A Disappointing Petite Shopping Trip

I recently noticed that some items of interest on Banana Republic's website have gone on sale for pretty cheap. Since there's a huge BR Petites near me, I figured I'd just go try them on in person. The visit, if the title has not yet given me away, was not fruitful.

Actually, one good thing did came out of my visit. I learned today that BR presales for their major sales, such as Thursday's "After 5" event. Cardholders may have gotten a 30% off total purchase coupon in the mail. The manager said she would hold anything I wanted until Thursday. I know stores like Saks and Bloomies do presale, but never imagined that BR would as well.

1. BR Petite Silk Tiered Top, $70.00 on sale for $39.99, still available in XXS in green, gray, and grape:

Model ---> Me

Ok, many apologies, my pic is TERRIBLE. I have shaky arms to begin with, plus I was nervous about taking pics in the dressing room : )

Online, I thought this top was pretty and romantic. I tried on a PXS (since no XXS's are in stores), but it was so overwhelmingly huge that I knew that even one size down would not work. Not to mention, the neckline is low and gaping (peek show with the slightest movement).

2. BR Jackson Flannel Trouser, $98 in 00p available in Dark Charcoal and Taupe Heather:

Model ---> Me

These are not on sale, but I loved the warmth of flannel for winter and wanted to give them a shot. I realize now that Jackson is the "curvier" fit, which explains the excess 5 inches of baggy fabric around my upper thighs. But what the heck is going on with the length? In the second pic I'm on my tippy toes and there was still so much excess length. I double checked the tag to make sure it was petites! Don't I look polished and professional in the above ensemble?

3. Petite Pleated Plaid Dress, available online still in 00p. $132.00 on sale for $59.99 online, but was only $30 in the store I went to:

Model ---> Me

I really had high hopes for this dress, because I like the colors, not to mention it would be dirt cheap ($21) after the "After 5" discount. Online user reviews were super mixed, but a number of ladies expressed that the neckline was too low for work and that the bust area could not be filled out. Yup, they were right on:

Once again...scandalous!!

A belt may have mediated the shapelessness of this dress, so I went to grab an elastic black one in XS:

The XS was so big that the clasp fell apart on it's own and the belt tumbled off my waist.

4. Petite Wool-Blend Lady Coat, $198 in Black, Misty Taupe (creamish), or Dark Taupe. Available in PXS as the smallest size:

Model ---> Me

I've been eyeing this coat for a while because I'm a sucker for anything taupe. It's not on sale, but with 30% off I could consider it. Also, the shape is classic. But why why why does BR not make outerwear in PXXS or 00p? They really went the lazy route with their coats this season...only four meager sizes versus the numerical spectrum of 9 or 10 sizes. This coat was the right length, but that's about it. Shoulder width, sleeve width, body width, and sleeve length were all too big. It could probably be altered for $100+, but it wasn't worth it for me.

All in all, a disappointing trip which reaffirms my beliefs that BR's petite fit is slipping. However I did find a nice little dress on sale....to be purchased "After 5" on Thurs : )

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