Petite Pick of November

Sweater, cami and skirt

Happy Halloween, everyone! While I'm not doing anything particularly fun this Halloween evening (unless you count studying for an exam, which I don't), my weekend has certainly been jam-packed. I got to come home this weekend because my little sister was getting confirmed at our church, so Saturday evening and Sunday morning were booked. Friday evening was nice because my mom, sister and I got to check out a new restaurant (new for us) called Mad Greens--it's like a gourmet salad place, and it's really good. After the 2 1/2 hour drive home, we carved pumpkins! Last night, I also got to watch some classic Disney Halloween videos with my parents and today for lunch/dinner we went to P.F. Chang's to celebrate my sister's Confirmation. So it was a good weekend.

But anyways, the point of this post is to showcase one of the outfits I wore this weekend, one that I think is great for petites. It was what I wore on Saturday to the Confirmation banquet.

I love short-sleeved, easy-fitting sweaters. I own four from Hollister, and they're perfect for a petite frame. They show off your small arms and drape loosely, but not too loosely, creating curves while highlighting your body. This one was a navy blue one I bought from Hollister a few months ago, with a deep V-neck and cute pink and navy side ties. Underneath is a basic white lacy cami from Aeropostale. On bottom is a burgundy and navy floral skirt from Hollister. The great part about it is it's thinly knit but not see-through and the dark pattern looks great for all seasons. The skirt is also the perfect length for petites. I paired it with a pair of cream-colored pointelle tights from American Eagle--tights are great for when you want to wear a cute mini but it's a little too chilly outside--and a pair of tan boots. For jewelry, I stuck with a simple sparkly necklace, a set of silver and white bangles and a silver sparkly ring, all from AE. I wore my hair in relaxed curls (I had curled my hair the previous morning, slept on it overnight and just brushed them out a little the next day) and had neutral makeup.

The best part is, I actually took a picture of my outfit for the first time in a while so you can actually see somewhat how the outfit looks. I think it's great for any petites who want a simple but nice outfit for special events during the chillier months.
Hopefully I will get back in the habit of taking pictures of my outfit and including them in my posts--after all, a picture's worth a thousand words.

Have a great Halloween, and get ready for November! 

My boots (sorry about the clutter!)

Skirt and tights

Dress Your Body Right!

Seventeen is a magazine with great fashion tips for teen girls from high school to college. My favorite issue every year is The Body Issue, and its all about how to dress your particular body type right. I love it because it's so hard to find fashion tricks and ideas for petites like me, but Seventeen definitely nails it on the head. Here are a few tips for looking your very best when you're petite.

• Sweaterdresses look amazing on you! If you've always wished you could be a little curvier, stop dreaming and try on a sweaterdress. This new trend is great for smaller frames because it clings to the curves you do have, plus they're perfect for girls who like to wear dresses all year long, but can't because of the cold weather...but now you can!
• Try a flowy tank with a cropped jacket. Most cropped pieces look amazing on petites, because you don't want to overwhelm your frame. Now pair your favorite loose tank with a cropped jacket or sweater and you'll look even better!
• The shorter the better when it comes to skirts. Obviously, you know to stay away from maxi dresses and such, but make sure your skirts hit at least above your knee. Avoid the too-short minis though so you still look classy.
• Skinny + ripped = perfect! You can pull off baggier boyfriend styles, but the best jeans for you are skinnies or at least jeans that hug your curves. Add in a few rips and tears and maybe a lighter wash (it'll fill you out) and you'll instantly look taller, even without heels.
• Sparkles go a long way. Don't overwhelm your body with too much bling--try pairing a simple slouchy sweater with a standout pair of sparkly tailored shorts in a neutral color.

Do you have any petite style tips you'd like to share? Leave them in the comments!

Petite Pick of October

Sorry I haven't gotten around to doing one of these since July...and it's almost October now! So I just decided to start up my Petite Pick again for the next month.

October can be quite chilly, at least towards the end of the month, but layering is definitely key. When I leave for class in the morning, it's still a little windy and cool but by the time I come back around lunchtime and then again around 5, I'm surprised by how hot it is!

For those cold mornings when you don't want to get out of bed, throw on the AE Military Shirt Jacket ($39.95) over the adorable Ventura Beach tee ($15.50) from Hollister. Environmentalism is so in right now, and the graphics on this shirt promote that in a cute way. Later, if it warms up, you can just stow the jacket away or simply roll up the sleeves. The jacket is great for petite frames because it's not so long and huge that it overwhelms you. And the tee's V-neck will show off your small bust in a tasteful way.

As far as jeans go, keep them looking casual. Try Hollister's Oceanside Super Skinnies ($49.50) in destroyed medium wash. Skinny jeans are great at creating curves on smaller frames, and you can easily scrunch up the hems if they're too long. Try a bright belt that pulls the whole outfit together, such as the AE Colorful Bar Belt ($19.50). It will draw attention to your little waist.
Don't skimp on the accessories! An outfit as simple as this needs some cute jewelry. The AE Hearts Galore Necklace ($15.50) adds a cute, girly touch and works well with the V-neck. And the shoes, of course, are also important. Slip on the AE Suede Ballet Flat ($29.50) and you'll be good to go.

For a simple fall look perfect for school, the weekend or a casual date, try this outfit!

Sweaters For Petites

Not every article of clothing flatters everyone. If you know even a little bit about fashion, then you already know this--however, it's still important to keep in mind, especially in a world filled with skimpy tops and baggy jeans.
A petite body can be extremely difficult to shop for (this I know--I'm only 5'1 and wear a size 0/XS typically). Others may be jealous and think, "How hard can it be to shop for tiny clothes?" Believe me, it's usually easy to find the sizes...it's much harder to get the right fit. Petites have to be wary about the length of pants, the cut of dresses and skirts, the proportion of accessories...I could go on and on. The point is, every body type has its own fashion dilemmas, but luckily, these can be solved with a little know-how. This post is about finding the right sweater if you're on the shorter or smaller side.
One great style for petites is the poncho. I like the AE Rugby Stripe Poncho ($39.95). The material is not too bulky and the horizontal stripes create curves, a plus for many petites. I also just like how it's very casual, with a nautical feel, which is still 'in' for fall.
Another option is the cardigan. These never go out of style, so you can afford to splurge on a nicer one, such as the Hailey sweater ($150) at Abercrombie & Fitch, which is 100% cashmere. Cardigans last forever and look great over everything from dresses to tanks and even tees. Try to avoid the boyfriend styles, unless they are tighter-fitting--you don't want a sweater that's loose and long (one or the other is fine, though!)
Also look into more drapey styles, like Hollister's Ormond Beach ($27.93). Make sure it comes with a belt, or you use one of your own, to carve out a waist.

What kinds of sweaters will you be wearing this fall?

Petite Pick of July

July is always a scorching-hot month, and what better way to embrace it than with a lightweight top, colorful bandeau and adorable shorts?
Start off with Abercrombie & Fitch's Neve white shirt ($58). Its light knit and simple-but-cute eyelet details are great for summertime.
Pair it with Hollister's Boomer Beach bandeau ($3.45) in pink. The floral design will help fill you out a little.
On bottom, try Hollister's Bay Shore shorts ($19.89) in navy. They're short enough to make your legs look miles long, but are polished and elegant.
Finish the outfit off with a pair of Vintage Leather Flip Flops from A&F ($58). My personal favorite is the pair with beading around the ankle and a silky ribbon to tie them up. They will really call attention to your small feet!
For a great, polished summer look, try this outfit...I guarantee you'll get plenty of compliments!

Petite Pick of March

Here's my Petite Pick of the month: Hollister's Grandview dress (now $29.89), Hollister's Capistrano zip-up hoodie in navy (now $29.89) and Hollister's Embellished Leather Flip-Flops in Turquoise Gem ($39.50).
The dress is cut in a flattering halter style that will enhance your bust line. The sweet plaid pattern is just enough to make your frame pop without overwhelming it.
The hoodie makes the dress seem more casual, without dressing it down too much. Its classic fit will make you look amazing!
Finally, the flip-flops really stand out with their turquoise gemstones and pull the outfit together for a cute early spring look.

Petite Pick of January

I am starting a new type of post that will appear every month: my Petite Pick. It's a showcase of a recent (or not so recent) outfit I have purchased that really highlights a petite figure in a flattering way.
This month's pick is the AE Classic Cardigan in bell navy (now in clearance for $19.95), a blue floral babydoll tank from Hollister, the AE Slim Boot jean in deep indigo and the AE Cable Knit Clog in grey (also only $19.95).
Cardigans are very flattering for petites because they don't drown you and hit above the waist for a torso-lengthening look. Also, they are great to throw on before class or even a night out on the town, and can be easily dressed up or down.
The babydoll style tank is perfect, because it is dressy enough so you look put-together for day time but isn't too elegant. The style is also great, because it enhances smaller bustlines. And the floral pattern is big enough to draw attention to your small figure but not overwhelm it.
The slim boot cut jeans are just right; they don't tend to drag on the floor like regular flares do and the dark wash is dressy and makes you look long and lean.
Finally, the clogs are a simple but cute go-to option when you will be on your feet all day and don't want to risk breaking a heel. For a date, try some nice looking neutral heels.
Try making your own outfit for a look that really makes your amazing frame pop!