Instagram outfits lately + Uniqlo flannel and vest reviews

Talbots sweater c/o (25% off! reviewed here), Jolt girlfriend jeans sz 00

Vince Camuto booties, Tory Burch robinson bag (old color), MAC "charismatic" lip

Tomorrow is the last day of Tory Burch's annual buy more save more fall event - get up to 30% off your order with code FALLEVENT. Some exclusions apply, including on their Revas and York totes. My favorite collection is still the Robinson collection (all the satchels usually come with a convertible shoulder strap) but I'm bummed they didn't bring back this burgundy tote from last year! On another note, a few of you have asked what socks to wear with booties like this with a dip. I sometimes go sockless, but you can find those no-show footie socks at any department store, or I also don't mind a little bit of (non-white tube) sock showing.

J.Crew vest and wool miniskirt (old; current version), vintage Coach bag (review)

Vince Camuto booties, J.Crew Factory shirt

We were shocked upon our return to Boston that Fall felt like it was over before it begun! It was in the upper 40's and wet, too cold for bare legs with booties which is one of my favorite looks. Next week looks a little more promising, but I'll also be wearing this same outfit above with ribbed grey sweater tights and a long coat over it all into chillier weather.

First & I poncho (reviewed here; low in stock), J.Crew tee, T&B jeans, Goyard tote

And here's the burgundy bag, booties & Jolt jeans combo yet again. This faux-layered Treasure & Bond sweater (reviewed here) was one of my favorite purchases back in July when shopping for fall seemed nutty. Unfortunately it looks to be sold out since then, but the look can easily be recreated with real layering using a flannel shirt (check out the Uniqlo ones reviewed below) and a shorter sweater.

Uniqlo flannel shirt sz XS (all other patterns)

Ann Taylor sweater dress c/o (review; shrunk it in dryer) and tote, AC necklace

I've gotten a lot of recommendations to try Uniqlo but had never really found anything, however a recent online search for a flannel shirt led me back to this brand. The XS in their womens flannel is a slim casual fit through the shoulders, torso and sleeves. The sleeves are long since it's regular sizing, but I usually wear my button-up sleeves double cuffed anyways (step by step shown here). The 100% cotton flannel felt soft and comfortable. This will be a good layering piece for casual outfits, and can also be dressed up for work like under this AT sweater dress.

Uniqlo ultra light down packable vest in XS, navy vs. beige (13 colors)

While there, I also checked out the plethora of down puffer vests (evidently there are many, many more options on their website)...the two above are the lightweight packable ones that come with an attached little nylon bag that the entire vest can be packed into for traveling. I will say the vest felt really non-substantial when I was lifting it up on the hanger, however after putting it on and roaming around the store for a bit, I could feel that it provided notable warmth and insulation. The XS was pretty petite-friendly as you can see above (please ignore the shorts! I swear we go straight from summer to winter here in Boston).

And this was a heavier and warmer stretch down vest (7 colors) that I tried on in size S. It also comes in XS, which I think would be snug on me but the material does stretch. I love that it has on-seam zippered pockets and a functional removable hood. I'm happy to find these petite-friendly alternatives to the J.Crew one that are also a little more affordable. Relatively, I'd estimate the J.Crew vest falls in between these two in terms of down thickness and is also on the matte side.

Find me on Instagram (@extrapetite) for daily updates!

Sweater skirt styled for work + weekend

Dot Sweater skirt c/o Ann Taylor (50% off most items today with FLASH50)

Left: ASOS coat (review), Tory Burch bag, BP booties, Forever 21 hat, DIY mittens

Right: Ferragamo Varina flats, AT necklace, BR blouse, old no-brand sweater

I posted a fitting-room review of this skirt a while back - petites is now sold out online, but might still be in stores. The skirt runs a bit smaller in the waist than Ann Taylor's usual sizing (with a wide, stretchy concealed elastic waistband) so regular sizing might work for women who don't mind a longer length. I was pleasantly surprised by the thick & sturdy knit on this skirt, and of course, the fit with no alterations needed!
I had packed this for my last west-coast trip as elastic waistbands are a must when continuous eating is expected. I don't often show work outfits with flats, but the cut of this skirt is a good candidate for pairing with low shoes. The waistband can sit high at the natural waistline which creates the illusion of longer legs, and the gentle flaring adds shape without too much width and volume that may weigh down a short frame.

Coming back to Boston and getting hit by a cold dose of reality, I defaulted to navy opaque tights which work with most of my outfits. Unfortunately too much navy led the skirt + legs to blend together creating a dark blob-like effect. Marled grey knit tights turned out to be the perfect solution - just enough contrast to not blend in, but still in a similar dark & broody color scheme. When wearing tights with an unlined knit, I sandwiched a slinky slip skirt in between to keep the materials from clinging or generating static. Now if anyone has suggestions on how to not get static lion hair after wearing a knit hat, please share! I love the effects of the dryer sheet tip but alas it leaves dandruff-like white speckles all over my head, which probably frightens my friends more than a static mane.


This coat is light in weight but I haven't had the heart to put it away until spring...the cut is sleek and classic which I can't get enough of, so I've just been piling on knit layers both under and over it to squeeze in a few more wears. Would love to find a cream or camel one in the same cut and fit but thicker!

How to style a poncho sweater + gloves for short fingers

Forever21 sweater, Hermes belt, Tory Burch tote, BP boots (runs small)

J.Brand Maria jeans - on sale + extra 40% off (mine are 2013 version, sz 24 hemmed) H&M hat

Wishing each of you a happy and healthy 2015! Thanks so much to those of you who took the time to share a bit about yourself back in my Nordstrom giveaway post (congrats to the winners!). I read every single entry and am amazed by the ambitious, accomplished, warm and interesting individuals who read this blog. So many of your comments made me smile or inspired me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading and for supporting my creative outlet over the years.

Middle + right: Halogen leopard heels (sold out, similar), Prada tote, Lord & Taylor gloves

I'm starting off the new year with a few simple ways to style a poncho sweater. I love my share of tailored, fitted pieces, but sometimes there's nothing more chic than an oversized but well-draping garment. I spotted this sweater on my stylish friend Elle and didn't waste time to order. The shipping cost was well worth it to me (free shipping today for orders over $21!) if it meant not having to navigate through three floors of teenyboppers and overflowing racks in disarray.

As expected for a one-size-fits-all poncho, the sweater is long for someone 5 feet tall but the medium-weight knit drapes well and the design is very cozy. After playing around with the styling, I love the half-belted look which adds slight waist definition and can also shorten the length a bit. I looped the belt through the armholes, in between my back and the back of the sweater (note: not around the outer back of the sweater), and after buckling the belt I pulled a little excess length fold-over style above the belt. I also like the simple front-tucked look which keeps the leg line long while maintaining a slouchy, oversized silhouette in the back. Wearing dark bottoms with similar-colored shoes also gives off a minimalistic, lengthening look on the bottom to offset the more voluminous top half.

I'm wearing this sweater in two slight variations here - one with low ankle booties and a hat for a more boho-inspired pairing, and another just changing up the accessories to pointed pumps and a structured satchel for a more classic look.

I also want to point out the lighter brown silk-lined leather gloves in the latter pairing which are a recent find from Lord & Taylor. This was the first pair of adult gloves I've tried on ever where there was minimal excess in the tips for my short fingers! I had gotten used to the excess "hollow fingertips" and thought I'd be doomed to those for a lifetime. From the palms side, these in a size 6 measure about 7cm for the middle finger and 6.5cm for the pointer finger.
The fit of a size 6 in these silk-lined gloves was also very slim, and was an overall snug fit on my hands. I tried on Lord & Taylor's other glove styles, including the cashmere-lined ones, and they did not fit as short in the fingers as these silk-lined ones. I picked "British Tan" out of the 9 colors though might've gone for the darker "Saddle" had that been available in-store. Would highly recommend these with the extra 20% off coupon for fellow short and narrow-fingered ladies.

Ann Taylor stripe tee (old), Sheinside c/o cape (review), BP trolley ankle boots (runs small)