Jeans that Run Small: Ksubi

I remember reading an article somewhere in which the Olsen twins revealed their love for Ksubi jeans. I believe the line was something like, "they fit perfect, right off the rack", and since the Olsens are also super tiny, I made a mental note right then and there to check into these mysterious jeans, as at the time, it was the first I had ever heard of them.

Ashley Olsen in Ksubi, denimology.co.uk

Since then, I've been swimming in a sea of my favorite Paige Premium Denim jeans, and just never actively searched out Ksubi to give them a shot. Then, this weekend, I happened to pass a huge table stacked with jeans while perusing the Spring/Summer sales and the name Ksubi caught my eye. Shifting through the stacks, I found a size 24, held them up and thought, "wow, those are tiny!"

Ksubi Super Skinny Zip Jean in Roadie Grey, $292, barneys.com

It's true! They do run small! Here they are in size 24 on me.

Ksubi Super Skinny Zip Jean in size 24

The zipper on the bottom of this particular pair would make the length hard to alter, but the fit everywhere else is really slim, even in the waist! I've never had a pair of size 24 jeans fit so snug! If you're looking to expand your skinny jean collection (it seems most Ksubi styles are either really skinny or really thin straight leg), Ksubi would be a good bet. I personally don't like the zipper style, but an edgier girl than myself should be able to rock them no problem.

A Bit Overwhelmed

Being so small-framed, it's easy to become overwhelmed by clothing. I tried on this dress the other day by Calvin Klein in 2 petite (the smallest Calvin Klein has available in petites), and it was so bad, I laughed out loud, and wanted to share.


It was a wrap dress, so I thought it might work, and I liked the ruffle detail down the front. But when I tried it on, there were a lot of things that just do not work for my small frame. The picture doesn't completely capture the awfulness...so just trust me on this.

First of all, the fabric is too bulky. The dress is a stiff, thick cotton, which is good because the dress is less sheer, but the fabric added bulk to my frame and any curves I do have, are gone. Looking like a pre-pubescent girl is not exactly the angle I was going for here.

Second, the bulky fabric causes the ruffle detail to stand up and off the dress a bit, which is okay for someone larger, but on me, it just looks awkward and overwhelming.

Third, the sleeves are puff-sleeves...which consistently look ridiculous with my thin arms. These are especially bad because the stiff fabric causes the sleeves to stick straight out, and since my arms do not go out that far, the sleeves look like little shelves...or maybe little linebacker shoulder pads...that extend over and past my arms.

So, the lessons I learned here are, stick to thin, light fabrics...stick to subdued details...and avoid puff sleeves at all costs!

Petite Shopping on TV: TLC's What Not to Wear

I'm addicted to fashion TV shows...especially TLC's What Not to Wear. I've never been the type of person to be very impressed by celebrities...but when it comes to Stacy and Clinton, I'd be willing to bet I'd turn into a stammering, awe struck idiot if I ever got to meet them.

I become especially interested when these fashion shows highlight petite fashion, or work to dress very petite women. For instance, on What Not to Wear, I pay special attention to the stores they send very petite women to shop, because maybe they'll work for me too!

I know the show is a bit old (original air date was January 2006!), but I'm fascinated by the What Not to Wear featuring Robin, a 4'6" substitute teacher from Chicago. She is by far the tiniest woman they have ever featured! I am so fascinated by this episode, I even downloaded it from iTunes. The video is not available anywhere for free that I could find (if you find it for free, let me know so I can post it!), but here are some screen shots from the video I attempted to capture.

Robin in her regular clothes before the makeover

In this episode, Stacy and Clinton send Robin to a tween store (poor girl, sent to shop for tween clothing!), Esprit, and United Colors of Benetton. Of course she needed alterations, but that stuff isn't bad for right off the rack!

Robin in a suit at Esprit

Robin in clothes at United Colors of Benetton

The final product

I've looked through Benetton, but never tried anything on...and luckily for me, an Esprit just opened a few blocks away from where I work. Perhaps it's time I take a closer look at these two stores. My tailor has also recently suggested Benetton to me as a place to find pants. Looks like I'll be taking a shopping excursion on my lunch break this week!

New Petite Online Store: For Petite Sake

Kim Dahlman, the author of The Petite Handbook, and an experienced petite merchandise buyer, has opened her online store just for petites, For Petite Sake.

The cool thing about For Petite Sake is Kim will personally give you fit advice, and since she is hand picking each item in her store, she knows her merchandise well and can give you an honest assessment. It's great to actually be able to communicate with someone in retail who understands the difficulty of fitting petite figures.

I wrote to Kim asking her if she had anything at For Petite Sake that runs small or would work for tiny petites and she replied with some options. Kim wrote:

"We have found that some of the capri pants from Focus 2000 are running extremely small. A size 2 would probably be a size 00.

Also, our Berek giraffe print top is running extremely small. The size P would fit those on the tiny end of the petite scale.

Nic + Zoe's sweaters also run small.

We also got another great item in that is running on the small side - Berek's Golden Zebra Jacket."



For Petite Sake offers free returns, and ships to the US and Canada.

In Memoriam: Giordano's Shoes

This one makes me sad...

I received this in the mail yesterday from Giordano's Shoes in New York. If you're not familiar with Giordano's Shoes, visit this post.



After being in business for 28 years, Giordano's is liquidating their inventory and closing up shop. I sent an e-mail to Giordano's asking why they were closing...I thought maybe it was the economy, or that maybe catering to such a niche market was no longer profitable. The response I received simply said, "our lease was up and the building is being sold and after 28 years, we are ready to retire..."

This online discount code for 25% off is shown on the website, with no mention of the store closing.


When I first heard about Giordano's, I thought, "what a fabulous idea!" How wonderful would it be to step into a store, pick up a gorgeous shoe, and ask the sales associate for your size, knowing they would return from the back holding a big box with your shoe in it!

What a luxury for small footed women, who are no stranger to the old, "ummmm...I'm almost certain we don't carry that size...but I can check the back if you'd like..." sales associate response. Or how about my personal favorite, "we only received one pair in that size, and it sold almost immediately. No more left, sorry."

Thank you Giordano's for catering just to us! Good luck and we'll miss you!

Giordano's does not have e-commerce, but you can peruse their catalog online and call or e-mail them to order.

Giordano's
1150 Second Ave.
New York, NY 10021
212-688-7195
Giordanoshoes@aol.com

I suppose now would be a good time to stock up on those small shoe sizes ladies!

Free Shipping: Cinderella of Boston

I hate paying shipping charges!! If you live in the US and need shoes in sizes 2-5 1/2, then you have one week to get free shipping at Cinderella of Boston!


Cinderella of Boston is offering free shipping for one week, from May 1st to May 10th, 2009.