Archive for 2010

Aug

PETITE WARDROBE CLASSICS

This fall promises a return to the classics. Here is my ”Petite Classics Hall of Fame,” a list of classic items that will never go out of style:

1. Animal Prints - have become a timeless look for clothing, handbags, and shoes.

2. A Leather Jacket – now a year-round item.

3. A White Shirt – a “must have” for every petite wardrobe.

4. A Pencil Skirt – works for any petite woman, any size, any shape.

5. A Neutral Shoe – if it matches your skintone, it will lengthen the leg.

Photo Image: Courtesy of www.nordstrom.com

Posted by: Kim at 4:54 pm No Comments » | Topic: Trends

Jul

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING FOR PETITE FASHIONISTAS

As crazy as it may seem, I still get excited about back-to-school fashion. Believe me, I am way past back-to-school age. Even my kids are full-fledged adults now. Yet I still look forward to the weeks right before school starts because retail clothing stores are merchandised at their absolute best. Inventory levels are high and hard-to-find sizes plentiful. You will find lots of great sales. In fact, discount coupons appear daily in the mailbox and online encouraging you to shop at national chains that actually have some appeal to grown-ups like Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Limited Express.

This is also the time of year when new designers introduce their collections. The hottest thing going for Fall 2010 is Madonna’s ”Material Girl” line of clothing launching exclusively at Macy’s nationwide on August 3. Although “Material Girl” targets primarily the tween and teen markets, there could be something for everyone since the collection includes shoes, handbags, and accessories. The prices can’t be beat with most items ranging from $12 to $40 at retail.

If you run your own business (like me) and have a fetish for office supplies (like me), now is the time to stock up. As office supply stores try to snag back-to-school revenue, they are loaded with all sorts of fun notebooks, spirals, folders, and desk supplies at amazing discounts. You can update your desktop and your wardrobe at the same time.

Posted by: Kim at 11:00 am 3 Comments » | Topic: Shopping

Jul

PETITE AND EXTRA SMALL ARE NOT THE SAME

While out shopping recently, I encountered several salespeople who tried to convince me that petite sizes and extra small sizes are one and the same. Here is how the conversations typically went:

Me: Do you carry petite sizes?

Salesperson: No, but we carry Extra Small.

Woe is me. The controversy and confusion over petite sizing rages on. I am more convinced than ever that there exists a huge need for a massive education campaign. Many designers, manufacturers, and retailers use the terms petite and extra small interchangeably. For example, a clothing designer who doesn’t even cut their line in petite sizes could label the smallest size they offer as size Petite even though the garment is not remotely proportioned for a short body frame.

Yes, some petite women are extra small. But the reality is that only 8% of all petite customers weigh 100 pounds or less and would be considered tiny. The rest of us have the same bust and hip measurements as a regular sized customer, but regular sizes don’t fit us because we are short. Petite sizing is based on height, not weight. Petite actually refers to an all-over proportioning on the body from head-to-toe, not left-to-right.

One of my favorite blogs www.about.com/fashion ran a survey recently asking petite women if clothing designers and manufacturers should continue calling clothing for short women petite and drop use of the term petite when it means extra small. An overwhelming 64% of their readers responded that they should adopt this practice. What do you think? Should the clothing industry standardize sizing terminology and quit confusing customers?

Posted by: Kim at 3:14 pm 4 Comments » | Topic: Random Rants

Jul

COOL TIPS FOR PETITE FASHION

Let’s face it. July means that it is HOT everywhere. The Northeast is wilting under a heat wave. Here in suburban Orlando, you can’t even walk to your mailbox without sweating. So how can a petite woman keep cool in July and August and still look stylish?

The obvious answer is to wear the least amount of clothing possible. Bare arms, bare shoulders, bare legs, exposed toes. Wear sundresses, strapless or one-shoulder tops and dresses, halters, tanks, shorts, minis, flip-flops, and sandals wherever, whenever you can.

Another simple petite fashion solution is to stay cooler by wearing fabrics that breathe. Exactly what does that mean? How can a fabric breathe?

To explain, let’s take a look at the two types of fibers used to make petite clothing, natural fibers and synthetic fibers. Think of a fiber as a piece of thread that is woven together to create fabric. Natural fibers originate from plants or animals. Synthetic fibers are created from man-made chemicals. Natural fibers breathe due to a looser weave. Synthetic fibers don’t. Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and rayon don’t absorb moisture. It gets trapped between the fibers causing your body temperature to rise. On the other hand, natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk make the best choices for a summer wardrobe because they absorb moisture, offering you a natural source of air conditioning.

Featured: Banana Republic blue silk dress $110.00

Posted by: Kim at 12:27 pm No Comments » | Topic: Fashion Tips, General