Petite-Friendly Esprit

February 2, 2011

Esprit-Jacket-1
Jacket - Esprit, size 0
Jeans - Paige Blue Heights Skinny, size 23 (hemmed)
Shoes – Cole Haan Carma pumps, size 5

Finally, another brand to add to the roster.

This wasn’t a keeper, since on me it looked a bit…blah, but the fit is very petite-friendly so I figured it was worth mentioning. 

This little wool, asymmetrical plaid jacket is an Esprit size 0. Shrunken in fit and proportions, I found it to be a pretty good fit right off the rack. It needed the sleeves to be shortened, but otherwise, not bad! I was surprised by the narrow fit in the shoulder, and slim torso, which was well fitted on me.

Esprit-Jacket-Measurements

So, this wasn’t a keeper, but what does it mean? It means I’ll be popping into Esprit for more possibly petite-friendly items in the near future. It also means I’ll be stalking the Esprit online store for good sale items, especially with their free shipping and returns policy on orders over $30. Here’s hoping more items like this little tweed number pop up…swoon!

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  • PetiteLittleGirl

    Great find! Macy's used to carry this brand but I don't think they do anymore. Even though the jacket was a tad big, it still looks great on you.

  • Tara

    I actually really like the uniqueness of this jacket…I love how it is asymmetrical!

  • Elle

    Thanks for the review Kelly, I haven't been inside an Esprit in forever. The quality from a few years ago was rather poor and most items I got from them fell apart after a few runs in the wash. I'll have to give them another chance now! Thanks again. :)

  • PetiteAsianGirl

    PLG – Macy's did carry this brand and it was a staple for me back in high school! I bought all my piano recital skirts, dresses, and tops from this line lol! And because of that I always thought of it as a juniors brand and tried to avoid it after graduating, but this jacket on Kelly is quite cute and mature looking. I like the asymmetrical closure.

  • curls-and-pearls

    We have a lot of Esprit outlets around here I used to shop there more often and still have a few basics from there. Maybe time to pop in again! It's a really cute jacket.

  • Shen Dove

    It never would have occurred to me to look for petite-sized jackets in Esprit. I'll definitely check them out in the future!

  • Sal

    Whaaaat? I LOVE that blazer on you! Sorry to hear it's going back.

  • PetiteXXS

    I actually think it looks great on you! Love the asymmetrical style, but guess it would have to be worn closed most of the time. I'm sure I have kids jeans from them or something back in the day, but like PAG I've always associated it with juniors clothing too. Thanks for sharing!

  • Ledda

    If you haven't return it yet, I vote for keep it, it looks so cute and chic at the same time, and I also think you can put a lot of outfits together with it.

  • kileen

    wow, i'm surprised to learn that Esprit is more petite friendly now. their stuff used to just hang on me. this blazer is super cute on you and i like the patterned design. i will have to keep an eye out for them too!

  • Alterations Needed

    @PetiteLittleGirl – Interesting. I don't remember ever seeing it in SoCal, but I do remember the new girl from NYC in high school wore Esprit. I don't think it really made it to SoCal until recently. There are only 2 stores I think, the closest one to me in San Diego in all the way in LA, two hours away!

    @Tara – I like the jacket too. The asymmetrical buttons are really cool, and I loved the pattern. Unfortunately, it didn't fit into my wardrobe, which I thought was really weird.

    @Elle – I did notice the tee-shirts, and most of the plain cotton sweaters felt cheap in quality. But this jacket felt really nice and was constructed well. Maybe they're a place for outerwear but not basics?

  • fashionforteens

    That jacket is tiny! I've never really even been in Esprit but it's nice to know that there is another petite-friendly brand to check out! Next time I'm at the mall, I will stop in there. The jacket is cute but I agree with you, it's a little blah, nothing special.

  • Alterations Needed

    @PetiteAsianGirl – LOL. I just mentioned in my reply to PLG that we got a new girl from NY in high school and she wore a lot of Esprit. I had no idea what the brand was back then. I think it was mostly an East Coast thing. I remember an episode of What Not to Wear where a teeny tiny petite found jackets there, but there were no stores in SoCal. Then one popped up in Santa Monica, and I've been popping in periodically when I'm in town. Basic t's and sweater feel cheap, but this jacket was really nice!

    @curls-and-pearls – Worth a shot to check them out again, might find a gem! Do they make special "outlet" items like BR does? Or is it all real stuff from the stores?

    @Shen Dove – Yeah, I was shocked at how well this jacket fit.

    @Sal – Everything about this jacket should have been perfection in my wardrobe, but for some reason I couldn't get it to work any other way than buttoned up with jeans. Bummer!

  • Alterations Needed

    @PetiteXXS – Yeah, it's cute, but I just couldn't get it to "work". Every outfit I tried looked awful except for just buttoned up with jeans. =P

    @Ledda – Already returned it. I had to drive 2 hours to LA to make sure I made it by the return deadline too! Phew!

    @kileen – Oh wow! If it used to hang off you, there would be no hope for me! A lot of stuff looked decent sized, but I didn't try on too much stuff (had the BF with me).

  • AubreyOhDang!

    whoa!!! look at those sleeves. why so long?! crazy.

  • Cee

    I'm surprised others found Esprit sizing to be big back in the day. I've always thought they ran on the smaller side (but then again, I'm not as tiny as some of you, hehe) due to the brand originating from Europe/Asia, I think. I love their online sale and clearance sales. Pieces can get discounted a lot.

    I think the asymmetrical buttons are cute. I can always count on you to find great blazers to review, Kelly :)

  • Michelle

    Not "blah" on you at all!! I see in your comments that you had a tough time finding a mate for it other than jeans.

    I was tempted to order from Esprit recently…like you said, great shipping offer!

    Thanks for the review! Now I feel more comfortable about ordering from them. I am starting to love online shopping way more than in person! :)

  • Really Petite

    You don't like it on you? How come? OMG I think it looks really nice on you but then again, you make everything look soooooooo good!!!

    And I used to wear this back in HS~! I had no idea it still was around!

  • Stylepint

    Esprit has some good things and they do fit. I remember when I was younger, I had a lot of stuff from there, but over the years, the store just got harder to find so I rarely cross paths with it anymore. Nice to know that it still works for petites! =)

  • Elizabeth

    Esprit fits? Really? Every single time I've tried on something there it's always been too big. Nice to know that perhaps their sizing has changed.

  • littlenashua

    Esprit was my favorite brand of clothing when I was in high school. I was usually only capable of convincing my parents to buy a few items since they were pricier than the other brands available at Filene's, but I still have one mini skirt that I bought at age 15, it's still in excellent condition, and I am waiting for the colors to come back in style so that I can wear it. But not to work…it's too short for work.

  • Anonymous

    If you're on the hunt for another cute tiny blazer… I just found an XXS at American Eagle Outfitters that is cute for spring! Not sure if it's your style, but I like it's funky/casual vibe.. I'm also 5'1" and 100 lbs and it fits great! Have a look if you're interested-

    http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?catId=cat4260032&productId=0389_1250

  • SewPetiteGal

    I actually really like this blazer on you! My favorite part is the asymmetry with the buttons.

    This brand brings back high school memories – particularly the Esprit canvas backpacks :)

  • i love mochi

    i like your blazer and your round-toe pumps. i just adore round-toe pumps =)

    http://ilovemochi.blogspot.com/

  • Hoi

    I worked at ESPRIT recently, and found that their fits tends to be very inconsistent. Their outerwear (blazers, jackets, coats) are the only things that fit me there, and for some reason, the outerwear fit very small. Most people who come into the store need to go a size up, in terms of outerwear, from whatever else they are getting at the store.

    The quality is great, however. The price is a little high, but if you choose a piece you really like, it will last for a long, long time.

  • i love mochi

    i like your blazer and your round-toe pumps. i just adore round-toe pumps =)

    http://ilovemochi.blogspot.com/

  • Hoi

    I worked at ESPRIT recently, and found that their fits tends to be very inconsistent. Their outerwear (blazers, jackets, coats) are the only things that fit me there, and for some reason, the outerwear fit very small. Most people who come into the store need to go a size up, in terms of outerwear, from whatever else they are getting at the store.

    The quality is great, however. The price is a little high, but if you choose a piece you really like, it will last for a long, long time.

  • Michelle

    Not "blah" on you at all!! I see in your comments that you had a tough time finding a mate for it other than jeans.

    I was tempted to order from Esprit recently…like you said, great shipping offer!

    Thanks for the review! Now I feel more comfortable about ordering from them. I am starting to love online shopping way more than in person! :)

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