How to Look Taller: Heels & a Hem

The Banana Republic outlet dress is back from the tailors. I tried to save $20 and spent 2 hours painstakingly ironing and hemming it by hand (recently got rid of my sewing machine...smacks head), but gave up at the lining. I took it to my trusty Korean tailors and they were aghast at my crooked stitching. Shaking their heads and clucking their tongues, they tore apart my hard work, but thankfully charged me a pity price of just $10.
It's no secret that heels are a petite gal's best friend, but let's revisit the importance of wearing the right skirt/dress length (old post here). For this, I pinned and re-pinned and finally settled on right above the knee:

Before (left) and After (right)

Sheath dress: Banana Republic outlet size 00P (tag info here - they ship for $5)

Heels: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5 (a work staple!)
Flats: Tory Burch  80" 7-8mm freshwater pearls: eBay  Flower: J.Crew outlet

Shorter is not always better when it comes to length. Higher-waisted dresses can get away with a shorter hem (see altered Theory dress here), but regular-waisted dresses such as this one need a sufficiently long skirt length to make it look balanced and proportional. The right skirt length makes the entire look more refined all-around.

Side view - before (left) and after (right)

 

Back view - before (left) and after (right)

The belt was a smidge too big and long, but I couldn't use my trusty hole puncher because it was fabric. I ended up just poking the prong where I wished there was a hole, and then pulling the belt through:

 I know several petites also picked up this dress. It retails for $99 but the BR outlet frequently has sales. I picked it up for 40% off, and you can use your AAA card for another 10% off. Check out this thread in the AlterationsNeeded forum to see how it looks on Annie, Aubrey, and Megan. Hopefully the other ladies who got this from DoubleZero will post their pics so I can borrow some styling ideas!

Mustard Cardigan: Martin & Osa sz XS (similar here for $25) 
Belt: Banana Republic Outlet sz XS   Pearls: eBay

A hem job is a simple but critical alteration for certain items, especially if you're petite. It's a shame my tailor charges $20+ (more for lined items). I wish I had the time and patience to do my own alterations.

Readers - Do you always get your items altered to fit perfectly? If so, do you DIY or shell out for the alterations?

How to Look Taller: Heels & a Hem

The Banana Republic outlet dress is back from the tailors. I tried to save $20 and spent 2 hours painstakingly ironing and hemming it by hand (recently got rid of my sewing machine...smacks head), but gave up at the lining. I took it to my trusty Korean tailors and they were aghast at my crooked stitching. Shaking their heads and clucking their tongues, they tore apart my hard work, but thankfully charged me a pity price of just $10.
It's no secret that heels are a petite gal's best friend, but let's revisit the importance of wearing the right skirt/dress length (old post here). For this, I pinned and re-pinned and finally settled on right above the knee:

Before (left) and After (right)

Sheath dress: Banana Republic outlet size 00P (tag info here - they ship for $5)

Heels: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5 (a work staple!)
Flats: Tory Burch  80" 7-8mm freshwater pearls: eBay  Flower: J.Crew outlet

Shorter is not always better when it comes to length. Higher-waisted dresses can get away with a shorter hem (see altered Theory dress here), but regular-waisted dresses such as this one need a sufficiently long skirt length to make it look balanced and proportional. The right skirt length makes the entire look more refined all-around.

Side view - before (left) and after (right)

 

Back view - before (left) and after (right)

The belt was a smidge too big and long, but I couldn't use my trusty hole puncher because it was fabric. I ended up just poking the prong where I wished there was a hole, and then pulling the belt through:

 I know several petites also picked up this dress. It retails for $99 but the BR outlet frequently has sales. I picked it up for 40% off, and you can use your AAA card for another 10% off. Check out this thread in the AlterationsNeeded forum to see how it looks on Annie, Aubrey, and Megan. Hopefully the other ladies who got this from DoubleZero will post their pics so I can borrow some styling ideas!

Mustard Cardigan: Martin & Osa sz XS (similar here for $25) 
Belt: Banana Republic Outlet sz XS   Pearls: eBay

A hem job is a simple but critical alteration for certain items, especially if you're petite. It's a shame my tailor charges $20+ (more for lined items). I wish I had the time and patience to do my own alterations.

Readers - Do you always get your items altered to fit perfectly? If so, do you DIY or shell out for the alterations?

Petite Lookbook: Old Bananas in the Closet

Last week I dug out an old Banana Republic dress from the back of my closet, blew off the layers of dust, and tried to breathe new life into it. I ended up pairing it with two other BR oldies. This ruffled cardigan is from Fall/Winter '09. You may remember seeing it on AlterationsNeeded here ... it's so loose on her in comparison!

Ruffle Cardigan: Banana Republic XXSP

Woven Belt: Banana Republic XS

Silk Dress: Banana Republic 00P

Pumps: Aldo sz 35

I've had a lot of ladies ask me where to buy small belts, and I always recommend BR XXS. Here is a pebbled black leather belt, on sale. A fellow petite recommends Boden, who also makes several belts in sz XXS. Here is a snakeskin skinny belt that comes in several colors.

I couldn't decide whether I liked this outfit better belted over the outside, or belted under the cardigan. What do you guys think?

The dress in action. Enjoying an al-fresco bento lunch with my coworker:

So this silk sheath dress was one of my first 00P purchases ever...I remember *loving* it and being so excited to find a size that actually "fit." I even wanted to get a second one in purple! However, upon trying it on last week for the first time in years, I was surprised at how poorly it actually fit...

The bust on this sz 00P dress was so big, it could probably accommodate a 34C. My coworkers even commented on the loose "boob flap" in the chest area (visible in the above pic). But alas, this dress is 100% silk and fully lined with a side zip - I have no motivation to spend $ to get it altered. A belt-and-cardigan combo sufficiently conceals the bagginess and gets the job done.

Good thing I didn't buy one in a second color. Several inches of extra width on the waist and hips:

Has anyone else ever tried on something old that you used to love, only to go, "what was I thinking?" I think that being in the blogging community has made me so much selective with my purchases...and thankfully so!

Petite Lookbook: Old Bananas in the Closet

Last week I dug out an old Banana Republic dress from the back of my closet, blew off the layers of dust, and tried to breathe new life into it. I ended up pairing it with two other BR oldies. This ruffled cardigan is from Fall/Winter '09. You may remember seeing it on AlterationsNeeded here ... it's so loose on her in comparison!

Ruffle Cardigan: Banana Republic XXSP

Woven Belt: Banana Republic XS

Silk Dress: Banana Republic 00P

Pumps: Aldo sz 35

I've had a lot of ladies ask me where to buy small belts, and I always recommend BR XXS. Here is a pebbled black leather belt, on sale. A fellow petite recommends Boden, who also makes several belts in sz XXS. Here is a snakeskin skinny belt that comes in several colors.

I couldn't decide whether I liked this outfit better belted over the outside, or belted under the cardigan. What do you guys think?

The dress in action. Enjoying an al-fresco bento lunch with my coworker:

So this silk sheath dress was one of my first 00P purchases ever...I remember *loving* it and being so excited to find a size that actually "fit." I even wanted to get a second one in purple! However, upon trying it on last week for the first time in years, I was surprised at how poorly it actually fit...

The bust on this sz 00P dress was so big, it could probably accommodate a 34C. My coworkers even commented on the loose "boob flap" in the chest area (visible in the above pic). But alas, this dress is 100% silk and fully lined with a side zip - I have no motivation to spend $ to get it altered. A belt-and-cardigan combo sufficiently conceals the bagginess and gets the job done.

Good thing I didn't buy one in a second color. Several inches of extra width on the waist and hips:

Has anyone else ever tried on something old that you used to love, only to go, "what was I thinking?" I think that being in the blogging community has made me so much selective with my purchases...and thankfully so!

Petite Lookbook: DIY Inspired Nautical Dress

A few weeks ago, I fell in love with a See by Chloe dress worn by Tiffany at I-am-stylish. It was a short-sleeved shift dress with nautical stripes and feminine ruffles...simple, but perfect. The price however was a bit outside my budget. Inspired, I dusted off my sewing machine and set out to create a DIY version.

Dress: DIY from H&M sz 2 tee

Ankle-Strap Wedges: BCBG 5.5 (similar here - neutral colors elongate legs!)

Bangles: H&M sz XS/S w/2.5" diameter (similar here and here - info claims 2.5")

Above Left: The inspiration - See by Chloe nautical dress, $267 (photo credit my-wardrobe.com)

Above Right: "Before" shot of my raw material. Bought two of these oversized 100% cotton tees at H&M for a grand total of $8. I tried on numerous striped tees before finding these perfectly airy and lightweight ones.

Continue reading for more photos.

 This dress is so easy to wear under cardigans or blazers. Khaki jacket: Theory sz 00

Also goes well with my nude pumps from Target, sz 5.5 (sold here - now on sale!)

The back (I love the slouchy fit for hot summer days), and ruffle detailing:

All I did was use the second tee to make a ruffled bib, as well as add a few inches of length to the original tee shirt. Since I haven't sewn for years, I had several trial-and-errors on what should have been a simple project. Overall, though, I was quite pleased with the results...so the time spent was worth it!

If anyone is interested in making this, let me know and I can try to post more "in-process" photos.

***Addendum - posted step by step pics here***

Petite Lookbook: DIY Inspired Nautical Dress

A few weeks ago, I fell in love with a See by Chloe dress worn by Tiffany at I-am-stylish. It was a short-sleeved shift dress with nautical stripes and feminine ruffles...simple, but perfect. The price however was a bit outside my budget. Inspired, I dusted off my sewing machine and set out to create a DIY version.

Dress: DIY from H&M sz 2 tee

Ankle-Strap Wedges: BCBG 5.5 (similar here - neutral colors elongate legs!)

Bangles: H&M sz XS/S w/2.5" diameter (similar here and here - info claims 2.5")

Above Left: The inspiration - See by Chloe nautical dress, $267 (photo credit my-wardrobe.com)

Above Right: "Before" shot of my raw material. Bought two of these oversized 100% cotton tees at H&M for a grand total of $8. I tried on numerous striped tees before finding these perfectly airy and lightweight ones.

Continue reading for more photos.

 This dress is so easy to wear under cardigans or blazers. Khaki jacket: Theory sz 00

Also goes well with my nude pumps from Target, sz 5.5 (sold here - now on sale!)

The back (I love the slouchy fit for hot summer days), and ruffle detailing:

All I did was use the second tee to make a ruffled bib, as well as add a few inches of length to the original tee shirt. Since I haven't sewn for years, I had several trial-and-errors on what should have been a simple project. Overall, though, I was quite pleased with the results...so the time spent was worth it!

If anyone is interested in making this, let me know and I can try to post more "in-process" photos.

***Addendum - posted step by step pics here***

Petite Lookbook: Rosebud Peplum Dress

A few weeks ago I tried on a floral dress at F21 (#5 in this post) and fell in love with the vintage-y rose print. The fit was good, but I thought it was a little overpriced ($20) for a tee shirt dress from F21. Thankfully, a few hours later, I found a similar dress in a darling peplum cut. Peplum (definition): short overskirt usually attached to a fitted jacket or dress.

These photos do not do this dress justice because the flounce skirt got crumpled up in my suitcase. I ironed it out later with my hair straightener but was too lazy to re-take pics.

Dress: Pretty Good sz XS

Belt: F21 sz S

Cardigan: Martin & Osa sz XS (similar here in XXS)

This dress was a random find at one of my least favorite places...TJ Maxx. The discount environment at those stores make me purchase items that I don't even like or need. I worked at Marshalls as a teen, and used to hoard any and ALL clearance clothing & shoes that came remotely close to fitting me. Anyone else guilty of that?

Needless to say all of that stuff has been donated by now, and as a result I am "traumatized" by places like TJMaxx/Marshies. This dress was a lucky find in the juniors department (the petites section is twinset-laden and horrid), and was priced exactly the same as the F21 dress I had passed up earlier.

This is also my first sweater from M&O. I had always seen them on the likes of ChloeConpiracy and Stylepint, but never came across an actual store until last week. I LOVE this longer cardigan! I have been wearing it so much - buttoned up over leggings, or open with my spring dresses. I like the fit of the XS, but later realized that XXS is available online in this summer weight long cardigan (on sale).

  

Sandals: I.N.C. low wedge sandals (similar here in Cognac - love, love, love)

Now for the alterations...(note how much better the flounce skirt looks when not crinkly)

This dress in a juniors XS basically fit due to the elasticised waist, however there were a few issues. The neckline was too plunging, the armholes were too big, and the sides were too wide.

I had not visited my tailors for months, and didn't want to break the streak for a $20 dress from TJ Maxx. Oh how I wish I have my beloved sewing machine & serger in Boston! But for the time and space being, rough hand-stitching will have to get the job done. I whipped out my needle and thread and stitched in the following:

Ta-da. DIY alterations to address common problems faced by petites.

I love the peplum silhouette because it gives off the illusion that I have hips. Shop dresses in similar silhouettes (click to go to):

Under $50:

Over $50: