Banana Republic Linen Vest, size 0 (altered) :: Banana Republic Button Down, size 00P :: Paige Laurel Canyon Jeans, size 24 (altered) :: Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Skinny belt, size xs :: Timex watch :: Cole Haan shoes, size 5
I wore this to the mall the other day and loved it so much that I thought I’d do a little “Outfit of the Day” post for it. I usually don’t like to just post outfits for the sake of posting outfits. I like there to be a larger point to the post than just, “look at how cute I was today!”, but I got a few requests to get a better look at the vest from my last post, so I took some photos.
Then, I came across a photo of the un-altered vest on my little petite dress form that I completely forgot I tweeted when I first bought it. Since the dress form is pretty close to my actual measurements (it’s longer waisted than I am, but still pretty similar), I realized I might be able to put together an “Adventures in Alterations” post on this little guy after all! So, here we go!
Before alterations:
*For reference – Dress form measurements: 30″ bust, 22″ waist, 31″ hip My measurements: 30″ bust, 23″ waist, 32″ hip
As I wrote in my first post about this little vest…I was OBSESSED! It didn’t come in petite sizes, and I knew if I picked it up, it would be doosey to alter. So when I was able to score a regular size 0 for a mere $2 thanks to great sales and Rewards Cards, I decided I loved it enough to pay for the alterations it was going to need.
As you can see, the regular size 0 was pretty big right off the rack. Here’s what it needed:
1. Regular sizes are longer than petite sizes, so the shoulder, bust placement, arm hole and waist placement are all either too long or too low. Taking up the vest at the shoulder will bring all these things higher. However, taking up the shoulder means the fabric along the back of the neck needs to be re-cut.
2. The width is too wide and needs to be slimmed. Slimming the sides will also help to narrow the arm hole.
After alterations:
Cost of alterations: $60
What a difference, hmm?
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Before vs. After Alterations
Getting it slimmed was pretty obvious, but most petite women don’t realize the difference taking a garment up at the shoulder can make! We’re short…so our clothes have to be too. Taking the vest up at the shoulder made the arm holes nice and high, put the bust in the right place, and made the vest end at a much more flattering length.
And, now for some gratuitous outfit shots:
Moral of the story…if you really, really love something, don’t be limited by the fit right off the rack. Make sure the quality is worth it, that it’s truly your personal style, and search out the best deal you think you can get. There’s nothing wrong with paying a little bit of money to get the perfect fit on a garment you really love.
