Extra Petite

Teal + Ferragamo Bow Flats (& Petite Fashion Challenge #16)

2012-05-31T00:07:00.002-04:00

This month's Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by Petite on a Penny. Her challenge was: "Summer Wedding - Create an outfit for a summer wedding (the dress code is up to you)...try to make your whole outfit, head to toe, come in under $100!"

I didn't get to take new photos for this challenge but am looking forward to reading all the entries this weekend. For attending a summer outfit on a budget, I'd wear this outfit post-alterations with the second pair of shoes shown. I got the vibrant dress for around $50 (currently down to $41), scored the sandals (+ $10) and earrings (+ $3) from the thrift store, the belt (+ $12) came as part of a dress which I subsequently sold, and the clutch was $18 = grand total of $93 for the outfit from head to toe.

Ruffle crepe dress thanks to Ann Taylor, Burberry trench (similar), Michael Kors tortoise watch

J.Crew factory belt, LV Speedy 25, scarf and Louboutin cap toe pumps from eBay

On a separate note, I've been meaning to share this post for weeks but am a little behind schedule. I saw this dress a while back on a petite lady from Boston Magazine and fell in love with the color. The flattering shade of teal reminds me of tropical waterfronts, and the looser shift shape is easy to wear. True to most Ann Taylor petites sizing, this dress is roomy on me but works with a waist belt. A triple strap belt wasn't the best choice, so the second time around I switched to something more delicate:

A few months ago, a box showed up at my door from the stylish Wendy, and I almost fell over with surprise upon finding these vintage Ferragamo bow flats inside. I had been hard-core eying the current Varina bow flats for over 2 years, but never pulled the trigger. These shoes are a signature style that Ferragamo has been making for decades with slight updates - the most noticeable difference between older and current versions is the height and curved shape of the heel. I love the sleek silhouette (good for narrow feet), the leg-lengthening nude color, and the feminine grosgrain bows with gold buckles. Thank you, Wendy, for adding a classic piece to my wardrobe that will be treasured for years!

Here's the fit of the dress right out of the package and before a light ironing:

I've come to accept that Ann Taylor XXSP and 00P dresses will fit a bit roomy on someone with my measurements (like the recently-posted navy crochet lace dress) so if I want to wear the brand, I'll need to get handier with self-alterations. Blouses fit a little better, and sometimes you can get lucky with knit dresses or skirts designed to be more fitted.

Also, thank you all so much for your input on my last post (especially those who provided creative suggestions that I would've never thought of). I decided to keep both for the time being and will sell the ivory one only after careful consideration : )

I won't be able to answer any comments, questions or emails until June. Thank you for your patience!

Ann Taylor Outlet Vintage Crochet Lace Dress in Navy

2012-05-25T23:15:00.001-04:00

Ann Taylor Factory crochet lace dress in navy blue (not black) - item # 280570

Left: Fit of 00 Petite as-is Right: Fit with 1-2 inches pinched back at the waistline

I was feeling burned out this week and decided to treat myself to a few minutes of holiday sale browsing. Since time was limited, I chose only one store - the hit-or-miss Ann Taylor factory ("hit" for me today). If you really loved Ann Taylor's vintage lace dress from years past but missed out, it's back at their factory store now in navy blue. The retail price ($169.99) is actually $30 less than last year, and there's 40% off everything going on this weekend. If you're a card member, remember you can get free ship from any store to your home on non marked-down items.

I was really excited to see this dress in navy, but since I already have the ivory version, I snapped a pic of it on the hanger and started to leave. However, something in my head told me the fit looked different from last year, and back in I went to try it on.

Belt: pre-owned reversible Hermes "Constance" (a beloved birthday gift) sz 70, extra holes punched

Sure enough, it's a bit slimmer than last year's. It's still a little loose at the waist, but much better than this "before" pic. And more excitingly for shorties like me, the length of the 2012 version is about 1.5 to 2 inches shorter than 2011's. I love the new length on someone my height (5 feet tall). I splurged on the ivory version last year...

and spent quite a bit getting it altered, but the one aspect my tailor couldn't alter was the length. I love the look of the dress so much, but the length has limited me to wearing it for about 3 hours total. I'm short-calved, so (unless the dress/skirt is fitted) above-the-knee lengths work much better for me. Each time I tried to pair it with a hip-length blazer for work, the proportions just didn't look right without sky-high, neutral heels. And when I tried to wear it as a top, the skirt part kept poking out. I kept scrutinizing the scalloped hem for any possibility of shortening it, but no luck.

Here's a comparison of my ivory from 2011 (also 00 Petite) versus the navy from 2012 to show the length difference. PLEASE NOTE the ivory has been taken in width-wise several inches by my tailor. 2 inches of length may be nothing to some, but makes a huge difference on short legs.

So what did I do? I brought little miss navy home with me. As much as I love the romantic look of the ivory, I think it might need to go to a new home instead of gathering dust in my closet. I'm just hesitant to part with it (yet). Since the navy almost fits, I plan on taking it in from the back myself, and just wearing it belted in the meantime.

Here's some other items that caught my eye, that are renditions of regular store stuff from last season:

Left: White poplin blouse w/ chiffon tiers, item # 280701, $49.99 before 40% off
Right: Tiered blouse + white "stone" necklace - lost the item # but blouse is $54.99 before discounts

Drape neck blouses in beige-taupe, teal, and a rich burgandy red (sorry, true color did not come out). I really liked the front part of these (trying on an XSP above - no XXSP's in sight) and can see myself wearing it both tucked and untucked for work, but the back part bothered me as it's simply knit. I'm starting to dislike items where the front looks nice and luxe, but someone clearly took a shortcut on the back to possibly save on costs. I left the store with just the navy dress.

Readers - What should I do? Keep the navy and sell the ivory? Keep both (in case I have a growth spurt), or return the navy?

I won't be able to answer any comments, questions or emails until June. Thank you for your patience!

Thrifting Chronicles: $3 DIY Polka Dot Bow Blouse

2012-05-22T21:41:00.002-04:00

*Nordstrom's Half-Yearly sale starts today! I haven't looked yet, so please let me know any good finds : )*

I showed this blouse a while back and received several requests for a tutorial. Unfortunately, I didn't document the process very well as I was just experimenting around. I'm not a professional sewer, so these steps are just to show what I did and are not intended as instructions!

Earlier this year, I couldn't get enough of feminine tie-neck blouses. I wasn't in love with the options out on the market due to either fit, quality, or price points, thus ventured out to Savers thrift store. I zoomed through the racks looking for items that were:

- either in nice fabrics (silk, wool, etc) or interesting prints
- had a collar
- affordable enough to experiment with

I like shopping thrift stores for "fabric" versus going to regular fabric stores, because you can find nice, unique materials for cheap, plus, you can take advantage of existing features like button plackets or collars. It's all about seeing the potential. The collar feature was key for me, as it makes a piece so much more versatile (see last photo in post). After a dizzying spin through the store, I ended up with this monster of a dowdy shirt for $2.99:

Using a loosely-cut sleeveless blouse from H&M as a template, I dissected the shirt into five pieces: 1 torso, 2 pieces from sleeves to join together as the necktie, and 2 pieces from sleeves to finish raw edges on the armholes...

After snipping off the sleeves and slimming the sides of the torso, I noticed a fit issue. There was an unsightly gap, almost like an air bubble, near the armpit. Professional sewers would've known better to insert bust darts ahead of time, but I learned my lesson afterwards. The purpose of bust darts are simple - the front of your body is not flat as a sheet, so darts are necessary for allowing the fabric to contour against the curved portion of your chest and arms.

Again, I used my H&M shell as a guide for dart size and placement:

Next, you may have noticed that the edges of the armholes were raw and unsightly after the sleeves got snipped off. I'm sure there are a few ways to take care of this, but I ended up using some material from the sleeves to wrap around the raw edges.

Finished armholes:

Finally, I joined together the long sleeve strips to make the neck tie. The two strips were not long enough to tie a blow, so I had to salvage more scraps here and there to add a third joint. Definitely making use of every last bit of the $2.99!
I've also worn this blouse with a solid black sash as the tie and it worked nicely. If you have existing collared blouses - try looping a long, thin sash (or fabric belts from other garments) around the neck to add some bow-tie flavor. Just make sure the material is lightweight or else it will droop heavily and not retain a perky bow shape.

Finished product once again, and another outfit showing the versatility of a pretty collar:

On a last note, many of you have asked for sewing machine recommendations. I've used the same old Brother machine for over 10 years. The model is no longer made, but it has just the basic few stitches and has served me well as a beginner's machine. It looks very similar to this lightweight 10-stitch Brother machine which is more affordable than most options.

Readers - Do you like to re-purpose items from the thrift store?

I won't be able to answer any comments, questions or emails until June. Thank you for your patience!

White Jeans + Printed Scarf (& H&M 35% off coupon)

2012-05-17T00:53:00.000-04:00

H&M jacket (alteration tutorial), tee, clutch, and belt from dress, thrift store scarf

Old Navy jeans in petite, Target sandals (old) (similar for $40)

Just wanted to say a quick hello and apologize for my lack of responsiveness over the months. I will do my best to respond to your comments and messages in June. Today's post is just another casual studying outfit. I study at my office for about 12 hours at a time, and must be comfortable, but not too comfy in fear of dozing off! By putting on a full outfit complete with accessories (even if only my books will get to see it), I feel more in the right frame of mind to be productive. Anyone else feel the same way?

To spruce up a simple jeans + tee combo, I added a silk printed scarf scored for about $3 at the thrift store, my fave buckle belt, and some strappy sandals. For anyone who scorns H&M and Target items because they are low-quality...I can't even count how much wear these 3-yr old $20 sandals and $17 clutch have gotten, while still looking fairly pristine. If you are selective with design and materials, there are definitely gems to be found at fast-fashion and discount retailers...

This is my second pair of Old Navy rock star jeggings (see black styled here) (gave away russet to my cousin in China), and I have developed mixed feelings about them. On one hand, I definitely appreciate that they run small and are available in several inseams and colors (although ON needs to do a better job of restocking!). I also like the price tag of $30-$35 plus their frequent discounts. On the other hand, the fit is inconsistent and the design & material in my opinion don't compare to some of Gap's legging jeans (here's an option in a nice dark wash). The material of my ON jeans feel stiff in general, and the black pair attracts lint like none other. Gap definitely has their material and sizing inconsistencies too, though, so you never really know until you try a style on.
On a separate note - H&M lovers can print out this coupon for 35% off (highest I've ever seen from them) one item. Technically it's for email subscribers, so sign up for their emails to receive coupons going forward. Thanks so much to SewPetiteGal for tweeting this during her early-morning sale alerts. She was so kind to also message me directly just in case this H&M lover missed it : )

Armed with my coupon, I popped in at lunch and was soon ready to leave empty-handed. I tried on some cute, colorful bracelets (the petite wrist-friendly mint and peach bangles are a set), but wasn't enticed enough to buy. I was also sorely disappointed by the tent-like winning Fashion Star dresses - I guess runway looks don't translate well for shorties in real life! Here's a 2 on me (per the model this dress is supposed to be around knee-length) for shits and giggles:

On my way out, I spotted a flash of neon out of the corner of my eye and was thrilled to see these highlighter yellow sandals (item # 067212) fully stocked on a shelf. I had called around for them after this post with no luck, and assumed they had come and gone quickly. They are definitely more neon yellow-green in person than the warm yellow shown in the picture, which is too bad, but I might alter the color later. I grabbed a US 5/ EUR 36 (feels like a 5.5) for just $22.75 after the coupon. They are quite fun and look sturdy (more so than F21 shoes), and are a very welcome addition to my collection of neutral heels.

Readers - Please share any good finds with your H&M coupon!

Spring Wardrobe - Shopping & Spending

2012-05-13T11:49:00.000-04:00

Some of my favorite posts on personal finance blogs are the monthly spending summaries. I may be in the minority, but I love seeing how others manage their lifestyles and the numbers behind it all. Such facts & figures are usually kept off fashion blogs, but I think it can be interesting to discuss. In a field that's ripe with consumerism and mutual enabling, I'd love to hear how fellow fashionistas keep overall consumption in check, while maintaining current, well-curated wardrobes.

Last year, I posted about keeping a streamlined wardrobe. My approach and goals remain largely unchanged, but I've indulged in some temptations (fun trends, end-of-season sales, etc) and hope to regain focus. In light of some heavier shopping this season, I wanted to do an update and share some numbers behind the fashion posts.

Since 3/1, I spent $634 and added 15 items to my wardrobe (40% of spending was on 1 item):

Corresponding posts (clockwise from top): Old Navy wrap dress, blue maxi skirt, GapKids lace shell, H&M floral blouse, polka dot dress, cap-toe Louboutins, Chanel brooch, J.Crew apple pants, fuchsia capris, gingham capris

I returned/sold 13 items, or 52% of original purchases:

J.Crew origami sheath, Factory leopard accessories, Mossimo petites colorblock skirt

I did alterations at home to save approx. $70 on tailoring (which I include in total wardrobe spending):

As mentioned in my previous post, careful assessment of each purchase can help distinguish a well-curated wardrobe from one that's a victim of aimless consumption. One method that has helped me personally over the years is a manual log of items purchased...

By spending a few minutes each month updating and reviewing this spreadsheet, I'm able to:
- Evaluate each item individually and in the context of other purchases
- Take note of when return deadlines are; and
- Monitor the ebb and flow of purchases to make sure I'm within a reasonable long-term limit (saving my thoughts on the subjective definition of "reasonable" for another day).

*Highlights = returned or sold

So how did I do?

This season, I added a lot of variety to my wardrobe with new colors, prints, and silhouettes. My favorite additions are the Old Navy wrap dress, the cap-toe Louboutins, the H&M floral blouse, and the Crewcuts apple pants. They met all of my purchasing criteria, filled gaps in my existing wardrobe, and are getting quite a bit of wear. The Chanel brooch was a little splurge, but it's an item off my wishlist that should retain it's value (barring any klutzy handling).

On the other hand, some admittedly unnecessary purchases are the Gap kids lace shell, the H&M dot dress, the J.Crew $3 turtleneck, plus a third pair of cafe capris. One of my biggest shopping weaknesses is buying items like the aforementioned that meet so much of my criteria (good fit, good value, pairs well, looks good) but just aren't necessary for my compact wardrobe. H&M provides a lot of temptation for me on that front, and I've been keeping that at bay by putting things on hold, and only going back to buy if I keep thinking about them. We can only wear so many items at a time (and I hate having things collect dust), so a streamlined yet current wardrobe is something I'm constantly working towards.

Fellow fashionistas - How do you maintain a current wardrobe while keeping overall consumption in check? What are some of your shopping weaknesses?

Floral and Fuchsia (& shrinking the J.Crew Cafe Capris)

2012-05-06T23:11:00.001-04:00

J.Crew Wool Cafe Capris, H&M blouse (review) & clutch, Theory blazer (similar)

Louboutin pumps (similar) (similar in plain nude, sizes 4-12), thrift store chain necklace

I haven't been posting much lately, but am still sharing on-the-go finds / quick reviews via Facebook and Twitter (see twitpics). Please feel free to follow through either of those to receive updates : )

This is my third post featuring J.Crew's cafe capri pants. You've seen the Crewcuts kids versions (apple print and mint gingham posts) which I adore, but I was initially drawn to this womens pair in a rich color and a more "grownup" lightweight wool material. Unfortunately, they suffered a bit of damage from at-home frying in the dryer, but more on that later.

And as for this blouse...I wasn't sure about it initially, but changed my mind after seeing how much fun it adds to otherwise solid outfits. I also couldn't believe how similar it is to this Equipment blouse for a mere fraction of the price (given, that one is 100% silk)!

Several of you have asked why I don't show pants more often, and the answer is not because I don't like them. When done right, pants can be very lengthening on petite women (especially boot-cut trousers with heels that hit right above the ground), however...

- Pants that fit my body type (or most body types, for that matter) well are incredibly hard to find.

- Waist/hip/leg alterations can be tricky and may go wrong, unlike those for basic pencil skirts. Out of all my pants that have gone through alterations (~7 pairs?), only 1 pair came out fitting perfectly.

- I commute to work in flats (gotta balance on the jerky subway), and long trousers drag on the ground.

Therefore, I went overboard with J.Crew's cafe capris and grabbed three pairs in one month. The color/print options are unique, the ankle length means no yucky dragging, and the Crewcuts versions with adjustable waists are some of the best-fitting pants I've tried. If you missed out on the print ones, their solid cotton version comes in 8 colors.

Ann Taylor neon exotic belt (very similar here in 5 colors)

Unfortunately, the one pair I purchased in womens sizing ran rather generously. I fully expected this, knowing J.Crew's history of vanity sizing and having seen less-than-promising reviews on Sydney and Kelly. I paid around $33 for these (planned on shelling out another $15-20 for waist alterations), and have to say they're not worth much more to me. Especially not the $118 retail! Just as Sydney pointed out - the wool is thin (so thin it feels like I'm going to wear holes into the butt from sitting down), unlined and itchy, plus the cut did nothing for my behind.

Also, after trying these pants on, I realized that they needed a bit more than just waist alterations. The entire hips/butt/thighs were roomy on me, and the rise was high. I knew I couldn't visit my tailors until June (they work rather leisurely hours), so I decided to attempt DIY shrinking via the dryer. That worked well for these LOFT wool ankle pants, and I wanted to try my luck again.

I didn't do much research (shame on me) and hand-soaked these pants in hot water, then machine-dried on high heat. Literally the moment I submerged these pants in water, the wool started to look felted and worn. The tag says dry-clean only, so I knew the risks and take the blame.

On the plus side, these pants did shrink slightly in the aspects of length, thighs, hips, rise, and waist - at least to the point that I don't need to Steve-Urkel them. The rear is also more flattering now than before when the rise was high. During the drying process, I stopped the machine and checked every 10 minutes, to make sure these didn't over-shrink. If you've ever had beloved wool sweaters become teddy-bear size, then you know the importance of monitoring!

Readers - Have you tried shrinking items at home? If so, please share some of your stories and tips!

Another green + navy: Scarf bow and Spearmint Gingham

2012-04-29T22:52:00.002-04:00

Crewcuts gingham cafe capris sz 12 (an adult option in 2 colors - use BONUS10 for 10% off)
Ann Taylor blouse (old), blazer from Lefties (altered), BR bag (old)

Scarf and CL pumps from eBay, necklace c/o Stella & Dot

Just popping in to say a quick hello and to show these fun, preppy pants from Crewcuts. After being surprisingly pleased with their apple pants with a handy adjustable waist, I couldn't resist this pair in spearmint gingham for $25. I returned my Gap kids mint jeans from earlier this season because I knew they wouldn't get enough wear. These have been the perfect replacement - they're a favorite for studying at the office (comfy but not too casual), and also work-appropriate on "denim" Fridays.

I have been wearing this blazer a little too much, but the spring green color just brightens up any outfit. Last month, I started a new job and my new team is mostly men who don't care much about clothes...

...although I miss the fashionistas on my old team, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to wear favorite pieces repeatedly without receiving raised brows (my former colleague could not tolerate seeing my Gap nude blouses one more time ; ). That is, until this jacket got dubbed my "Masters jacket" while the team was streaming the tournament on their computers. It received so much acclaim, that I now have to reserve it for select wear...sigh!

Chanel tortoiseshell sunnies (similar), Essie "turquoise & caicos" polish

This outfit was made possible/enabled by shrewd Twitter friends. Thank you Jen E. for sharing that this blouse was on clearance for a mere $9 in my size. It was on the other side of the country, so I did pay $7.50 for shipping, but it has more than gotten it's worth in wear. At first, I was surprised that something retailing for $80 was made of 100% polyester, but it wears beautifully and is so wonderfully low-maintenance. And thank you again Val for doing research on these pants and getting all the measurements for us.
Now that I have several items from Crewcuts, I'd like to point out how inconsistent their sizing can be, even in the same styles. For the apple pants in the same "cafe capri" cut and same kids size 12 (see review), I had to tighten the adjustable waist band by about 3 notches on each side for it to fit. These, on the other hand, are very snug when zipped up with no room for adjustment. The hips feel a tiny bit tighter too, but the legs and length feel exactly the same. It's unfortunate that J.Crew has so much size inconsistency, especially since they often do final sale.

I bought this scarf a year ago after many of us fell in love with it on Cee (and for a mere $10!). It never got much wear, but I recently rediscovered it and have been throwing it around all of my purses. It looks great on satchels, a speedy, Chanel...even a longchamp, and just adds new dimension to an outfit. I kept seeing the look around town on older, polished-looking ladies, and don't know why I didn't try it more often!

Readers - Are you a fan of adorning handbags with scarves?

Vintage-inspired: Polka dots, navy bows + rustic gold

2012-04-24T23:41:00.000-04:00

I missed this month's Petite Fashion Challenge, but please visit Megan's post to check out all of the participants' outfits. This month's theme was "Chic Pin-spiration." I created a Pinterest account but haven't used it yet - I'm excited to start after my exam! As we take inspiration from photo sharing sites, however, I think it's important to remember to credit the original source versus just show the image.

H&M dot dress (review), Lefties blazer, J.Crew belt (colorful options here)

Ann Taylor patent pumps and necklace, thrift store chain, bow shoe clips from eBay

For those who have asked about getting soft, wavy hair...it can be very simple with no curling iron required! Please see this video from 1:30 - 2:20 where I do a quick demonstration. The only difference is now I usually do two buns in the back (one on each side), and sleep on them (removing the butterfly clip) after my hair is mostly dry. I am relegated to this hairstyle every few months when I'm overdue for a haircut and my hair is so long when straight that it doesn't look professional.

After assessing this dress and reading all of your opinions (thank you!), I decided to keep it even though it's not perfect. The spots are fun and I am a fan of the feminine draping. If this dress doesn't get enough wear, I hope to pass it on during a future closet clean-out. I took up both shoulder straps by an inch, which helped address the low neckline, but didn't do much for the roominess/length.
On a whim, I tried something here that I preached against in this post. This boyfriend-length blazer looked disproportionate with a below-the-knee dress, so I tried to fold up several inches of dress length above the waist belt (see above pic). I went for a vintage grecian-inspired look, but the results were more reminiscent of stomach flab, especially from the back. Going forward, I will be sticking to shorter, cropped jackets for longer dress/skirt hemlines...

I got this jacket for under $25 at "Lefties" in Spain, which supposedly is Zara's outlet. It is a regular size S and was roomy throughout, but fit in the shoulders (important). When I was in China earlier this year, I brought a suitcase filled with clothing that desperately needed alterations. I remembered there were several "street-side tailors" by my relatives' homes, but unfortunately everyone was gone for Chinese New Year.

After wandering around unsuccessfully looking for options, I ended up taking a huge risk by going to a dry cleaner. I don't recommend dry cleaner tailors for anything other than a simple hem, but I was about to leave for the Philippines the next day (Nick was already there and said there were no tailors to be found). Shockingly, there was no area at the cleaners for me to even try on my skirts/pants and get "pinned" to fit (and I was wearing 10 puffy layers in the cold). Imagine me loudly and adamantly protesting as the lady just marked up my clothing by eyeballing/roughly measuring my body.

Lips: Revlon "Ravish me Red" (a juicy red-orange)

After meticulously re-taking all the measurements myself and hounding her about how many years she's been tailoring (8+) ... I warily paid the $18 bill to alter ~7 things. It was $2 USD to take in skirts with lining, and about $5 to completely take in this blazer including side, back, sleeve length, and sleeve width. My aunt warned me not to bargain over the price (even though we bargain everywhere else in China) because she didn't want the tailor to do a sloppy job.
The next day, I sprinted to pick up my stuff and rushed right back home to try it on. I was generally pleased with the workmanship, but there were three issues: 2 skirts were taken in too much, and a sleeve lining on this jacket was botched. I picked my battles in the essence of time, ignored the sleeve lining, and bravely asked for re-alterations on the two skirts before jetting off. The same bill would have been about $200 at my Boston tailor. Despite saving 90% on alterations, I do NOT recommend hastily taking beloved clothes to a tailor before doing proper research on their skills (see my old post for some tips), especially if you can't even try on the garments for a fitting. One skirt is sadly still too butt-hugging on me for work.

I saw these adorable little bows at Madewell which reminded me of a long-lost accessory. I tried these clips once with tan pumps, but wasn't sold on the look. Now that I have perfectly matching navy shoes, the bows look more integrated. I'd love to DIY some over-sized bow clips next, Valentino style.

Readers - Have you ever taken alterations risks in order to save some $$? What was the outcome and would you do it again?

Something Borrowed: Sequin Pencil Skirt + Neon

2012-04-20T12:14:00.006-04:00

Gap sweater (similar, but not dolman), Zara skirt borrowed from Khatu, ring from Vicky

Pearls & Prada pumps (~$20!) from eBay, Chanel bag & tortoiseshell sunnies, Burberry trench (similar)

Lord & Taylor is having their F&F sale until 4/23 - use code FRIENDS to get 25% off almost everything, and 10% off beauty & fragrance. Free ship on orders over $99 or beauty orders over $49. My picks are:

- any of their Michael Kors watches (I love mine, and 25% off such a large selection is very rare. See my post on MK watches.)

- Kate Spade tortoiseshell sunglasses that look like my much-loved ones for a fraction of the price, or

- something for Mother's Day!

Not much else to say in today's post except that I love having a like-sized friend with awesome taste living close by. It's even better that our styles are a bit different, as it allows me to experiment outside my comfort zone. I might not pay for this eye-catching skirt (and the alterations it required) myself, but it sure is fun to borrow!

As a piece that really shines on its own, this skirt doesn't need much styling. I just wanted to instill some essence of spring while staying warm (very brisk in the mornings and evenings here!). This slouchy neon sweater and classic khaki trench - two of my favorite purchases from last year - did the job.

This outfit is nice for a dinner out, or, you can switch into the skirt for after-work cocktails with colleagues. I love how the demure longer length balances out the party aspect of all-over sequins.

Readers - Do you have sisters or friends to share clothes with?

Reviews: Asos wrap dress, pointy pumps, and cap toes

2012-04-18T23:24:00.009-04:00

I found this post in my drafts and apologize for the belated review, but it's less fun blogging about items that don't work out! Last month, I was determined to add some fun shoes to my collection full of AT work pumps (btw, friends & family at Ann Taylor and LOFT has begun! Use FRIENDSAF for 40% off your entire order. Tried the crepe shift dress (c/o AT) on here). First and foremost I wanted neutral pointy toes, as pointy has made a comeback and are great for lengthening legs. I was also interested in classic cap toes, and entertained the thought of a fun printed/patterned pump:

L to R: CL Pigalle 85 (ebay), BCBGeneration Cielo, Asos nude, Corso Como Del, Asos blue wovens

Before we get to the shoe-mania, here is a quick dress review. Last month when I ordered this bright blue peplum dress (now 40% off, see review), I also picked up this yellow number as a cocktail prospect:

Asos petite long sleeve belted wrap dress in US1, comes in 3 colors. Thrift store shoes, H&M clutch

This dress is a petite exclusive, and since the models are definitely not petite, I was hoping that it would have a little more coverage and length than shown in the stock photo...

Unfortunately, it's just as plunging and short in-person as it looks online, so this is less cocktail-appropriate and more like something I wore on spring break many moons ago. A big issue for me was the back wrap design - it's a faux wrap and ends awkwardly in the black center, like a flapping tail. I also want to note that arms are snug, and the belt is much too loose for the dress unless you punch extra holes. Returned.

Eek - not at all sure what happened to the colors in this photo! This dress is a true canary yellow color.

Onto the shoe reviews. I apologize for the veiny foot closeups, but I wanted to point out some fit issues and what I look out for when shoe shopping. Out of all the shoes, the only keeper for me was the pre-owned pair of Louboutin Pigalles from eBay that conveniently knocked out my desire for both neutral pointies and cap toe pumps. Out of the non-keepers, I will start with the best out of the bunch:

BCBGeneration Cielo pump, available in 8 colors. The "vachetta" color (pictured) is 33% off

This is a nicely-made shoe in the perfect neutral, and a nice, matte leather with covered heels (important to me...I prefer no wooden stacked heels w/ leather pumps!). The shape is classic with a 3.75" heel. Fit is true to size and felt comfortable, but the smallest I could find in this color was a 5.5 (I'm between 5-5.5) and it was just slightly wide on me. I have shoe inserts at home, but I reserve those only for after shoes stretch out - which most real leather shoes will do with wear.

Next up, the Corso Como Del quilted cap-toe pumps (also available in non-quilted, non-capped solid colors like nude or red) that start in a teensy size 4. I've seen these at many stores, but only good ol' Nordies has them in extended sizing and for 40% off! I hope Nordstrom never goes away, because no other retailer offers this spectrum of shoe sizing, a great price matching policy, plus free ship both ways.

Unfortunately, the beige looked green against my skin and I was disappointed in the silhouette of these. "Sleekness" is probably my top criteria these days for shoes, as a sleek silhouette can really streamline shorter legs and make non-designer shoes look more expensive. The toes on these are very round from all angles. Look at the BCBG's in the above left pic and see how they taper down towards the toes and are fairly flat, and compare that to these which appear thick all the way to the end. Also, the puffy quilting adds about 0.5" total outer width to each foot. If you want a sleeker alternative, I adore how these pointy cap toe pumps look on Wendy, plus they start at sz 5 and come in three color schemes.

As for fit, these run true to size. I got these in 5 and they were very snug on me. The inside (as with all Corso Como pumps) is heavily padded to cushion the balls of your feet, and are comfy. In my experience, Corso Como shoes tend to be for medium to wider width feet (vs Louboutin which runs very narrow), and women with such feet tend to love them. See Elle's review.

Asos Collection blue woven court shoes sz 5, Asos nude patent pointy court shoes, sz 5

This is the third time I've ordered Asos brand shoes (keep in mind they carry other brands too) and I think it might be the last. The first two times I got ankle boots that almost sliced off my ankles with every step. The blue woven pumps here are part of their pricier "Collection" line and had decent craftsmanship, but ran at LEAST one size too big and were very stiff. The nude pumps had such a high gap in the toe box (this is hardly ever an issue for me) that I could fit my hand in there. The faux-leather was very plastic-y in-person. I only wanted to try these because ASOS carries size 5 at affordable prices with free ship & returns, but the value to me is definitely below that of Target shoes.

Readers - Have you brought your pointy pumps back out?

Loving now: J.Crew apple print cafe capri review (on sale)

2012-04-16T20:50:00.018-04:00

**Gingham lovers, Crewcuts also has cafe capris in mint gingham for just $25.89 (final sale) with free ship. Thanks so much Val for pointing these out and getting us the measurements: size 12 has 28.25 (adjustable) waist, hip 32.25, inseam 24.25. Size 14 has 30 waist, hip 33.25, and inseam 26.25 (keep in mind J.Crew's measurements can be a little off). I like the more grownup front & back pockets, plus added belt loops.**

Crewcuts apple bobbing cafe capri sz 12 (free ship, use MUSTHAVE for 30% off), H&M top, Target heels

Meet my latest love: apple print ankle pants. They're fun and preppy with a classic silhouette. J.Crew is having apple overload this season, and there's something for everyone:

Apple in Kids sizing w/ free ship at any price: cardigan, chino shorts (good option if you are too tall but still narrow enough for kids sizing. Was contemplating these in case the capris didn't work out).

Apple in Womens sizing: shorts, pullover sweater, underwire swimsuit, large apple pleated skirt (so pricey, but how adorable would this be on a teacher?), large apple cafe capri.

A big thank you to my friend Jimmy for snapping these during our study break. I realized that I've been taking my photographer for granted. Apparently, "shoe shot" or "angle up" (how shorties can appear deceptively taller) don't mean much to other men. Jimmy was a fast learner...he crouched low & braved passerby stares to get these shots.

Toes: Essie "tangerine" Hands: Essie "turquoise & caicos" Lips: Revlon "Ravish me Red"

H&M bag & belt (from a dress), bangle thanks to t + j designs

Now for my review...

Measurements: My kids size 12 measured 13.25" across the waist, 17" across the lower hips when measured right at the crotch, 23.4" inseam, 5.2" leg opening, 8" rise.

Fit: A kids size 12 fits comparable to a small/short H&M sz 2 (except in the waist) or Asos petite 1, and similar but possibly slimmer than American brand 00 Petites. As shown above, it's a bit slimmer and shorter throughout than the 00P womens wool capri pants, which are very roomy on me. I immediately noticed how slim and tapered the legs of these capris are, and how the rear actually flatters my behind. The only issue was the waist - I had quite a size-able waist gap and mulled over how to alter it.

Imagine my absolute delight when Khatu informed me that the waistband was adjustable (designed for fast-growing little kids...loved by fit-challenged adults). There's an elastic band that runs along the inside of the back waistband, and you can pull it taught via two buttons on the side.

I pulled it in about 3 notches on each side, and the fit was perfect. There is some gathering on the waistband caused by the back elastic, but can be easily covered by a shirt or belt.

Quality: 100% woven cotton, feels chino-like with a bit of a ribbed texture. Side zip with two front pockets and 1 back pocket. I really love that the base color is a natural "oatmeal" shade and not stark white. My biggest concern with such a material is unsightly wrinkling, however these stood up fairly well. The iphone pics shown above were taken after about 9 hours of wear - mostly sitting and some walking.

Value: I would not pay t$40 for a solid pair of cotton ankle pants, but the irresistible print and great fit (no alterations needed!) make these a winner for me. As soon as I tried these on, I had a stupid grin on my face and "knew." The bigger kids sizes tend to sell out faster (*eying fellow petite women*) so I'll just have to accept the price. With a dressier blouse and closed-toe pumps, these will also be work-appropriate for me on casual Fridays.

Readers - Are you a fan of printed pants?

H&M reviews: Conscious collection, navy dots, 20% off coupon

2012-04-15T09:26:00.008-04:00

Armed with my 20% off coupon, I popped into H&M during lunch to scope out their latest merchandise. This navy with white polka dots dress (found it in the women's work department) quickly caught my eye:

Navy dots dress in XS, also comes in solid colors, item #031063, $28 after coupon

Material is "slinky" (95% viscose, 5% elastane)...I don't know how to explain it but it feels like slip/shapewear material, and not a cotton knit like I'd prefer. The silhouette reminds me of my beloved Ann Taylor striped dress, which I interestingly enough reviewed exactly 1 year ago, alongside last year's H&M Conscious collection. Both dresses have a crossover V-front and side ruching, except the H&M version has ruching that extends to the back side (which I appreciate) except just on the front half.

The H&M version is cut for someone taller than me, so the neckline is a little low, the armholes are big, and the length hits me below the knee. This can be fixed, however, via DIY Alteration #2. This is one of those dresses that would look fabulous on a curvier figure. On someone less curvy, however (like myself), it might be harder to fill it out especially because the letter sizing (XS, S, etc) feels roomier than the numerical size I usually wear. A wider belt may be needed to define the waist.

Verdict: Purchased. Want to keep, but it's similar to something I already have. Friends & bf vote keep.

Next up is H&M's Spring Conscious collection made of sustainable or recycled materials, featuring lots of lace, floral, and white. This blouse looks vibrant online (& I love those sandals! Please let me know if you see 'em in person) but is a more washed out in-person. I do like the colors, though. The base is a sheer peach-blush pink with neon yellow, minty teal, and coral red throughout. This makes the blouse easy to pair with white or trendy colored denim in any of the aforementioned colors.

Conscious floral blouse sz 2, item #045469, $24 after coupon & lace skirt sz 2, item #021285, $12

Retailing at $14.95, this lace pencil skirt is one of the biggest bargains in the store, esp. after the coupon....
It fits me well in the waist and hips and hits me right above the knee - no alterations needed! It comes in a peach cream and a brighter pink, and is fully lined with a gold zipper on the back. There are also swingy, cropped tank tops in similar lace and colors.

Conscious floral blouse sz 2, item #045469, $24 after coupon & lace skirt sz 2, item #021285, $12

Lace skirt verdict: Passed. Even though this skirt combines many things I love -lace, pencil shape, good fit, GREAT price, girly colors- I did not pick it up. My concern was the material which already shows some creasing across the front. I sit all day at work so front skirt crinkles are my pet peeve (none of my existing pencil skirts crinkle...I stick to lightweight wool or softer knits, and avoid cotton /poplin, twill, or very cheap materials).

As you can see above, the blouse is not so great for tucking into fitted-waist bottoms because it is billowy. It is also slightly longer in the back than in the front, making it almost tunic-length on me.

Old Navy rockstar jeggings in 0P, old Cole Haan flats, belt from another H&M dress

The fit is definitely more casual - the shoulder seams go slightly past my natural shoulders, and the sleeves are wide (I'd want to slim them) and slightly long on me. I like how it looks with skinny denim and I'm a fan of the button details, color scheme, floatiness, and collar (good for layering). I'm just not sure how much wear this would get.

Floral blouse verdict: Purchased but undecided.

The Conscious collection is full of this print: dress, shorts, blouse, and also a puffy skirt (not pictured):

Readers - Should I keep the dot dress, floral blouse, or neither?

~~PS - I'm selling my H&M blue paisley sundress in a size 2, new with tag, but without the belt which I've worn. Selling for $18 including ship within the US - please let me know if interested!~~

Ann Taylor Boston Prudential Center Store Opening

2012-04-14T09:05:00.011-04:00

Just a quick note that Ann Taylor is having a mini-celebration at their updated concept store in Boston's Prudential mall, today from 1-5pm, during which 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Children's Hospital Boston. I won't be there today but I see many of their Spring arrivals in-person - lots of neon, jewel-tones, and nautical themes! I ducked out of work last week to meet up with fellow bloggers and my lovely friend Keshia visiting from Atlanta (isn't her pleated dress darling? Wish you could see more of it) at a local Ann Taylor event, and loved getting to know the energetic woman behind their social media accounts.

Khatu, my friend Keshia, me (in this work outfit), Natalie

For online shoppers, AT is currently having 30% off sale items and $50 off full-priced shoes, no code needed. According to AlterationsNeeded and her sharing readers, this is stackable with code 10000006879 for 20% off your entire purchase of $100+. You can also use 10000006890 for 40% off one full-priced item. Here are my picks:

Petites available: Crepe shoulder-ruffle dress, Lagoon tweed skirt, Cowl-neck striped dress

Happy shopping and have a wonderful Saturday!

J.Crew Sale Update: Online Factory bargains under $13

2012-04-12T23:05:00.014-04:00

**ASOS sale alert: the striking blue peplum dress I reviewed is 40% off w/ free ship & returns. I loved mine too much to return it, but it needed a hem for sure. The slit is also closeable by a tailor or if you sew.**

Per an anonymous tip (thank you!), the extra 30% off sale code works on J.Crew Factory items as well (MUSTHAVE good til 4/20). I was bored in class and decided to take a peek on my phone...and couldn't believe the stock and prices! Any of the below would make a cute affordable gift for Mom, a sister, or girlfriend. Don't forget to go through ebates (referral, see my post on how to use it) for another 6% cash back...the rate is usually 2 or 3%!

Prices after promos - ~~Pouchette: $12.83, Scarf: $8.22~~, Bracelet: $6.58, ~~Belt: $6.58~~ sold out

Some notes:

- If you can wear regular sizing...there are some classic J.Crew-looking pieces at amazing price points. Navy tweed pencil skirt for $17? Silk camp blouse for $24? Remember that you can ask livechat for exact measurements for a certain item and size.

- You can combine your Factory order with the regular store to meet the $175 minimum for free ship.

- Factory orders can ONLY be returned via mail or to Factory stores. Mail is definitely easier for me. I already plan on using the pre-paid return shipping label (costs $5.95 to mail back 1 item, $7.50 to mail back 2 or more items) from my regular store order yesterday, and customer service told me I can just add on Factory returns into the same package at no additional cost. Beware of final sale items.

- If you're extra petite, the little girls Factory section has some adorable summer shorts for free shipping w/ no minimum. I saw gingham, seersucker, and paisley all for ~under $25 after promos. Was very tempted to get the blue gingham shorts, but don't love the back pockets.

- Don't forget your men! I picked Nick up the gingham shirt below (many different colors and sizes of men's gingham to choose from).

Here are some stuff that was in my cart (including Mom and Nick's picks) before we carefully weeded out half of it. I just wanted to show some of the price points and variety available, though:

Update: See SewPetiteGal's J.Crew Factory review on some items. I want to emphasize again to please obtain measurements of items from online customer service to avoid sizing disappointment. J.Crew Factory womens clothing (especially since their Factory line starts at XS and not XXS, 0 and not 00) will usually not fit extra petite women. For example, customer service gave me the following measurements for the tweed pencil skirt in 0: "waist circumference is 29.5 inches. The hip circumference is 36.75 inches. The length is 21 inches."

Happy shopping!

Mid-week break: J.Crew extra 30% off sale plus 6% cashback

2012-04-11T18:46:00.013-04:00

Take an extra 30% off J.Crew sale items with MUSTHAVE (ends 4/20), plus get ~~an increased 6%~~ now 3% cashback for J.Crew via ebates. There’s free shipping only for orders over $175 (or Crewcuts orders at any price) so combine purchases with friends to save, or order full-priced items to try on.

I’ve been buried by work & studying lately and have turned a blind eye to recent sales. However, some convincing texts from my shopping bees Kelly & Wendy led to me scooping up the following at decent prices (prices are post-30% off + 6% cash back):

- Wool Café Capri in petite, reg, or tall - $32.90 from $128. Final sale. I know for sure these will be too big (and are unfortunately unlined), but my coworker wears them so beautifully. The color is striking in-person and is not something you can find at other retailers for better price nor fit. I think they’ll be worth some alterations.
- ~~Painter striped turtleneck~~ (sold out) w/ un-foldable neck - $3.29 from $49.50. Final sale. This was a frivolous purchase. It was 94% off and in my size, so I got it for kicks.
- Crewcuts apple bobbing Café Capri - $38.16 from $68. Not final sale. How darling is the fruit print? On a grownup, I'm thinking these can either be disastrously childish, or cute. Still pricey but I got it to try on for size.
- Origami sheath dress in wool crepe - $98.70 from $198. Not final sale. Beautiful folding and silhouette, but low-expectations on fit/sizing. Trying on a 00P for free ship.

Other goodies worth checking out:
- Natasha silk chiffon shell, in petite 00-12 and regular, $39.47 from $88. Several colors available.
- Tissue turtleneck tees, left in XXS+ in several colors, $6.57 from $29.50.Mint & strawberry are pretty.
- Crystal link bracelet in mint/gold or black - $9.86 from $42.
- Tillary tote in canvas stripe – $65.14 from $228. See Elle’s video & blog review. I adore this bag (for work, beach, weekends) and was so close to pulling the trigger, but just don't need a new tote.

Happy shopping! I'd love to hear what you've tried before & recommend, or ordered this time.

Chanel, Part 4: Vintage Jewelry / Brooch Authenticity Tips

2012-04-08T09:00:00.015-04:00

The Chanel video series (Part 1 - Wallet on chain and petite shopping tote, Part 2 - The classic flap bag (with updated prices as of February 2012), Part 3 - Buying pre-owned or at a discount) are some of the most-read posts on this blog, so I wanted to share my latest experience with buying costume jewelry as well. Now that I've fulfilled my tweed jacket dreams thanks to Uniqueen, I've been itching to get a classic Chanel brooch to adorn those jackets. Although Chanel costume jewelry (faux-pearls, man-made metals) is pricey for the materials, I mentally laid out some reasons on why the classic designs are worth it:

- A beautiful designer accessory can elevate the look of inexpensive clothes. I pinned mine on a Uniqueen jacket and received numerous compliments, whereas I don't recall that same jacket getting much attention a week earlier, sans-brooch.

- Costume jewelry can be quite versatile, as shown below...

- Classic designs can hold their value extremely well. For example, costume brooches retail starting at ~$250 for small 1-1.5" ones (prices do go much higher depending on size and intricacy). If you look on eBay, most classic, simple Chanel brooches are selling for $200+ regardless of age, which is possibly more than what they cost years ago. Classic earrings lose some value but still hold up fairly well. For example, my beloved turnlock studs retailed for $260, and I watched a pre-owned pair go for a little under $200.

So for those interested in Chanel costume jewelry, I recommend browsing the pre-owned market because the variety is much more vast than what you can find in any boutique. However, buying second-hand means one must be savvy about authenticity. Here are two brooches that came into (and one went out of) my possession recently:

Which one is fake? Continue reading to find out...

(Left) Counterfeit, (Right) Authentic

A month ago, I came across the left brooch via Etsy. The price was great at $150 (too great, in retrospect), the design was classic and sleek, and the seller had a store full of beautiful designer jewelry and 100% positive feedback left by hundreds of customers. I let my guard down and pulled the trigger without doing further research.

Shortly after paying, I noticed red flags. The seller re-listed the exact brooch I had just bought as available again. After browsing his feedback in detail (which really should be done before buying), I was alarmed that he had sold the same brooch not once, not twice...but over twenty times to unsuspecting customers who came back and left glowing feedback. Chanel products are usually made in limited quantities, so for one individual to have endless quantities of an "authentic," classic piece in "new" condition is not plausible. I immediately wrote to him asking for the transaction to be canceled. He responded that it had already been sent out, however I can mail it back for a full refund.

After it arrived, my suspicions about authenticity were quickly confirmed. At least I got a few close-up photos out of my mistake for this post. For those of you considering buying a Chanel brooch online, here are my tips:

1. Obtain close-up photos of the back before buying. This will let you inspect two important components - the signature, and the pin backing. You can also submit the link/photos to TPF's authenticity thread for an experienced opinion.

Signature: The little oval stamp or embossed mark on the back that says "Chanel" and possibly where it's made and the season, depending on what time period it's from. This guide was the best resource I could find about the signatures, although it's not comprehensive. I suggest comparing the signature on something you're watching, to that on other listings online from reputable sellers or secondhand designer stores. Be warned that many pricier counterfeit pieces have this feature.

Pin backing: After receiving my counterfeit brooch, I inspected many Chanel brooches in-person at my local boutique and scoured tons of second-hand listings online. All of them had a pin backing consisting of two little nubs that stuck out of the pin base, connected by a long stick pin, and a pin closure consisting of a little turn-wheel. Most smaller ones had a horizontal pin, and some larger ones had a diagonal one. Never did I see a pin like the fake shown on the below left, where a distinctly separate piece was added onto the brooch backing.

2. Inspect the overall quality, workmanship, and weight of the piece. Chanel does not use precious materials for their costume jewelry, but there is still a standard of workmanship that goes into their products. The authentic pin I have has good weight to it whereas the fake felt light and hollow. The authentic one has texture and signs of two pieces being welded together versus the fake has a flat laser-cut design. The pin backing on the fake was starting to come off, and the overall metal was extremely shiny in-person (Nick actually had to shield his eyes from the glare).

Also, this may sound like a given but I've seen fakes where the CC layout was not right. Refer back to this post about how the C's should be interlocking.

3. Shop and pay safely. Inspect the seller's feedback for a history of positive feedback (clearly, this is not foolproof) and look out for one seller having multiples. I prefer eBay to a site like Etsy or Bonanaza because there is much more regulation over counterfeits on eBay - I've seen many listings get pulled by Chanel's copyright owner team on eBay. Pay using a safe method like PayPal, which is very good about getting buyers a full refund on authenticity disputes.

4. Don't be afraid to ask for a lower price. The worst a seller can say is no. Before I bought my second brooch, I found it from two sellers for the same asking price. I asked both about a discount - one said no and one let me negotiate it down about 15%.

Unfortunately, you have to rely on your own research or the opinions of knowledgeable designer aficionados, because Chanel themselves will not authenticate second-hand products. Their sales associates are bound by company policy to not offer opinions on authenticity, so if a listing says it was "authenticated by Chanel" (or on Craigslist, I see offers to "meet up at the boutique to prove authenticity"), know that it is not possible. After learning my lesson, I did thorough research and ended up with a piece that I'm very happy with. I'm already looking forward to expanding my collection to a pearl-studded one next!

Readers - What are your thoughts on designer costume jewelry? Please share any of your shopping experiences or authenticity tips.

Spring: Mint dress, neutrals + cap toe pumps

2012-04-01T19:40:00.011-04:00

H&M dress, belt & clutch, Gap blouse, CL Pigalle 85 pumps (similar for less)

Burberry trench (reviewed here) (similar), YSL coral ring, Michael Kors Tortoise watch

Boston weather teased me last week, allowing for 2 days of bare legs before freezing cold took over again. I jumped at the chance to break out this dress that I painstakingly altered + hemmed over a month ago. The fresh mint went perfectly with my latest loves - blush pink & cream cap-toed Louboutins scored at a great price (pre-owned via eBay).

Blair of Atlantic-Pacific styled this same dress beautifully with an elegant mint tweed jacket and multi-strand pearls. Inspired, I delved into my growing tweed collection and came up with the following...
This example illustrates something that I've become very aware of over the years: proportions. As a petite woman working with under 5 feet of height, the key to looking streamlined versus stumpy often lies in the proportions and lengths of my garments...

Although I prefer the color/texture combo on the right, the hip-length jacket paired over a longer pencil dress makes me look top-heavy and short-legged (and much worse with flat shoes, which Blair pulled off effortlessly). The jacket on the left is only 2" shorter, but that makes quite a difference if you are petite. The longer jacket on the right also hits my hips at the widest point, so when that line joins with the dress, it effectively creates the illusion of a boxy rectangle versus the hourglass figure that I want.

Left: No 5. jacket in white sz S (review) Right: Malang jacket sz S (review), both c/o Uniqueen

I also want to point out that the pairing on the left shows equal proportions of jacket, skirt, and legs, whereas the one on the right shows more jacket. This adds to the top-heaviness and makes me look broader, even though both jackets have the same shoulder width. An exception to this issue is when more leg is shown to counteract the longer top - ie. a long boyfriend blazer paired with a mini skirt and lotsa leg.

I've never tried a button-up shirt under a fitted pencil dress, but was inspired by my friend Ping in this post. The crisp collar and contrasting sleeves add a new dimension to the dress, but shirt lines underneath can get tricky. This probably works better with thin, sleeveless blouses.

While wearing this dress, I realized I needed to get some good shapewear, stat. I've been noticing strange lumps lately caused by un-toned flesh or ill-placed underwear lines, and also from the aforementioned shirt lines. I'm close to getting the Spanx Half-Slip Shaper, but am also curious about the Seamless Mid-Thigh Shaper from their less-expensive line, Assets by Sara Blakely (incredible, incredible businesswoman, by the way). From reading the descriptions, however, it seems that these pieces are more for slimming and not for concealing. If anyone has shapewear reviews or recommendations - please share!

Readers - Have you delved into mint and/or cap toes this spring?

How to Style: The Maxi Skirt (& Petite Fashion Challenge #14)

2012-03-27T20:16:00.012-04:00

This month's Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by Couture Coco. The challenge:

"Holiday Emergency: You have a pre-booked dinner date on the first day of your holiday (vacation), but your luggage is delayed. This month’s challenge is to style your travel outfit into a special evening look using whatever you carry in your purse and anything else immediately at hand."

Please visit Couture Coco's post to see the other ladies' outfits. The participant list is short, as this was a true styling challenge requiring resourcefulness and/or creativity (I loved reading ktrstyle's entry). The scenario may not be realistic for everyone (I never check luggage when flying), but it certainly is for some...I'm always hearing about people's luggage getting lost or delayed while on vacation. Here's my travel outfit:

Old Navy maxi skirt (on sale & runs big), H&M shell & belt, LV Speedy 25

Michael Kors tortoise watch, Gap hat (similar), Prada sandals from eBay, F21 necklace

Maxi skirts and dresses are perfect for traveling, and transition nicely for casual daytime outfits after reaching your destination. The jersey fabric and elastic waistband on this are super comfy, plus the length will keep legs warm on chilly flights. I usually bring my LV Speedy on trips because it folds nice and flat into my carry-on tote. Be sure to take off all your metal accessories before going through the scanner and put them into your purse (to avoid leaving anything behind).

My dinner date outfit came to mind almost immediately. Before reading the challenge, I had conveniently just tried on this maxi skirt as a tube dress. Nick was fooled and gave my new dress a thumbs-up, which is good enough for me to wear something in public.

I know this isn't a "special evening look" - more like a casual dinner outfit. When I think of vacation, I dream of sunset walks along the beach and al-fresco dining, so I kept the look fairly relaxed. I used the exact same accessories except swapped the satchel for a clutch. When traveling, I usually bring this H&M convertible clutch/messenger bag along for holding my wallet, passport, tickets, etc. - it's one of my best purchases ever for $17! Scroll to the bottom of this post to see a second, simpler variation of outfits I did with this maxi skirt.

Old Navy chiffon print bow tie top (XS), Old Navy maxi skirt (XS petite, taken in)

I wanted to take a moment and discuss how lengthening long skirts and dresses can actually be on shorter women. The piece just has to be not full or poofy and not too fitted - it should graze your figure and create a seamless line almost to the ground. A skirt that sits higher up on your waist will create a longer line than a low-rise one...

When I initially posted about this skirt, several of you seemed intrigued and asked for styling ideas. The possibilities to me are endless - patterns, stripes, dots, solids plus a necklace and belt...I really like how it looks with the green print top above, kind of like a peacock effect.

I popped into an ON store and got this skirt price adjusted for a little under $13. The blouse was available in-store on that day for the same low price, so I stood there hemming and hawing over whether or not to keep it. An XS runs generously and is sheer and thin (all as expected). I could have made it work, but one thing that bothered me was how low the neckline dipped underneath the bow. It was not going to be simple to take up via the shoulders due to the bow neckline, thus I returned it.

The skirt in Petite XS also ran very generously. It may run even bigger than typical ON sizing, because a store associate saw me holding it and hollered at me to size down. The waist measures 13.4" across on a Petite XS and the length is 33" - perfect when the waistband was hoisted up to my natural waist. The material is on the thinner side and may show undie bulges if it's too fitted. I took the waist/side in along one side, and will get lots of wear out of this come warmer weather.

I wanted to show how easy it really is to style a maxi skirt, and thus did a simple second variation for this challenge using super-affordable pieces that every woman has in their wardrobe:

Tee: Gap, Belt, tube top, and clutch: H&M, Necklace: F21, Sandals: both from Target

Including shoes and accessories, each of these outfits are under $50. For daytime, you can pair a maxi skirt simply with a solid, print or patterned tee (if solid, add interest with a belt and necklace). For evening, you can transform your look by:

- sweeping your hair into an updo or tousled, voluminous high ponytail
- adding statement earrings
- adding sultry smokey eyes, and/or lipstick

You can also escalate the date night look by baring your shoulders with a tube top or tube dress. When I wear white or clothes that might get easily stained, I actually do carry a back-up in my purse. This is a super fitted and short H&M tube dress that has seen better days at the club, and now I'm looking forward to reviving it under some conservative bottoms.

This has been a Petite Fashion Challenge. To find out more about these challenges, please visit here.

CLOSED: Ann Taylor Spring Giveaway

2012-03-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

**The winner was drawn using Random.org. Congrats to Thuy N. from Temple!**Ann Taylor is offering one of their most popular spring accessories to a lucky reader of Extra Petite. I could not pick between the striking neon necklace (sold out online) or the classic leather strap tote, so the winner will get to choose her prize. Rules: This giveaway is open to followers of this blog. To enter, please fill out the form below letting me know how you follow - whether it's via Bloglovin', liking my Facebook page, or through Twitter.

This giveaway is open internationally. AT ships within the US only, however I will forward on the prize to the winner's address. Winner will be chosen on Monday, 4/2/2012 and will have 72 hours to claim her prize. The winner will be validated and multiple entries per person will be disqualified.

Giveaway is now closed. Thank you all so much for entering!

Lunar New Year in Canton, China (pic-heavy food tour)

2012-03-25T22:25:00.018-04:00

Last month, Nick and I visited Guangzhou/Canton, China for Lunar New Year. This is the biggest holiday of the year there - all homes are decorated in lucky red, streets are lined in lanterns, and businesses are closed for 1-2 weeks at a time. Children and unmarried young adults especially love this holiday, as they can go around relatives' homes collecting red envelopes full of "lucky money."

I was born in Canton and am extremely partial to good Cantonese cuisine. The people there place so much emphasis on eating fresh food, and spend a large portion of their income doing so. They go to the local outdoor market every day to buy ingredients for that day's meal. My uncle frowns upon buying meat and seafood that were previously refrigerated, or veggies that don't still have dirt on them. As a child, I absolutely loved tagging along at the market as he scurried from booth to booth, inspecting and smelling the ingredients while brainstorming dishes for dinner.

1. The Cantonese live for fresh noodles. First stop: The quintessential local dish is wonton noodle soup. We went to a shop where they beat fresh noodles (with a bamboo stick...apparently it's an art) and fold pork and shrimp wontons every morning.

2. Left: Slurping up more noodle soup at a street-side vendor. Right: You pick veggies, meat and sauce to be braised together in a table-top pot. Hand-pulled noodles were made on the spot and tossed into the casserole. The noodles were thick and had a deliciously springy texture.

3. Dim sum (Chinese version of Spanish tapas) originated in Canton and is a beloved pastime there. I like the classic dishes, but these were tasty too: (clockwise, from right) sticky rice atop shortrib, tuna rolls, matcha green tea pudding cakes, and rice noodle with braised beef sauce.

4. Munching on spicy BBQ lamb skewers while buying festive decor for Lunar New Year...

5. If you've ever had dim-sum, you may have tried thin rice noodle sheets with shrimp, beef, or roast pork folded inside. This shop made every plate of rice noodles to order, and filled 'em with an ingredient of your choice. The result: delicate, paper-thin noodles hot off the steamer machine, perfect with soy and a touch of hot sauce.

6. One of my favorite photos from the trip. There's a word in Chinese, "chan" (meaning loves to continuously eat or snack), that describes the subjects in this photo very well. My little brother's eyes are closed in pleasure as he savors a candied fruit, and Nick is too engrossed with his egg puffs to look up. The vendors on the left are selling roasted yams.

7. This is congee or rice porridge with a savory broth, packed with mix-ins and topped with fried dough. Congee is my favorite comfort food, and this was the best I've ever had. On the coldest days, we'd stop by all bundled up, and warm up with a piping hot bowl of this on a shaky outdoor fold-up table.

8. Left: My pretty cousin, who is the same exact size as me. I gave her my ON rockstar jeans in "Russet" and love how she paired them with a leopard throw and mustard suede moccasins. Right: Freshly-pressed sugarcane juice.

9. Traditional Cantonese pastry - egg tarts. Melt-in-your-mouth filling with perfectly flaky crust.

10. My little brother is an absolute handful. To prevent him from running into the street or bouncing into the river, I convinced him that holding my umbrella and purse in exchange for 3 Yuan (50 cents) was a fair trade. Scarf, coat, and OTK boots here borrowed from my cousin.

11. Mickey D's there has yummy wings (2 flavors), curly fries, and various red bean-flavored desserts like pie, sundaes, and McFlurries.

12. The Chinese (myself excluded) believe strongly in an inner system of "hot and cold." When you eat too much of certain foods (like fried stuff), they believe your body "heats up." A remedy for this is the unfortunate herbal or "cooling tea," which allegedly cools your body back down. This tea is pitch black and unbelievably bitter. You can get it at many street-side shops or brew it at home using herbs and sticks (and probably dirt...because it tastes like dirt). My aunt and uncle made us drink it every few days to "stay healthy."

13. One of the most delicious dishes I tried - crab and green onions over spaghetti in a Macau-style coconut curry sauce, served atop a mini burner to stay hot. When the noodles were gone, they provided soft Portuguese bread for sopping up the sauce...yum.

14. Left: It's Chinese tradition to make dumplings together as a family on New Year's eve and consume them for luck and prosperity. I've trained Nick over the years to be a rather efficient dumpling-folder. Right: Chef uncle cooking up a storm on the big night. His braised pork belly dish is one of my faves.

15. Left: I put aside my fashion dignity to stay warm. ALL of us grossly under-packed for this trip. When I looked at the forecast, I scoffed at the 40 degree temps (compared to frigid Boston) and brought just a light coat. What I didn't know was that it was a damp, constant cold that chilled you down to your bones...and the homes don't have heat! At night, we kept our heartbeats alive with electric mattress pads or microwaveable stones for clutching on to.

We all wore my cousin and uncle's clothes - layers upon layers of it. Hopefully that explains why my little brother is rocking a leopard scarf or why Nick looks puffy (he donned 5-6 layers of garments). Right: Rice noodle rolls with peanut, spicy sauce, and sesame seeds. I know these photos are completely unrelated.

Readers - I hope you enjoyed my travel diary. Thank you for letting me share part of my "hometown" and culture with you. Next stop...the Philippines!

Double the Chartreuse, Double the Fun

2012-03-23T00:28:00.004-04:00

Gap cardigan & blouse, Crewcuts sweater, Yes Style skirt (similar), H&M clutch, Adrienne Vittadini booties
Shop chartreuse sweaters on sale: J.Crew (free ship on everything), Madewell, and another Madewell

Chartreuse has become one of my favorite colors over the years. It's similar to classic mustard yellow, but has twinges of green and neon, making it very current. At first I didn't know what to do with two chartreuse sweaters, but soon realized how fun they were doubled up. There's something I love about layering pieces in same exact shade (see it here with emerald green) - It's like mom's favorite twinset, reinvented.

I've received some questions from readers on how to pair brighter or fluorescent yellow. If the color has a true fluorescent tint, I'd suggest toning it down with neutrals (taupe, white, camel, browns), or going full-on bold with a complementing print. If it's just a brighter yellow, I'd experiment with earthy pairings like deep red, olive, and leopard print. Here are some past outfits incorporating my favorite color (click images to visit post):

I had the hardest time styling these ankle boots with colored tights, but was inspired by a page out of a J.Crew catalog showing heathered-gray tights and cognac booties. I think this combo works nicely, as long as the rest of the outfit isn't too busy. I kept my blouse, skirt, and bag in the same monochromatic scheme as the booties, to not battle the bright yellow or heathered pattern.

This was actually the last outfit in my "style in a suitcase" series, but I forgot to snap photos while in California. I happily re-wore it on a mild weekend here in Boston.

Readers - Are you a fan of doubling up on the same color?

DIY alterations: How to slim sleeves + armhole & raise neckline

2012-03-21T22:35:00.010-04:00

Thanks to Sydney's in-store sale tip (plus a well-timed extra discount last weekend), I've heard from several of you who are now new owners of the Old Navy print wrap dress. I love seeing the same item styled differently, so please feel free to email/tweet me a photo of yourself or post one to my Facebook wall, and I'll share them when I post mine.

I mentioned in my review that there were slight fit issues with this dress. If it fits you perfectly off the rack - excellent. If not, here are three possible DIY alterations (I went with #2) that beginners can do, even if you have to sew by hand. However, learning to sew can be a waste of time if you don't first learn how to identify proper fit—a concept worth mastering for women of all shapes and sizes. A $10 unlined dress is the perfect piece to practice on!

If you don't own this dress, the general concepts below can easily be applied to various garments - blouses, tank tops, dresses, etc. I've done the shoulder part in #2 quite a bit with tops that are too low/gaping/long.

Alteration # 1: Slimming sleeves and making armholes smaller.
Problem: Armpits are too big and sleeves are too loose. If you are taller or have a longer torso, then this may be the only alteration you need.

Solution: Measure out how much you want to take in - you want sleeves and armholes to be fitted but not snug. Stitch in one continuous line (on each side of the dress) as shown below...

Secure both ends of the stitch by knotting your thread, or by back-stitching on your machine. If you have a serger machine, trim off the excess fabric and re-serge the raw edges.
Difficulty Level: Beginner. Takes about 10 minutes by machine, longer by hand.

Before you begin any sewing project...having an iron ready is key. After you sew on the inside-out garment, flip it back to the right side, iron down the seams to smooth out the area, and try it on. If the alteration doesn't look right, remove stitches, iron the fabric smooth again, and re-sew as necessary. I like to use fabric chalk to mark my measured lines, then secure the fabric with pins before sewing.

NOTE: The sleeves of this dress are gathered and banded at the hand opening, and is more narrow there. You need to taper the slimming to be less and less narrow as you get closer to the opening.

Alteration # 2: Slimming sleeves, making armholes smaller, raising the neckline and hem.
Problem: In addition to the two issues above, the length is too long, the waist hits too low, and the neckline is too low. These are symptoms of how regular-sized garments often fit on women who need petite sizing.

Solution: Instead of taking the dress in at the armpit, take it in along the shoulders. This will effectively raise the neckline, torso, and shorten the total length. In the "after" pic above, the resulting higher neck and waistline on me are not distinctly visible, however one sign is the better-flowing A-line shape of the skirt. In the "before" pic, I had to wrap the dress so tightly to conceal the gaping neckline, that the skirt started to lose it's flowing shape.
Difficulty Level: Beginner. ~10 minutes by machine, longer by hand.

NOTE: This alteration is a simplified shortcut (that will make some professional sewers cringe), and will result in a new seam along the upper side of both arms. I don't recommend this for solid garments, however I think the pattern on this dress hides the new seam fairly well.

Alteration # 3: Alteration #2, the proper way.
Problem: You want to achieve the effect of alteration #2 but you don't want new outer seams down the arms.
Solution: 1) Using a seam ripper or tiny scissors, take apart all seams connecting the sleeves to the shoulders. 2) Take in the shoulders from the top. 3) Slim the sleeves from the bottom, pre-existing seam, making sure the new width will align with the newly-sized armpit hole. 4) Re-attach the sleeves to the torso.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate.

If this were a more expensive dress, I definitely would've gone this route. However, I'm not a great sewer so it would've taken me hours versus 10 minutes (for alteration #2). Either way, I just wanted to show these methods for anyone with little to no experience sewing, as an option to do easy fixes at home and save on $$ alterations.

On a separate note, I've always kept comments open on this blog to encourage the sharing of ideas and constructive feedback. I value comments as a means for interaction and read every single one. I understand that clothing choices are a subjective matter, and there will always be differing opinions. All I ask is for common courtesy when expressing your thoughts. Just because we're on the Internet doesn't mean we can't show the same respect and decency to each other that we would in real life.

Faux leather + cropped tweed; Chanel-style jacket for petites

2012-03-19T00:20:00.022-04:00

No. 5 jacket in brown sz S c/o Uniqueen, H&M faux-leather leggings (similar), Target blouse

This jacket from Uniqueen is undoubtedly one of my favorite pieces right now. It comes in 6 lovely colors and I spent ages trying to decide what to try. The cream is crisp and clean, the yellow is fun, and the peach pink is ultra feminine. After looking through my wardrobe, the most versatile color for me is brown (I returned the peach pink, but did snap some pics of it). I tried to answer most of your questions in this post, but please review the measurements on the website and compare them against your own clothes, and ask the retailer any questions before ordering.

I liked Uniqueen's Malang jacket (now back in satin lining), but the fit was not perfect on my frame. The Malang fit me in the shoulders, but the torso was a bit roomy and the length hit my hips. I mentioned wanting to shorten the length, but never got around to attempting it.

Left: For work with Gap blouse & Ann Taylor tropical wool skirt, taken in (this season's color)

Right: For studying with 7FAMK olive skinnies, TB Reva flats & Longchamp open tote

The first thing I noticed about this No. 5 jacket was the cropped length - a S measures 18" long vs. the Malang which is 20" long. This jacket may be too short for taller ladies (unless you want cropped), but is perfect for petites. As someone who is 5 feet tall, it’s been very hard finding jackets that are short enough to pair with skirts and/or flat shoes without truncating my leg line. The length of this jacket makes it so versatile for me. I've worn it already with longer pencil skirts, wool mini skirts, jeans and flats, leggings and tall boots, sheath dresses...you name it.

Chanel tortoise wayfarers (similar) & WOC, Target pumps w/ DIY cap (similar), Revlon coral lipstick

Sizing: Comes in three sizes (unlike the Malang) – S, M, and L. These sizes definitely run smaller than mainstream American sizes. A Small in the No. 5 feels comparable to XXS-00P at Ann Taylor / LOFT (except with longer sleeves), or in-between a size 2 and 4 at H&M. Again, please check the measurements on the website listed for each size...

My sz S measures 18-18.5" in length, 15.5" across the chest when lying flat, 14-14.5" across the shoulders including shoulder pads, 24" long sleeves, 5.5" across upper sleeve width.

Quality: Very good for the price ($80.74 + ship). The first time I wore it, my friend grabbed it and said, "Where's this from? It looks expensive!" A comparable jacket at Ann Taylor or BR would retail for upwards of $200, and J.Crew has a $600 version of the yellow tweed cropped jacket (that's somehow already sold out in many sizes..?). This tweed is medium-weight with a lot of dimension, and there's plenty of features like gold-tone buttons, full lining, functional lower pockets, trim that goes all-around (pet peeve of mine is items where the trim is only on the front half), plus a No. 5 pearl-studded pin. The pin is slightly pushing the design into too heavily-inspired territory, but it’s removable.

Fit: I’m wearing a Small and it fits me well everywhere except for sleeve length. Please note that the sleeves are longer than shown and will need to be hemmed or folded under for shorter arms. I have them tucked under here and secured with safety pins (thankfully, the textured tweed hides pins so I'll continue wearing it like this until I have time to do a formal alteration).

I also personally prefer my jacket sleeves to be slightly slimmer, but these do measure 5.5" across the widest point which is standard per my other blazers in Theory 00 or H&M 2. The shoulders are padded and stick out marginally past my natural shoulders, so beware if you have a narrower frame. I like that the torso is slimmer so the front flaps do not overlap on me; I can finally achieve that casual open-jacket look without looking too boxy from the side.

Other notes: This jacket has no closure. I plan on adding a little hook and eye closure to the front center for the option of wearing it closed. Also, I was not a fan of the sparklies in the trim of this, but happily discovered that they are woven in and can be removed strand by strand. I spent about 20 minutes snipping and pulling out some of the tinsel-like strands from the trim, and now love the less-effervescent jacket. (Sidenote: For those who own the Malang jacket and think there is too much fringe, I also discovered that the trim can be easily removed. The fringe on the sleeves is attached by just one stitch down the center, so you can use little scissors to snip that stitch without affecting the layer below.)

*UPDATE* - If you plan on pulling out the sparklies, make sure to lay the edges of the jacket out and hold them down firmly with clamps or something (I awkwardly used my knees). Be patient, and use small scissors to snip often before pulling. If you pull on a strand too hard, the edge of the jacket will bunch up from the tension and will be difficult to smooth back down. This didn't happen with my brown one, but I was too hasty with my white one and the front edges don't lie flat anymore.

Above: close-up of the texture after ~80% of sparklies were removed from the black trim.

Readers - What do you think of this jacket? If you own it, please feel free to share what size you ordered and how it fit (please note your measurements). I'm sure fellow tweed-loving ladies will be thankful for the reference info!

DVF for Less: Old Navy & Gap Wrap Dresses Review

2012-03-16T19:29:00.012-04:00

Use code ONPLUSUP to get 10-15% off online, ends 3/21. My Old Navy order arrived and I fell in love with the prints and colors. Sizing is big, as expected, but there is at least one keeper. This dress is reminiscent of Diane Von Furstenberg's iconic print wrap dresses for a fraction of the price. I was happy with it for $32, but Sydney just posted that it's a mere $10.99 in stores! I called and confirmed this price. Thanks so much, Syd, for the timely alert!

Old Navy printed wrap dress sz XS regular ($10.99 in-stores), BCBG Cielo pumps sz 5.5

Fit: True to what the reviews said, the neckline of this is low. But it's a wrap dress...so just wrap it tighter, or wear a camisole underneath, or use a safety pin or fashion tape to secure the neckline. The only issue I had with this dress was the larger armholes that continues into billowy sleeves, but it was the easiest fix ever. It took me about 10 minutes to slim the sleeves (I'll show what I did later) and now I'm in love with the dress. I was pleasantly surprised that a regular was not too long on me.

Quality: Material is on the thinner side but it's what I expected for a jersey-like wrap dress. If you're prone to showing bulges, make sure to wear shapewear underneath. The inside is not printed, as shown below:

Here's another dress that I ordered to get free shipping, but unexpectedly fell in love with it. The silhouette is simple but the ruffles add a feminine edge, and the deep wine color is timeless. The fit of a Petite XS is perfect everywhere on me (and can probably accommodate someone a size up, as well). One thing I don't like about this dress is the thin waist tie - I prefer thick. The material is thin just like the Old Navy.

Gap Ruffle Wrap Dress, 2 colors in reg/petite/tall - extra 25% off w/code GAPEVENT (ends 3/21)

For more wrap dresses at reasonable prices, Gap also currently has a cute polka dot wrap dress (see reg XS on Sydney; thanks RL, for sharing!) and a solid striking summer pink wrap dress available in petite sizing.

Readers - Should I keep just the Old Navy print dress, or both?

$32 Spring Outfit: Gap Kids Mint Ankle Jeans & Lace Shell

2012-03-11T14:27:00.000-04:00

*How adorable is this photo of Vicky's daughter, Jasmine? Colors there are more accurate, too.*
**Colors in my photos below are washed out. Scroll to the end for slightly more accurate swatches.**

Gap Kids Lace Top sz L/10 (sold out online but there's shorts in the same lace), ~$14 after 40% off

Gap Kids Super Skinny Jeans in 12 reg, 6 colors (loove the phosphorus that's almost gone), ~$18

Jewel necklace from J.Crew outlet, chain necklace from Savers thrift store

After a productive morning of studying, I treated myself to a pit stop at Gap Kids on my way home. I had been watching these 2 pieces online for over a month, and was thrilled to see they were still available. Sizes online are almost gone, but check your local stores as Gap Kids is supposed to offer up to a size 16-18 in girls.

This weekend, Gap is running 40% off your entire purchase both in-stores and online (try code GAPFAMILY or GAPFRIENDS) for BR/Gap/ON card members (30% off for non-members), so I picked up both pieces for $32 and change.

BR swing jacket (old), Revlon Lipstick in Coral, CL simple pumps (similar for $40)

These pieces are surprisingly not too kiddy-cut, but to make the entire outfit more grown-up, I would add a lady-like swing jacket and some nude pumps. My simple makeup here was slapped on quickly for photos, but it's representative of what I'd like to wear once spring comes - neutral, unlined eyes with lots of mascara, bronzed cheeks, and a bright, juicy lip...

My biggest issue with these jeans is that they are a cropped ankle-length, and not full-length.** However, the waist, hips, and rise fit me so well that I'm accepting them as ankle jeans for spring/summer. The sz 12 I have measures 12.75" across the waist, 16" across the hips, 7.5" rise, and 24" inseam. Keep in mind that bigger sizes will also have longer inseams. Material is 99% cotton, 1% spandex and feels like the Gap skinny jeans I know and love (personally find them to be more comfortable and durable than the popular ON jeggings).

**Thanks to a great tip from Jen, I ordered the 14 slim (online exclusive size) to compare. In my past experience, kids slim sizes have the same waist/hips as one size smaller, but longer inseams

My camera also distorts the color of this 'aloe' denim and makes it look fluorescent. In person, it' a beautiful, light, true mint color. Slightly lighter than what you see here:

And if you think the lace shell looks familiar, so did I. I have a 2011 BR Mad Men Collection lace shell in PXXS that I sadly haven't gotten much wear out of, because of the stark white color. I was planning on selling that one and now I can potentially replace it with this. The kids one also comes in a coral color, and in a tunic/dress version (see on me) for about $10 more.

When compared against each other, the fit of the Gap Kids L/10 lace shell is the same across the bust, but is slightly wider at the bottom and 3 inches longer in length than my PXXS womens. The kids version is a beautiful light creme in-person, lined in 100% cotton with a side zip. My favorite detail is the slightly scalloped hem.

I expected the lace pattern to be very similar, but was quite surprised to find out it's identical - just a different color and without glitter flecks (the 2011 BR has glitter; 2012 kids one does not). Just goes to show you how a company can re-use the same design and fabric, but market it to a different demographic for a fraction of the price.

I love both of these pieces, but in the spirit of being honest with myself and acknowledging that I'll be holed up every weekend this spring, I might return one or both. I need to evaluate if these pieces are more of a 2012 seasonal trend (cough, mint jeans) or if they can be worn many times in the future.

Some other kids items I couldn't find in-store, but look potentially mature enough for chic adults:
- White denim shorts with floral print (love these!), $16 after 40% off
- Crochet sweater dress, $24 after 40% off
- Striped skirt w/ pockets in 2 colors, $10 after 40% off

Readers - Are you shopping the Gap 40% off sale this weekend? Did anyone else pick up either of these kids pieces?