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!
I know right! I alway take Stacy’s words along when I go shopping. I have never seen this particular episode, but now I MUST have it! 4’6″ WOW. *counts blessings* Still, I’m only 4″ taller then her, so it would hurt for me to watch it.
The other day I interviewed for a govt job. One of the people at the interview and my potential supervisor was an Asian woman (might have been Filipino, which I gather from her last name) who was much shorter than me! I was a little bit amazed, as I RARELY find people shorter than myself (she’s only the second person I’ve ever met who’s shorter without being a Little Person). I mean, at 4’10”, I’m pretty much the shortest person most people will ever meet!
In any case, about the stores: Benetton is good for pants, just like your tailor told you, as they come in Italian sizes that are smaller around the waist and hips than the usual American sizes (I used to shop there a long time ago; not so much now). The store is not as petite-friendly with jackets and winter coats, as the proportions are for taller women. Esprit is good for casual tops (the only things I’ve ever bought from that store, again, a long time ago); not sure about other stuff they have.
–Y
I just saw Benetton the other day while shopping in Frankfurt I will have to check it out the next time I am there and now that I live in Germany I will know to look at Espirit too :)
I just saw Benetton the other day while shopping in Frankfurt I will have to check it out the next time I am there and now that I live in Germany I will know to look at Espirit too :)
The other day I interviewed for a govt job. One of the people at the interview and my potential supervisor was an Asian woman (might have been Filipino, which I gather from her last name) who was much shorter than me! I was a little bit amazed, as I RARELY find people shorter than myself (she's only the second person I've ever met who's shorter without being a Little Person). I mean, at 4'10", I'm pretty much the shortest person most people will ever meet!
In any case, about the stores: Benetton is good for pants, just like your tailor told you, as they come in Italian sizes that are smaller around the waist and hips than the usual American sizes (I used to shop there a long time ago; not so much now). The store is not as petite-friendly with jackets and winter coats, as the proportions are for taller women. Esprit is good for casual tops (the only things I've ever bought from that store, again, a long time ago); not sure about other stuff they have.
–Y