Spring Wedding Outfit + Quest for Nude Pumps

Got this email from a reader: "Can you show outfits a petite guest could wear to a wedding? My closet is full of business attire. I'd like to dress up, but tastefully and appropriate for a wedding."

I think weddings are the perfect excuse to go out and buy a dress. Life's too short to not wear pretty frocks. H&M is probably the first place I'd look, but BCBG or even Forever 21 offer viable options for a Spring/Summer wedding.

If I absolutely must pull something from my closet of dull business attire, I would choose a colorful sheath dress. A la the Asos pencil dress. This is how I could wear it conservatively for work:

Dress: Asos Tailored Pencil Dress in Petite 0/UK 4, hemmed (buy here)

Pumps: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5 (buy here)

Blazer: Theory sz 00  Akoya pearls: eBay

And for a not-too-formal wedding, I'd make the following changes:

1. Lose the blazer, or swap it for a cute cropped jacket or a shrug or elegant wrap
2. Instead of conservative pearls, don a statement necklace
3. Swap plain pumps for chic heels with a platform
4. Add a small evening bag or clutch
5. Get nails did and gloss your lips

Necklace: Forever 21 Beaded Bib Necklace (buy here, also comes in teal)

Bangles: H&M   Wallet: LV   Nails: Essie Jelly Apple

I don't like the quality of F21 necklaces, but I was drawn to this chunky piece. After I got home I coated the metal in cheap clear nail polish (reader tip - thank you!), and now store all my costume necklaces in individual plastic bags, as that's supposed to prevent oxidation.

Pumps: Nine West "Rocha" in Taupe, sz 5.5
Swing Jacket: Banana Republic sz 0 (old, altered)

I got this dress back from the tailor, and the alteration cost almost made me weep. Tailor said $10 for the hem, but $25 total if I wanted to keep the back slit (it had to be reconstructed like so). So byebye $50 to get both dresses shortened. See reviews of this dress by fellow petites in the Alterations Needed Forum. Elle did a post on regular vs petite sizing and Ping did a post on the petite.

Next up, a pair of true nude (not brown, not porcini) pumps is a wardrobe must-have, so why is the perfect pair so darn hard to find? I thought about going straight to the popular Corso Como's that Elle has...

Corso Como Delicious Pump in Nude

...but I wanted a slight platform to further elongate the leg. Below are three options that I entertained:

1. Enzo Angliolini "Kylin" in Nude, sz 6 (5.5 was sold out)

Thoughts: the platform was chunky (look at that thick sole in the back view) and wide. Pointy toe not as classic as almond.

Verdict: Return

2. BCBG "Tinas" in Tapioca Santos, sz 5.5

Thoughts: the color was an effervescent pearly white in person...very bridal and definitely not nude. Toe a little too round for my liking. These DID fit very snugly though...so the 5.5 either runs small or is true to size.

Verdict: Return

3. Nine West "Rocha" in Taupe, sz 5.5

Thoughts: 5.5 fit well, but pinched my toes (never happens!). Not a fan of the wooden sole and heel (I think it makes the shoe looks cheaper). Also, Target's Mossimo Versie in Taupe is a very close dupe for this shoe at less than half the price.

Verdict: Best for me out of the three...but pinched toes hurt. Return.

Here's a look at all three compared to the popular Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps. See how the Ann Taylor ones just have a cleaner and sleeker silhouette? That's why I shall remain a loyal PP wearer.

I will say that my quest for the perfect nude pump has finally ended, in a huge splurge. They're not perfect because they don't have a platform, but I've been considering them for a while and they were love on my feet.

Spring Wedding Outfit + Quest for Nude Pumps

Got this email from a reader: "Can you show outfits a petite guest could wear to a wedding? My closet is full of business attire. I'd like to dress up, but tastefully and appropriate for a wedding."

I think weddings are the perfect excuse to go out and buy a dress. Life's too short to not wear pretty frocks. H&M is probably the first place I'd look, but BCBG or even Forever 21 offer viable options for a Spring/Summer wedding.

If I absolutely must pull something from my closet of dull business attire, I would choose a colorful sheath dress. A la the Asos pencil dress. This is how I could wear it conservatively for work:

Dress: Asos Tailored Pencil Dress in Petite 0/UK 4, hemmed (buy here)

Pumps: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5 (buy here)

Blazer: Theory sz 00  Akoya pearls: eBay

And for a not-too-formal wedding, I'd make the following changes:

1. Lose the blazer, or swap it for a cute cropped jacket or a shrug or elegant wrap
2. Instead of conservative pearls, don a statement necklace
3. Swap plain pumps for chic heels with a platform
4. Add a small evening bag or clutch
5. Get nails did and gloss your lips

Necklace: Forever 21 Beaded Bib Necklace (buy here, also comes in teal)

Bangles: H&M   Wallet: LV   Nails: Essie Jelly Apple

I don't like the quality of F21 necklaces, but I was drawn to this chunky piece. After I got home I coated the metal in cheap clear nail polish (reader tip - thank you!), and now store all my costume necklaces in individual plastic bags, as that's supposed to prevent oxidation.

Pumps: Nine West "Rocha" in Taupe, sz 5.5
Swing Jacket: Banana Republic sz 0 (old, altered)

I got this dress back from the tailor, and the alteration cost almost made me weep. Tailor said $10 for the hem, but $25 total if I wanted to keep the back slit (it had to be reconstructed like so). So byebye $50 to get both dresses shortened. See reviews of this dress by fellow petites in the Alterations Needed Forum. Elle did a post on regular vs petite sizing and Ping did a post on the petite.

Next up, a pair of true nude (not brown, not porcini) pumps is a wardrobe must-have, so why is the perfect pair so darn hard to find? I thought about going straight to the popular Corso Como's that Elle has...

Corso Como Delicious Pump in Nude

...but I wanted a slight platform to further elongate the leg. Below are three options that I entertained:

1. Enzo Angliolini "Kylin" in Nude, sz 6 (5.5 was sold out)

Thoughts: the platform was chunky (look at that thick sole in the back view) and wide. Pointy toe not as classic as almond.

Verdict: Return

2. BCBG "Tinas" in Tapioca Santos, sz 5.5

Thoughts: the color was an effervescent pearly white in person...very bridal and definitely not nude. Toe a little too round for my liking. These DID fit very snugly though...so the 5.5 either runs small or is true to size.

Verdict: Return

3. Nine West "Rocha" in Taupe, sz 5.5

Thoughts: 5.5 fit well, but pinched my toes (never happens!). Not a fan of the wooden sole and heel (I think it makes the shoe looks cheaper). Also, Target's Mossimo Versie in Taupe is a very close dupe for this shoe at less than half the price.

Verdict: Best for me out of the three...but pinched toes hurt. Return.

Here's a look at all three compared to the popular Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps. See how the Ann Taylor ones just have a cleaner and sleeker silhouette? That's why I shall remain a loyal PP wearer.

I will say that my quest for the perfect nude pump has finally ended, in a huge splurge. They're not perfect because they don't have a platform, but I've been considering them for a while and they were love on my feet.

Review: Asos Petite Tailored Pencil Sheath Dress

**Update: Check your email today for a 20% off code! If you're not an email subscriber, sign up and possibly ask Customer Service if you can have a code (they've been great to me). The red dress is back in stock in Petite 0!**

I'll cut to the chase. I love this dress. It's not a high quality garment and the length on me requires hemming, but the silhouette makes me feel so ladylike. As soon as I zipped up the snug torso, I knew it was a keeper. I envision it with bold necklaces and cropped little jackets.

Dress: ASOS Tailored Pencil Dress in sz US Petite 0, Red (?)
Buy here in petite (also in black and cobalt) or here in regular (on sale).

When I saw that this dress was titled "in the style of Lady Gaga," I was apprehensive that there would be some whacky feature to it like an exaggerated poofy skirt. After careful inspection...I don't see anything Gaga-ish. I would see this more on someone polished like fellow petite Eva Longoria.

Sizing: Asos UK sz Petite 4 = US Petite 0 = H&M sz 2. The Petite 0 I ordered definitely fits smaller than sz 00P / XXSP from the typical petite favorite brands like Ann Taylor, LOFT, and BR.

Fit: This dress is cut narrow in the torso/waist, and has pleated full tulip hips. When zipped up, the US sz 1 on me has no room to spare at the chest and waist, but still a few inches of space at the hips. The bottom opening for the legs is narrow. Even with the slit, it's a snug fit past my hips when putting it on. Length on me hits right at the knee. I want to shorten it about 2 inches, but then the back slit would look funky and truncated. Woe is me.

Measurements: US sz Petite 0 measures 14.75" from armpit to armpit, 12" across the waist, 17.5" across the hips at the widest point, 13-14" across the bottom leg opening, 14" from top of shoulder to waistline, 33" total length down the back center.

 Front and back, inside out (click to enlarge):

Quality: The material feels like a thin, smooth suiting material with a tiny bit of stretch. It is 100% polyester (machine washable), unlined, and the zipper feels kind of cheap. I wore it for a few hours and it didn't wrinkle. Price seems steep for the quality, but to me it's a fair price for a pretty sheath dress that requires minimal alterations.

Shopping Experience: Free shipping and free returns = happy me. Shipping is now tracked, which is great because I know that used to be the main complaint with ASOS orders. My order this time came from Atlanta, GA (versus the UK, like last time) and took about 5 business days to get here.

Colors: Currently, this dress is only offered in Black, Blue, Cafe Creme, and Red for petite sizing. The Cafe Creme is a light blush pink and kind of looks nude on me because I'm so darn pale right now. The strange thing is, I also ordered Red (it looks like a vibrant cherry red on the website) but I was sent an entirely different color. The one I received is a burnt sienna-coral-ish color, and looks just like "Firebrick" from their regular sizing. I'm confused because I don't even see that color as an option for petite sizing! So if you order Red ... you may receive Red, or you may not.

Dress: ASOS Tailored Pencil Dress in sz US Petite 0, Cafe Creme
 Buy here in petite, here in regular (on sale), or here in linen. 

Verdict: Keeping both. A rarity for me at this price. I know many of you probably find the Cafe Creme to be terribly unflattering against my skin tone, but I'm going to save it for when I'm tan.

I highly recommend this dress, but it can definitely be hit or miss depending on your body shape. I want to emphasize the narrowly-cut torso and tulip-style hips. If your chest is any larger than mine (I'm wearing a 32A with this dress) then I'd recommend sizing up.

Readers - what do you think of this dress? Did any of you pick it up?

Review: Asos Petite Tailored Pencil Sheath Dress

**Update: Check your email today for a 20% off code! If you're not an email subscriber, sign up and possibly ask Customer Service if you can have a code (they've been great to me). The red dress is back in stock in Petite 0!**

I'll cut to the chase. I love this dress. It's not a high quality garment and the length on me requires hemming, but the silhouette makes me feel so ladylike. As soon as I zipped up the snug torso, I knew it was a keeper. I envision it with bold necklaces and cropped little jackets.

Dress: ASOS Tailored Pencil Dress in sz US Petite 0, Red (?)
Buy here in petite (also in black and cobalt) or here in regular (on sale).

When I saw that this dress was titled "in the style of Lady Gaga," I was apprehensive that there would be some whacky feature to it like an exaggerated poofy skirt. After careful inspection...I don't see anything Gaga-ish. I would see this more on someone polished like fellow petite Eva Longoria.

Sizing: Asos UK sz Petite 4 = US Petite 0 = H&M sz 2. The Petite 0 I ordered definitely fits smaller than sz 00P / XXSP from the typical petite favorite brands like Ann Taylor, LOFT, and BR.

Fit: This dress is cut narrow in the torso/waist, and has pleated full tulip hips. When zipped up, the US sz 1 on me has no room to spare at the chest and waist, but still a few inches of space at the hips. The bottom opening for the legs is narrow. Even with the slit, it's a snug fit past my hips when putting it on. Length on me hits right at the knee. I want to shorten it about 2 inches, but then the back slit would look funky and truncated. Woe is me.

Measurements: US sz Petite 0 measures 14.75" from armpit to armpit, 12" across the waist, 17.5" across the hips at the widest point, 13-14" across the bottom leg opening, 14" from top of shoulder to waistline, 33" total length down the back center.

 Front and back, inside out (click to enlarge):

Quality: The material feels like a thin, smooth suiting material with a tiny bit of stretch. It is 100% polyester (machine washable), unlined, and the zipper feels kind of cheap. I wore it for a few hours and it didn't wrinkle. Price seems steep for the quality, but to me it's a fair price for a pretty sheath dress that requires minimal alterations.

Shopping Experience: Free shipping and free returns = happy me. Shipping is now tracked, which is great because I know that used to be the main complaint with ASOS orders. My order this time came from Atlanta, GA (versus the UK, like last time) and took about 5 business days to get here.

Colors: Currently, this dress is only offered in Black, Blue, Cafe Creme, and Red for petite sizing. The Cafe Creme is a light blush pink and kind of looks nude on me because I'm so darn pale right now. The strange thing is, I also ordered Red (it looks like a vibrant cherry red on the website) but I was sent an entirely different color. The one I received is a burnt sienna-coral-ish color, and looks just like "Firebrick" from their regular sizing. I'm confused because I don't even see that color as an option for petite sizing! So if you order Red ... you may receive Red, or you may not.

Dress: ASOS Tailored Pencil Dress in sz US Petite 0, Cafe Creme
 Buy here in petite, here in regular (on sale), or here in linen. 

Verdict: Keeping both. A rarity for me at this price. I know many of you probably find the Cafe Creme to be terribly unflattering against my skin tone, but I'm going to save it for when I'm tan.

I highly recommend this dress, but it can definitely be hit or miss depending on your body shape. I want to emphasize the narrowly-cut torso and tulip-style hips. If your chest is any larger than mine (I'm wearing a 32A with this dress) then I'd recommend sizing up.

Readers - what do you think of this dress? Did any of you pick it up?