My New Choo's...

Perusing the sale shoes at Nordstrom at Fashion Valley in San Diego (FV is a great place to find small size shoes btw!), I found a super marked down pair of black patent Jimmy Choo's, in a popular style, in size 4.5. This is shocking because, high end shoes in small sizes always go quickly, and then to find such a popular style at such a marked down price is unheard of.

Jimmy Choo "Star" Pump, nordstrom.com

I'm a true to small size 5 in shoes, so I figured I'd try these size 4.5's on just for fun, not expecting to be able to wedge my foot into them. To my delight, and partially to my horror, the 4.5 size shoes fit perfectly!

The good news is, I scored a super cute pair of Jimmy Choo's at a fantastic discount. The bad news is, I found out I can sometimes be a size 4.5 shoe. The size 4.5 and under ladies out there know how difficult this size is to find, and why this realization can be horrifying to a shoe lover who has a hard enough time scoring shoes in size 5.

This is also amusing considering just a few years ago, I had convinced myself I was a size 6. One day, while on a job interview, I was following behind a very quick walker on an office tour, when my too large size 6 shoe flew off my foot and across the room. As I fished my shoe out from under the desk it had flown under, I realized I had to better research my actual shoe size.

It's also good to know Jimmy Choo makes shoes smaller than a size 5!

Adventures in Alterations: Taking in the Sides of a Shirt

Remember the Banana Republic petite size xxs top that needed the sides to be taken in? I got it back from my tailor!

Here it is before alterations:

Untied

Tied

The shirt was cut a bit generously, and even though there is a tie in back to pull in the waist, there was so much extra fabric that it bunched too much when tied.

After alterations:

Tied

Cost of Alteration: $18

Taking the sides in removed the excess fabric that was bunching around my shoulders and adding volume below my waist. It also brought in the sleeve openings a bit, making for a better fit around my arms.

Brand that Runs Small: Armani Exchange...Again

More proof that the Armani Exchange size p0 runs small...

Armani Exchange Printed Silk Skirt in size p0, $78, armaniexchange.com

This skirt in size p0 is right off the rack! It sits on my high hip, falls just above the knee, and has pockets! This is a keeper for sure!

Plight of the Special Sized Shopper: Sale...What Sale?

The Spring/Summer merchandise sales are in full force right now...and anyone with a little bit of extra cash can score some nice stuff for pretty cheap...that is...unless you're a special size.

I have perused the sale racks and online merchandise, but haven't picked anything up this sale season...not because I couldn't find anything I like, but because nothing in my size of any value ever made it to the sales.

Garments on the smallest and largest (and tall) side of the spectrum are always ordered in smaller amounts than "average" sizes, and in my experience, are usually the first to go. For this reason, they never make it to the sales racks, so frugal ladies who like to wait for the sales to pick up their seasonal wardrobes are out of luck if they require a special size.

I end up buying a lot of items I'm interested in at full retail price, and certainly not because I have extra money to throw away. I snatch things up and pay full retail because I know if I walk away from it, I'll never see it in my size again. I've had too much heartache after walking away from something I really loved, only to never see it again, to pass anything up.

And it's usually a good thing I snatch them up when I do. So many times I get the ol' "that's the last one in that size in the entire company" from sales associates, or see the smallest size disappear from the e-tailer website right after I make my order, verifying I just bought the last one.

Then, when I get it home, I almost always have to alter it, costing more money on top of the retail price. For this reason, I've been making less purchases, but more expensive ones. I figure, if I'm going to pay full price on something and add the cost of tailoring, it had better be of some sartorial significance, whether that be fabric content, construction, or design element.

In short...sales are just one big tease. I always get excited for them...but usually walk away empty handed. Special sized gals have got it tough!

Better get in on the new Fall merchandise while there are still small sizes to be had!

Is this the case for you other petite (and special sized) ladies out there?

Summer 2009: Banana Republic Petite XXS

Banana Republic added some new merchandise for their summer collection in size petite XXS recently, and there were a few items I was interested in trying out. So, I put in an order of items in a few different cuts and fabrics, got free shipping for using my Banana Card (free shipping on orders of $100 or more), and had a little BR fashion show. Most of the items are going back, just because they're not my particular taste, but I got a gem or two in there as well.

First...the good...

Banana Republic Short-Sleeve Twist-Detail Top in Petite XXS, $49
70% rayon, 30% lyocell

Banana Republic Linen Blend Ruffle Top in Petite XXS, $59
56% linen, 44% viscose

The fit on both these tops were great. The length, shoulders, sleeves, and torso width are all great, and work right off the rack.

I really liked the twist-detail top, but the cut-outs along the neckline showed my bra on both the shoulders and top of the chest. I know I would be fidgeting with the neckline all day if I were to wear it, so sadly, it is being returned.

The ruffle top is just not my personal taste, so that will be returned as well.

Now...the bad...

Petites: Petite silk ruffle top - White, in Petite XXS, $69.50
100% silk

This top is akin to wearing a sack. There was no drape to this top...just a poof outward that makes my torso look like a square. Even the ruffle details on this one were too much for my small frame, and looked ridiculous. This one is definitely being returned.

Now...the keeper, but with alterations...

Petites: Petite cotton/silk ruffle blouse - in Petite XXS, $59.50
67% cotton, 33% silk

The design and detail of this top is something I've been looking to add to my wardrobe for a while now. I love the ruffle detail down the front, and it is a wispy cotton silk, so the ruffle doesn't stand up or overwhelm me. The pattern is great, and I need more prints in my wardrobe, so this fits the bill nicely. There is also a nice tie detail at the back (see below) that cinches in the waist.


Despite the back tie detail, this top is still a bit too big for me. In order to get the shirt to fit the way I want it to, I have to tighten the back tie as far as it will go, which causes the fabric at the shoulder to bunch up a bit. This problem will be solved by taking it to my tailor to get the sides taken in. Below is the shirt untied in the back.

Untied

Conclusions...

The current Banana Republic petite XXS offerings in tops fit well depending on the fabric content. As a rule of thumb, most garments made in silk are cut larger than garments made of fabrics with a little "stretch" to them. This makes it easier to put the garment on. I saw this exact same thing with the BR petite XXS tops I tried. The items made with silk content are cut generously, and would need to be taken in a bit.

Along this same idea, the garments made with fabrics that have stretch fit great right off the rack. These items are cut smaller all around, and fit great without the need for alterations.

Adventures in Alterations: High Waisted Skirt

Remember the Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent skirt that was a bit too big in the waist? I finally got her back from my tailor and got a chance to take some pictures!

Here it is before alterations:

The skirt sits on my low waist, and looks a little sloppy

The bit of extra fabric

Here is the finished product, after alterations:


Now the skirt sits at my natural waist and looks sharply styled. Here's a look at the stitches my tailor added to nip in the waist. This skirt could also have been taken in along the zipper, eliminating the two stitches, but would have been more expensive.

Cost of Alteration: $15

A nice, easy fix for a beautiful skirt. Now I'm ready for warm weather!

Custom Dress Shirts: 9tailors in Boston

I received an e-mail announcing a "custom shirt event" in Boston put on by a company called 9tailors. The event is described in a press release here:

Consultants from 9tailors will make custom-apparel shopping easy for women. First, a fitter will measure clients to ensure accurate fit through the bust, waist, hip and sleeve. Women who are petite, tall or in-between can find a fit that complements their body shape. From pretty and flirty to clean and simple, from brightly hued fabrics to femininely styled collars, 9tailors dress shirts can be designed to suit a range of styles and tastes.

9tailors also understands that our clients are budget conscious. So, all custom dress shirts start at $60.00. Sample dress shirts will start at $25.00.

Shoppers can secure a fitting ahead of time by e-mailing info@9tailors.com. Walk-ins are also welcome. Those who RSVP will have a chance to win a free custom dress shirt.

To a petite who has an awful time finding an even remotely close to fitting dress shirt, this sounds like music to my ears. I had never heard of this company before (probably because I live in LA), so I did a little digging to find out what they're all about. The founder and CEO, Samantha Shih, is a petite woman at 5'0", who had difficulty finding well tailored clothes in the U.S. Like many petites of Asian decent, she would get custom tailored clothing made for her when she visited Hong Kong, and realized the potential of connecting quality Chinese tailors to an American audience. Read a great bio of her here.

Starting off only offering men's dress shirts, 9tailors has recently ventured into women's clothing. Only available for men at the moment is the online design tool, where customers can "design" their own shirt and input their own measurements. There are plans for a women's online shirt design tool to be added to the website at the end of summer. But anyone can go to the 9tailors studio, or make an appointment for a stylist to come by your office (if you work in or near Boston, MA), to be measured and pick shirt design elements from samples.

9tailors

From the look of things, and with prices starting at $60, 9tailors seems to be a great option for petites (or anyone who finds themselves being a special size) to get measured for custom fitting dress shirts. I've considered purchasing dress shirts off the rack for that price, not including the price I'd have to pay for alterations!

9tailors

Because I've never seen, or had 9tailors custom make a dress shirt for me, I can't personally vouch for the quality or workmanship from this company. But I encourage anyone in the Boston area to go check out 9tailors at their custom shirt event and take a look at the merchandise. I'd love to hear from anyone who ends up going!

Check out the 9tailors website here
http://beta.9tailors.com/

Check out the 9tailors blog here
http://9tailors.blogspot.com/

Tiny Skirt: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent

I normally avoid high waisted garments like the plague, so when I found myself attracted to this Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent skirt I was a little worried. My body is proportioned so that I have long legs, and a short torso, so anything high waisted or tucked in usually makes me look awkwardly disproportionate, making my short torso appear even shorter. With that being said, I just couldn't walk away from this high waisted skirt and decided to give it a shot.

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Skirt, Summer 09, cynthiavincent.net

The detail on the waistband is really pretty, which means if I'm going to commit to this skirt, I need to always tuck in! Gasp!

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent skirt in size 0

This skirt works out surprisingly well! Something about the slim cut and drape of the fabric, combined with the embellished waistband that works to cinch, makes this skirt okay for my body type. Here, the skirt is right off the rack, and it falls on my low waist, which is pretty small because most high waisted skirts fall on my hips. I want it to sit a little higher, so the waist band only needs a bit of adjustment. This skirt is being taken in by my tailor as we speak! So exciting!

The bit of extra fabric at my waist.

I'm on a weird skirt kick at the moment (I guess that means I'm anxiously awaiting summer), and I'm especially partial to silk. I love how silk drapes and won't overwhelm my frame. I also consider it a great addition to a wardrobe. Everything feels more luxurious, and I feel more sophisticated in silk!

I can't seem to find this skirt on sale anywhere online to post a link, but at Bloomingdales, it was not yet on sale, so it might be new merchandise. There was also another skirt by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent that fit very similarly in the waist to this one that I did not photograph, so check out this brand as their skirts seem to be running small.

I will post the final product after alterations when I get it back from my tailor! Yay! Summer...here I come!

NYC Sample Sale: Diane von Furstenberg

Speaking of DVF dresses...I just found this post for the DVF sample sale on the NY Magazine fashion blog, The Cut, today:

Diane Von Furstenberg
When: 6/2–6/6; T (9–6:30), W (10–8), Th (10–7), F (9–5:30), S (9–3).
Where: 260 Fifth Ave., nr. 28th St. (212-725-5400).
What You'll Find:
Diane Von Furstenberg's sample sale is full of her signature wrap dresses, tops, pants, swimwear, and more for 75 percent off. Dresses, like the orange summer dress pictured above, are priced at $125 each and blouses are only $80. The deals here are amazing, but make sure you get in line early — this sale is notoriously packed.

You lucky NY girls! Grab discounted DVF dresses in size 0, and look for tops in size P!

Tiny Dress: Diane von Furstenberg Della

I've had my eye on this dress for a while and either couldn't find a size 0, or was in too much of a hurry to try it on. Luckily, my local department store got a new shipment and, lo and behold, there was a size 0 calling out to me to try it on.

Diane von Furstenberg Della Dress, dvf.com

I've had good luck in the past with Diane von Furstenberg dresses, and here is another cute dress that comes close to fitting right off the rack, and will fit great with an easy alteration. Here is the Diane von Furstenberg Della dress in size 0.

Diane von Furstenberg Della dress in size 0.

Sorry the picture quality is so bad on this one...the dressing room I was in had horrible lighting! The dress looks way better in real life, I promise!

Because the dress is not made for petites, the waist is lower than my natural waist. When I pull the waist up to the correct place, there is extra fabric on the top half of the dress. You can see this extra fabric in the side shot, bunching up around my shoulder blades. Since this dress is sleeveless, all a tailor has to do is bring up the shoulder seam, and perfect!

I really want to pick up this dress on sale, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll find one left in size 0!