Shoes That Run Small: Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin, photo from nymag.com by way of Barneys

When clothes that fit are hard to find...wear beautiful shoes! There are many beautiful shoes that run small, which is good news for those of us with tiny feet. For those of us with a small and narrow shoe size, Christian Louboutin will keep us looking chic and stylish with classic styles and that irresistible red sole.

Christian Louboutin Patent Peep-Toe Pump, neimanmarcus.com

Many of Christian Louboutin's shoe styles run nice and small, so if you're a size 4.5 (Euro 34.5), you might be able to fit some size 5's (Euro 35) with a few strategically placed shoe pads. But if you're smaller than a size 5, fear not, because Christian Louboutin makes sizes 4 and 4.5.

Christian Louboutin Simple Pump, barneys.com

Christian Louboutin size 5's are available in high end department stores and online, but that size goes fast, so jump on them quickly. Sizes 4-4.5 are available in Christian Louboutin boutiques, and are often available for special order, so call a boutique and ask! And if that's still not small enough, you can get a custom made "last" of your foot and have the shoes specially made just for you (at a cost of about $3,000, ouch!).

Note: Patent leather styles fit smaller than regular leather styles, and stretch less, so you might be able to size a 1/2 size up if you normally wear a hard to find size.

Petite Bras

If you're tiny like me, then you have to give petite bras a shot. I knew petite bras existed, and had even thought about ordering one online, but bras are a tricky thing to purchase sight unseen, and I hate paying shipping charges. So when I saw the CK petite bras on a recent shopping trip to an outlet mall, I had to try them on. Let me just say it was the closest thing to a religious experience a person could ever have in a dressing room.

Before trying a petite bra, my experience with undergarments was always unsatisfactory. I could fit a size 32 band, even though I'm about 90% sure I'm a at least a size 30, which is nearly impossible to find. And I certainly never got the same results as my friends when trying on a push-up.

Petite bras are smaller around, which means a 32 band fits more like a 30, and the cups are closer together, putting the girls right where they should be. After trying one on, I ran straight back to the rack, grabbed all available colors in my size, and handed over my credit card with great enthusiasm. I highly suggest you do the same.

Perfectly Fit Tailored petite lace push up bra, figleaves.com

The Calvin Klein Petite bras are available online at:

I have not tried this brand, but my next petite bra purchase will most likely be from:

http://thelittlebracompany.com/

Other petite bras are available at:

http://www.lulalu.com/

Sale at Ann Taylor Loft

Ann Taylor Loft Sale - Petites

Ann Taylor Loft just put some new stuff on sale, and there are some decent petite XXS pieces. Usually I find Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft to be cut a little boxier than I like, however they are pretty good for wardrobe staples like sweaters and cardigans.

Petite Crewneck Cardigan

I picked up a few of these cardigans already.

Investment Dressing

With all the recession business going on, there has been a lot of talk in the fashion world about investing in one's wardrobe. Some of the main arguments being used for investment dressing are:

1) Better quality clothes last longer, look better, and are a wiser investment for your money than fast fashion in these times where money is tight.

2) Fast fashion is not environmentally friendly. Loads of trendy synthetic "throw away" clothes are piling up in landfills, and are not easily biodegradable. Not to mention, if the jeans are costing you $10 at the full store markup price, imagine the amount of money a factory worker did NOT make somewhere else in the world.

3) People are burnt out on fast fashion. You mean that top I bought yesterday is already out of fashion and on the clearance racks? I can't keep up!

This article I happened across breaks things down pretty well:

Investment Dressing, Ottawacitizen.com

As a tiny petite, I like the idea of investment dressing, and have been trying to implement it in my wardrobe choices. My personal reasons are:

1) Finding clothing that fits is difficult, and when I find a garment I like, that also fits me well, I want it to last forever!

2) Cheap clothing that I like, that also fits me well, does not last very long, and it makes me sad when I have to throw away something I like.

3) Getting garments tailored is a necessity for me, and adds cost to the garment's retail price. Therefore, the garment must be worth the extra price of tailoring. Why spend the money on getting a fast fashion item tailored, if it will have a short closet life? Instead, purchasing a quality "investment" garment and getting it tailored makes more sense.

I'm hoping this philosophy will help me to buy less, and hopefully in the long run to also spend less. I'm also hoping to get to a point where I can open my closet, and have it full of garments I love, and not garments I bought on an impulse and feel regretful about. What an exciting thought!

Chanel Mobil Art Exhibit

Video: Inside the Chanel Mobile Art Exhibit!

New York Magazine's "The Cut" blog has a cool video on the Chanel Mobile Art Exhibit happening right now in NYC. For those of us that can't make it out to NY to see it for ourselves, this gives a fun little tour.

000 Petite at Banana Republic

**This post has an update here**

Ok, so I admit I've joked around about being a non-existent size. I've been known to sarcastically proclaim myself a size -1...or a size 000. But to have it really be true? Honestly, Banana Republic, are you serious? But hey, if it fits...I'll be first in line! Behold Banana Republic's new size charts in the Petite Fit Guide:

For tops:
For Pants:

See the Banana Republic Petite Fit Guide here

Some tops are already available in size XXS P, but no pants have been added to the website yet. This new size 000 P is also on the size chart for blazers and outerwear, dresses, and skirts. Stay tuned!

If the introduction of size 00 to the fashion industry caused controversy about it's association with unhealthily thin women, I wonder if this will ruffle some feathers as well.

Jackets That Run Small: Nanette Lepore

Nanette Lepore Chocolate Stretch "Symphony Stripe" Jacket, bluefly.com

Nanette Lepore designs fun and girly pieces with unique details, and luckily, her jackets are cut small! I picked up this beauty from bluefly.com in a size 0, and am really happy with it. Nanette Lepore jackets are cut slim in the bust and torso, and are often cut in a shrunken length, with a little flair at the bottom that works to accentuate a tiny waist. I've also tried on a few other jacket styles in department stores, and have been happy to see most designs are flatteringly tiny. I had to get the sleeves hemmed on this jacket, which is an easy alteration and not costly. Also, some jackets are cut smaller than others, so try them all on!

Nanette Lepore jacket, Paige jeans, Christian Louboutin shoes

Unfortunately, not everything from this designer works. Her bottoms are generally cut pretty large, and I can never find size 0's in tops or dresses to try on, so I am unsure about the fit of the rest of her line at this time.

In Memoriam: YSL Pumps

Yves Saint Laurent Nicole Patent Pumps

When I first saw theses shoes, I fell in love instantly. They were my favorite neutral, grey, with a fun streaked design. I began to imagine all the fantastic outfits these patent leather 3 inch pumps would tie together. Non surprisingly, my size was not available in store, so I scoured the internet for my loves. There they were, at saksfifthavenue.com, and in size 35! And even more exciting, a little note under the item description saying:

Our fit model recommends ordering one half size up as this style runs small

This was great news, as I tend to run on the smaller side of size 35. "Fantastic!" I thought, "maybe I'll even need to get a size up!" When the package arrived, I was overjoyed! My babies were finally here! I pulled them out of their beautiful box and crispy tissue paper packaging and slipped the first one on. But something was amiss...these "small" shoes were not very small at all! My heel slipped ungracefully out with each step, and the shoe didn't even touch the top of my foot.

Note the ample space between the heel of my foot and the back of the shoe.

Also note the ample space between the top of my foot and the toe box.

Sadly, not even shoe pads helped remedy the problems, and I returned these shoes to Saks, so if anyone is interested in "small" size 35's that are not very small at all, give the Beverly Hills store a call.

Perhaps Saks needs a new shoe fit model.

Dresses That Run Small: Diane von Furstenberg

The queen of crazy prints and wrap dresses loves to design in a stretchy silk jersey, that in size 0, is often cut very small! I picked up a few DVF silk jersey dresses at Barney's Warehouse Sale (for $50 vs. full retail of $345!), and each one was so incredibly tiny, I even briefly considered sizing up!

Wrap dresses are usually a good bet for a tiny petite because the garment can be wrapped tightly around even the tiniest of waists. The DVF wrap dresses I found were sized perfectly, and even a non-wrap dress in size 0 was a good fit.

I got the dresses hemmed to the knee, and now they are some of my favorite wardrobe staples. DVF wrap dresses are a great investment. Just beware of the prints because they can sometimes be rather loud, which is difficult for petite women to carry off.

My favorite DVF wrap

Banana Republic XXS Petite Items 30% Off

Banana Republic Petites 30% off

Banana Republic is having a "Bundle up & Save" sale until October 19th, where a few select items are 30% off. This selection includes a few of the new XXS petite items! Get them on sale!

See the sale items by clicking here

Project Runway: Trouble in La La Land

Unruly WGA Mob Protest "Project Runway" Rodeo Drive Shoot, defamer.com

Defamer.com posted that the WGA is protesting Project Runway while filming in Los Angeles. As if they don't have enough issues for the new season!

Things to Look For: Stretch

Stretch Armstrong...not lycra...but very stretchy

Lycra and spandex are my new best friends. Garments infused with stretchy components such as lycra and spandex are designed to hug close to the body, and so are cut smaller than a similar garment of the same size in a non-stretchy material. Since they are cut smaller, they may not fit snugly on a tiny petite, but might actually fit quite flatteringly. When shopping in stores, I check garment tags for stretchy fabric content, and when shopping online, I search the online store descriptions for the word "stretch".

WSJ Spring 2009 Fashion Matrix

The Wall Street Journal has a fun way to decipher the Spring 2009 runway shows they're calling a fashion matrix. For the full experience, click the link below.

WSJ.com Fashion Matrix, Spring 2009

Obsession: Gryphon Spine Jacket

Gryphon Spine Jacket, chickdowntown.com

I am obsessed with this jacket. Too bad I didn't find it earlier, because it's already on sale, and sold out in size XS.

P.S. Gryphon jackets run small!

Petite XXS at Banana Republic!

So, I've noticed something exciting lately on the Banana Republic website. A new size is popping up, and it's tiny! When I called a Banana Republic representative, she told me they are doing a "test run" on a new petite size XXS to see how it sells. If it sells well, they very well may introduce it as a size for the rest of their petite clothing items! She also told me the BR petites are selling very very well, which is a positive sign that BR will continue to expand their petite line.

Petite Kaleidescope Top

I was lucky enough to snag the above silk top in petite XXS before it sold out online, and let me just say I am very excited about this new size. As I reviewed in my earlier post about Banana Republic petite silk tops, the PXS has always fit about 1-2 sizes too large on me. Well, when this baby arrived in the mail, I couldn't wait to try it on, but was careful not to get too excited, because there was a chance even this size would be too big.

I am happy to say the PXXS is fantastic! It drapes beautifully and doesn't overwhelm my frame like most silky tops do. I am checking the BR website almost daily for the next PXXS item I want to purchase. Get them while you can, because they are selling out fast!

Here is what is currently available as of today in PXXS. To do a search, click on a clothing item such as "tops", and then search by size for PXXS. Enjoy!

Petite Tops: Size PXXS
Petite Blouses and Shirts: Size PXXS
Petite Sweaters: Size PXXS

Call Banana Republic customer service at 1-888-BRSTYLE to leave a comment and let them know we want more petite XXS!

The Importance of a Good Tailor

Let's face reality...as a tiny petite, fashion isn't made for someone my size. Being at either end of the weight/height spectrum narrows your fashion options, and if you fall in either of these categories, you need a good tailor. Since nearly everything is about 1-2 sizes too large for me, I need to be choosy about what I purchase, and invest in getting the item tailored. This plays into the idea of investment dressing, which I am becoming a big advocate of. The trick is to find an item that you love, and that can work with the least amount of invasive tailoring possible.

The thing I've learned about tailors recently is there are two types. There's a tailor...and then there's a GOOD tailor. A good tailor isn't just someone who can do a good job customizing your clothing. A good tailor should also be able to communicate with you about what you want and what you need.

A tailor should be knowledgeable about fabrics, fits, and be able to identify what looks good on your body shape. Finding a tailor who will give you an honest opinion is gold, because, after all, they're experts. I've had tailors who just did the adjustments I asked for, but ended up not loving the clothing item because, well, I don't know what I'm doing! My current tailor gives me suggestions, and tells me when I'm asking for something crazy. She tells me if an alteration is worth doing, or when I need to stop obsessing about a tiny detail that looks perfectly fine. I have not once walked away dissatisfied.

And remember, until the introduction of ready-to-wear to women's clothing in the early 1900's, custom tailoring was commonplace for people of all socio-economic levels. It was when designers started to cheaply produce pre-sized garments that people began to squeeze themselves into the narrow preconceived notion of a "size". I like to think of going to a tailor as a throwback to the good ol' days, when clothes were well made and custom fitted. And who doesn't like the idea of custom made anything, right?

If anyone needs a tailor in the West Los Angeles area, may I suggest Marina at:

First Class Tailors 11701 Wilshire Blvd. #2 Los Angeles, CA 90025

I <3 Karl

Karl Lagerfeld is awesome.

Karl Lagerfeld, Spring 2009, Paris
style.com

I would've liked to see him backstage, instructing the model to do that.