***The winner of the Revlon Nail Polish V-day giveaway is Prosephina! Please email me with your info:) Congratulations! ***
Two back to back tailoring posts in one week? Yes, it was all in the same batch that I picked up recently. This is my beloved Theory Gratian Chateau black skirt suit in 00. I have always been bummed that my Tweed Gratian is a size 0 but I guess I shouldn’t complain. I do think the 00 fits much nicer than the 0. So I was elated when I found this set in a 00.
Blazer: Theory “Gratian” Chateau Jacket *tailored* – size 00 (buy here in white)
Skirt: Theory “Lindra” Chateau Pencil skirt *tailored* – size 00
Top: Banana Republic ruffle shell- size XXSP (similar here)
Shoes: Christian Louboutin Simple 100’s– size 35/5 (buy here)
The only thing I did was alter the sleeves and the hem on the skirt. What’s nice about the 00 Theory Gratian is the cut. It’s a shorter cropped jacket (perfect for petites) and very narrow making it look perfectly tailored when worn. It’s cut so small that it only requires a small amount of alterations- which is always great for the pocket book! It’s hard to tell the difference on the before and after pictures but it’s a big difference when I have it on.
I scunched up the sleeves on both pics so it’s hard to tell how long the sleeves really were but here is a picture before: (sorry for the bad before photos) I didn’t take a back shot of the suit after alterations (oops).
Can you see how long the sleeves were in the before photo? And the hem of the skirt, I took up a few inches as well. So the length of the skirt falls right above my knee cap (very work appropriate). Luckily the waist fits nicely on the 00. My tweed Theory skirt in a 0 is slightly too large and wide but I can still get away with it.
I love wearing ruffle shells/tops underneath blazers instead of a plain top/cami. I think it adds dimension and breaks up the solid black color of the suit.
I typically wear my blazers un-buttoned and in this case, un-hooked. I think it looks better this way and plus you can show off the shell/blouse underneath.
I can’t stress how nice a well tailored skirt suit is for work! It just makes you feel like a million bucks! This will definitely be my go-to suit for important meetings and appointments. My favorite part about this suit is that I can wear it all year round! Unlike the tweed Theory Gratian, I can only wear in Fall/Winter.
I am still extremely bummed that I was not able to get the Gratian winter white suit in this style. Theory really disappointed me especially when I was told they found one, and a month passes and they email and say they couldn’t find it. And this is after I managed to find the coordinating winter white skirt! I’m hoping next season I will find the matching jacket to it. At least I can wear the white skirt for Spring and Summer with other tops. Still- major bummer. I love matching skirt suit. sets (can’t get enough).
I wanted to show you that even though the jacket is cut super tiny, I am still able to wear a knit cami and my J.Crew merino placket cardigan underneath and there is still room!
Every woman, whether petite or not, needs a classic black skirt suit! It is a MUST!!! Great for interviews, first impressions, important meetings and any business/work environmnent. And the best part is, you can wear the jacket separately and mix and match tops w/ the black pencil skirt. This way you really get your money’s worth out of the suit (it isn’t NOT cheap). I am blessed in the sense that my business warrants expensive suits otherwise there is no way I would spend as much as I do.
This is a fellow petite reader (Prosephina) w/the same suit that I tracked down in a 00 for her. She looks amazing in it and this is with NO alterations! She was so appreciative that I was able to find this for her along with the BR tweed dress. Thanks Prosephina for allowing me to post this picture:)
P.S. For those of you who follow me on Twitter, know that I have a special little (okay not little) treat for myself coming on Thursday…her name is Chanel:) Stay tuned…*squeal*
Readers: Do you have a favorite suit?
Gorgeous suit!! I agree…ruffles under suits are a great look! You did a great job with the stylings…especially love the J. Crew cardigan with the vintage pin…so pretty!
Can't wait to see the new Chanel item! 🙂
The Theory gratian set is definitely my favorite suit. The pin/cardi/necklace look really familiar and I finally figured out why! Have you seen Kelly's post?
http://www.alterationsneeded.com/2011/01/petite-fashion-challenge-5-brighten-up.html
@Michelle Thanks Michelle! I know- I am so excited for the Chanel too!! 🙂 Only 2 more days!
@PetiteAsianGirlHi PAG! Oh yeah of course, she was my inspiration! I actually got the gold leaf pin for myself and then hubby surprised me with another one so I ended up giving the extra one to Vicky as a thank you for hunting down my J.Crew coat:)
And when I first posted the leaf pin, I made sure to give Kelly credit and said it was inspired by her:) And the necklace was a gift from hubby for V-day:)
Both of the jacket and the skirt fit you like a glove after alterations. Theory pieces are timeless. They sure will last you for many years to come. I am looking forward to see your new baby 🙂
Annie, you sure look very pretty in the hot pink top and suits. The alteration really did wonders. I saw how you wore the leaf pin, and I can't wait to try it on my new white jacket. (I bought the jacket to go with the leaf pin from you. lol! crazy, eh?) Can't wait to see your new baby, and oh, still laughing at the *squeal*! You are just too funny.
That simple hem job makes you look so clean and tied together! One of my pet peeves in suit jackets is that sometimes when I raise my hand, half of the jacket goes up too. I think it is due to the armholes or something but looks like it is not a problem here!
Annie you look great in the suit post-alteration! Shorter hem makes a big difference. Too bad about the white jacket, I'm sure someday it'll pop up again. My suit is currently at the tailors to have the sleeves shortened. So glad to have a nice set :), Thank you again for tracking it down!
Funny about the V-day giveaway. I feel so lucky! Will email you soon.
You always look so put-together. I'm jealous! You have this knack for showing a pop of colour so elegantly. : )
xx The Little Dust Princess
I love bright colors against dark suits. The pink is such a pretty shade against your skin tone! Now you're making me want a theory suit… even though I have no occasions to wear them, lol.
wow, this suit is perfect in every way on you. and i love the bright shell underneath too. your persistence in finding this suit definitely paid off!
cute and little
come check out the color brigade!
ooh i love the alterations you did, they came out super well! you always look so classy…and that bright pink looks great on you 🙂
Fashion Bag 411
I love what you did!
the suit is amazing on you! i'm glad you got the alterations done because now it fits you incredibly well.
eeeeh i'm so excited you have a new chanel baby on the way!! the hubs surprised me with a new chanel for v-day 🙂 i did a partial reveal on my page and will do the final reveal tomorrow..
i can't wait to see your new bag!!!!!!! is it the beige clair w/ ghw?? because if it is
I WILL DIE.
that suit is so perfect on you! thanks for the great advice about every girl needing a black skirt suit =)
http://ilovemochi.blogspot.com/
This suit is PERFECT on you…I want it so bad now (you make everything look so appealing!). It looks really terrific on you (gasp, even more so than the tweed set!).
And I look forward to your Chanel reveal! 🙂
LOVE your style! So much sharper & far more polished than the typical blue jeans & sandals crowd out west. I hope you will always look this sharp & professional!
http://idontwearjeans.blogspot.com/
I'd love to find a fitted suit in white…other than that my shoulders are too thin to wear suit. You look great.
What can I say – everything has already been said! The perfect suit and you wear it perfectly! Can't wait to see Chanel 😉
You seriously look like a million bucks in this suit!! The tailoring looks absolutely beautiful….this suit will be in style forever with it's classic lines. A definite investment piece!
You look very professional yet pretty.
That black suit you found for your follower is really nice. What brand is that? Ir's hard to find suit when I'm small
@KS Hi KS! The brand is Theory, same one I am wearing too:D
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