Business attire nightmares

I know this blog is dedicated toward petites but I can't help but take this opportunity to vent about the lack of fashion women in the business world have. I was out at a conference in the Midwest last week and here are the things I still can't believe I saw:

*Cowboy boots with a long skirt and a sweater instead of a traditional suit. Hey, I'm all about switching the suit up for something else — a beautiful wrap dress possibly? (see post below) — but there is no need to look like you just walked off the farm.

*A jean suit with crystal embellishments. I am not kidding. A woman wore this to a meeting (see was the wife of one of the gentleman at the conference so we can give her a bit of a break. A bit ...) I have a photo of her on my cell phone and don't have the heart to post it. She also had really big hair. Yikes!

*Your BlueTooth is NOT an accessory.



I can't tell you how many women I saw last week that have embraced this very very bad habit. If you are not on the phone, take the damn thing off your ear. And if you're not driving or operating some other kind of heavy machinery, why don't you just use the handset? Please, people!

*Sneakers with a skirt. That were never removed. Enough said.

All around it was just a nightmare of bad fashion. One woman, whose outfits scared the crap out of me, ran up to me on the second day and told me how cute and well put together I was. I had to hold back from saying, "If you put some effort in, you could look like this too."

I'm going to be in Las Vegas for another trip in two weeks. I'll make sure to bring my camera this time. I'll be on the watch for good and bad petite fashions.

One size does NOT fit all

Hey all. It's been awhile since I posted, sorry! Work and life in general has been hectic. But I had to tell you about the deal I got this weekend and fill you in on some of my recent shopping trips.

Anyway, this past winter I had big plans to attend a swanky new years party and wear this fabulous dress I saw on BR's web site:



Well, I didn't attend any fabulous party and hence, didn't buy the dress. Well, this weekend I had to return a shirt to BR and I was thumbing through the sale rack when there it was in all its sequined beauty. In my size (not petite though) for $24.97! I was sure it would not fit because it wasn't petite, but it actually fit beautifully. Because it was made to be a mini, it comes right above my knees. Perfect — I'm not really a mini-dress person anyway. And to top it all off, I had a 20 percent off coupon so the final price was $19.97. Wow!!!

I have found some fantastic dresses at BR lately. I visited the petite store in Boston a few weeks back and got this dress:



My dress is in black/white, not green. It is so cute. I also got a petite shirt dress in a chain link pattern:



I know this image is small, but it gives you an idea. And it is much cuter on me than on the model! This was a great deal too. It was on sale and missing a few buttons for I got it for super cheap and just resewed the buttons on.

I'm not normally a bargain shopper but I'm having some luck lately. Hope it continues, or comes your way!

Visions of fashion dancing in my head

Hey all. Sorry it has been a week since my last post — the work travel season is heating up, literally. I am heading down to Florida later on this week, and I'm excited about breaking into some spring clothes and open-toed shoes (I'd better schedule that pedicure.) The temperature is supposed to be around 70!

All the websites focus on springs colors such as navy, green, orange and tan — love it! I am heading out tomorrow to see what a few stores hold. There is a Banana Republic Factory Store about 40 minutes from my home and they just started carrying petites. For a casual business event on Saturday, I am envisioning a cream pair of khaki pants, with a navy blue three-quarter sleeve crewneck, a chunky orange necklace and these killer croc-embossed brown wedges from Ralph Lauren (I purchased them today — originally $145, marked down to $15! DSW is having a great sale if you have the patience to look through all the racks.) Hopefully, I can find all the pieces to "make it work" as the lovely Tim Gunn would say.

Being small has its advantages ... sometimes

I was out shopping at Banana Republic today and was bummed out because none of their sale clothes were petite or a regular x-small. But then I found a classic merino wool black turtleneck in XS and the best part was the price: $22.99 and then I had a 20 percent off coupon. Sweet ... It was originally $58.

Then later on in the day I headed over to the Banana Republic Factory Store in search of shoes. I came across a classic pair of black heels in my size (6) but no price on them. They were in the clearance section .... when I got to the register, the associate told me the good news. A $78 pair of heels for $5.19.

Now I think these bargains balance out the expensive jeans, but my friend wasn't buying it. Still this was another great shopping day.

Just as I am

This weekend I caught the first episode of Lifetime's How to Look Good Naked with Carson Kressley and I really liked it. Lifetime (which I normally never watch) says the show "teaches women of all shapes and sizes how to go from self loathing to self loving without resorting to interventions like extreme dieting or cosmetic surgery."

It's a refreshing change. That a show is focusing on making you feel your best as you are, not as fabulous as you possibly may be.

I've struggled with my weight for what feels like my whole life. When you are only five foot tall, five pounds looks like 20, so there really is no wiggle room.

Anyway this show was great it how it made the woman face here insecurities and also her misperceptions about her weight and her body. And Carson Kressley, who was a tad bit snarky on Queer Eye, is adorable here. He limits the sarcasm and seems to actually care about these women. He's great in this show.

So check it out if you find yourself home on a Friday night — the previews show that a petite woman will be featured in an upcoming episode.

My fashion pet peeves

*Pants that are too short. There is no reason for the people around you to see what color socks you are wearing unless you are wearing peep toes pumps in the winter.

*Pants that are too long. Hey, I know as a petite you are supposed to have your pants reach the floor, but beyond that is just wrong. No dragging, please.

*Rolling pants up, either on the outside or the inside. Get a tailor — especially you, Dad.

*Jean suits. It's fine to wear a suit with the jacket and pants/skirts the same color. Classic! But in no case should these fabrics be denim. Anything acid washed is an extra 50 points off.

*Mom jeans, also known as extremely high-waisted jeans. An ice-cream cone shape pant does not flatter anyone.

This is only a very partial list, more to come later.

Duh ...

Happy New Year! And already only two days in to 2008, I've been fooled by an ad I got from J.Crew! I received the up to 50 percent off e-mail from the company today and mistakenly thought is was an extra 50 percent off the current prices, silly me. I was ready to break out the credit card.

Well, let's hope 2008 brings lots of fabulous petite clothes and many huge sales!