt in Navy peacoat yesterday and am happy to report that it is super comfy! I also got compliments on it today from my coworkers & bf so that is always a plus hehe. However, I'm a bit curious to see how it will hold up in the wash." - Vince Camuto ponte knit ankle pants, $49 on sale from $74 and starts in size 00 petite. From Anon: "My mom and I needed non-nonsense black ankle pants for work, and these have 100+ reviews with 4 stars. They are SO comfy and slimming! I got a 2P, 5'1" 115 lbs 32B-26-36."
Nordstrom's half yearly sale for women started today, with lots of markdowns from 30 to 70% off! And as always, they have free shipping and free returns on all items. I scoured through all the pages for some petite-friendly suggestions at very good prices (click to shop):
Clockwise from top left: 1. My Lush crochet shorts (from this post) are now 40% off! A summer must at this price. The elastic waist sizing runs small compared to what the listing description suggests - an XS stretches to fit 23 ~ 25" waists. I wore them again today with a comfy tunic top (also 40% off, but note it wrinkles after travel and needs ironing) and these Talbots Peggy sandals again. Talbots is having a really great sale as well, where all markdowns get an extra 40% off 1 item, or extra 50% off if you buy two+ items (discount reflected in your cart). I'm a fan of their shoes that start in size 5 - check out their Peyton low sandal or Camilla patent wedge.
2. Michael Kors Sutton satchel in a classic "peanut" brown which goes with everything. I'm surprised to see this color for 40% off and don't expect stock to last long at this price. Sold out
3. Calson striped maxi dress (40% off, comes in 4 colors) looks so comfy and starts in xxs petite. This is a similar neckline and silhouette to the Ann Taylor chevron maxi I own, except the material looks like it'd be a soft, stretchy knit.
4. Oscar de la Renta PJ set (33% off, 2 colors). Lace, pastels, and pleats? I'm a sucker for cute sleepwear sets, and couldn't resist ordering this one to try.
5. Socialite wide-legged pants in navy dot (40% off, runs small). These are actually at my tailor getting hemmed! They're a little different from what I usually wear, but I absolutely loved how they looked when on. The high-waisted, wide-legged pant look is surprisingly very flattering on petites and such a fun way to switch it up from dresses or skirts. The waist of the XS measures 12" across and fit me perfectly off the rack, at my natural waist. The material is on the thinner side and very cool/breezy with good movement. There's a concealed zipper, and if it's a smidge loose you can cinch it more with the tie belt. The length however is very long and I needed to take off about 5 inches - though had no problem getting alterations given the price of these! I did have to look around for inspiration on how to rock the palazzo pant...thankfully, Pinterest had plenty. These were two of my fave looks - so effortlessly chic!
6. Calson convertible maxi skirt (40% off) - the ruching at the top allows it to be worn either as a skirt as shown, or a strapless midi dress. Looks like it'd also be easy to fold the waist over to adjust the length as needed. Pair with a simple white tank for running around in the summer.
7. Topshop crochet lace miniskirt is 40% off, in petites only. Their sizing tends to run very small and a 0P or 2P are usually fitted on me, so I'd suggest sizing up.
8. I'm sure no one is thinking about boots right now, but I was surprised to see these Aquatalia Rhumba boots on sale for 35% off, with several colors and stock starting in size 4. This is their signature style which comes back every year, usually with another price hike each time. The after-sale price still isn't for the faint of heart, but all Aquatalia boots are weatherproofed making them functional as well as stylish. Mine have held up nicely through our tough winters. I have a poor quality photo trying on the black suede Rhumba boots - they are stretchy, fitting very slim in the calves and hit right below my knees on my short legs, so definitely petite-friendly for anyone looking to jump start the boot search!
9. Ted Baker dresses in rose print (40% off) - Ted Baker doesn't make petite sizing but their items tend to run narrow. I adore their prints, plus you don't see their pieces everywhere in the US, so I'm more open to getting alterations on a more unique item. For items that fit width-wise but designed for someone taller, you could try raising the shoulders if the design allows. See my old TB dress here after alterations - a 0 fit decently width-wise off the rack.
If you shopped this sale, please share any of your favorite finds!
I've gotten several questions on Instagram about these jeans and realized I haven't done a real review yet! I've been reaching for them quite a bit over the past two months, as evident via my IG. I was first turned onto Rag & Bone by Kelly of Alterations Needed - the knee fading and distressing on her jeans always actually hit at her knees like they're supposed to, which fellow shorties know is a rarity with premium denim (the dreaded shin holes!). Kelly mentioned that the details on R&B "skinny" cut jeans were always proportionately placed for her 4'11" frame (although still long in length), which I can happily attest has been true. I tried on several washes and finishes at my local Nordstorm (which had plenty of 24s and even a few surprising 23s in stock) - these are The Skinny cut in La Paz wash, a medium dark blue with a small patch of distressing under each pocket and a little at one knee. It's a good amount for anyone who wants to ease into destroyed denim (or back into, should I say, remembering the "mudd" pairs from my high school days). The weight is on the medium to heavy side, with very comfortable stretch.
The inseam on these is 29" so not as long as most R&B jeans (I tucked an inch in, right above the frayed style hem). I'm wearing the sz 24s and find them to be true to size, with a half inch waist gap on me. These regular rise style fit much better than the high rise style I tried on before, which had a 2-3" waist gap on me. I forgot to take a back view photo of these, but will be sure to next time! And here is the MK Sutton bag I got in the pale blue - a very pretty color in person. I'm a creature of habit and can't stop gravitating towards this type of satchel with top handles and removable long strap, but it works for my lifestyle. I was worried this wouldn't fit a laptop for work, but my 13" Macbook Air slides right in diagonally, and fit a pair of shoes and some snacks to boot! On a shoe note, I often share these Sam Edelman "Delilah" d'orsay pumps as a similar alternative to my Halogen ones, and finally got to try them on in my size. The size 5 fit me well (they start in an obscure sz 4!) and I would say runs on the narrow side in the front half. Overall they are a lighter shade of brown than my Halogen pumps, and another difference is a small black patch on the upper back. Another pair of jeans that I tried on and really liked (but went for the R&B with distressing over a solid wash) were these Citizens of Humanity Avedon ultra skinny jeans in "ventana" wash. It's amazing how within one brand and one general cut, the fit can differ so much. I've tried on CoH Avedon jeans that were baggy, super long, and high-waisted on me in the same size 24, but these "ankle ultra skinny" fit nicely throughout and as a bonus, no hemming needed.
On the model, it's amusing how the jeans look like highwaters and the blouse a belly shirt!When shopping online I always look for items that appear a little too short or shrunken in the stock images, since more often than not that translates into a good regular fit on petites.
My Prada saffiano tote is still one of my all-time favorite bags, but with the creeping price points (the size I own is now just shy of $2,400) I'm always keeping an eye out for "looks for less" for anyone interested. We've talked about the Tory Burch "Robinson" as an alternative before in the $400 - 600 range, but I recently came across the MICHAEL Michael Kors "Sutton" satchel (6+ colors) in person, and thought it was a pretty good dupe for even less!
The ones I'm showing in this post are on temporary "price match" markdown at Nordstrom right now (I'm not sure which retailer they are price matching - if you know, please comment!) making it a very fair value at $262. I'm personally not a fan of the large gold MK medallion circle, but once that comes off, I think the bag itself is easily a classic wardrobe staple. The Sutton satchel comes in three sizes that I know of - small/medium/large. I'm showing the medium in these photos and didn't see the other two sizes at my local store for comparison. I felt this one looked pretty balanced and proportionate on my frame, whether it was carried by hand, on the crook of my arm, or via the adjustable crossbody or shoulder strap. To fit a standard laptop though, my guess is going up to the next size might be necessary.
The saffiano material which I love in general felt durable and scratch resistant, and all of my favorite little features of the Prada double zip tote were carried over to the MK dupe.
Sutton feature summary: - scratch-resistant saffiano leather - double zippers at the top of the bag which open into large sectionals, and small zip pocket on the inside - detachable and adjustable shoulder strap - magnetic small flap closure - snap buttons on both sides to either keep the sides folded in or expanded - attached keyring lanyard, which I enjoyed quite a bit as a chronic key-loser
All three colors shown above are classic, but what really captured my attention was their gorgeous pale blue + gold variation for spring. I ordered this online with the 20% off price matching and will do an updated review once it comes in!
Here's two more bag styles I tried on over the past month (am guilty of defaulting to this exact outfit on several occasions...it's just too comfy : ). From the upper left, I've been swooning over all the gold hardware, chevron patterns, and tassel details on Saint Laurent bags. They have a few styles that I feel are very reminiscent of some Chanel classics like the flap bag and the wallet on chain, at quite a bit less than Chanel's current prices.
On the upper right is the Tory Burch "York" tote mentioned earlier this month, shown in the small size. It's a very basic design with a zippered center compartment, made entirely in the coated saffiano leather. I liked the simple lines and especially appreciated adjustable double shoulder straps - I've had so many totes fit well over bare shoulders in the summer, but are a struggle to wrestle on over thick winter layers! I already have my beloved blush pink Ann Taylor gallery tote, so was just trying this one for sizing review purposes. Do any of you own the MK Sutton satchel? I'd love to hear any thoughts on how to care for it, and how it holds up over time!
On a shoe note, I often share these Sam Edelman "Delilah" d'orsay pumps as a similar alternative to my Halogen ones, and finally got to try them on in my size. The size 5 fit me well (they start in an obscure sz 4!) and I would say runs on the narrow side in the front half. Overall they are a lighter shade of brown than my Halogen pumps, and another difference is a small black patch on the upper back. 
Another pair of jeans that I tried on and really liked (but went for the R&B with distressing over a solid wash) were these Citizens of Humanity Avedon ultra skinny jeans in "ventana" wash. It's amazing how within one brand and one general cut, the fit can differ so much. I've tried on CoH Avedon jeans that were baggy, super long, and high-waisted on me in the same size 24, but these "ankle ultra skinny" fit nicely throughout and as a bonus, no hemming needed.
My Prada saffiano tote is still one of my all-time favorite bags, but with the creeping price points (the size I own is now just shy of $2,400) I'm always keeping an eye out for "looks for less" for anyone interested. We've talked about the Tory Burch "Robinson" as an alternative before in the $400 - 600 range, but I recently came across the MICHAEL Michael Kors "Sutton" satchel (6+ colors) in person, and thought it was a pretty good dupe for even less! 
