Fall Must-Haves



Grey knit duster cardi (A&F, winter 2011); burgundy plaid tunic (A&F Kids, hand-me-down); navy culotte shorts (A&F, summer 2011); navy sparkle tights (AE, Christmas 2010)


Duster cardigans. Capelet jackets. Moccasin booties. Tights. Loop scarves. Slouchy skinnies. Tall boots. What do these have in common? They're my fall must-haves!

This past weekend, I rediscovered the joy that is layering. I missed it over the summer, when temps were rarely cooler than 85. But Saturday was a nice relief from the heat, and made me crave fall. Though it felt a little weird at first to be wearing such a thick sweater when it's still technically summer, I love how cute and cozy it looked with my tunic, culottes and tights. And it inspired me to hunt down more duster cardis. I think they look really cute over skirts or shorts with tights.

Accessorizing is key for fall--that's where the scarves, jackets, tights and boots come in! I have a few pairs of tights (the sparkly navy ones above, light grey sweater tights, brown, brown striped leggings and cream pointelle ones) but a girl can always use a few more pairs, right? I love how they look with boots, which is why I'm lusting after a pair of tall, non-Ugg-style boots. They look totally polished but still casual. Scarves make me feel cozy, and they're a great alternative to necklaces. And capelet-type jackets are great for slightly chilly fall days.

 

What's on your fall must-have list?

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

Getting Ready For Winter

I love October--it's like the gateway month into the holiday season, which I am anticipating more than ever this year. On top of that, the temperatures are starting to cool down and the smell of fall is in the air. But it's not too early to get your wardrobe ready for winter. Here are a few must-haves to add to your shopping list--bonus: they're all available in stores now, so by the time the cold weather starts to kick in, they'll be on clearance! Or you can stock up now and store them for later.



With outfits like these, you're sure to stay warm this winter!



SWEATERS: Who doesn't love a great, cozy sweater? They're so versatile and great for layering over just about anything. The only downside is that there are so many different styles this season to choose from! For an unexpected twist, try a short-sleeve sweater (AE Chunky Knit Short Sleeve Sweater, $39.50) over a basic long-sleeved tee (AE Long Sleeve V-Neck T, $19.50) for added warmth. Another option is the classic button-down cardigan (Hollister 1000 Steps Beach, $59.50, Epic only). This one in particular is great for the holidays--the cream version has little red hearts and it looks like the classic Christmas sweater, only cuter. Cardis work best over knit tanks (A&F's Tessa tank, $30--the tiered peplum hem detail makes it even better) and under jackets (try HCo.'s Lake Hodges denim jacket, $89.50, for a cozy look).



JACKETS: Speaking of jackets, you'll probably need one this winter. Where I live (in Colorado), it snows a lot but is still usually sunny, so jackets are still a must in the morning at least. Don't settle for a boring one, though, since you'll be wearing it all winter! I'd suggest buying at least two, if you can afford it, so you can switch it up depending on the outfit or your mood or the weather. For a lightweight jacket perfect for fall days, try a hoodless cotton jacket (like A&F's Gwyneth coat, $59.89). The khaki color on this one looks great over just about anything and it's durable enough to keep the wind out. On colder, snowier days, look for a coat that's a little more heavy-duty (Hollister's Ormond Beach puffer jacket, $79.89). Puffy coats are still stylish and this one comes in a wide array of colors--you may have a hard time choosing!



BOOTS: I really love my Bearpaw boots. I got them last year in chocolate and now I want the same pair in chestnut or gray. I also like some of the boots that American Eagle is offering this year, like the AE Button Warm & Fuzzy Boot ($39.50). They just look so cozy I can't resist. I always wear my boots with tights and a miniskirt, but they also work with skinny jeans. And I still want to get the Bearpaw Loki (a suede and sheepskin mule) in chestnut. I know they're not technically boots, but I still would love to have them.


What are you wanting this winter?



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?

Sweaters for Winter

With winter already upon us (well, not according to clothing stores...but that's another story--see our sister blog's post about spring apparel already in stores), it's time to start thinking about what staples look best on a petite frame.
One really good universally-flattering piece is the sweater. With a variety of styles, textures, cuts and colors to choose from, everyone can find the sweater of their dreams.
For petites, stick with the cardigan and long styles. The cardigan cut highlights a small bust and wasitline without making them stand out in an unflattering way. Longer sweaters help elongate your body, especially if they're worn with tights or legging jeans.
Most stores carry both of these types in a wide range of prices to fit every budget and lifestyle, so indulge in a great cold-weather trend!