Petite Lookbook: Pretty in Pewter

I've been wanting to try Ann Taylor's "Tropical Wool" pencil skirts, but the $108 price tag scared me. They also don't carry 00Ps in store anymore (unlike BR), and I never felt compelled enough to order online. During their 40% off sale last week, I wandered into a store and lo and behold there was a 00P hanging on a rack, in a color that I've been loving this season!

Tee: H&M sz XS

Skirt: Ann Taylor Tropical Wool Pencil Skirt in Soft Pewter, 00P

Shoes: Ann Taylor Exotic Pump in 5.5 - on sale again!

Pearls: eBay

While I was in the store, I also couldn't help but try on this cute swing jacket in a matching fabric. They had it in 0P only, but I was surprised by the slim fit. I think a 00P would actually be perfect on someone my size for wearing over dark denim or black suit pants. It's currently on sale here for $112.50 from $228, and still left in 00P!

Tropical Wool Elysian Jacket on me in 0P: 

I also tried this jacket on with the matching skirt, but it was hideous pewter overload. I will spare readers from the pics.

 The fit of the skirt in 00P is not perfect. As you can see below, on an empty stomach there is an inch or so of fabric to spare at the waist band. The hips are also not snug on me. However, this is the best fit I've come across right off the rack in a long time for pencil skirts...the silhouette is actually a true pencil (my biggest qualm with BR skirts) with the entire skirt tapering down at the knees.

I'm going to hold off on alterations, because my waist expands after each meal and actually fills out the skirt - scary.

Another concern I had was about the quality of the "Tropical wool." I loathe wrinkles, and sure didn't want to pay $65 for a skirt that crumples up after a few sittings. In a previous post, a reader (Vix) mentioned that "one sign of a good wool is that [the wrinkles] fall right out after an overnight hang." I put this skirt to the test, and wore it for a couple of hours in my hotel room - sitting, lying down, rolling around, etc. It got a few wrinklies, so I hung it up in the closet. The next day ... voila ... looked normal again. Satisfied, I then removed the tag and wore it to work. These photos were taken after I wore the skirt for 12 hours (sitting) then stuffed it into a suitcase.

Browse AT Petite Wool Pencil skirts: