Happy Thanksgiving week! Sharing a few early Black Friday sales while there’s good inventory in stock. Will be updating daily on my LTK account with videos, and you can also use the search box there to find anything in particular that you’re looking for!

Anthropologie 

The deal: early access 30% off everything with JEAN30. And spend $200 now, get $50 later to use 12/11 – 12/25. One of their best promos yet!

• The Colette pant is a huge fan favorite. My favorite fabric is this knit Colette pant in lots of colors – it’s soft, stretchy, stays wrinkle-free for travel and has a substantial weight to it.
• Code works on beauty and skincare too! A few gifts I grabbed during the sale.
• Tip: they have one of the best designer denim selections (filter by your size) for petites
• Prettiest vanity trays and their cult favorite mirror
• See all of my Anthro try-on videos

aritzia

The deal: a rare 20% off almost everything when you log in. Their Black Friday sale goes public on 11/25, but some existing clients get early sale access starting now! Just log in to see what date you can start shopping the sale. If you don’t see anything, you can get your cart ready for 11/25.

FYI sale items are only exchangeable or returnable for merchandise credit, so I suggest trying on things beforehand if you can if you’re unsure about sizing and fit!

• See all of my Aritzia try-on videos.
• Lodge pant + Nominee blouse are two runaway favorites. See my video on why, and 3 ways to style the pants. The 2XS Short has a 28″ inseam so if you still need to get that shortened, you might as well purchase regular sizing for better selections and then hem them.
• SuperPuff is their popular down coat that’s lightweight, warm and water-resistant. My favorite is the SuperSnug Mid (see on me) which is their slim cut style, and fits very similarly to my Mackage coat. Also makes a great mens gift – Nick is 5’8″ 165 and loves his SuperPuff in Mens size Medium!
• Coats available in Short (Petite) sizing:
  • Slouch coat (look for the colors that say “2 heights” or “3 heights”) – has curving shoulders, a double breasted front and an oversized fit. It’s definitely roomy on petites, but I love and wore it so much last winter. Can’t wait to break it out again this season!
  • Only coat is single breasted, a little boxier and pretty oversized as well.{

RAG & BONE

The deal: 25% off many items, and Nordstrom is price matching on my favorite style, their viral Miramar terry cloth “sweatpant jeans!” So comfortable like lounge pants. Just be sure to: 1) go down 1 size at the waist, and 2) air dry only unless you want to intentionally shrink the length down like I did.

• Miramar Sofie ankle wide leg jean (more stock at Rag & Bone), I take size 23. Calling these Ankle is wild since they come with a 30” inseam, but after reading reviews I successfully shrunk the length down to 28″ in my machine dryer by checking them every 20 minutes. See them on me.

Demellier London (handbags)

The deal: 20% off sitewide with code DMFRIENDSEARLY20 and free international ship.

The ONE time a year they do a promo like this! The code above gives you early access a few days before the sale is public on the site. Their handbags are high quality, chic and modern in design. The midi New York is a beauty – I’ve been using the brown suede a ton this season, and the cream leather throughout the rest of the year. The midi size doesn’t fit a laptop, although the bigger version does.

MADEWELL

The deal: 40% off sitewide. Such a good promo since their belts, shoes and bags are often excluded from other sales!

• These wide flare jeans have been a runaway favorite and on super sale for $50! I get 24 regular sizing for closer to floor length, instead of petite which would be cropped.
• Our beloved, universally flattering wide crop jeans in “hallstead!” I have 24 petite
• CloudSoft crewneck sweater is cozy and warm, yet lightweight with a perfectly relaxed fit. Also in this stripe pattern
• Triple metal keeper belt has a higher end look for less and instantly elevates simple outfits.
• They have good mens staples! Nick loves this beanie + this stylish sweatshirt in sz Medium for shorter guys, just keep it out of the machine dryer.
• See all of my Madewell try-on videos

FARM RIO

The deal: 50% off sale items, but note final sale. Last year on actual Black Friday their entire site was marked down, so fingers crossed they’ll do that again!

• LOVE the look of this pink dress and this darker toned dress! Farm Rio styles like this tend to run smaller at the torso and bust FYI. Their non-stretch xxs pieces usually fit a 24 to 25 waist.
• See my try-on of a very petite-friendly, Fall-hued stretch waist minidress that’s 50% off.

Tatcha

The deal: CYBER25 for 25% off sitewide, and a gift on orders over $100! My repurchases:

• Day/Night gift set this year includes full sizes of both my favorites with extra savings!
• Indigo Overnight Repair Cream – If you also have sensitive skin, this “serum in cream” is calming, gentle and nourishing. I use it when my skin is extra dry in the winter or if it’s ever feeling irritated or red. Designed to repair your skin barrier at night.
• Dewy Skin Cream – a velvety textured, rich night cream that just melts into your skin. My go-to face cream in the dry months. Have repurchased this for years!

Alice Walk

The deal: early access to 20% off sitewide with code VIP2025, through 11/22. Once the site is public on 11/23 the code will be BF2025.

This is a small, woman-owned New England brand I’ve been admiring for a while! They’re known for their knits, and their pieces are all timeless and high quality. The double-sided cashmere wrap makes the perfect gift, and this faux fur jacket (see it on me) is so luxe, plush and petite-friendly since it’s intended to be slightly cropped with bracelet-length sleeves.

HEAVEN MAYHEM

The deal: 30% off. These styles are super lightweight and have become some of my most-worn earrings!

• Mini knot mixed earrings, esp great since I often wear mixed gold and silver tone jewelry
• Clemmie earrings

Hill House

The deal: 25% off with code EVERYTHING25. Their signature Nap dress (maternity & nursing friendly) + matching kids dresses are easy and comfortable for family photos!

Nick is back with his annual gift guide!

Nick: “Whatever you do, don’t call it a gift guide. Guide implies loose ideas. Wishy washy suggestions. This is a road map. Straightforward directions from Point A to Point B-est Xmas Ever. No wrong turns. No detours. Why take the gift road less traveled, when I’ve been exploring down this path already for 365 days. If the metaphor’s starting to get lost, sorry, my brain is already 50% eggnog. What I’m trying to say is this: every thing on this list I’ve either gotten and have been using extensively, or is something I have been in the process of trying to get for a very long time.”

1. The VIRAL Women’s Puffer Jacket Finally Available in Men’s!!!! (Am I doing it right?)

• Next time he’s in an Aritzia sitting on the ‘boyfriend couch’ scrolling through golf swing tips on Instagram, have him a go try on the men’s puffer. This is quite cozy and warm. It also has an option for a more waterproofed material as well as a couple different lengths. Size up if between sizes.

Speaking of viral trends…apparently It’s an RL Christmas

• He might not want to deck out the whole house in a Ralph Lauren theme, but at least you can deck out his dome.

2. Travel GEAR research doesn’t have to be a Black Hole^(TM)

• There are many good options for mid-sized travel backpacks, but let me save you the hours of in-person research. The winner for me was the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC.
  
  I checked out all the usual suspects, but, ultimately, I thought the Patagonia had the best combo of form+function. And after putting the backpack through the ringer on a 3-week carry-on-only Europe trip, I can say I was happy with the choice.

Keep the travel gifts rolling:

• I often use the backpack in tandem with our trusty Away suitcase (bigger carry on flex size).

3. Loosen up a bit

After a traumatic incident as a youth with Lee Pipes (“hey everyone at recess look at nick and his fake JNCO jeans!!”), I’ve been resistant to adopting the baggy jeans trend in recent years. Abercrombie’s ‘loose’ cut has provided a gateway, however. Roomy enough, comfortable, and comes in a variety of washes and styles, plus the always appreciated shorter (or longer) lengths.

• The Baggy cut is also good if ur bf is low key closer to the age of sum one who txts like this fr. 

• On the topic of trying to hop off the slim-cut-everything train, this Madewell collared quarter zip sweatshirt is a nice-weighty sweatshirt with a relaxed fit that’s not oversized (size up).

• My lululemon Smooth Spacer hoodie from last year’s guide has continued to be worn multiple times a week, gone through multiple wash cycles, and still held up—now the only thing holding me back from getting it in five more colors is rational thinking (and lack of closet space).

• The Octobre Editions (Sezane’s mens collection) waffle shirt from last year’s guide has also been such a layering staple in my rotation that I now have it in all 3 colors. The FREE GIFT with purchase is a very cool looking small plaid duffel bag that has me browsing the site right now to try to figure out what I can rationalize buying.

4. (Water)Proof that you know him so well

Shoes can be a tricky gift, sizing-wise, but with so many sneakers becoming available in new variants, it’s easy to get a fresh color or better yet a Goretex or waterproof version of his favorite sneaker. Some popular options would be:

• NB 2002r, Nike Pegasus, Hoka Clifton, On Cloud 6, Nike Dunks

You’ll have to double check the size of his old dirty sneakers though, so proceed at your own risk.

5. ‘Prep’ for chilly weather

• The J.Crew x 47 collegiate sweater makes me wish I could go back and rethink my college decisions process. In case your alma mater isn’t one of the ones included in the collection, this collared cotton sweater is a nice winter weather option for the holidays and beyond that can be dressed up or down. Size up if between sizes.

• If repping a pro sports team is more your speed, then have a look at the Nadaam x NFL collection. I’m unfortunately left out here as well as a sad, sad Chargers fan.

6. GROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Church Pomade, Not just for Sundays

• My barber switched to this, so I did too, and it’s become my go-to hair product for all occasions. Made with seemingly good, quality ingredients, which is always hard to discern with hair product. The smell is subtle, and it feels fancy. Comes in 3 different hold strengths, all give a pliable, natural look.

heading in the right direction

• To be fair, my actual everyday hair solution is a baseball cap. The 47 x Carhartt collab is a can’t miss gift in its own right. I love that 47 has a hat shape for pretty much any head type. My preferred shape is the Hitch, in any design with a little bit of vintage flair, and if they don’t have his favorite team maybe they have his favorite breed of dog.

Marin, for the win—again

• As mentioned on last year’s guide, I’ve been using the Marin soothing hydration cream for dry patches of skin as they pop up all year round, but especially during the winter months. Constant application has lessened my use of topical steroids.

7. YES, CHEF

I Am Tiiiiitaaaaniiiiuuumm

• By most accounts, titanium cookware is a little overkill for most home chefs. And yet. Our Hestan Titanium Nanobond skillet is probably my most used pan. From eggs to steak to stir fry. I love that it can go from stovetop to broiler, get charred, beat up, and then easily cleaned to look almost brand new after many years (using this cleaner). Our friends who are pretty serious home cooks also recommend the less pricey Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro (Kenji Lopez-Alt endorsed for all you Food Lab and Serious Eats aficionados).

Elevated Essentials for Fellow Coffee Lovers

• The Fellow Stagg Kettle has earned a permanent place on our countertop, and the Fellow Carter Travel Mug is my preferred daily coffee vessel, which was a reader favorite in last-year’s guide. Condolences to my Stanley and Yeti cups gathering dust in our kitchen cabinet. Our counter doesn’t have enough space for one of their grinders…yet. Any of these gifts pair very nicely with a subscription to Trade coffee for delivery of freshly roasted beans from some of the best roasters around the country.

UPDATE: I got a little pop up that U.S. customers can use code MAGIC for $20 off a Sezane purchase through 10/31! It’s not much, but is the first actual discount code I’ve ever seen from them!

One of our favorite brands Sézane is back at Boston Seaport! If you’re ordering online, they offer free shipping to the US on orders over $200 and free returns on everything (very easy process, in my experience).

Trench coat season is around the corner and Sézane makes several good ones that are all in 100% organic cotton fabric that’s been treated to be water-repellant. I’ve tested mine out for a few seasons in Boston weather and can attest that rain drops roll right off! The Clyde trench pictured above fits big and long for petites, but nevertheless it has become the one I reach for the most, especially on rainy days. It has that effortless French-girl chic vibe, gives me full-body coverage in damp weather, and the pop of plaid print lining just makes me happy!

The Othello cardigan is an alpaca blend, and if you’re familiar with Sézane knits you’ll know most of them (except for the cotton ones!) have a slight itch factor so I always wear layered over a tee or tank.

Scott Trench Coat

If the straight cut, roomy fit of Clyde doesn’t speak to you, this is their original Scott trench coat with a more tailored, slim fit and belted waist. The sleeves are a tad long on me but otherwise this in size 0 is a slender and classic fit. I’ve owned it for several years now and thought I would get the sleeves shortened at some point, but it hasn’t bothered me enough to. This one comes back each year and is currently stocked in all 3 colors: camel, navy and olive green!

Amance Cardigan

My most favorite Amance cardigan was restocked in a few sizes and a new green color! Over the years I’ve found this to be especially perfect for house gatherings or dinners with friends, when I want to incorporate a special piece without feeling overdressed. It’s a roomier fit on me with blousy sleeves that I wear cuffed once, and I’ve shown it several times on here either open or tucked in.

Bobby TRENCH COAT

This is the newer, shorter length sister of their popular Clyde trench that many petites have loved as an alternative. The Bobby has the same water-resistant cotton fabric and charming plaid lining. Sizing however only starts in a US 2, while some of their other jackets like Clyde and Scott start in US 0. It restocks every so often, but sells very quickly each time unfortunately!

Noelie Cardigan

I wore this cardigan to the store and it’s one of the most petite-friendly pieces from Sézane I’ve ever found! As someone who almost always has to fold or cuff up my sleeves, I was thrilled that even the sleeve length worked well on me. The overall top is a more slim and shrunken fit cropped style, and is a 100% organic cotton lace crochet-like knit. I love how well it pairs with my high waisted jeans and pants. You can wear a skin toned bra or tank top like this under for more coverage.

Astride lace trim Jumper sweater

This cardigan has been on my wishlist but I didn’t know how itchy the knit would be. In person it’s a slightly fluffy knit, without too much of an itch factor like some of their Gaspard cardigans. I was also trying it on over a nude cami I happened to be wearing. The lace trim detail is gorgeous – this is one of those pieces that are “outfit makers” whenever you want to be comfy in a sweater and jeans, but still have a unique and interesting hero piece. I also love how it looks backwards on the model online!

Justine bag – 3 sizes, lots of colors

I’ve been using the original tan with brown handles straw bag for several years now and it’s held up great through travel and more. The clever swivel 2-handle option is key for versatility when you want to wear it on your shoulders vs the nook of your arm.

I use the inner drawstring bag to secure my valuables and smaller items, and then pack the rest of the bag (outside of the drawstring pouch) with the rest of my daily items and kids junk.

Marion Jacket

This is a popular short Sézane jacket that comes back each season in a variation of denim or twill. Size 4 was the smallest size they had, and after trying it on, I think a size 2 would work on someone my size if you don’t mind a roomier fit. This style has relaxed dropped shoulders and a slightly boxier cut, and a sturdy thicker weight structured material. They had the sleeves cuffed up on all the jackets in store which hit full length on me.

You can see this jacket better in my recent Instagram video in partnership with the brand, but the Mervin coat is an unlined, soft double-faced wool. They unfortunately don’t offer a 0 in this jacket, so a 2 has a roomy fit on me, and the sleeves are also long so I have them folded up. The fabric has a lot of drape due to the unlined aspect, and the weight is on the light side almost like a cardigan – so best for mild fall weather or warmer climates.

Clyde Trench Coat

I shared this cotton Clyde coat try-on over a year ago, and that I was on the fence about it for petites. As expected based on their stock photos, it is generously cut and looks better on me worn open than buttoned up. But it definitely has that effortlessly chic Parisiana style, so it’ll just depend on how oversized you like your pieces. The material is water-repellant and feels just like their Scott trench fabric, which I’ve been wearing out in damp weather without issues.

Since I already had the more petite-friendly Scott trench in the deeper tan color, I returned the above and the brand kindly gifted the lighter Clyde trench when it came back in stock. I’m still undecided on whether or not I should hemming the overall length about 2 inches – what do you guys think? One of my biggest wardrobe regrets over the years is hemming some of my jackets and trenches too short, so now I’m hesitant to make any irreversible changes!

Hello friends – it’s been a while! We’re doing our bi-annual southern California trip to see Nick’s friends and my grandparents, and decided to stay a while in Carlsbad and check out a resort here. This scenic beachy town has been a nice change up!

I’ve been very behind on blogging, but you can always catch me on Instagram and LTK where it’s been a lot easier for me to upload daily style videos and tag the items. You do NOT need to have the LTK app – you can just bookmark my account @jeanwang on desktop or phone and any new videos I add daily are at the top! I will say that one major benefit of viewing within the app is that it marks which products linked are the “exact” items versus “similar,” and the caption is easier to read than one jumbled text blob.

Amazon Prime Day Deals

For Amazon Prime Days, I rounded up the things we use VERY regularly in this carousel (swipe using the arrows) such as a great air fryer, petite-friendly “junior” hangers, air purifier, memory foam mattress we use in the guest/kids room, travel toiletry bag, and more. All of those items are linked here with most of them on sale!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2025

This is a big week for sales, and the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is always a fun albeit overwhelming one to browse. I ended up buying Vince sneakers in cream/brown at $100 off (keep an eye out for restocks), New Balances for the kids, comfy suede flats, a chic bootie, a tall riding boot to try (fingers crossed for the fit!) and some designer jeans that were on a pretty good discount. I also wanted to share some “updated” versions of prior year reader favorites!

1. AG Saige Ankle Wide Leg Jeans

The most flattering petite-friendly jeans in Nsale! Back this year in a new wash.

See my try-on video here. Unfortunately my store didn’t have my size, but the sales associate suggested trying on this pair below that is the same Saige raw hem ankle style in a very similar wash. The denim of Saige jeans is soft with a little stretch, and the length is great for me to wear with flats or sneakers.

SIZING: TTS to maybe slightly small. I’m trying a 25 and it almost worked, but I ended up ordering my usual 24 denim size in the sale wash. The exact pair (not on sale) I am trying on below is called “16 year postcard” and is similar to the “16 years blossom” wash that is on sale.

The cute Faherty half zip sweater on sale is a chunky, oversized knit that his hip-length on me. I’m trying XS but my usual XXS would be better!

2. Zella Active Dress

See my try on video here. This is a super light and airy active dress with built in bra that you can easily wear as a everyday dress and for travel. The dress is two different fabric types, with a more fitted activewear-style top and a much lighter weight and flowy skirt with zipper pockets. This year’s version has a flattering rounded square neck and a slight dip V waist for a subtle corset look.

SIZING: The xs is a tad loose on me at the waist (did Zella get rid of XXS completely??), but does feel TTS if you’re usually that size. Length hits maxi length on me at 5ft tall. It’s designed as a midi dress, so petites could get free hemming at Nordstrom depending on your status.

3. AllSaints Suede Jacket

Allsaints always makes the most beautiful quality suede and leather jackets in the Nsale sale that are actually VERY petite-friendly.

I’ve been raving about my Dalby jacket for years (see on me), which I stupidly bought in size 00 back when I thought everything looked best super fitted. Oh how I wish my pre-kids self had the foresight to size up!

For this jacket, a 0 works but this is what a 2 looks like on me. It has a very petite-friendly shorter and shrunken bomber jacket cut, and I liked how sizing up makes it look more relaxed. This one is high-end quality and also comes in black leather with good reviews. One reason to not size up though would be if you’re petite and want a shorter sleeve length. See my try on video here and here is a faux suede option on sale from Halogen.

4. Sneakers: Vince & New Balance

I was most excited for these since I’ve had my eye on the Vince Oasis for a while, but couldn’t decide on a colorway. So it was fate that I happen to LOVE the Nsale cream and brown combo, even more so at $100 off. Unfortunately when an item sells out they remove it from the website without a trace, but I wanted to mention these as I’m sure some sizes will pop up again over the next week!

The sneakers are a soft leather, cushioned, and feel more comfortable off the bat than many sneakers ie Adidas and definitely Veja. They’re low-profile so flattering for petite legs with skirts and dresses. An unusual thing I found was that size 5 was cut high on the sides for my ankles, while a 5.5 felt a little better (got this size), and a 6 had zero issue at the ankles for me but then the foot was loose. I really don’t know why they wouldn’t cut the ankles lower as foot size goes down. But If you wear a 6 and up, I don’t think this will be a concern.

5. Barefoot Dreams

What’s an Nsale without barefoot dreams? This year’s Nsale cardigan is the thicker, more plush weight CozyChic material (vs the thinner “CozyChic Lite” caridgans years past) and is priced accordingly. It feels like a lush teddy bear hug though for lounging in and WFH, so if you’re looking for a gift for mom, aunts, friends who are new moms etc this would be a good one. See my try-on video. I also found the lighter weight circle one on sale here under $100.

A few other try-ons…

Beautifully cut, elongating Paige Sasha jeans, but the 32″ inseam (sobs) would def need a hem job using those cardholder alteration perk. I ended up ordering the Paige Anessa jeans which have a 30″ inseam and raw hem that could be cut to fit shorter.

This Halogen blazer was a tailored boyfriend-style with a slim fit. I think a 00 would be nice on someone my size, but the sleeves are a little long for petites.

For Vince lovers, this is this year’s splurge coatigan that also comes in cream. My store only had XS and the fit is pretty oversized, so the XXS would def be better for someone similar in size. It’s weighty but also drapes, and is one of those elevated layers you can throw on over leggings or a sweatsuit and run out to the bus stop / kids drop off. Sleeves are long so I have them folded up once here.

These flats are going to be an underrated item from the Anniversary sale, IMO! They come in some great rich colors, a good sale price and were quite comfortable off the bat as I walked around the shoe department. They also reminded me of a Tuckernuck flat I’ve had on my wishlist in Hazel, Oxblood, and Black but those sadly aren’t made in my size. This exact Chestnut Suede color I’m trying on are a little deeper in person than how light this photo looks for some reason. See my try-on video for a better look.

Adorable little pebbled leather Coach bag that was very thoughtfully designed! In my try-on video I showed all 4 colors and thought the Merlot was really pretty in person.

It can be worn 3 ways: crossbody, shorter shoulder strap, or with both straps removed as a clutch. I like that the crossbody strap is wide and flat so it doesn’t dig into your shoulder. The capacity looked pretty good with a convenient exterior phone slot pocket on the bag, and a little zipper pocket on the inside. I’m trying it on at the shortest crossbody length setting, though you could punch additional holes if needed.

Baby & kids gear

Every year I check this section first because a lot of the popular brands are included! If you had already planned on buying one of these big-ticket items, then Anniversary Sale is a good time to get a slight discount. Here’s a list of the gear we use that’s included in the sale, with our high chair, carseat, and stroller going 5+ years strong!

Unfortunately no Nuna Pippa carseats this year on sale (just Rava), though a new addition is the popular lightweight Nuna TRVL travel stroller by itself. Our friends swear by it and even shared a video of the nifty 1-button auto fold feature.

J.Crew

The deal: Up to 50% off summer styles including swimwear and cover-ups. This folder has my recent J.Crew try-ons!

The Claudia one-piece swimsuit above (4 colors) has been a favorite for a practical, supportive swimsuit that I can wear all day while with my little kids. There’s a shelf bra with light padding, and the scrunchie fabric texture and deep scoop back keep it non-boring! I also have the 2 piece bikini version in the same textured fabric, with a comfortable high waist and good tummy coverage.

Sezane

The deal: their first Archives sale for US customers! FYI everything is final sale and ship takes longer.

Boden

The deal: 25% off sitewide, which is one of their bigger discounts of the year.

• So much eye candy in their colorful petite new arrivals with some of the prettiest prints starting in size Petite 0. Mostly in 100% cotton or their signature soft jersey material.
• Their swimsuits are beautiful quality too but unfortunately only start in sz 2. This one is so cute in person and well-made, but a little big on me.
• This folder has my recent posts on the cutest Mini Boden girls pieces! Nori sports all of their sleeveless or open back dresses to school layered over a simple t-shirt, so they get plenty of wear.

nordstrom

The deal: Half yearly sale just started, with tons of markdowns on good brands like Varley sale items, Farm Rio, Vince, etc and lots of shoe brands. I usually filter by my clothing and shoe size on the left to browse!

abercrombie

The deal: 25% off sitewide + extra 15% off with code AFJEAN. This folder has all my recent A&F try-ons!

A bestseller this year has been this petite-friendly, 100% cotton crochet knit dress that’s been fully restocked in several colors! I paired it with the comfy clear block heel sandals that I’ve been packing on every vacation for the past few years. And this J.Crew bag is a winner for the spacious capacity and wide opening with easy magnetic closure.

Simple yet elevated black tops are a core component of my wardrobe. This one is soo soft against the skin, and lightweight with a stretchy fine ribbing. I like that you can button more or less buttons for a different look or wear it tucked in. Here’s how it looks dressed down with linen shorts!

Levi’s

The deal: 30% off sitewide. This folder has my recent Levi’s try-ons, including a great pair of denim shorts with a flattering fit, non-frayed hems, and petite-friendly 4″ inseam.

Here is a video on 3 ways to style these shorts for elevated casual looks.

Madewell

The deal: 25% off a selection of items with code LONGWEEKEND, and extra 40% off sale.

• Lots of denim and shoes are included, such as my minimal strappy black sandals in the pic above! They have a very chic sandal collection this season and much of it is part of this promo.
• A surprising reader favorite has been these flared wide jeans. I haven’t tried flares in years but this was unexpectedly flattering! In this video I’m trying on regular length with flats.
• Perfect Vintage Wide Crop jeans in Halstead wash pictured below. A petite classic!

Everlane

The deal: 25% off sitewide. Below are my longtime most-worn staples, but I’m finally going to give curve jeans another try after seeing this pair look SO chic on a gal at a recent event!

• Their box-cut tees continue to be my most worn cotton tees for the lightweight feel and shorter petite-friendly length. I have 3 colors and just make sure to size up for a relaxed fit.
• Silky cotton button-up shirt is another longtime summer staple for how lightweight it is
• Restocking on these high rise undies with a light level of compression. xxs fits perfectly!

Aritzia

The deal: 30 – 50% off select styles. Just FYI that sale items can only be returned for store credit.

Sézane has been one of the most popular brands on here, so I’m back with a few more requested try-ons! Their Archive Sale launched over the weekend (note final sale on discounted items) and items went FAST! For regular priced items, international shipping usually takes a week for me with free, easy returns and a return label included in the package.

I partnered with the brand over on Instagram and wanted post a little more detail here on the blog. With these partnerships I’m fortunately able to choose any item to share about, and thought I’d do a roundup of some of their petite-friendly items for Spring / Summer!

Some of you may have noticed that many Sezane items disappeared from the US website with this year’s tariffs changes. After the recent tariff treaty, the items just came back -namely the popular Noelie crochet and Astride lace cardigans reviewed in this post – but who knows for how long!

1. Bobby TRENCH COAT

I’m going to start with the Bobby trench, since I just got an alert that it’s restocked online after being sold out most of this year. This is the newer, shorter length sister of their popular Clyde trench that many petites have loved as an alternative. The Bobby has the same water-resistant cotton fabric and charming plaid lining.

Sizing: I find that due to the straighter cut, all of their trenches in this style run big. My Clyde is a size 0 but I see Bobby only starts in size 2, and is a very loose swingy fit on me. I’ve worn my Clyde trench quite a bit (oftentimes as a raincoat) but it’s definitely a very oversized and longer fit on petites – see Clyde on me here.

2. Pippa Dress

I’ve been asked a lot about their signature Pippa knot-waist dress and finally tried on both the long and short version. The fabric is a medium weight, smooth organic cotton with a touch of stretch. The long hits above my ankle and the short is a few inches above my knees. As someone who doesn’t have a flat tummy, I appreciate the strategically-placed gathering and wrap tie detail!

Sizing: Black color starts in XXS (fits me well) while all the other colors start in XS, likely due to demand for each color. The knot placement of xxs works on me and doesn’t hit too low . While the shorter version is the most petite-friendly, I personally love longer lengths esp with that side slit and would probably wear the longer one more. Which do you like better?

3. Rome Shorts

I have old Rome Shorts in floral from years ago and love the cut and detailing, from the belt to the little pleats and angled pockets! This is a high waisted style that has a slight paper-bag shorts effect. The denim versions are super cute and comfortable with stretch. If you live somewhere hot and humid, as an FYI these are a thicker weight denim.

Sizing: Sézane bottoms usually run slightly smaller than American sizing for me. I’m trying on size US 2 / EUR 34 and the shorts are a little loose on me, but I can wear them with the belt tightened. The sz US 2 measures 13″ across the waist, 12″ rise, and 3.5″ inseam.

4. Colette Mariniers

Their mariniers are their most classic, sturdy weight organic cotton striped tees that have been around since the beginning. The little shoulder buttons add interest and you can get these custom monogrammed. Mine is a few years old and I usually layer it over my shoulders and throw it on like a sweatshirt on chillier summer evenings. I noticed that the Sézane website now has these tops listed under sweatshirts instead of tees, and agree that the thickness falls in between those 2 types of tops!

Sizing: xxs is a boxier, relaxed fit on me.

5. Nele blouse

This has been my most-worn Sézane blouse of all time, for the unique detailing and how light and airy it is on warm days . Even though it’s semi sheer, I just do a regular skin-toned bra underneath without issue. I love throwing this on with jeans or shorts and can wear it either casually half-tucked, fully tucked or untucked since it’s not too long.

Sizing: I’m in the size 2/34 which fits like a regular XS. It’s definitely a boxier wide cut all around, from the torso to the sleeves. It may seem especially boxy out of the package, but after a good steaming, the fabric falls and drapes a little more and is very comfortable to wear.

6. Salie dress

I snapped this last year in Paris and saw that this dress is back in stock! This is one of Sézane’s most petite-friendly dresses, with a fitted bodice, higher waistline, and very twirly knee length skirt. It’s a linen fabric that’s lined at the top, and has a little stretch panel and zipper at the back.

Sizing: Sz 2 is the smallest available for this dress and a slightly loose fit on me. Per usual, I feel that it fits a little smaller than typical American sizing, more comparable to a US 0 in other brands.

7. Amance Cardigan

I’ve mentioned the Amance cardigan a lot but this color just had another full restock! Over the years I’ve found this to be especially perfect for house gatherings or dinners with friends, when I want to incorporate a special piece without feeling overdressed. It’s a roomier fit on me with blousy sleeves that I wear cuffed once, and I’ve shown it several times on here either open or tucked in.

8. Bianca Blouse

This is a slimmer, dressier option compared to the Nele which is more loose and breezy, and one I reach for year round. It looks elegant paired with trousers, dressed down with jeans, and it also looks nice paired with skirts. You can layer a skin-toned cami underneath or just wear a skin-toned bra.

Sizing: the 0 fits well on me with no stretch to the fabric. The sleeves are 7/8 length and hit perfectly a little above my wrists.

I’ve been loving sneakers for practical mom-friendly outfits, though figuring out the most flattering jeans or bottoms to pair them with can take a little trial and error. Below is a style that I don’t love with sneakers, and a few options that I’d choose to wear instead!

The sneakers I have on are the reader-favorite Adidas Handball Spezial style (big kids sizing; adults sizing), which has been more supportive and comfy for me than their other popular styles. I initially bought these in their adults sizing but they run about a size big, so the smallest size Mens 4 / Womens 5 is still loose on me. I then got the big kids size 3.5 which fit perfectly like a standard womens 5-5.5 for me, and will plan to sell my adult ones. According to their size chart, a big kid’s size 4 is like a women’s 6, and onward.

Here’s a video if you’d like to better see these looks in motion! Hit the unmute button for sound.

1. Slim Straight Jeans

Left: It might be a surprise that this first style is a “Don’t” for me, since it’s one of my most versatile and frequently-worn jeans. IMO this style of jean works beautifully with almost all shoe types, except for sneakers like these. I don’t love how the width of the jean is pretty much the same as the width of the sneaker, so there’s not much contrast and the pant hem doesn’t drape over the shoes. The length of the jeans also hit precisely at the top of the sneaker, which for some reason feels awkward instead of effortless.

Right: If I’m going to wear this cut with sneakers, I prefer a slightly cropped length to show the ankles for some contrast. I didn’t want to cut these jeans since I love the existing length with other shoes, so just cuffed them on the right as a quick temporary fix.

I know some will disagree with both of these assessments! As illustrated in this recent post, denim preferences shift quite a bit over time, so I could very likely feel different about this down the road.

2. Wide leg Jeans

Left: The combo of a wide leg jean with sneakers feels the most current and chic to me. For a cropped style, I would ideally prefer the jeans to hit a bit shorter to show a little ankle or a little longer to cover more of the shoe. However, fashion doesn’t have to be perfect so I wear the left combo quite a bit with both my white and blue pairs of jeans in that same cut.

Right: The full length wide leg is probably my favorite to pair with sneakers as it creates the most flattering, elongated line from the waist down to the hems. As an added bonus, you don’t need to worry about which socks to wear since they’ll be hidden.

3. trousers or joggers

Left: Trousers with sneakers is how the European girls have been doing smart casual for years. A draping wider cut similar to the cut of the wide jeans above works best. My only challenge is a short enough length to actually wear with sneakers. Uniqlo does free to affordable custom hemming, and some Abercrombie trousers come in Extra Short & Short inseams (you can filter on the left).

Right: For an easy athleisure look, joggers always work well with sneakers like this. I’m still in love with my Varley set with the petite-friendly 25″ joggers!

Who remembers these waterfall cardigans and gingham shirts? After blogging for well over a decade, it’s always interesting to dig in the archives and see how much styles and preferences change. The outfit on the left was one of my most-Pinned posts ever circa 2014-2015, and although I wouldn’t reach for the exact combo today, it still serves as a solid starting point for an updated version!

See my video on updating this look (hit unmute for sound), and I’ve also listed my thoughts below.

The video also shows a final look with these Sézane flats instead – I absolutely love them in both leopard and black, but wear with heel lifts so they don’t rub the bottom of my ankles.

Updated Outfit Details

White tee (in video): Everlane XS. Nice cut & shorter length. I size up and have XS and S for a relaxed fit
Button-up shirt: Everlane silky cotton shirt 00, great lightweight staple I own in several colors.
Jeans: Levi’s jeans 25 x 27 in “Indifferent Indigo.” Been sizing up lately since these fit slimmer.
Boots: Madewell boots 5.5 c/o, runs slightly narrow. J.Crew has similar.
Belt: Madewell triple metal belt xxs
Trench: Oak + Fort trench xxs. Oversized longer fit. Code JEANTRENCH for 20% off in April.
Bag: Etsy hobo bag in medium, corteccia color. Code JEANHOBOBAGS30 for a discount.

How I’d Update this Older Outfit

1. denim cut + rise

Denim trends are cyclical and skinny jeans can still look great on some, especially a solid dark blue wash. However for my proportions, low-rise bottoms make my torso appear longer and legs look shorter. And after 2 kids, I want more support at the tummy area.

I’ve shared about the Levi’s jeans on the 2025 side a lot, since they’re not skinny, not wide, and not particularly trendy. Just a classic 90s-inspired slim straight cut. The high rise elongates my leg line, and the length (hitting right below my ankle bone) works with many different shoes and flats. I own these same jeans in multiple colors from over the years, and also love “Fully Baked” for a lighter blue wash, and “In the Clouds” for white.

2. shoe + belt color

While I am a fan of sandwich style (color-matching a piece from the top of the outfit to a piece at the bottom), the 2015 contrast-colored belt and shoes further truncated my leg line at both the top and bottom. I think that one or the other could be fine, but wanted to illustrate the difference that similar-toned pants, belt and shoes can make.

3. Ankle boot styling

The bunching and cuffing where my 2015 jeans sit on top of the boot shaft doesn’t look streamlined. With ankle boots, even a slightly wider jean that fits over the top of the boot opening will instantly look more sleek.

After going through all the toe-shape phases over the years from round to pointy to square, my current favorite has been a rounded square toe. To transition this look for warmer spring weather, you can also do mary janes, ballet flats or loafers. 

4. Shirt

Gingham always brings me back to the J.Crew 2000s era! I wore my share of this print, but a solid or striped button-down is more timeless and versatile.

5. layering piece

These waterfall cardigans had a chokehold on me 10 years ago and are still comfy to lounge in. But for a similar drape-front style that feels a little more sophisticated and less frilly, I’ve been loving a long cardigan (ie J.Crew Juliette cardigan) or trench coat. 

6. accent piece

I used to love adding a pop of color to every outfit! A more subtle way of adding an element of interest can be via a patterned handbag, scarf, or shoe. I’ve always loved a leopard print shoe, but even more so in recent years now that I wear more neutrals and basics that benefit from a pop of something.

Do you agree with these updates?

Just got back from a week in the Riviera Maya, Mexico for the kids’ spring break – I was hoping it would start to feel like spring weather in Boston upon our return, but no such luck! While I stay bundled up in winter coats for a few weeks longer, I wanted to share some of the vacation looks I packed.

From now until 3/31 everything at Abercrombie is 25% off + a stackable 15% off with code AFJEAN.

This was voted as the crowd favorite dress from my recent A&F try ons! It’s tricky to find knit dresses that fits a petite frame, so I was happy to see this dress restocked in petite, regular and tall sizing. I sized up on this for more room around the midsection. This one is 100% cotton, has adjustable shoulder straps and is so comfortable! I’m 5ft and the petite length works on me with flats. See my try on video here for this dress with more details.

I’ve been packing these Schutz sandals for every vacation for the past few years. They low block heel is comfortable while adding a little boost, and the clear straps go with everything!

See my try on video here. I’ll share another post with more swimsuit try-ons, but this was my most-worn suit from the trip. I’m most comfortable in one-pieces and this one is secure and supportive for mom life, and the scoop neckline and deeper back still keep it a little sexy. It’s not too long for me (5 ft tall), has a nice crinkle texture with a built-in shelf bra and medium coverage in the rear. I also got the brown high rise bikini in xxs in the same crinkle fabric.

These lightweight 100% cotton beach pants are also fairly petite-friendly (about an inch long on me with flats on) and very easy to throw on as a cover up for heading to lunch after a pool session. This clutch was also used often on the trip. Oftentimes clutches are fussy and impractical, but this opens up wide and has good capacity for a dressier bag!

My color-loving girl always gets me out of my neutral comfort zone! I recently partnered with Boden on IG and got to try a bunch of their items including petite dresses and swimwear (see try-on videos). I was already a regular customer of their kids clothing, but their petite items are worth checking out for colorful cotton pieces that have a little more coverage (lots of sleeved options and longer hemlines). Their smallest petite size is 0P so fits a little loose on me.

Nori’s cotton dress is so cute in person with a swingy looser cut, and is lined with pockets. The fuzzy boucle fruit appliqués make it extra fun!

I’m big on dresses for “one and done” travel and vacation outfits, and Quince has several good staple ones in 100% cotton or linen. This one has Reformation-vibes with a fit & flare shape, pockets, a lined bodice, and a stretch zip panel at the back.

FYI I ordered this same fit and flare dress last year in white and it was too big! But then I got the navy to try and it fit noticeably smaller. This is after I washed and dried it on high heat so it may have shrunk another touch. I’m not positive if they updated the sizing over time if the white color runs bigger. See my try on video here including 2 other styles that have been my top Quince dress picks since last year.

This is totally something out of the ordinary for me with the vibrant red color plus the more va-va-voom cut! See my try on video here. I debated between safe classic black and the red, and you all convinced me to go bold and keep the latter. This is a lighter weight, low-stretch fabric that is not lined. The top has corset style bust cups, but there’s no wiring so they’re soft and comfortable to wear. Both the top and bottom have a zipper entry.

The skirt fits close to the body, so even though there is a small black slit, you still need to take smaller steps with this on. I included measurements below, but my only fit note is that I wish the waist fit a bit more snug so that I could wear it a little higher up. xxs top has stretch & measures: 13.5” across bust 11.5” across the bottom. xxs bottom measures: 12.5” across the waist, 36.5” length.

If you’re shopping for a new pair of jeans, you’re in luck because almost all of my favorite petite-friendly denim styles are on sale this week! I’ve tried many over my years and these are some of the best everyday styles at reasonable price points. Current sales going on:

• Levi’s 30% off friends & family. See recent try-ons.
• Madewell 25% off sitewide for Insiders (free to join!). See recent try-ons.
• Abercrombie sitewide sale + 25% off with code AFLTK. See recent try-ons.
• J.Crew spring arrivals on sale, including denim. See recent try-ons.
• Everlane 25% off sitewide for Friends & Family

Style Comparison

A few faves depending on what rise, length & fit you want. Also: button vs zipper fly, cut vs finished hem.

These have been a top 5 jean for me for a while now, dubbed my “best butt” jeans since they make even my pancake rear look shapely and lifted! In classic Levi’s style, these are vintage-style, low stretch denim. I love this length with flats and loafers.

Over the years I ended up getting several colors, with favorites being: Fully Baked light wash, Space to Think a “grainy” medium wash, Indifferent Indigo dark wash, In the Clouds white, and Well Worn Black which is a medium dark gray.

1. Levi’s Wedgie Straight

Size worn: 25 x 26 (fits slim so I sized up)
Rise: High 10.75″ , button fly
Cut: Slim straight ankle
Length on me: Ankle 26″

2. ABERCROMBIE MID RISE 90’S STRAIGHT

Size worn: 24 Extra Short 
Rise: Mid 10″ , zipper fly
Cut: Slim straight ankle
Length on me: Ankle 26″

See my try on video here. A great option for those who prefer mid-rise. These are similar to the Levi’s except they don’t fit as slim (from waist through the legs), have a zipper fly, and the shorter rise. Size 24 has a little room at my waist. If you want the zipper fly but prefer high rise, check out Abercrombie’s ultra high rise ankle straight. I currently take 25 Short in that style, which fits comparably to a 24 Extra Short in their 90s mid rise.

3. J. CREW SLIM-WIDE JEANS

Size worn: 24 petite (runs a little big)
Rise: High 10.75”
Cut: Wide cropped
Length on me: Above ankle 25″

J. Crew jeans run about a half size big for me but I don’t mind a little extra room at the waist these days. These are very similar to Madewell Wide Crop petite in leg shape but have a few key differences: 1) J.Crew has more color choices, including office-friendly options like a dark blue 2) J.Crew usually does a finished hem instead of a raw cut hem, which is nice when you want to dress the jeans up; and 3) the J.Crew rise is higher.

4. MADEWELL PERFECT VINTAGE WIDE-crop JEAN

Size worn: 24 petite 
Rise: Mid-High 10”
Cut: Wide cropped
Length on me: Above ankle 25″

See my try on video here. For jeans like this with a raw hem, I use anti fray solution on the edges so they don’t unravel in the wash. Although I love both, I’ve been wearing my J.Crew ones a little more lately for the slightly higher rise and the finished hems.

5. Levi’s Ribcage

Size worn: 24 waist x 27 length
Rise: Ultra high 12″
Cut: Straight
Length on me: Full length 27″

See my try-on video. These in multiple washes continue to be such a practical jean for me for everyday casaul outfits since I can throw them on with sneakers and socks (and not worry about what type of socks to wear, since they’re covered). They were also especially great in cold seasons due to my ankles being covered! While they’re listed as “ankle” length jean, they work perfectly on my 5 ft tall frame as a full length jean.