Showing posts with label Outfits - Evening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Outfits - Evening. Show all posts

Monday, January 4, 2016

Party in Pink

WHBM petite full skirt jcrew stripe tee party outfit
WHBM skirt 00p (similar in burgundy in petites, similar in red/black), J.Crew tee xxs, 
long rope pearls + Ann Taylor crystal necklace, M.Gemi heels sz 35.5 (similar)

Happy 2016! Wishing each of you a joyful, fulfilling, and�of course�stylish new year! Fashion-wise, one of my resolutions is to take better & proper care of my clothing, shoes, and bags. I've been researching and experimenting with products for the past few months, and am eager to continue and eventually share my learnings!
WHBM petite midi skirt jcrew stripe turtleneck party outfit
This was one of my last outfits in California before returning to the cold reality of winter in Boston. The skirt was on clearance at White House Black Market, which continues to impress me with the quality on certain items. My friend who does quite a bit of sewing scrutinized this piece, and was surprised by the use of horsehair braid along the hem (for fullness), in addition to the heavier material, full lining, plus side pockets at this price point. I paired it simply with one of my go-to turtlenecks, which have gotten more wears this season than I can count.
new years eve party photo backdrop
Dress the Population Zoe dress xs (neckline closed up 1"), Steve Madden heels 5.5

We rung in the new year helping good friends host a party, with the same group at the same place for 3 years in a row now! I figured why not live it up a little and ended up going with the makeup look & dress from this post. The original neckline was quite low so I put on the dress, threaded a needle, and stitched together the V until Nick's bulging eyes receded back a bit. Here's some pics I dug out from NYE of 2014, 2015, and now 2016...must remember to continue this photo op in the years to come!
new years eve three years_jean nick
After wearing this dress for a solid 8+ hours, I can confirm it has continuously good hold at the tummy area...I was gorging on snacks all night but the very stretchy, thicker material kept my food baby in check. It's still fully avail. in my "antique gold" color and just got restocked in the blush pink/gold "opalescent," which was my first choice but had been sold out for ages (would be gorge for a bachelorette or girls night)! For fellow shorties, the neckline will hit lower than on the model, but is very easy to safety pin or hand-stitch up.

While on Nordies' site, I noticed their big half-yearly sale is currently going on until Jan 3rd. You can shop the sale here and filter by size & price after selecting a category. Here's a few picks I came across, still available in small or petite sizes:
- Ellen Tracy belted down coat w/ faux fur trim, very reminiscent of my J.Crew one but comes in a pretty olive in addition to black. Nearly 50% off and starts in size Petite P.
- Skinny cargo-style pants - under $30, starting in size 00. 27" inseam may fit like regular ankle jeans on petite ladies.
- Lucy Paris lace dress in navy, now 40% off. Runs small and narrow (see my review)
- Infinity scarves in 2 cute plaids for 50% off - now under $12
- TOMS classic slip-ons in a tweedy gray, starting in sz 5 for 30% off. I find their slip-ons to be very comfy for running errands with no breaking-in needed.
WHBM petite pink skirt jcrew striped top party outfit
I saw a pretty necklace recently with layered pearls and crystals, and figured it was easy enough to recreate. I found a thin rope pearl necklace and wrapped it around three times so that it sat shorter than my Ann Taylor crystal piece. Speaking of AT, my white twill trench is now online in a versatile navy blue! See my original review here and it styled again here - the quality is really lovely, and I imagine the darker color is much lower maintenance for those scared of white. I kept seeing the navy as a tease in the stock photo, but it never appeared to be available for sale until now (and is 40% off).
pink skirt striped tee girly outfit
PS - the 3 Nordstrom gift card winners have been drawn & announced! Congrats!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Little red (bow back) riding hood // J.Crew Factory puffer review

bow back red flare party dress

I wanted to share a few more photos of this bow-back dress, which has just been re-stocked in all sizes (Update: for some reason page just became "not available" - maybe it'll be back up in a bit!). It's on backorder until after the holidays, but makes a darling cocktail dress for year-round. I'm wearing an XS regular...it looked very high-waisted on the model so I had hope, and sure enough it's petite-friendly! Measurements are: 12.25" across the waist, 13.5" from top to waistline, and 32.5" total length. It does come pretty wrinkled, but you can iron it at home on medium heat inside-out. The dress is fully lined, with a double lining at the skirt plus hidden tulle layer to help hold the fit & flare shape.
red bow dress tartan scarf wrap christmas
I also snapped a few photos of this Factory puffer coat below before sending it back (as you guys know, I got the faux fur hooded version reviewed here instead). For those who don't care for the furry hood, I thought this is a steal for a puffer coat that fits a petite frame. There's just a few remaining in petite sizing so don't miss out if you wanted this!
jcrew factory petite down coat review

Unlike the J.Crew regular wintress coat which I thought ran small with short sleeves, I found this to fit true to size with room for layering. The sleeve length was also amply long enough for the "thumb holes" to comfortably reach and hook over my thumbs. The hood is removable, and the pockets are lined in cozy fleece with snap button closures.
jcrew factory petite puffer coat review
And one last picture of this red dress from another angle (ps - my pearlized statement necklace is 50% off today. They make great little gifts for friends!) ~
red fit flare bow dress christmas

Monday, December 14, 2015

NYE party makeup tutorial // Bronze smoldery eyes

holiday nye party makeup tutorial sequins smokey eyes
Dress the Population Zoe dress XS in "antique gold," plunge front bra (cups run small)

For today's beauty post I'm sharing a more amped up holiday party look with Sephora, which will be perfect for New Year's Eve parties! It's a little dramatic for daytime wear but looks great for a night out and is long-lasting based on the products used. Rather than my usual festive red lip, I went with a more neutral shade to accompany dark bronze smoldery eyes. Sidenote on this sequin dress (here's a similar pretty option w/ higher neckline) - I thought it was a smashing style but wasn't planning on keeping it due to the scandalous super plunge neckline on me. Turns out the V-neck is very easy to stitch up a little by hand to a point you're comfortable with, so I closed it up here about 1 inch. The dress is high quality with thick & sturdy material which helps "hold" everything in, and an XS fit me well.
sephora NYE holiday makeup tutorial
Here's the products I used for today's look...there's some longtime favorites, and also a few new discoveries I've been enjoying. A gift idea I love for beauty-loving friends is to pick a few of your favorite products or palettes and package in a cute, functional makeup bag. I thought this pebbled clutch-sized one (comes in 2 colors) was adorable and can fit quite a bit! Alright, let's get started...
asian holiday party makeup tutorial

Bare faced here, with problem areas including undereye circles and splotchy skin

nars radiant creamy concealer custard asian makeup

Concealer. This NARS concealer is one of my current top favorite products, which came highly recommended to me by a makeup artist. A little really goes a long way, so even my travel-sized tube has lasted me for some time. The formula is very creamy and brightening with good coverage, and blends seamlessly into my skin without looking cakey. You can already see a big difference compared to the bare faced shot. For everyday makeup, I can usually just apply this to my problem areas and skip foundation if I'm running short on time.

While concealer shopping, I was told on more than one occasion by SAs that I should apply eye cream before makeup due to a visibly dry undereye area...yikes! I don't have a go-to one so would love any recommendations!
laura mercier flawless fluide asian foundation

Foundation. I usually dot on foundation with my fingers then buff lightly using a brush in a circular manner. My skin started getting too dry for my favorite powder foundation (MUFE duo mat) so I went back to liquids. I've been toggling between using Bobbi Brown moisture rich and Laura Mercier Flawless Fluide, and sometimes mix the two. I'm not a fan of the Flawless Fluide packaging which gets a little messy by the opening, yet still repurchased just due to the dewy, natural-looking finish and great color match on my skin.

Online reviews for most foundations tend to be all over the place, which is understandable since everyone's skin is different, and how you apply the product can make a big difference. My best suggestion for finding a good foundation is to go into a store and consult a makeup artist, then ask for samples to try back at home!
anastasia contour tutorial asian makeup
Anastasia powder contour palette (also in a cream formula) in "light/medium"

Contour (optional). I'm using my Anastasia contour palette, but you can also use a matte bronzer. I suck in my cheeks and apply an initial streak along the hollows that appear, then draw that color out both upwards (scooping from my temples to around my upper cheekbone) as well as down along the chin at an angle.
anastasia nose contouring asian makeup
For the nose, I use an eyeshadow brush to lightly draw two light lines from each brow down to my nostrils, then blend outwards away from the center.
bare minerals warmth bronzer color asian skin
Face Color. I've gone back to one of my favorite products back when I just started using makeup - good ole' BareMinerals "Warmth." I swear, a little goes far so you'll never run out of this, and I don't see mineral powder going bad. Make sure to tap just the smallest amount onto the lid then swirl with a light and fluffy brush, tapping off the excess. I go a little heavier at the apples of my cheeks, then do a light dusting over the rest of my face and down the neck.

Eyshadow. Be sure to prime your lids for a smokey eye look since it will make a notable difference in the pigmentation and staying power of your shadows. I'm using my everyday staple Laura Mercier caviar eye stick as a base color. I can't live without this thing! A few tips to get the best application: a room-temperature stick will swipe on more fluidly than a cold stick (If needed, I usually warm mine up in my back pocket or bra real quick), and if you want a smoldery line, you have to blend immediately with fingers after applying to your eyelid, otherwise the creamy formula will set.
laura mercier caviar eye shadow stick khaki asian eyes

You can actually continue layering the caviar stick for a full smokey eye, but I wanted to add more dimension and a little more shimmer for the holidays. I patted on a dark taupe eyeshadow (UD Darkhorse) to the outer uppers of my lids, and then a lighter copper brown (UD Half Baked) on the inner corners to brighten up that area. Next, use a small fluffy blending brush and sweep outwards to blend. Lastly, I applied a little black shadow (UD Creep) to the outer corners of my eyes for some smolder.
urban decay naked palette smokey eye
Eyeliner. I love a clean, dark black wing-tipped line to really make the eyes pop. I'm using Stila Stay All Day liner and also love Lorac Front of the Line.

Fill in brows. My brows are the bane of my existence - as you can see from all the pics above, they're coarse, spotty, and grow in all different directions. I've yet to find a good brow person in Boston that makes them look any better. I filled them in here with medium brown eyeshadow, and would love to hear any favorite products from those with similar troublesome brows!
sephora-holiday-makeup eyeliner

Mascara. I mentioned back in this post my eyelash extensions experience, but I haven't gotten refills in a while so they're a little sparse. Typically you should not curl your lashes nor need to apply mascara with extensions on. I'm using Too Faced mascara here which came with one of my eye palettes. I've asked several ladies with amazing lashes what their secret is, and the answer has often been this mascara!
holiday asian smokey eye makeup sequin dress
Lipcolor: Ever since my beloved MAC Charismatic lipstick got discontinued, I've been shopping around for similar, reddish-brown neutral shades that flatter my skin tone. This Smashbox lipstick in "Cognac" is pretty close, with less orangey tones than Charismatic. The formula is creamy and easy to glide on my usually dry lips. I resisted a bolder lip since I went heavy on the eyes here, but think a berry would also be pretty!

Summary of products used, in order of application:
Concealer: NARS' radiant creamy concealer in "Custard"
Foundation: Laura Mercier Flawless Fluide in "Linen"
Contour: Anastasia contour palette in "light/medium"
Blush/bronzer: BareMinerals in "Warmth"
Eyeshadow primer: Urban Decay
Eye colors: Laura Mercier caviar eye stick in "Khaki," Urban Decay Naked palette
Eyeliner: Stila Stay All Day in Black
Mascara: Too Faced Better than Sex
Lip color: Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in "Cognac"
Thank you Sephora for partnering on this post!



Saturday, December 12, 2015

Vintage Vibes with Modcloth

retro christmas holiday party skirt outfit
B.Jones Pine fan skirt** XS (24" waist), Caf� Parfait top XS, Leaf earrings outfit c/o

This is one of my absolute favorite times of the year, when the streets of Boston are decked out in holiday cheer (and unseasonably warm weather which I'm not complaining about!). I'm wearing this exact outfit later today to a friend's quirky holiday party, for which I thought a retro-inspired pairing would be more apt than something glitzy. Both my top & skirt are from Modcloth and run narrow in my opinion; I'm wearing XS in each with no alterations. **I've seen them offer this skirt for several years now, so if your particular size is sold out, sign up for the waitlist and I'm sure there's a good chance of a re-stock.

If you haven't shopped Modcloth before, a few of my other petite-friendly favorites that I bring out season after season include the Stripe it Lucky skirt (see on me here or here) and the Dream of the Crop cardigan (see on me here or here). I take a size S in both of those. The cropped cardigan comes in lots of colors, and is the perfect basic for styling with dresses and higher-waisted skirts when you don't want to lose your waistline.
retro A line fit and flare skirt petite fashion blog
These photos were snapped at charming Farm & Fable again, owned by one of my sweet neighbors (who is getting married today! Congrats, Abby!). I've been to many a festive gatherings there and Nick is eagerly awaiting their next cooking class. If you're visiting this corner of the South End, be sure to also pop into Polka Dog bakery aka dog heaven for canine gifts, as well as Formaggio for some cheese to feast on back home.

modcloth christmas presents cheers beer glass

If you're shopping for others on your list, I've pulled together a few of my favorite little gifts, each under $30! The jewelry stand looks very functional, and those peas in a pod shakers...I die. What I really wonder though when I'm browsing Modcloth is who their copywriter is, coming up with these catchy names for each item.


The design of this top takes a simple tee and elevates it with a demure off-shoulder neckline, while still providing arm coverage. It's made of a very stretchy 95% cotton, 5% spandex. When un-stretched and lying flat, an XS tee measures "14 across the armpits and about 18.5" in length. Skirt does not have stretch and is unlined with a concealed back zipper and side pockets. An XS measures 12" across the waist and 27" long.
modcloth retro b jones pine fit flare skirt
This didn't translate in the photos, but the fan pattern on the skirt is a raised velvet which looks and feels luxe. I was thinking of getting the skirt hemmed, but Nick and friends voted to keep it at tea length for a look different from what I usually wear. I still might get it shortened closer to the knees though to be more flattering with lower shoes.
modcloth b jones pine skirt holiday outfit
And in the holiday spirit, I'm giving away a $200 gift card towards anything at Modcloth! Simply enter via the Rafflecopter form below before Wednesday, December 16th 2015. Giveaway is open to those over 18 years of age and have a mailing address in a country that Modcloth ships to (see full list here). One entry per household, please!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to Modcloth for partnering on this post.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Best Cyber Monday 2015 sales (petite-friendly edition)

nordstrom bow back red holiday dress
Soprano dress sz XS - petite-friendly; needs a thorough ironing (on low) before wearing

Today is supposedly the biggest sale day of the year for online shoppers ~ there are a few good, new ones below, while some stores have the same promo from Black Friday now with free shipping at any price. A lot of sizes are now sold out on my favorite items, so it didn't hurt to shop early!


Nordstrom - automatic price match on a lot of brands' sales, with everyday free ship & returns. Notable brand promos on some of my longtime favorites:
- 30% off all Ray-Ban - love my unisex 51mm Clubmasters (see on me) and 58mm aviators (see 2 colors on me) for the adjustable nose fit. FYI the aviators do come in smaller lens sizes, but I like the lenses of the original.
- 25% off TOMS - these suede booties have great reviews & start in size 5. Their signature slip-ons are super comfortable for running errands / travel - here are the current version of mine. For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS also donates a pair of new shoes to a child in need.
- 20% off Clarisonic - this pink value set would make a gift that'd surely get a lot of use.
- 20% off most Bobbi Brown - great eye products + I like the moisture rich foundation (I take shade #04) which I buff onto my face with this bareMinerals brush
- 30% off J.Brand jeans (sz 24 usually fits me well, although I need to get a hem)

LOFT - 50% off + free shipping on all orders w/ CYBER50. My picks are the olive legging jeans (see my review) and the highly-reviewed relaxed tunic sweater (actually 60% off!). And for gifts, how cozy do these cable-knit slippers + festive sock set look?

Talbots - Get 50% off 1 full-priced item + 40% off your purchase, plus finally free shipping with no minimum! Great sale for "stocking" up on my favorite opaque hosiery in every color. I've been wearing the pearl & gem necklace quite a bit for a little added sparkle (see on me).

White House Black Market - a rare 35% off + free shipping on everything w/ code 97729. Shop their petites boutique here (sizing starts in xxs / 00 petite).

Banana Republic, Gap & Old Navy - 40% off site-wide w/ BESTCYBER, with no exclusions (finally!). My favorite pick is the BR gunmetal tweed sheath dress from this review post which is almost always excluded from sales. Also love these Old Navy fleece-lined cable mittens - I have the matching beanie too but it appears to be sold out online : /

Ann Taylor - 50% off + free shipping on all orders w/ code EVERYTHING. Perfect for picking up any individual pieces without having to pay shipping. Reasonably-priced, neutral pom-pom beanies seem to be selling out quick everywhere I look - AT has one still in stock in 3 colors. See my Black Friday AT recommendations here.

J.Crew Factory - prices as marked are 50% off everything, plus get extra 15% off and free ship at any price with code TODAYONLY. Many items are now sold out from my Black Friday recommendations, but small sizes are still left in the sequin skirt, winnie pant, and cable-knit sweater. Also if you don't have a staple chambray or gingham shirt yet, these are now a fantastic deal in petite-friendly sizing. For your men, Nick loves these flannel-lined chino pants.

Baublebar - code GOGIFT35 for 35% off 2 baubles. I love the look of their delicate stone pendants like this mother-of-pearl one, which would layer well with my favorite slim bar necklaces.

J.Crew - still 30 to 40% off everything but now with free ship at any price w/ code MONDAY. I've copied in my Black Friday picks on the items still fully in stock:
- Wintress Puffer Coat - runs small; see my review
- Cambridge cable turtleneck - one of their classics often excluded from sale; runs slim and sleeves fit narrow, so size up if you want it to fit like it does on the model.
- A cropped swing trench is one of my most worn pieces, and I keep mentioning this J.Crew version as the best dupe I've found starting in tiny petite sizing. Still left in all sizes on major clearance for $54 from $138!
- Icon trench - classic & reminiscent of Burberry style. Often on backorder and rarely on sale
- No 2 wool pencil skirt - a work staple; I have dusty cedar and ivory. I have to get all my pencil skirts altered except this one - the 000 petite has a 24" waist and is a snug fit

Sole Society - 30% off everything, including my taupe wool hat (see on me) + Cassidy weekender bag (see my review), which I haven't yet seen on promo. They just updated their site to final sale which is a bummer...would suggest live-chatting at Nordstrom for a price match since they have a much better return policy (unfortunately the Cassidy in cognac is sold out there).

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Cobalt blue lace

nordstrom petites cocktail party lace dress

Lace is one of my favorite textures for all year round, and especially during the holiday season! Today I wanted to show some elegant options that either come in petite sizing or are petite-friendly in fit. I love my DVF Zarita lace dress (shown here along with my mom's more affordable version), and thought this Eliza J one was similar but with a swingy flared skirt. I really wish this brand would make more extended sizes, because I'm a big fan of their quality and feminine designs but the items are a little roomy on me. I loved my blue/white maxi from this post enough to get alterations, so wanted to give this highly-reviewed dress a try.
nordstrom petites blue fit flare lace dress
This is a 0P which is a size up from what I usually wear - the color is absolutely gorgeous but the fit is roomy throughout the torso on me and also at the sleeve width. I'm doing one of my favorite sewing-less shortcuts here by folding excess fabric over a thin belt, but for someone my size, alterations are needed for the dress to fit like it does on the model. For smaller-framed ladies, I found a few other options that were more snug in fit...
Nordstrom Lucy Paris lace dress

This burgundy lace sheath (also comes in navy and ivory) has reviews all over the place, so I wasn't sure what to expect! Turns out the fit runs super small - an XS regular fit very narrow and was too snug for me in the shoulders and chest (I wear a 30-32A bra for reference). The entry is via a side zipper under the armpit which is a little more troublesome than a back center zip. The proportions work for petites as the waist placement is a little higher, hitting near my natural waist.
Glamorous lace dress

The pretty open back of this dress reminded me of Wendy�s gorgeous one that I borrowed in this twinsies shot! The quality of course is not the same given a big price difference. This one in XS fit me comfortably with a little stretch to spare.
Nordstrom glamorous lace dress review
My main concern was this is labeled as a fit and flare style, but the skirt was not as full and flared as I had hoped. It can be boosted with a tulle slip which I have, but to avoid that trouble I'd only recommend this to those who don't mind a less-full skirt. Suggested bra for this one is the stick-on Nu Bra I discussed in this post.
eliza j blue lace dress petite
And here is how the Eliza J dress in size 0P looks on me with no adjustments or styling. Please note the listing indicates that regular sizing runs on the smaller side, however with petite sizing, it suggests ordering down if you're usually in between sizes. I feel this size would best be suited for those who are usually between a 0P to 2P.
nordstrom petites blue lace dress
The belt trick makes a big difference in my opinion...I love using it to transform some pieces in my closet that are a little roomy and longer than I'd like! Below, I styled this dress with my trusty BlankNYC jacket (runs small) and H&M faux fur stole (similar). 
cocktail party outfit lace dress moto jacket
This post was sponsored by Nordstrom to share holiday style ideas.

Monday, November 23, 2015

What to Wear: Napa Valley or vineyard wedding guest

wine country wear maxi dress anthropologie petite leather jacket

Continuing the what to wear series, today I'm answering the popular question of what to wear to a vineyard wedding or event. Napa must be quite the spot, and no wonder, it's so scenic there! Since vineyard events are usually at least partially outdoors against lush greenery or gardens, I would start by choosing something flowy and romantic vs structured or tight. A maxi or knee-length dress in soft printed fabric, silk or chiffon should work perfectly. As temps may drop quite a bit in the evenings there, bring a cropped jacket or a wrap to drape around your shoulders. Also, if any part of the event will be on grass, I'd recommend wedges instead of heels unless you enjoy aerating the lawn! I was just visiting for the weekend so had my large tote bag with me, and would definitely suggest a clutch bag instead for a special event.
napa valley vineward wedding wear
This Hei Hei faux leather jacket was recommended by a petite friend of mine, and seems to be rather popular based on the customer reviews. The fit is slightly cropped and narrow, a snug fit on me in my usual size. I wore it for the Anthropologie event in San Francisco where I had an amazing time meeting and getting to know some of you! I only wish there was more time to chat with everyone who kindly took the time to come.
anthropologie byron lars carissima sheath dress
Speaking of Anthro, I just saw they are having a rare 25% off all dresses and free shipping over $150 for a limited time w/ code HURRAH. The Byron Lars Carissima dress I picked out for the event is very petite-friendly and romantic in design. It comes in 3 colors and is of beautiful quality (scroll down for detailed photos). For dressier occasions, ,y other pick is this stunning embellished long dress by Moulinette Soeurs which starts in size 00p. I have a frock by this brand that is also great quality which I wear repeatedly...would've gotten this if I didn't already have a too similar blue & white maxi.
Anthropologie Byron Lars carrissima white dress petite
The Carissima dress is one of Anthro's perennial favorites which they have in stock year after year. I liked reading through the online reviews and seeing how it fits on different body types / sizes. I'm wearing a 00p with no alterations needed! It's hard to tell just looking at it, but there is a tan camisole dress slip lining the entire dress except at the neckline and sleeves. The base material is stretchy, sturdy and of a thicker weight. There's lots of mixed textures in the design including lace, crochet, ribbon, and a twill-like fabric. Everything was finished with care, such as with reinforcements at the hem and zipper.
anthropologie byron lars carissima sheath review
Tip: I did have an issue with the front hook-and-eye closures coming undone (quite a surprise the first time I wore it!), but it was an easy fix. Simply use jewelry pliers or tweezers to compress the hooks tighter (after hooking into the eye) for the ones that you want to be securely closed. There is a back zipper entry so you don't actually need the hooks for functionality! I did this for the hooks from the chest down to about mid thigh, since I liked a little leg slit opening.
wine country wear maxi dress anthropologie petite jacket
Photos credit my friend Ping : )sonoma maxi dress moto jacket
And here's a few other flowy options that'd be beautiful for attending a vineyard wedding! (tho I would do neutral sandals instead of stark black booties with the third dress...what odd styling!)

Friday, November 20, 2015

Banana Republic petites holiday work + party outfits

banana republic holiday outfit - petite feather skirt

Banana Republic is currently having 40% off your purchase with BRFRIENDS, and everyday free shipping & returns on orders over $50. The promo unfortunately excludes their "BR Picks" like the dress and feather top below. I haven't been there in a while and was pleasantly surprised by the selection - there were numerous pieces that I really loved and the sizing felt more petite-friendly than before! I think Marissa Webb did a great job with the design direction and I'm curious to see where the brand goes next without her.

Above, this fringe skirt has a feathery feel and is so fun for going out at night, holiday parties, or NYE. It's comfy and stretchy in the waist which is always a plus. My size was sold out so I'm trying 1 size up, which fit me decently as shown. I love the mini fit on the model and imagine that the right size would be closer to achieving that look. Please ignore the ankle booties I have on in all these pics, as a pump or strappy sandal like these would look much better with such outfits.
banana republic holiday outfit - petite metallic sheath dress

This dress in the same metallic tweed was my favorite, and I'd highly recommend it as a twist on the traditional sheath. The basketweave material is more gunmetal than a shiny silver like in the stock photos, and a 00P was spot-on fitted for me throughout. Fabric felt of medium weight and good quality. You can wear this on a more regular basis to the office with a long-sleeved turtleneck underneath, or a black, cream, or colored cropped blazer over it.
banana republic fringe feather top
Crepe fringe top sz xxsp (also in black), destroyed gray jeans sz 24 /00p

Continuing with the fringe theme, this crepe fringe top also had a feathery feel and would be very fun over skinny coated jeans or leather leggings. I disagree with the reviews about the waist being too big - I think a top like this should have a straighter silhouette. These jeans were my first time trying on BR denim in a while and I loved how soft and stretchy they were. The knee hole placement was perfect but the overall length was an inch or two long on me. I brought them home as I'm in need of gray jeans for the season.

This faux pearl statement necklace is also BR - it was hanging on the rack so I tried it on with these outfits, but I personally prefer the AT version which I've posted about here. The price is better on the AT one for the same costume jewelry quality.
banana republic petites tweed dress faux fur vest

This herringbone sheath looks very Amish on me here, but try to imagine it with a more minimalistic and lengthening shoe. I was trying this on and several ladies in the fitting room asked where to find it. If this dress was executed correctly it would be a timeless sheath, but instead it has an odd fit like the online reviews mention. A 00p was very narrow on me across the shoulders and chest to the point where it was hard to lift my arms, while the hip area had extra room. On the right, this faux fur vest was very thick and warm. The material has good color depth to it with a mix of brown, taupe, and darker tones.
banana republic petites winter coats
I also wanted to mention their outerwear included in this 40% off sale - the gray plaid one is their 3-button coat, which I reviewed at the bottom of this post in the neon lime color (please note I'm trying on 1 size up from my usual). This olive flocked hem jacket I saw in store and thought the velvet detailing on the bottom was very unique. It goes all the way around the back and looks like a higher-end design. Unfortunately there were no petites of this jacket in store so I can't report on the fit, but from the stock photos it looks to be a less fitted style than the 3-button coat.