Theory Outlet Finds: The Gratian Blazer Saga

BR dress tag info, Theory jackets tag info 

I randomly stopped by the outlets after Christmas (unplanned, I swear!) and was overjoyed to stumble upon the Theory "Gratian" blazer, this time in a textured cotton fabric available in cream or black. Some of you may remember that this blazer was a petite fave, as its cropped, shrunken style fits nicely on shorter and smaller-framed women. Revisit my post here, and the original post on Alterations Needed that started it all!

The jacket was $410 marked down to $99, plus they had another discount for post-Christmas. Sadly, the smallest size left at that outlet was a 2, and the manager said "I'm not going to call up every single store" because they were too busy. It actually takes about 10 seconds to look it up in the system (my local Theory outlet has done this for me many times), but the manager didn't believe me. I had to take matters into my own hands and spent the rest of the day actually calling up every single Theory outlet in the US. No one could find anything smaller than a 2.

Theory "Gratian" blazer in "Conversation" fabric, size 0

Gap legging jeans in "faded dark" sz 00P (buy here)
I've tried on 4 washes and faded dark is hands down the best material. Gonna buy a 2nd w/ the next sale!

I set my alarm the next day for right when the East Coast outlets opened (being that I was in CA...this was about 6AM) and I diligently called every store again. The sleepy boyfriend thought I was a nut! Yes I was a little overzealous, but oh the things we do for fashion and bargains...

I found the cream and black in a size 0 as the smallest size, and gave in and ordered each with a $15 shipping fee. What was I thinking paying so much for the wrong size? I really love the cream but the boyfriend says it's too big in the shoulders...what do you guys think? Update: after reading your thoughtful opinions, I sadly parted with the cream. See it on its adorable new owner here.

The next day, I called some stores that were previously closed due to the Nor'easter, and was overjoyed to find two 00's in the black. Without thinking twice I ordered both. I figured a fellow petite would buy the extra and benefit from my crazed searching. Here is the black in sz 00:

Theory "Gratian" blazer in "Conversation" fabric, size 00

Gap legging jeans in "faded dark" sz 00P

Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5

Liane from PetiteXXS and Jen of Frmheadtotoe also picked up this blazer. They are both smaller than me so I'm curious how 00 fits on them. Here is the material up close. It is a thicker woven material (89% cotton, 11% polyamide) and has sparkly metallic silver threads woven throughout. Made in the USA.

As I was hanging up this blazer in my closet, I did a double take. Apparently I have a dress suit in the same exact fabric! I remember Theory fabrics by name so it didn't hit me until then, because the name apparently changed. My dress suit (posted here) fabric is called "Dialogue" and these jackets are in "Conversation" ! What a pleasant surprise. I wore the jacket over the dress to work last week.

This was a long and rambly post, but to sum it up...I have two black "Gratian" blazers up for grabs in 00 and 0. Both sizes are sold!

Building a professional wardrobe for work - Part I

Hi readers! I had some time this weekend and recorded a video, but bear with me as my macbook fan went crazy during the intro. By the time I switched computers, the sun was almost gone...oh, winter : (

I get a lot of questions from women who are just starting to work in business casual / formal environments, regarding where to begin when shopping for work clothes. My answer is usually to invest in black suiting separates (which also comes in handy for future interviews) and wear them as coordinates with what's already in your closet. After you have the basic suit down, you can then start building up with pretty blouses and more jackets & skirts in different colors and textures.

When I graduated from college I had just one black Theory jacket and an H&M suiting skirt that were altered to "fit." I pretty much wore that skirt every day with casual tops & cardigans that were already in my wardrobe, and threw on the jacket occasionally as needed. In this video I showcase those two basics, with tips about alterations:


Items shown:
- Black blazer: Theory "Branden" sz 00, retail $375 paid about $150 from outlet and $25 to shorten sleeves
- Black skirt: H&M suiting skirt sz 4, paid $30 retail and $20 for alterations (take in waist and sides)
- Basic pumps: Ann Taylor suede pumps sz 5, retail $155 paid $70 with their last stackable sale

Pretty costly, but since these are classic foundation pieces I am more willing to spend the $. I also started a small compilation of suiting reviews by extra petite bloggers. We definitely don't cover all the bases (ie. Ann Taylor suiting, LOFT suiting, Talbots petites, Brooks Brothers petites, and J.Crew now has 00P suiting) so let me know if you have reviewed a full suit from one of the above retailers.

Readers - what are the "foundation pieces" in your work wardrobe?

Review: Petite Suiting Under $500 - Theory sz 00

This is my last post in the petite-friendly suiting series. I rushed to put this up today, because there are two Theory sales going on this weekend - rare! The most classic suit from this brand retails for about $620 (jacket + pants), but this weekend you can grab it for $465 after sales.

Since the items are still quite expensive, my picks from this sale are Theory's most classic items in their popular "Tailor" fabric. They make new items in this fabric season after season, so it's the perfect choice for an investment suit. The suit is currently available in 4 colors:

1. Gabe B. Blazer in sz 00
2. Max C trouser pants in sz 00 (view here on AN post-alterations)
3. Betty Sheath Dress in sz 0 (view here on DiaryofaShopper and here again styled differently - #15)

And just for fun, a slim work pant that I loved here on Stylepint: Theory Ibbey Pant in sz 00.

Now for my review:

Jacket: Theory Branden Jacket, sz 00

Pants: Theory Mark B pants, sz 00

Blouse: Ann Taylor sz XXSP

Patent pumps: Nine West sz 6

Continue reading for more...

Alterations done: sleeves shortened ($24), pants hemmed and legs slimmed ($15). 

These pics were taken a few weeks ago (I miss you, long wavy hair!) when I was making my blog banner. Most readers know of my love for Theory by now, so I will keep this review brief.

Pros: Great fabrics that I can wear over and over again without steaming/ironing, tiny blazers, and impeccable tailoring. I've had coworkers who are completely disinterested in fashion compliment me on my basic black Theory pieces. Jackets in sz 00 and sheath dresses in sz 0 usually fit me perfectly.

Cons: Length (the brand is not made for petites, so a pants hem is a must and sleeve shortening a costly maybe), price, and frequent lack of lining. I have several items from Theory that really need a lining (itchy tweeds, wool, etc) but don't have one.

Consensus: Despite all the "cons," Theory is my favorite suiting brand out of all the ones I reviewed. In person, the quality and cut are noticeably better than BR or AT, and most definitely Express. Also, even though I have to hem off what looks like a foot of fabric, the fit still comes out looking normal. To avoid alterations, look for items that look "shrunken" or cropped on the models.

I wanted to show how the pants fit pre-leg slimming alterations. The Mark B cut I am wearing is similar to the Max C, except with wider legs. I couldn't decide if I liked a boot cut or straight leg, but luckily I bought two pairs of the same pants, and had my tailor take in one : ) Above photos are the straight leg; below is the original boot cut. The waist was perfect, but something funny is going on in the thighs:

Other Theory shoppers out there - what are some of your fave pieces? Any qualms or dislikes about the fit/quality? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.

Review: Petite Suiting Under $200 - Banana Republic 00P

For my second suiting review, I wavered between Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. Both retailers offer suiting in 00P, at similar price points with similar coupons and sales. BR ended up winning because they continue to offer 00P in-store, whereas Ann Taylor stopped doing that last year (boo AT).

A summary of their lightweight wool suiting options, available in black and charcoal gray:

1. Suit jacket - retails for $198
2. Martin trouser pants - retail for $98.
3. High-waisted pencil skirt - retails for $80

Shoppers should never pay retail for BR suiting because they have such frequent sales. Just make sure you sign up for their e-mail updates! The best is their 40% off a single full-priced item on certain Wednesdays (in-store only), which brings the price of a full suit well below $200. They usually hand out those coupons for a future week when you make a purchase, but if you ask really nicely, they usually won't mind just giving you one!

First up, the Lightweight Wool Jacket with Martin Pants in 00P (click pics to enlarge):

 

And the back:

Stock photos:

The waist and hips of the pants:

I think most female professionals have tried on a BR suit at one point or another, so I'll keep the pantsuit review short.

Pros: 00P fits well at the shoulders, waist, and hips on me (5 ft, 94-95 lbs), especially when compared to the Express suit I tried on in Womens 00. Frequent promos = deals to be had. Easy to try on and purchase in-store.

Cons: The cut isn't bad, but it leaves something to be desired. I can see myself donning these pants for "everyday biz casual wear," but I don't feel like a million bucks in the full suit. My profession doesn't require me to wear a suit that often, so when I do, I want it to look great. Also, the pants could still use a little tailoring on me (take up hem and take in thigh bagginess), the jacket is a tad long on me, and the material (96% wool, 4% elastane) shows wrinkles.

The matching High-Waisted Pencil Skirt:

Skirt on me in 00P:

Closer look at the skirt:

This is why I never wear traditional skirt suits. A slightly too-long jacket + a slightly too-long skirt = unflattering on shorty me. Imagine how bad this looked with flats. To give the suit credit, however, I can see someone 2 inches taller looking much better in this. Refer to this post on how I like my skirt suits (skirt that hits right at the knee, paired w/ jacket that hits above the hips)

Aside from length, another issue lies in the silhouette of the skirt - it is more straight instead of a high-waisted "pencil" as promised. And lastly, the wide waistband is too wide for a petite my size. I initially thought the band would be figure-enhancing, but instead it seems to have an opposite effect. Return.

**Addendum**

After I tried on these items and drafted this post, BR came out with a new line of "Sleek Suiting" that supposedly runs really small (refer to online reviews and this thread in AN's forum).

The price points are lower as well: the Sleek Suit Jacket is $129-$150, the Sleek Skirt is $50 to $59, and the 718 Sleek Straight Pant is $79. All three separates come in the following colors:

I tried the jacket on in-store the other day and agree that it fits smaller than usual. However, the material (cotton, modal, and lycra blend) had a little bit of sheen and seemed more like a summer-suiting material to me than a classic one. I was also surprised that the "sleek" skirt wasn't sleek at all - instead the silhouette was short and practically flared.

Nevertheless, I am pleased to see BR expanding its petite suiting offerings with lower prices and smaller cuts. Anyone who has had positive or neg. experiences with BR suiting, please feel free to share!

Review: Petite Suiting Under $150 - Express 00 / 00 Short

Over the next month, I'll be doing a series of reviews on petite-friendly suiting at three different price points. I want readers to keep in mind, however, that the prices listed are full retail prices - and with all the coupons and promo codes at our fingertips these days, full price is almost a thing of the past. So although the title reads $150, this suit was (and can be) acquired for much less.

I debated between doing H&M or Express for the most affordable category, and ended up choosing the latter. Although H&M runs smaller (a 2 fits me perfectly) and is more affordable (full suit is around $80 retail), their suiting material is just downright cheap and wrinkles like none other (refer to a review by AlterationsNeeded). So when Express had a sale  -which happens frequently, by the way-  I ordered the following suit for the same price as an H&M one: 

Reviewing: Express Studio Stretch 1-Button Jacket in 00 ($98), and Editor Pants in 00 Short ($48), both in Medium Charcoal. 

Front and side views:

 

Flat-as-a-pancake-derriere view:

The butch n' sassy look:

Stock Photos:

Despite how bad the suit may look on me at first glance, the problem lies primarily in the fit of the pants. If you look again at the above photos, the tailoring of the jacket is not perfect, but the overall fit is actually quite slim. The sleeves would need to be shortened because it's not "petites," but that would be the only alteration for me. For the price that I paid, I have few complaints about the jacket.



The pants, on the other hand, are a whole other story. Alterations that would be needed: take-in waist, slim hips, slim legs, plus a hem. I had to triple check that they were the right size - a 00 short!

 

Temporary solution - binder clip nearly 2 inches from the back (of course actual alterations should be done via both sides of the waist due to the amount of fabric being taken in. Refer to my old post on altering waists):

Before (left) and After clipping (right):

Instantly looks much better, but a slimming of the legs would still be necessary to address the bumps of extra fabric under the crotch and at the knees. The length of the pants are also noticeably "shorter" since the waist is clipped into place, but someone my height would still need about two inches hemmed off the 00 Short (I am wearing 3.5 inch heels in the photo).

What a difference it makes to have a well-fitting pant. The entire suit instantly looks more pleasing to the eye due to the makeshift waist "alteration."

Revised front view, post waist-clipping:

In summary...

Pro's:
+ affordable
+ choice of basic colors plus seasonal ones
+ slim-fitting blazer
+ decent quality for the on-sale price
+ easy to purchase online with frequent sales & coupon codes. Check for Express coupons or sign up for their mailing list to get 15% off.

Con's:
- Size 00 Short Editor pants would require lots of alterations someone my size.
- Mis-matched proportions - size 00 blazer seems to run smaller than pants. 


Final Verdict:

A very affordable option for someone one size up from me. The blazer actually works on a petite my size, but the Editor pants needed too many alterations. I know ladies who swear by the Editor pant and own it in pretty much every color for work, so I was surprised at how bad the fit was on me.

*However* ...while shopping at my local Banana Republic, I was chatting with two of the sales associates who were 00P / PXXS's themselves (I should've handed out bloggy business cards : P ) and they mentioned that Express' Illustrator Pant in 00 Short runs small. I overlooked these my first time around, but there are quite a few online reviews from extra petite ladies that reaffirm the small fit of these pants.

I am curious: Have any petites tried the Illustrator pant, and if so, did the fit work for you?

Theory Tweed Suit: Gratian Blazer and Joanie Skirt in "Lecture"

My first "outfit" post! I've been refraining from doing outfit or lookbook posts because, frankly, I don't really know how to style my stuff. I buy things that I think look nice on their own, and wear them plainly with basic tees and pumps. This leads to my fashion-related resolutions for the new year:

1. Learn how to accessorize and actually "style" my outfits.
Reading other blogs led me to realize how much my outfits desperately lack accessories and that fashionable punch. As of 2009, I owned merely 2 pairs of earrings (BR ones from here and the Chanel studs worn in this post), pearl necklaces "borrowed" from my mother, 4 handbags, and a closet full of mediocre shoes.

2. Write down and prioritize the items I am coveting. Save deliberately towards these items, and avoid impulse purchases.
At the top of this list - Chanel small gray classic flap with silver hardware.

3. No more splurge coats. 
I'd love to move to the West Coast in a few years or so, where my beloved coat collection would serve little purpose!

As these are resolutions that I'll be working on throughout the year, I wanted my first look to be a simple outfit that requires little styling. The Theory Lecture Gratian Jacket and Joanie Skirt which I bought in this post finally arrived, and together they make what is easily the most lovely and well-fitting suit I own. Each piece works as well on its own as they do together (readers will def. be seeing them as part of future outfits). The Lecture texture is unique without being too "different" for the business world.

Theory Lecture Gratian Jacket in 00 

Theory Joanie Skirt in 00

BR Monogram drape-neck silk tank in womens XS

J.Crew chiffon floral hair elastic turned pin

Aldo Arnoldoa Satin Pumps in 36 (35's fit much better)

The only alteration I need on this suit is a simple skirt hem, which should be about $10 since it is unlined (really, how does Theory get away with selling a thin, UNLINED skirt for $190??). In the pics I have it temporarily pinned up 2 inches - does it look like a good length? After a big meal, the skirt in size 00 is *almost* too tight, but I know a 0 will sit too low on my waist/hips for my tastes.

 

As for the tank, BR Monogram unfortunately only comes in regular women sizes so I had to have about an inch taken in on each side. It cost about $15 to alter since it is 100% silk. I really love the Monogram line with its nicer materials, design, and workmanship, without too much of an increase in price from regular BR stuff. This top was on sale for only $25 or so; I especially like how the wide neckline drapes delicately.

  

I've been hunting for a pretty flower pin for the past month, but it was hard since I refused to spend more than $10. I finally found this chiffon hair elastic with jeweled center at the J.Crew outlet for only $4. It came in fushchia and green too but of course I chose basic black. After lots of struggling, I managed to remove the glue-gunned hair elastic, and replaced it with a safety pin secured by a piece of felt - voila! J.Crew now makes these with both hair clip and pin attached - why didn't they start doing that sooner?