Finally...Someone is Recognizing Petites!

For years, petite women have complained that their voices aren't being heard when it comes to fashion. Teens are being forced to shop at children's stores for some items, while older women struggle to find something in the petites section that doesn't look frumpy.
Now, many magazines are reaching out to smaller women, especially Seventeen. While primarily for older teens and young adults (ages 14-21, approximately), this lifestyle publication often focuses on ways to flatter a specific body type through clothing.
The November 2009 issue, known as "The Body Issue", has many great style tips and more for petites. In one section, it shows girls of different shapes and how to dress for specific shapes, ranging from pear to cone, to, yep, you guessed it, petite. Another page has basics for hourglass, tall and petite body types. A special quinceanera insert has perfect dresses for every body (including petites) and in the "my Body Peace breakthrough" article, a few petite celebs and regular girls alike share their struggles with their bodies and how they finally made peace with their shape.
So, all you smaller ladies out there...take heart! Most fashion magazines today not only feature the supermodel-like women, but also petite ones. Check out Seventeen magazine each month for more tricks and tips for your body.

50% Off At Hollister!

Times are tough, but what better way to embrace economic hardships than with shopping? I know, it seems wasteful to blow your hard-earned salary on a brand-new wardrobe, but you can take advantage of Hollister's current sale on sweaters. Normally, they cost anywhere between $39.50 to $140, but with 50% taken off many of their more-popular sweaters, you can stock up on a winter essential for half the price! The cheapest (County Line) at $15.90 is a steal, while the higher-priced Ormond Beach ($89.90) is still much cheaper than its original price of $120.
As winter blows in, bringing snow and the common cold with it, you can get a couple of sweaters for the price of one, that will keep warm and comfortable throughout the season. And that's nothing to sneeze at.

Shop 'Til You Drop...Part 2

School breaks are always long-awaited and well-needed. Today, I started my second of two three-day-weekends in one month. As promised, my mom chauffeured my sister and I to the Park Meadows mall for a day of shopping.
After a nice lunch, we hit the stores. We stopped first at Abercrombie, then perused Abercrombie & Fitch for about ten minutes, buying nothing. My mom, having driven us there, dragged us to Pottery Barn, Eddie Bauer, Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel (some of her favorite stores there).
Of course, no shopping trip would be complete without at least a browse through Hollister. I tried on a few things, finally settling on a dark brown zip-up hoodie (Harbor Beach, $24.90). I was glad for the price, too, because a similar hoodie at A&F was over $10 more!
On a whim, we decided to check out American Eagle. I haven't gotten anything from there in at least a year, and haven't been in there in almost as long, so I was hoping to find something that really caught my eye (and didn't cost over $25!). I found a cute pair of medium brown mocs that were, unfortunately, over my budget, but then, I spotted the cutest skirt. It was the AE Corduroy Mini (now $14.95) in khaki. The versatile color, and adorable details such as its slightly destructed design, made me decide to buy it.
And so, with my two purchases in hand (or should I say, in bag) I left the mall contentedly, knowing that even though I wouldn't be back for two months or so, I had had a successful shopping trip.

Top Ten Style Tips for Petites

If you've ever embarked on a shopping spree, only to find yourself overwhelmed with all the cuts, colors and patterns on the racks, you need this handy list of style tips to help you find the best clothes for your petite frame.

1. Dress head-to-toe in one color. While monochromatic may seem boring, mix it up with patterns and shades. If you're going for a slimming effect, try dark colors such as navy, plum, burgundy or emerald.
2. Wear fitted clothing. The tailor is your best friend. Also, look for garments that are semi-fitted rather than tight-fitting to achieve the best possible look!
3. Pick vertical stripes. No, they won't make you look like a referee, unless they are thick and black. You don't even need actual stripes to elongate you--seams will do the trick.
4. Choose V-neck tops over boatneck or crewneck. The latter make you look shorter.
5. Wear high heels. This is a no-brainer, obviously. Make sure to avoid strapped pairs, however.
6. Texture isn't your friend. Unless you want to appear wider, choose thinner knits.
7. Skip the huge bags. Bigger isn't always better, as gigantic handbags can overwhelm you visually.
8. Minis = no-no. If you have short legs, miniskirts don't do any favors for your figure.
9. Narrow belts are your best option to create a waist. If you already have a well-defined one, then avoid the belt completely. Otherwise, make sure they match your outfit.
10. Follow the straight and narrow...when it comes to pants. And bypass cuffs and pleats.

Attention: Sales At Stores NOW!

Like always, the fashion world is one step ahead of the rest of us...especially when it comes to sales!
Long before fall has ended (or even begins, for that matter), stores such as Hollister are already putting their autumn styles on clearance. Despite the weirdness of it, it is very beneficial to you, the consumer, because you get the chance to buy up the warm layers you'll need for the upcoming season at a lower price, than, say, in July, when the fall apparel first arrived (crazy, I know).
So make sure you swing by your local Hollister store or the website for great steals on capris ($9.90), graphic tees ($9.90-$18.90), sweaters ($29.90), tanks & camis ($9.90-$19.90) and dresses ($19.90-$29.90).

Secrets of the Effortlessly Pretty Petites

Most people know Vanessa Hudgens from her High School Musical fame, but she is also a rising star in the recent movie, "Bandslam". But did you know that she (along with her other female HSM co-stars) is considered petite, at about 5'2 (Ashley Tisdale is 5'3 and Monique Coleman is also about 5'2)?

Of course, as all petite women know, petite doesn't mean you have to dress like a little kid. In the October 2009 issue of Seventeen magazine, Vanessa is featured in the "Make Your Body Look Hot" article, showcasing three different celebrities with three different body types.

The three tips from Vanessa's stylist are: 1) Wear your clothes a little loose to fill you out but not too baggy to make you look like you're swimming in them; 2) If you want to wear ballet flats, you can, but make sure you pair them with skinny jeans that hit at the ankle to look taller; 3) Combine short shorts or a mini with tall (but not above the knee) boots to make your legs look longer.

With these tips in mind, go out and have a great day in the petite fashion world!

Don't Forget About Our Little Sister

In case you haven't heard, Apparel Addiction has a "baby sister" blog: Petite A La Mode (http://www.petitealamode.blogspot.com/). It's a blog specifically for women who are under 5'4, who don't fit into the 'normal' sizes at clothing stores. Please check it out if you haven't already--even if you're not petite. The blog offers style tips and petite celebrity fashions, as well as any petite-size-related articles. Enjoy and have a great day!

Mini Models?

Have you ever wanted to be a model? I know I have, but of course, at my size, it's impossible. Maybe you've thought the exact same thing--that if you're petite, you can't possibly model--right?
Some modeling agencies do take smaller women for models, however. It's likely that Chanel won't be calling you any time soon to arrange a shoot, but you can definitely break into the biz. Most petite models do not get to wear all the high-fashion designer pieces and walk down a runway, but instead have pictures taken of just their face, hands or feet, because the modeling industry is so uptight about height.
To get in, you don't have to have a great body--just a cute face; straight, white teeth; and clear, smooth skin. First, you must get a professional evaluation to see if you have what it takes to be successful in a very looks-oriented business. And if you aren't right for a particular agency, don't despair. You may always be able to find a job in a few months, because of the fast-paced changes in the industry. And if you search for months and get nothing? Try to be happy with who you are, because after all, hardly anyone is meant to be a model.

Best-Dressed Petite Celebs

When you hear the words "petite celebrities", what image comes into your head? Tiny women dressed to the nines in perfectly-tailored outfits? Or a teenage girl who only wears baggy clothes that hide her frame? Or maybe adult females who end up looking like little girls because that's all that fits them? Like normal petite women, petite celebrities have just as hard a time finding clothes that look great, so sometimes, the tabloids portray them as "fashion disasters" when they don't look as fabulous as they usually do. Everyone has their 'off' days--when they don't look put-together, but these petite celebrities look amazing in almost anything!

 

Confessions Of A Shopaholic: Fashion Reality Or Sad Hollywood Portrayal?

Even though "Confessions of a Shopaholic" burst onto the big screen in February of this year, fashion-obsessed people all over are still watching it for the first time.
So just a heads-up if you haven't seen it--I wouldn't recommend it. "Oh sure," you say, "It's all about clothes so I just have to watch it!" But a lot of it isn't very realistic.
Rebecca Bloomwood, the warm-hearted main character (played by the lovable-but-often-portrays-crazy-characters Isla Fisher) is literally addicted to shopping. She doesn't just check out the local boutiques once a month...she seems to rack up debt with every passing day. So much so that her new job at a savings magazine (can you say irony?) can't pay for her expenses and a debt collector is constantly following her around. Even though this movie is meant to be a comedy, we as the viewers can still see that 'Becky' needs some professional help.
Here's where the weirdness comes in. Everytime Becky sees something in a store window she loves but is wondering if she should buy, the mannequins become personified and easily convince her that she deserves those Prada pumps. I don't know about you, but this screams "Help this woman!" Sure, it's a movie, but couldn't a grown woman at least defend herself a little better in front of pieces of molded plastic wearing ridiculously expensive clothing?
The thing is, even though we know we should feel sorry for Becky because she is so obsessed with shopping and it practically ruins her life, but the movie is so random that we can't. It doesn't focus enough on the clothes, which is what draws most viewers to the movie, and instead moves quickly from one scene to the next, never allowing us to get to know the main characters and have an opinion about them.
Some of the outfits are a little over the top (exhibit A: a pink bridesmaid dress and a dalmation-style faux fur wrap) but this is New York, of course, the land of unattainable, downright strange fashion.
And that's what makes me glad I live in suburbia, where I can easily find relatively-affordable clothes that I love. Not to mention I don't have to keep a credit card encased in a block of ice...

The Frugal Fashionista's August 'Steal'

Starting this month, I will be blogging once monthly about a fashion bargain I have found. I may not have necessarily bought it, but I am passing my knowledge onto you so you can save big and look great.
This month, I hunted down a great sale: the All Aero Sale. Camis and tanks are bogo (buy one get one free), sleepwear is $7, graphic tees are $10 and jeans are $20, in addition to Aeropostale's usual great prices.
With all these great deals, you're sure to get tons of new threads...without making your wallet threadbare!

It's Epic, Dude!

With Hollister already stealing customers from its "older sister" Abercrombie & Fitch, it could only be a matter of time before they started moving in on the East Coast, where customers typically prefer runway fashion or A&F's higher-priced brands, such as Ruehl No. 925.
And it looks like the impossible has been done. Hollister Co. opened one of its first stores on the East Coast, located in SoHo, on July 16.
But this isn't just any Hollister store. It's Epic, and I mean that literally. It is five levels of SoCal style, featuring live video feeds of Huntington Beach Pier. The store even has a separate website (hcoridethewave.com), with an Epic Story, screensavers, postcards and more. Sounds to me like Cali in the middle of NYC. Not a bad concept, Abercrombie.
But...will Epic live up to its--erm--Epic hype?

My Cute Pick Of The Month: August

With fall just around the corner (yes, it's sad, I know), I decided to put together an outfit that is a preview of things to come, with a little blast of summer mixed in.On top is a burgundy sweater I bought last fall from Hollister. This is a great pick, because it is in an autumn-like color and style (3/4-length sleeves and not too heavy). Also, with the economy in the shape that it is, you may not be able to afford all the latest styles so "shopping" through your closet may be your best bet for some staple items.
Underneath that, I layered a dark grey lace-trimmed cami, which ties in the sweater with the skirt. It is cute, cheap (around $10 for 3--what a steal!) and another basic, which you can wear with almost anything.
I paired those with an adorable floral skirt from Hollister. Besides the shoes and necklace, this was the only piece I bought this year. Be smart and stock up on cheap essentials, and only splurge on a great statement piece. Don't be afraid to bargain-hunt either--I found this skirt in the clearance section for only $19.90!
Finally, the accessories. I decided to go with a cute pair of brown heels from Famous Footwear (that I can pair with nearly everything), a multi-chain necklace from American Eagle and my signature stack of bracelets from American Eagle and Aeropostale.
With all these money-and-style-saavy tips in mind, go out there and shop, shop, shop!

Shop 'Til You Drop

Just yesterday, I went on a shopping spree of sorts to a large, upscale mall about 45 minutes from where I live. Because it's not super-close, I go there maybe two or three times per year, but I always enjoy myself (partly because I love to shop but also because I know that I won't get to go there again for several months). This particular mall is much larger than either of the two malls in the city I live in, and has much more expensive clothing. However, the only store this mall has that the other malls don't is Abercrombie & Fitch. So every time I go, I always check out A&F, mostly focusing on the items in the very back of the store (aka clearance items), because most of their clothing is so expensive!
But yesterday, I just couldn't pass up one particular piece that was full price ($40), even though it was located in the back. It's a brown babydoll-style top with a white floral pattern, sweetheart neckline and tiered ruffle hem. I knew right away that this was the perfect top for me. My mom even commented "That just screams you!" So even though I have complained about the outrageous prices at A&F (see "Dishin' On A&F), I had to buy that tank top.
Not only that, but I also splurged on an orange babydoll top (Westwood, $24.50, Hollister), an abstract floral-patterned skirt (Little Harbor, $19.90, Hollister) and a multi-metal-and-pearl necklace from American Eagle ($15.50). Yes, it was a productive day in the shopping world!

My Cute Pick Of The Month: July

Though July is nearly over, I wanted to show you my cute pick of the month. Because it is such a hot month, I decided to go with an adorable, yet sensible outfit that will keep you cool, even when the thermometer soars.
I started off with a plain brown babydoll-style top from Hollister, adorned with a ruffle and a matching ribbon at the bust line. Underneath that is a plain white camisole from Aeropostale and cuffed denim Bermuda shorts from Abercrombie & Fitch.
In keeping with the simple yet elegant theme of the outfit, I chose my newest shoes, from an earlier blog post. They feature a floral brown-and-white pattern and four-inch heels. Also, I incorporated my signature statement (countless bracelets) into my July pick. Don't be afraid of matching patterns with solids, as long as they have a color in common.

Back to School Shopping (And No, I Don't Mean Glue Sticks and Notebooks)

So summer is beginning to wind down, and what better time to think about school? Actually, most of us would rather not think about school, but what about back-to-school clothes shopping? Now that's a subject I'll talk about any day! Many retailers, such as Hollister, are starting their summer clearance sales, which can be a great place to get started. Begin with a basic lacy tank (Marina Park, $14.90) and pair with a newly-arrived plaid button down (Northside, $39.50) and chic crops (Swami's Beach, $49.50). Or, to save more money, make a complete outfit from clearanced items. Combine a super-cute skirt (Boneyard Beach, $19.90) with a laid-back tee (Picnic Beach, $16.90). With all these adorable and affordable clothes for sale at a store near you, you'll be wishing for days filled with algebra problems and gym uniforms.

Are You A Recessionista?

With the economy in such a downturn, many fashion-forward teen girls feel they are forced to compromise on their clothing--they may not be able to afford things from their favorite stores anymore. This can cause them to feel as if they cannot be stylish as long as money is tight. In my opinion, this is totally not true.
I was just flying back to Colorado from Wisconsin today after a nearly two-week-long trip and I happened to pick up the latest issue of Teen Vogue at the airport so I would have something to read. I was flipping through it and (sorta) drooling over some designer pieces I won't be able to afford for quite some time when I came to an article on recession-proof fashion tips. I devoured that article and picked up some helpful advice from it.
First, you can host a 'swap' party with your friends where you all bring no-longer-worn clothes to exchange for "new" ones.
Also, don't forget to hit up consignment shops, where you may find great deals on brand name gear. Even stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall's can have steals on designer handbags and shoes. And, if all else fails, shop around your own house. Borrow your mom's cool jeans from high school and pair them with a modern top and bold jewelry.
With all these budget-conscious tips, I know you'll be a recessionista in no time!

No Pain, No Gain

Being "vertically-challenged" so to speak (I am 5'1), I really love the invention of high heels. Not only do they add inches to my height, they also increase my confidence.
One problem: they are extremely painful!
Recently, I bought a pair of cute, brown-and-white wedge heels, perfect for summer. So far, I have worn them four times, and each time, I brought along an extra pair of shoes (and used them, by the way). The shoes are great for looking cute, but I can only wear them in a maximum of two stores before I switch.
Today, my mom and I ran errands. I wore the shoes and I could not make them last longer than two stores. Now I have blisters on all of my toes as a souvenir.
One of the many questions guys ask of all heel-wearing girls is, "Why do you wear those things?" The answer is: for beauty only. We never claimed they were comfy, but we wear them anyway. And despite my pain, I know I will wear those shoes again...but maybe only if I'm going to be sitting down!

"It's My Life!"

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary purse. Handle, front pocket, everything that is typical of a handbag. Except this is my favorite handbag, the one I use nearly everyday...my Coach purse.
I got it nearly six months ago (for Christmas) and it was by far the best present I've ever received. It's my first and (currently) only designer handbag and I guard it with my life. Though I didn't have to pay a dime for it, I still want to have it for years to come, and a replacement isn't cheap. My mom got it online for a little less money than it would have cost in the store, but she reminds me that if it gets lost or stolen, I have to replace it myself. Not necessarily an investment I can make right now, considering I don't have a job.
Nevertheless, I continue to use it all the time, storing most of my "life" in it: my wallet (with credit card and driver's license, as well as various gift cards, most of them expired or used up), my cell phone, my iPod, three flavors of lip gloss, makeup, sunglasses, contacts, a hairbrush and a mirror, along with various other things I stow in there temporarily.
I love this thing, and I hope I can enjoy it for a long, long time!

My Cute Pick Of The Month: June

It's nearly summer, so it's time for loose, breezy clothing that's also fun and colorful. This particular outfit that I picked out for this month shows off just enough skin to keep cool on hot days but is still cute and not too revealing.
I started off with a V-neck tank top from American Eagle. It is white and has vines of colorful flowers cascading down the front and back.
I paired it with a cardigan I bought from Hollister a few months ago. It is coral-colored and complements the tank top.
Because the tank top is so long, I decided to use capri leggings instead of jeans. The tank top almost functions as a minidress, but is still modest because of the black lace-trimmed leggings.
This adorable ensemble shows that with a little bit of color-matching know-how, you can really make a statement piece stand out. Instead of just wearing the tank with a pair of Bermuda shorts or jeans, I decided to play it up with two pieces that really add to the whole outfit.
Don't be afraid; be bold with color but make sure the whole outfit works together.

70% Off Flip-Flops? Count Me In!

So yesterday I went to the mall for a quick little shopping spree. Okay, so I only bought two items but I still got a little thrill from it.
First, I checked out Aeropostale because my sister needed a new swimsuit. Because I am saving up my money for a few things, I wasn't planning on buying anything at Aero. I was browsing around the store, and finding all kinds of cute things that were unfortunately above my budget for the trip, when I happened upon a pair of flip-flops in the very back of the store.
One thing you should know about me is that I am very addicted to flip-flops; I probably own about a dozen pairs or so and I wear them nearly every day in the summer. This particular specimen had silver straps and silver decoration on the footbed. They were very cute, and there was one pair left in my size so I checked the price tag: $17.99. I was about to put them back, disheartened, when I noticed a little red sign above the flip-flops that read "70% off ticketed price". I quickly did some math in my head, and realized that they would only cost about $6!
I waited for my sister to pick out the right swimsuit and then headed for the cash register, cheap but cute flip-flops in hand. In the end, they ended up only costing $5.80, including tax. I definitely scored a good deal and still had enough money to buy an adorable tank top from American Eagle!

Dishin' On A&F

Okay so what's the deal with Abercrombie & Fitch anyway? Don't get me wrong--I shop there as much as possible (i.e. maybe 2 times per year because the closest store is over 50 miles away, plus it's pretty expensive) but there is a fierce loyalty that seems to go hand-in-hand with Abercrombie shoppers. Some refuse to shop at A&F's "little sister", Hollister, because they feel like the clothes there are cheaply made.
In reality, much of the apparel found at Abercrombie & Fitch stores is nearly identical to the clothes at Hollister, except that Hollister's prices, on average, are up to $20 less. Take for example, A&F's Christine polo ($50) and Hollister's Point Vicente polo ($30). They come in similar shades, are both made of almost the same materials and are otherwise indistinguishable...except for their logos. Is a little moose in the upper lefthand corner worth $20 more than a seagull in the exact same spot? In my opinion, definitely not.
I don't mind buying something from Abercrombie and Fitch if it is unique from anything found at Hollister, but I refuse to waste my money on something that is virtually the same. I would rather buy the Point Vicente polo, and spend the 20 bucks I saved on a cute tank top or flip-flops.

Don't be afraid to shout it out...leave your comments about this post! You can agree with me, disagree or not take a stance, it doesn't matter to me. I just want to know what people think about this "controversial" issue.

Sales, Sales and More Sales!

'Tis the season for clearance sales! Because we are fast approaching summer here in the northern hemisphere, stores are quickly reducing their prices in order to fill their shelves with the newest merchandise. And that can only mean one thing for us shoppers...sales!
Currently, all Hollister spring/early summer apparel is on clearance in stores and on the website (visit their website to find the store nearest you). Also, all American Eagle womens shorts are on sale, and are a pretty sweet deal at $35 and under per pair. Of course, Aeropostale, the queen of all sales, is having what they call a "yard sale", with all girls graphic tees 2 for $22, shorts are buy one get one and swim is $10 per piece. With these amazing steals, I'm sure you'll be stepping out in style this summer!

The New Kid On The Block

Hey everyone who happens to be checking out this blog! It's brand new, by the way, and I really hope you like it. My target "audience"is fashion-forward females in their teens and twenties, but it's not like I can force others to stop reading :)

So let's get to the point: what is Apparel Addiction all about? It's a blog all about clothing, especially my favorite brands, Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Eagle and Hollister. I will frequently post news items about upcoming sales and new products at these stores. I will also be sharing my opinions about the latest fashions, and I hope you do the same! I welcome all opinions on all things about clothes and shopping because that makes the blog more interesting to read. It's okay to be biased because I know I am--I have my own favorite places to shop and most of the time, I refuse to spend my money elsewhere. So join me on Apparel Addiction...I know you'll become addicted to fashion, too!