Paper Denim and Cloth Jayne Jeans August 19, 2008

I just bought these jeans the other day and I could not be happier. I LOATHE jeans shopping. I’m 5′4″. Enough said. I just brought them to the tailor today and am thrilled. Took my fave Marc Jacobs stack heeled boots with me, and had them hemmed accordingly. I hadn’t ever tried PDC jeans before and I’m glad I did. Since I’m short and a bit curvy, I’ve always worn Sevens, J-Brand or my trusty old school Levi’s. (And Diesel if my ’skinny’ jeans count.) I love the way these fit my body, and above all they are comfortable and flattering. Check them out if you haven’t already! (PDC Jayne Jeans at revolveclothing.com)

Formal Maternity From Isabella Oliver August 11, 2008

For those of you who are newly pregnant, VERY pregnant or recently un-pregnant and need a formal dress? This is it! The Wrap Dress from Isabella Oliver is chic and modern with a current and feminine Greek Goddess vibe. For more info check out my contributing editor piece (which is published every Monday) at Smarter Babies & Kids online.

Tips For ‘Short Girl’ Dressing May 27, 2008

I’ve had many posters of ‘petite stature’ write with questions on how best to dress for their height. I’ve provided a few rules of thumb below to help maximize our short girl dressing potential. I (being biased of course) happen to think short is beautiful. With that in mind, here are a few tips!

• Take advantage of the ‘Petite’ section. This area means ’short.’
• I’ve said it before and will say it again; GET A GOOD TAILOR. They are a short girl’s best friend. (And we often find things that are NOT in the ‘Petite’ section)
• The most flattering skirt length is anything from just below the knee and up. Longer can make you look shorter. (And a bit dumpy, in my opinion)
• The longer the pants, the longer your legs will appear. To create an illusion of length, pants should touch the floor, even with heels…
• …heels, heels, HEELS!
• Monochromatic dressing (i.e. all black) creates an uninterrupted visual ‘line’ from head to toe, making you appear taller.
• Avoid lines that visually ‘cut’ you horizontally, i.e a wide black belt worn over a light colored dress.
• Shorter shorts will make your legs look longer. Bermudas make short legs look even shorter…
• …as do Capri pants. They ’stop’ your eye 3/4 of the way down your leg.
• Maxi dresses, although stylish, are not a great bet for shorter girls. You can often end up looking like you bought a ‘regular’ length dress that is ill-fitting.
• Keep it simple. Overly embellished styles can often overwhelm a shorter frame
• Most importantly, if it makes you feel pretty when you put it on? By all means wear it!

Looking for a STYLISH ‘Miracle’ suit…? May 13, 2008

…this is it! It’s the Victoria’s Secret, ruched, push-up, one-piece ‘Magicsuit.’ It’s one of the few ‘Miracle’ suits I’ve seen that’s actually in keeping with current trends; in this case the whole 1940’s, maillot look, which I LOVE. It can sometimes be a difficult cut to pull off, but with this modern take on it, we can all look like bombshells this summer!‘Magicsuit’ on sale for $97 at Victoriassecret.com

LASM

5′11″ and 146 lbs (Don’t we all wish…) April 25, 2008

With the overwhelming response to my earlier 5′2″, 123 lbs post, I immediately contacted my dear friend V who happens to have the above measurements (I know, right?) for a ‘tall girls’ version. Even though we all wish that we could be a gorgeous string bean, I have over the years heard V lament about clothing and shoe choices for women of her stature. Being that she is also an amazing stylist, I dialed her up to get the scoop.

The recommended jeans for fit AND long inseam are Goldsign (truejeans.com) They’re her number one pick. Albeit pricey, a good staple investment. Designsbystephene.com also has an extensive long inseam collection. Being tall and thin if the illusion of curves is what you crave, then Levi’s Capital E ‘Swank’ jeans (levis.com) are a great bet. At $158 they aren’t cheap, but who can really put a price on curves? (I’ll sell you mine - CHEAP) V eschews skinny jeans for boot cut as it creates a more shapely silhouette. For a bit less money, GAP and Banana Republic also carry long lengths.

In the tops department, some great longer cut options are Free People (Nordstrom.com) GAP and Scrapbook’s ‘Benatar’ halter pictured here in ‘Atlantis’ ($48 at revolveclothing.com) These cuts create shape and fit a longer torso better than shorter versions. If you also have broad shoulders, a V neck tee is the most flattering way to go. V says it makes her feel much more feminine to ‘have some skin showing.’ One of her fave tricks? To take a crew neck and cut straight down the center about six inches instantly creating a pretty little ‘collar’ effect. (This trick works for everyone BTW, not just tall girls!)

In addition to her Glamazon bod, V also has a size eleven shoe. It’s been many a shopping trip that she’s come up empty handed (or footed) since retail stores only order a few pairs of very large (and very small) sizes. BCBG carries a size ten that fits like an eleven. She’s also had great luck on line at Zappos and Nordstrom (you could also try my fave, Endless.com) While heels are often too high and in flats she feels like ‘the tall girl who has to wear flats,’ V feels most comfortable in around a 1″ heel. It’s of course whatever you personally feel best in. Good luck in all your tall girl shopping endeavors. Thanks V!

LASM

I am 5′2″ and 123lbs April 23, 2008

I received this question in the comments section of my blog today. I thought it to be quite pertinent so I decided to answer with a new post (hope you don’t mind 5′2″!)

“I am 5′2″ and 123 lbs. Would love to update my summer wardrobe. I work in the design field and can be pretty casual for work (skirts and t-shirts and sun dresses) What would be good for my body type? Also, looking for some cute summer shoes beyond the normal flip-flops. Just bought a pair of cute yellow peep-toe wedges that look nice with jeans. Also bought a couple of pairs of Theory trousers in navy and black linen to try to look a bit more professional and polished.”

Being only 5′3″ myself I would have to say that the most invaluable commodity us short girls have is a good tailor. I have spent (and will continue to spend) much of my life having things hemmed. While this can seem like a huge inconvenience, it has opened up a new world of dresses and pants that I may not have even previously considered.

That being said, as far as dressing for a petite body type there are a few rules of thumb that I follow; never wear anything that falls between below the knee and the floor. It just ends up looking frumpy. If you like your legs and feel comfortable - wear a mini, just not too super short. Maxi is fine as it will create the illusion of height.

I also like to avoid anything that could overwhelm a small frame; big shoulders, too much embellishment, etc. If you try something on and feel like it is swallowing you up, then it probably is. In addition to overwhelming, I try and avoid anything that is going to ‘cut’ the length of my body (or lack thereof) horizontally. What I mean by this is nothing that creates a hard line which ‘divides’ you. For example, I am not a fan of a shift dress that is color blocked; black to right below the bust line and then white the rest of the way down. To create an illusion of length, it is best to stick to dresses in a single color or pattern.

This poster is fortunate enough to have a casual work atmosphere which opens up a wide array of dress choices. I’ve tried to include ones that can easily work for the office, but that you wouldn’t mind grabbing a drink with the girls in later on. I’ve also added some sandals that would work for any height (and with the dresses) being that they are flat. They too can go from dressy to casual and will work with the pre-existing items that 5′2″ mentioned in her post. All of the dresses can be found at Nordstrom online, and the shoes at Endless.com. Hope this was helpful and happy shopping…LASM