Vests should be a part of every petite woman’s wardrobe.  Why?  This petite-friendly garment often features a flattering V-neckline that will make a short body frame automatically look longer.  As an added bonus, a button or zip-front vest paints lengthening vertical lines on the petite figure.  The vest offers a stylish solution to a jacket or classic cardigan.  A hot item is the new long draped vest, a perfect petite look when proportioned in petite sizes.  A quilted puffer vest can keep you warm and cozy the rest of the winter.  The good news for petite women is that there are lots of cute vests in stores now, many of them at ridiculously low prices.

Basics have never been so fashionable.  Investing in classic items feels very right in a shaky economy.  Denim and khaki have become staples for every petite wardrobe and nobody does these basics better than Gap.  Visit http://www.gap.com/ for a great selection of basic styles in sizes 00P – 16P specially fit for a smaller frame. Gap’s petite pants feature a shorter length, higher waistline, narrower hips, shorter rise, shorter inseam, and higher knee positioning. 

Gap’s selection of petite jeans is unbelievable – over 30 styles are offered online in petite sizes.  Get the perfect petite fit in denim basics including the Perfect Boot Cut, Sexy Boot Cut, Real Straight, Long and Lean, Curvy, Always Skinny, and Boyfriend styles. 

Budgets are tighter than ever this season, so here are 4 quick questions to ask yourself before making new purchases for your petite wardrobe: 

 1.  Is it versatile? 

Will this piece work with at least 3 items that I already own?  Can it go from desk to dinner?  A career look like a classic white shirt and black slim skirt can be instantly dressed up with a dramatic necklace and stiletto heels. 

 2.  Is it good quality?

Buy the best quality you can afford.  Look at fabric, construction, and detail.  Check for loose threads, buttons, and beads.  Make sure that the fabric matches at the seams.  The best quality isn’t always the most expensive, and the most expensive isn’t always the best quality. 

 3.  Is it seasonless?

Can you layer it up or down depending on the weather?  The most important all-season factor is fabric.  Choose seasonless fabrics like rayon, wool gab, wool crepe, and matte jersey. 

4.  Is it a timeless classic?

Trench coats, cardigans, pearls, and Chanel inspired handbags are worth the money because they simply never go out of style.