Ann Taylor & LOFT Fitting Room Reviews

1. Ann Taylor Factory cornflower blue sheath, sz 00P. On sale for 40% off plus 25% off coupon. I liked the simple silhouette of this sheath and the asymmetrical ruffle detail.

Verdict: Pass. Material was "crinkly," torso needed slimming, and the length needed hemming.

 (Click photos to enlarge)

2. Ann Taylor Factory petal front shell, XXSP. On sale for 25% off plus another 25% off coupon. Petite sizing available only in dusty mauve or blue. It seems to be a trend for AT Factory to bring back all the regular store favorites from one whole year ago. I missed out on the silk version from last year because small sizes sold out while it was still pricey. The factory retail price is quite high for the significantly shoddier material.

Verdict: Purchased in blue. This top was likened to a wedding cake or fishy scales by Twitter friends, but I was drawn to all the ways Chloe wore the regular store version last year.

3. Ann Taylor Factory chiffon-trim cardigan, XXSP. On sale for 50% off plus another 25% off coupon. 

Verdict: Pass. I wanted to like this, pockets and all, but the rayon material felt very crappy.

4. Ann Taylor Factory ruffle front halter, XXSP, $50? On sale for 25% off plus another 25% off coupon. Came in solid colors as well as two prints.

Verdict: Pass. Would've looked pretty tucked in, but armholes were HUGE. My bra was clearly visible from both sides.

5. Ann Taylor (regular store) silk camp shirt, 00P. This shirt was a huge hopeful for me. I loove the tulip and cafe latte colors it comes in, and the material felt luxe and draped nicely.

Verdict: Pass. The shirt is not cut slim enough for tiny petites, but would be a classic on someone a size up from me (or if you shell out for slimming alterations). If it can't be tucked into skirts (see 3rd pic - sides looks really poofy) then it's a pass for me.

6. LOFT Lightweight Wool Blazer, sz 00P. LOFT's blazers seem to be getting more slim-cut in the torso, but the sleeves are so big n' wide! The torso fit me decently, but wide sleeves are my pet peeve.

Verdict: Pass.

7. LOFT rolled sleeve drapey shirt, sz XXSP. I was really enticed by this shirt after seeing it on tiny PetiteXXS here, but then Callandra mentioned here that it was really roomy.

Verdict: Pass. I found it to be quite puffy and roomy (I think Liane managed to find one that ran extraordinarily small!), and didn't look right even when tucked in.

8. LOFT Marisa cropped trousers, sz 00P. I had expressed hope for LOFT's Marisa cropped trousers since the tweed version last season ran small.

Verdict: Pass. Nope...this season's crops are back to the generous sizing. The waist, hips, and thigh throughout were too big for me.

All in all, I managed to escape this week with only one Ann Taylor Factory purchase plus a pair of final sale shoes at Ann Taylor (regular)'s 40% off sale items event. My local store had a few of the petite-favorite tie-neck silk shells (from this post) for $35.99 and perfect skinny belts for $11.99.

Readers - any good finds to share from this week?

Petite Lookbook: Remixing the Petite Favorites

As a blogger and avid blog reader, I enjoy taking inspiration and recommendations from others. It's fun to see the same items or outfit tips on different people, but it's also easy to lose one's style identity within this smaller blogging niche. One way I try to incorporate "identity" into outfits composed of ubiquitous petite favorites is through jewelry and layering. I love shopping on eBay and thrift stores for (hopefully) unique pieces, and layering textures to create a different look.

In this outfit are three petite faves: LOFT cuffed pants (Kelly's signature pants : P), AT Factory shell, and AT skinny belt. I added a little lace vest and a basketweave swing jacket for texture, plus thrifted pearls and my coral ring for a pop of color.

See this outfit in LOFT's facebook pants feature : )

Vest: H&M Crochet Lace Vest sz XS (very similar here)

Top: Ann Taylor Factory Chiffon Ruffle Shell sz XXSP (info in this post)

Pants: LOFT Marisa Wool Cuffed Trousers sz 00P

Swing Jacket: Banana Republic sz 0 (altered)
Purse: LV Speedy 25  Belt: Ann Taylor Skinny Belt

These pants were from last season, but LOFT has brought back a similar version in the same Marisa cut, cropped length w/ cuffs, in a dark gray melange material and lightweight wool material. Both are currently available online in 00P. 

Slingbacks: Banana Republic sz 5.5 (old)

With flats (Cole Haan sz 5) for commuting:

Ring: YSL Coral Arty in sz 5 (get 6% cashback w/ ebates)

Pearls: thrifted   Earrings: Chanel turnlock studs

Readers - what defines your personal style? How do you keep it unique?

Recyling a Favorite Combination

**My ebates giveaway winners have been announced here! Please email me to claim your prize**

I'm not one of those people who wake up every morning, excited to conjure up a chic outfit for the day. On some days there just isn't time, and on others there is no motivation.

As a result, I've been embracing the beauty of recycled clothing combinations. If I discover a pairing I really like, I'll keep them together on the same hanger for easy dressing in the mornings. My reused combos usually entail:

1. Blouse with either an interesting pattern, color, or details down the center like ruffles or pleats. Details down the center tend to look best under cardigans or blazers, as they have a lengthening effect.
2. Fitted cardigan

Blouse: LOFT ruffled shell sz XXSP (similar here)

Sweater: J.Crew Chiffon Ruffle Cardigan sz XXS (similar here)

Shorts: H&M sz 2

See this outfit and other bloggers' LOFT items featured on LOFT's facebook album here.

Skirt: Banana Republic Paper Bag skirt sz 0 P (gifted by a reader) (similar here)

Shoes: Marc Fischer, thrifted  Belt: J.Crew  Ring: YSL Arty

Skirt: Ann Taylor Tropical Wool Pencil Skirt sz 00P (altered)  

Belt: AT Perfect Patent Belt sz S (extra holes punched)

Jeans: Gap Legging Jeans in "faded dark" sz 00P

Booties: Target sz 5.5  Ring: YSL Arty in coral, sz 5

Just make sure you rotate recycled pairings amongst different audiences! My friends give me a hard time for wearing my favorite pieces week after week ; )

Readers - How often do you "recycle" favorite pairings? Or, do you try to never repeat an outfit?

Petite Lookbook: Prim and Proper

Thank you everyone who entered my Valentine's Day giveaway. The winner this time is Thuy! Please visit this post for the selection details. Please email me within 72 hours to claim your prize : )

A while back I posted about one of my favorite ways to wear a cardigan - tucked into a pencil skirt. I wanted to show how this can work nicely for longer cardigans, as long as they are thin and fitted.

Cardigan: LOFT XXSP (similar here in 12 colors)

Silk Pleated Blouse: J.Crew sz 0 (taken in)
Tweed Skirt: Theory 00  Rings: Topshop

Belt: J.Crew sz S (extra holes punched) 

Vintage Pendant: "Peri" Cameo (from here)

This is how I used to wear this cardigan for work. Atrocious! Thank you, photos, for enlightening me. The long cardi hanging over the pencil skirt left no room for body definition.

Here is the same exact sweater and skirt done over again. Ideally the cardigan would be more fitted in the torso, but the look is already cleaner and the overall shape definition is greatly improved.

 Skirt: Ann Taylor Tropical Wool Pencil Skirt in 00P (taken in) - new color available!

Heels: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5 

For this prim outfit, I reached for my favorite vintage Peri cameo. Vintage trinkets look beautiful over delicate materials like silks, chiffon, and lace (as shown here). This is probably one of my most-worn accessories (can be donned as a pendant or a pin), and the best part - it was under $10 on eBay.

Readers - Have you tried the tucked-in cardi for work yet?

LOFT Floral Top Meets Vintage Ann Taylor

I picked up this bright floral top last week and couldn't wait to break it out. Thankfully there are colors like deep purple and burnt sienna in the pattern, making it easier to incorporate into a cold-weather ensemble.

Cardigan: J.Crew sz XS

Floral Blouse: LOFT sz XXSP (similar here)

Wool Pencil Skirt: Ann Taylor vintage sz 2, altered

Suede Booties: Adrienne Vittadini "Adam" (buy here on sale)

I know a few other petite bloggers have this blouse, but had trouble finding the posts. If you've blogged about this blouse, please feel free to leave a link to your post in the comments below!

While at LOFT last week, I actually fell in love with something (rare). The stretchy knit "scuba" material is back in the form of a cropped blazer with 3/4 length sleeves. I love the versatile caramel color. Unlike other LOFT blazers I've tried on...the fit was near-perfect on me (I prefer the sleeves folded up in a cuff) and just look at the flattering, fitted back view!

LOFT Cropped Scuba Blazer, sz 00P

I also gravitated toward a lightweight button-up blouse in a light dusty lavender (not shown). My size was already gone so I tried on this pink color, which I'm not a fan of at all. I included these photos only to show how narrow the shoulders are and how slim the overall fit is. The sleeves were also a perfect length on me. This would look great tucked in and is a feminine alternative to stuffier button-up dress shirts.

LOFT Hidden Placket Boyfriend Shirt, sz XXSP 

The color I want (dusty lavender) is in-stores but not yet online!

I will be keeping an eye out for both items when the next big LOFT sale hits!

Readers - do you also love adding florals and brights to beat the winter blues?

LOFT Holiday Outfit Series & Sweet Velvet Petites Sale

I wanted to do a quick post about the holiday outfit series that fellow blogger Tara of Mix and Match Fashion posted this week (first post starts here). For the past 4 days, Tara featured some of her favorite bloggers in holiday ensembles containing LOFT items. Tara is a teacher (a rather stylish one, may I add) who loves LOFT. As many of you may already know, LOFT offers a 15% discount for teachers on every purchase, possibly combine-able with sales. You just need to apply online or in-store for a savings card.

I haven't shopped at LOFT for a while because I'm slightly sized out of their dresses, skirts, and pants. However, I did score 4 of their awesome long cardigans a while back which fit great. Working with what I have, this was the best I could do for "festive":

Dress: J.Crew paisley dress as seen here, sz 0P altered

Cardigan: LOFT V-neck long cardigan sz XXSP

Skirt: Sweet Velvet Petites Grace Pencil Skirt sz XS, pinned back

Pumps: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5

I love the thought of layering a dress under a skirt to make it more versatile. However, the ensemble I have here just doesn't work. My dress is empire-waisted and the skirt is low-rise. Ideally you'd need a fitted dress that tucks in nicely, and a naturally high-waisted skirt. To be attempted again in the future...

This Sweet Velvet Grace Pencil Skirt in XS sits lower on my hips, which was surprising because an earlier S.V. item I tried on in XS was quite snug. I prefer my skirts to come up to my natural waist, but this could work for others who are a little bigger than me, or for those who prefer skirts to sit on their hips. I think low-rise may be the intended style for this skirt, as seen in the stock photo.

I have a full review planned for this Sweet Velvet petites skirt later, where I will touch more on fit and quality. I wanted to mention now that they are having 40% off their entire online store until December 31st, 2010, with code CHRISTMAS. Kelly and I both tried on the Audrey Dress a while back, which fits very tiny in sz XS.

*Disclosure: This skirt was gifted to me by Sweet Velvet Inc.

LOFT Petite Cuffed Trousers - To Keep or not to Keep?

The day after Thanksgiving I woke up late and leisurely went to the local mall. I'm not big on the Black Friday craziness, but I did enjoy reading about many of your finds via blogger and twitter! The mall by my parents' house is pretty mundane...I got bored quick but did find the following at Forever 21:

- Knit cable tights in charcoal, sz SM (comes in 4 colors) which I now love - they're really warm and look cute under shorts or skirts. I had been eying a pair at H&M, but those cost a crazy $14.95! See these here on me.

- Satin bow headbands (3 colors) for $1.50 each. I don't really do headbands, but at this price I'll give it a shot! See here on me.

- More $3.50 nylon tights in charcoal, gray, and olive. These are opaque and one size fits all.

I then braved the crowd at LOFT to see if they had Kelly's wool trousers in my size. The item locator online said sold out, but lo and behold this store had tons in stock ... don't trust the item locater! LOFT was having 40% off so the pants came out to $42 (from $80), which is not exactly cheap for me, but I wanted to purchase first and decide later.

Pants: LOFT Petite Equestrian Pants sz 00P (buy here w/ ENJOY for 40% off & free ship at any price)
Belt: Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Skinny Belt in Granite, sz S (buy here)

Cardigan: LOFT V-Neck Long Cardigan sz XXSP (buy here)

Top: J.Crew pleated silk tuxedo shell sz 0 regular
Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Suede Pumps sz 5
Floral pin and earrings: J.Crew outlet

These pants come cuffed but the length was too long on me to achieve a cropped, slouchy look. Thus I gave them another generous cuff. Refer to Kelly's two posts to see how these pants look on her originally and with the cuff rolled up. After seeing these photos, I need to roll up my cuff a little more tightly and neatly like she did.

Likes: If you like the menswear look then I would highly recommend these pants. The speckled gray texture is fabulous in person and the material is very warm (though take note they are only lined on the upper-half). Fit-wise, these are some of the smaller fitting LOFT pants I've tried on to date (tag says Marissa cut). I needed a little help with a belt but otherwise the fit around the waist/hips of a 00P is decent and doesn't need alterations, woohoo. 

Dislikes: I wish these pants were a tad slimmer along the thighs, so the silhouette wouldn't be so peg-legged or carrot-like. Also, I'm not sure where the best length is for my body type.

Verdict: I don't have anything cute and cuffed, so I'm leaning towards keep!

This silk/chiffon blouse in women's 0 was a random find at a J.Crew store. It was about $20 after their discounts so although it was huge (see before alterations photo here), it only needed an easy alteration. I sewed in the sides myself (took about 5 minutes, otherwise I have no patience for DIY alterations).

There were some dissenting opinions when Kelly first revealed these pants. I think the key is getting them to be the right length for your legs, and wearing them with a shoe that elongates the leg (the shoes that the LOFT model has on are atrocious with these pants).  

Readers - Would you keep or return these pants (for $42)?