For Petite Sake » Trends

INSTANT HEIGHT

Kim — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:52:47 +0000

This spring, petite women should celebrate fashion’s return to the 70’s and the comeback of the platform sandal. What better way to instantly add a few inches of height without worring about falling off a skinny stiletto heel! Stacked soles and wedge heels provide both comfort and a nice height boost for their wearers. Look for a variety of cute styles with soles crafted from leather, cork, and rope.

THE ABC’S OF SPRING PETITE FASHION

Kim — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:17:41 +0000

A is for Art Deco Jewelry. B is for Bold Stripes. C is for Crochet. D is for Denim. E is for Espadrilles. F is for Florals. G is for Gypsy Blouses. H is for High-Waisted Pants. I is for Iridescent Finishes.

J is for Jellies. K is for Khaki. L is for Lace. M is for Menswear. N is for Neon. O is for Orange. P is for Platform Sandals. Q is for Quirky 70’s Inspired Accessories. R is for Rose Patterns.

S is for Shimmery Knits. T is for Tribal Prints. U is for Unadorned Simple Silhouettes. V is for Vibrant Colors. W is for White. X is for Xotic Skins. Y is for Yellow. Z is for Zesty Lime.

PETITE FASHION TREND: ORANGE CRUSH

Kim — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:56:14 +0000

Orange is one of fashion’s main squeezes for Spring 2011. In the Netherlands, orange is the color of royalty. In the USA, this vibrant color is currently ruling the fashion scene.

Look for… dresses, sporty separates, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, even Nike sneakers in orange hues ranging from tangerine to marigold to melon. Pictured above: Calvin Klein sheath $98 available at www.nordstrom.com in Petite sizes 4P – 12P

PETITE FASHION TREND: THE NEW MINIMALISM

Kim — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:59:10 +0000

A new minimalism rules for Spring 2011 according to all of the top fashion magazines. What does that mean? In fashion, minimalism simply means “less is more.” Designers are trending towards pared down silhouettes, pure shapes, and clean, unadorned surfaces. No embellishment. Not a lot of fuss. This trend is right on target for petite women. My best fashion advice has always been to “keep it simple” and avoid looks that overpower your petite figure. Spring 2011″s no-nonsense clothing hits a fashion homerun by giving petite women a longer, leaner look.

Michael Kors dress available at www.macys.com

PETITE FASHION TREND: PRETTY IN PINK

Kim — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:49:27 +0000

Pink is the “IT” color for Spring 2011. For as long as I can remember, pink has been my favorite color so I love seeing retailers push pink. Pink has long been viewed as the color of romance, innocence, and tranquility. Did you know that pink is also recognized as the color of comfort by shoppers during troubled times?

Pink looks good on virtually everybody because some shade of the color works with any skin tone. Choose from petal, peony, geranium, salmon, rose, fuschia, blush, bubble gum, and cherry. Nothing says “I am a girly girl” better than feminine pink ruffles, pink lace, or pink petal trims.

If pink from head-to-toe is too much for you, pair pink dangling earrings or a pink chiffon scarf with white, neutrals, or denim. A pink belt or handbag will add a burst of color to any spring ensemble. Petite women should remember that the brighter the shade of pink you are wearing, the more basic the rest of your outfit should be. A pop of pink on top will always draw attention upward for added height.

THE SKINNY ON SKINNY JEANS FOR PETITES

Kim — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:34:27 +0000

One of my favorite parts of being a Petite Fashion Specialist is educating petite women about fashion. I love answering questions and dishing out advice. One of the questions that I am constantly asked lately is, “Can petite women wear skinny jeans?” The answer is ABSOLUTELY, especially when the jeans are proportioned in petite sizes. Petite-sized jeans usually feature a 28″ – 30″ inseam, raised pockets, shorter zippers, tapered legs, and obviously shorter lengths.

It is true that skinny jeans look best on a slender petite frame. However, a skinny jean in a dark denim finish works for petite women with heavier thighs. The straight leg of a skinny jean forms a vertical line that visually elongates the leg.

So what is the difference between a skinny jean and a straight leg jean? The difference is the leg opening. A skinny jean has an 11″ opening while the leg opening on a straight leg jean is around 14″. The hottest new version of a skinny jean is called a jegging, the combination of a skinny jean and a legging, perfect for tucking into your boots. The beauty of a skinny jean is that you can also wear it with ballet flats or heels.

My favorite skinny jeans for petites are Gap’s Always Skinny Jeans $59.50 and Real Straight Jeans $69.50, available in petite sizes at www.gap.com. I also love Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Slim Leg Jean $98 and Jeggings $88. I just did fashion shows for a chain of Florida specialty stores called Anthony’s last week, and Not Your Daughter’s Jeans were the hottest selling item after the shows. They feature a tummy control panel designed to make you instantly look 10 pounds slimmer. Check out where to buy NYDJ using their store locator at www.nydj.com.

NYDJ Slim Leg $98

SCARVES: THE PERFECT PETITE ACCESSORY

Kim — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:43:48 +0000

Petite fashionistas… Don’t forget to wrap a scarf around your neck this winter for a chic look that adds warmth. Scarves make the perfect petite accessory because they create a high focal point on the petite frame. The selection of scarves for petite women to choose from has never been better. There is a scarf out there to match every fashion personality – classic solids and plaids, feminine lacy weaves, eclectic patterns, animal prints, glittery stripes, faux fur, and even sequined scarves.

Petite Fashionista Rachel Bilson

There is a whole section devoted to scarf tying in my book of fashion advice for petite women, The Petite Handbook. Order a copy today and get easy step-by-step instructions on some of my favorite scarf tying tricks. Available online at www.thepetitehandbook.com.

PENNY LOAFERS ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY

Kim — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:35:12 +0000

Recent articles in O, The Oprah Magazine and Real Simple sent me flashing back to my preppy collegiate days when I wore my beloved Bass Weejun loafers with literally everything that I owned. The style revival of loafers led me to wonder, “Does a classic loafer ever really got out of style?”

The consensus from my fashion research seems to be that the loafer is not everybody’s look, but this classic, comfortable shoe is always in style, at least in some circles. This season, look for new twists on the iconic and ageless shoe including loafers in bright colors, patent leather, two-tones, animal prints, and even platform heels.

Classic Bass Weejun loafers

Updated loafers from www.avon.com

THE YEAR OF THE CARDIGAN

Kim — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:49:31 +0000

2010 is the year of the cardigan! This is great news for all petite women because a cardigan sweater is one of the best fashion investments you can make. Cardigans are everywhere right now – in store windows, in store catalogs, and online. Maybe it is the influence of First Lady Michelle Obama, the popular televisions shows “Mad Men” and “Gossip Girl,” or a combination of all three, but cardigans have never been hotter.

A cardigan is both timeless and seasonless. The same cardigan you have been throwing over sundresses all summer can be layered over a turtleneck sweater this winter. Petite women should emphasize the flattering vertical lines of a cardigan with long pendant necklaces. Some of my favorite cardigans can be found at J. Crew (www.jcrew.com) in soft classic colors with updated details.

Leighton Meester from Gossip Girl

Take advantage of the current cardigan frenzy because… You can never own too many cardigans!

VESTED INTEREST

Kim — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:20:19 +0000

The vest is one of the “must have” fashion items for Fall 2010. This is great news for all petite women because a vest is one of the most petite-friendly garments you can own. A sweater vest that features a flattering V-neckline will automatically make a short body frame look longer. A button-front or zip-front vest paints lengthening vertical lines on the petite figure.

Fashion designers make a big statement with vests in their Fall collections, often presenting the vest as a jacket alternative. Look for knit vests, velvet vests, fur vests, even fun and fuzzy shearling vests. For a perfect petite choice, pair a button-front vest in a menswear pattern with a feminine ruffled blouse. The V-lines of the vest partner with the vertical ruffles to visually elongate while showcasing one of the season’s hottest looks.

INC Shearling Vest $89 at www.macys.com