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?

Review: Ann Taylor Spring Tops in Petite XXS and XXS

There were lots of sales to be had on AnnTaylor.com last week, and I kind of went to town on petite tops for work. As soon as I thought I was done, they go ahead and have another big sale on "perfect pieces." AT, you're killing me! I'm oogling this pocketed dress from this week's sale:

Ribbon Front Shirtdress in 00P, $138 just $62.65 after sale and SHOP30

Two more picks in size 00P: The Perfect Button-Up $68 is now $35 with SHOP30. The Ponte Pencil Skirt $78 in black or charcoal is also just $35 with SHOP30. I actually have little experience with Ann Taylor's 00P, but I assume that it fits similar to Banana Republic?

Apparently I made several mistakes last week while ordering online and didn't get a few things I "thought" I ordered, instead getting the same blouse in the same color twice. Oh well. I'll start with the good ...

1. Ann Taylor Cut-in ruffle shell in Petite XXS, was $48 before discounts and coupons:

On me in "Soft Ribbon" :

Pants: Theory "Mark B" sz 00; hemmed and legs slimmed throughout (were wide-leg)

Pros: Fabric was drapey and fit as expected.

Cons: Fabric (rayon/spandex mix) seems pilling-prone again. 100% polyester neck and ruffle detailing causes mad static every time I pulled it over my head. Thinner material showed bra lines, but I probably just need more seamless bras.

Verdict: Keep.

The okay...

2. Ann Taylor Petite Silk Perfect Shell in PXXS, $58 before discounts and coupons:

On me in "Lavender Oil":

On me in "Dusty Mauve" :

I love silk blouses for work and have been looking for a "perfect" silk shell. Unfortunately silk is tricky for petites because it has little stretch and is usually cut to drape more generously. It also costs more to alter.

Pros: Pretty colors and slightly stretchy material. Contoured seams on both sides. A petite one size up from me should fit perfectly into the PXXS. It's on sale this week, too, for only $35 after SHOP30.

Cons: Armholes too loose (16" measured from armpit to armpit), and length (22") too long on me. Also looks funky tucked into pants, but would probably fare better tucked into high-waisted skirts.

Verdict: Don't want to spend $ on alterations...return. But again, would probably look nice on someone a little bigger.


And the bad experiment...

3.  Ann Taylor Cotton / Modal Tee with Chiffon Trim in womens XXS, was $38 before discounts and coupons.

This shirt was sold out in PXXS and PXS in every color (back in stock, though!). I thought it would be a great basic so I took a leap and ordered it in womens XXS. After all, it's just a stretchy knit top...so I expected it to just be a little long.

On me in Womens XXS in "Pale Iris" :

Pros: Comfy, smooth material with lots of stretch. Pretty satin trim.

Cons: Looks awful on me above, but I can't fairly judge since I didn't order from the petites department. Crazy, though, how generous an "XXS" can be these days ... I've definitely tried on womens Smalls in other brands that don't fit nearly this big!

Verdict: Return. May re-order in petite XXS now that it's back online.

Theory Outlet Fabion Jacket

...blazer, that is. When boyfriend blazers and jeans rolled around last year, I stayed far, far away. Over-sized, long and boxy blazer on a petite torso? Baggy and cuffed jeans (case in point) on shorter legs? Sounds to me like recipes for disaster.

If any petites are interested in hopping onto the menswear train (which, according to March fashion magazines, are here to stay for at least another season) it's important to keep it in moderation and in proportion to your size. Definitely stay within the petites department to ensure a shorter length and smaller fit. Tuxedo blazers are a little over the top for me, but a slightly boxier / longer wool blazer from Theory? I can entertain that thought. Did you say on sale for over 80% off? Well, I suppose I can try it on...

Jacket: Theory "Fabion" Jacket in 00

Top: Ann Taylor ruffle tank in womens XS (similar here)

Pants: Theory slim pants in 00 (waist taken in and hemmed) - similar here in 00

Naturally, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic each have a rendition of the boyfriend blazer. I find Ann Taylor's (click here) in the Tropical Wool suiting material to be too formal, although the ground pepper color is lovely. The length for the petite sizes is 25 inches, which would hit a little past my hips like a boyfriend blazer should. For reference, the length on my pictured blazer is only about 22 inches.

Banana Republic's version (click here) however, seems to be a more versatile choice. Reviewers complained about how small it runs...which is great news for petites! On sale and still available in size 00 and 0, but the length is not disclosed.

Love the thicker wool fabric and light gray color, but not digging the tiny lapel. It was $74 down from $415 at the Theory outlet, so I forgave this one flaw. I think I'm going to re-iron the lapel to make it longer and turn this into a one-button blazer:

I know this isn't a true boyfriend blazer (although my own bf immediately called it one), but it does embody hints of menswear. I tried to detract from the boxier cut by pairing the jacket with feminine details such as ruffles, pearls, and flowers. I also cuffed the stiff sleeves, and removed the HUGE shoulder pads that made me look wider than I was tall. And last but not least, a boxier top mandates skinny bottoms. I paired these with my slimmest work pants for business casual attire...

...and with leggings or skinny jeans and flats for casual wear.

Closeup...with Gap plaid triangle scarf (sold here - only $7.99 online and dirt-cheap in stores!)

Fellow petites - what do you think of the boyfriend trend, and how do you make it work for your stature? Do you prefer classic, sleek silhouettes (like me) to trendier cuts? 

PS - A yummy shabu meal to bring in the year of the tiger : )

Pictured - boneless short rib, fried tofu, assorted shellfish, calamari, enoki, and ample watercress

Banana Republic Regular 00 Short Pants - Tiny Petite Friendly?

First things first - two more days to enter the winter casual outfit giveaway. I must have picked some bad timing (or an un-tempting prize) because there's only 1 entry so far! There were over 10 votes for this giveaway theme, so I figured there would be at least 3 entries : )

Secondly, after much hesitation I just added a pic to my blogger profile so to put a face to the blog. The pic is taken from a "photoshoot" that my boyfriend gave me for our 5 year anniversary - don't laugh! Just got the pics back and they turned out great...perhaps I'll share some later when I'm not feeling so shy. I don't want to scare away readers who stumble upon this blog looking for petite work clothes and instead find pics of an awkwardly hugging couple.

On a different note, got this email from BR today: "Our customers love: The Martin Skinny Pant"

Well, I love myself a good skinny work pant too. They are slimming, edgy, and show off your shoes. Over the past year I've accumulated about 5 pairs, all from Theory. Not that I love Theory (okay, perhaps I do), but it seems that it's the only brand to really have embraced the slim-cut work pant and are able to make it well (nice fabric, flattering fit, not too skinny).

I was a little surprised that I've never heard of BR's "Martin Skinny Pant." I peruse the BR petite's section online probably once a week, and I've been on the lookout for skinny work pants. Alas, my oversight is due to the Martin Skinny Pant being available only under regular and tall:

However, petites need not be discouraged ... looks like there is size 00 and the option of a "Short" inseam. I like that they offer a charcoal color which I've been looking to add to my slim pant collection. But now the question is - how does BR's regular women's size 00 with short inseam fit relative to their 00P? Have any petites out there tried this size, or these pants in particular?

I was also eying these lovelies from BR Monogram. The taupe fabric looks divine, but only available in 0 with regular inseam. Why oh why?

Theory Petite-Friendly Items & My New Suit

For my job interviews a few years back, I had just one sad pant suit from Banana Republic. But this was before they had expanded their sizing to offer more options for petite women in 00p and XXS. My suit was a 0p (smallest size I could find) and I pretty much swam in it. The suit was already expensive for my college budget, so it never crossed my mind to spend even more to alter a mediocre pant suit. Ended up selling this to a fellow petite after just 2 wears.

A year later I was no better off, with one H&M skirt suit lined up for the first week of work. The suit was cheap, and I spent more on alterations than the suit itself. I had it tailored relentlessly (shoulders, sleeves, waist, length) from a baggy size 4 to fit my small frame. I don't believe H&M makes suiting in size 2, which is fine I guess, because who wants to wear H&M suits anyways if they can fit into better stuff?

The weekend before I started work, I stumbled upon a Theory outlet store, which, looking back, was pretty much a life-changing event! The prices were eye-bulging for my fresh-out-of-school self, even though everything at the outlet was a good bit below retail. But the stuff was gorgeous ... tailored wool suit separates, beautifully dyed silk blouses, soft cashmere sweaters, dresses in contemporary silhouettes. I had to have it. Some current picks from Bloomies:

Not everything is suitable for tiny petite frames, though, but here are some things that work for me:

1. Theory slim / "skinny" work pants in 00. I am obsessed with these because they elongate short legs unlike flared or boot cut pants. Also, I can wear them with flats without ruining the bottoms. For boot cut pants, however, Mark B is the smallest cut of Theory pants I've found.

2. Theory stretch dresses in 0. 0 is the smallest size they make in dresses, and the ones in stretch fabric usually run quite small.

3. Theory classic blazers in 00. I own Gabe B, Branden, and Hayward, and only had to have sleeves shortened on each.

4. Theory knits and sweaters in size TP. I'm guessing this stands for tres petite? No idea. Size "P" is almost always too big.

I plan on posting my favorites from each of the above categories in the near future, but today's post is dedicated to my most recent find: a classic Theory tweed dress suit!

Theory Tessen Blazer, Retail $445.00 and Dress, Retail $385.00

While shopping at Saks Off 5th last month, I discovered this lone jacket hanging on a rack. I was enamored by the fabric, "Dialogue," a fine-textured black tweed with specs of metallic silver. It was a cropped style in a size 00. The jacket fit great pretty much everywhere, with 1 problem - the bottom flared out, making me look pregnant and stout. It even looks bad on the model below!

Theory Tessen Blazer in "Dialogue" marked down to $133 at Tobi.com (sold out)

I wasn't sure if this could be altered without ruining the overall shape of the jacket. But as I was pacing around the store debating, I stumbled upon the matching dress and my heart nearly stopped... it was a stretchy fabric shift dress in size 0! The petite clothing gods had bestowed upon me a perfectly coordinated, tiny Theory tweed dress suit at almost 70% off retail, and there was no way I was passing this up.

Thankfully, my tailor did a great job tapering that flared bottom:

The dress on the other hand fit like a glove right off the rack. I just got the hem shortened (in retrospect I may have gotten this an inch too short, but that can be undone). Post-alterations:

In person, the fabric is gorgeous! These pics don't do it justice:

Return to Homepage.