Back in October of 2010, I did a post- see here– about 5 petite staples that I think every woman, petite or not, must have in their wardrobe. I wanted to do a part 2 to this because there are 5 more items I want to add to this list!
In my first post, I mentioned that you must have a nice pair of classic black pumps which is still the case but black doesn’t always go with everything. And a pair of nude pumps really can make a difference. My favorite pair is Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pump. You can get away with a nude peep-toe for Spring and Summer which is what I like to do. I like the lizard peep-toein pumice stone, perfect exotic pump, or Christian Louboutin Simple 100’s.
A 3-3 1/4″ heel is ideal. The highest I would go for a business environment is 3.5″ max. Any higher is borderline inappropriate for the work place. And the style of heel is important as well. You want to stick to classic heel, no stilettos!
2. Simple black pencil skirt
Part 1, I talked about a nice, tailored skirt suit and if it happens to be a black skirt suit, then you can re-use it for this category. No mini skirts, no A-line, or anything past the knee, just a simple, well tailored black pencil skirt. This is great for the work place and extremely versatile. You can almost pair it with everything and anything.
3. A taupe/nude/beige colored purse/handbag
I have 2 black Chanels (one Grand Shopper Tote and a medium double flap) and one Louis Vuitton Alma handbag so it’s nice to change back and forth depending on my outfit. Ideally, I would like a taupe colored medium lambskin flap Chanel purse with silver hardware (one of my goals this year). This purse doesn’t have to be high end or LV or even Chanel but something that is a classic, preferably a beige/tan leather handbag or purse. Not every one of your outfits will match with black and one thing I cannot stand is the wrong purse w/a great outfit. Here are my suggestions: Louis Vuitton classic Alma handbag, Beige Chanel medium flap purse, or this quilted purse (Chanel-like for a fraction of the price)
Everyone knows I am obsessed with my Loft flower felt pins, pins/brooches in general. I think it’s such a feminine and classy way to add some pizazz to your outfit. You can take a simple outfit, put on a nice pin/brooch and make it look totally chic. I couldn’t find any online that I like as much as I like my LOFT flower felt pins but these corsage brooch pins are super cheap and come in 3 colors. H & M has really affordable and cute pins as well. Or check ebay for vintage brooches:)
I hope you found this helpful! Do you have any other petite staples that you can add to this list? I would love to hear!
A dark colored blazer is another must have in every wardrobe. Too bad that Chanel prices have gone up tremendously. The beige purse is gorgeous. Great list!
Very nice list! I think a colorful cashmere well-fitting cardigan should go on the part 3 list too. After all the holiday sales, we all have so many and I personally wear them over everything.
Annie, this is a great list. I can't stop staring at the beige Chanel. *drool* Absolutely beautiful. I'd probably add a great fitting pair of dark wash denim to the list. Any would work as long as it's flattering for your body shape.
What a great list, Annie! Every item is simple, basic, fantastic looking. It could also burn a hole in your pocket too. 🙂 I love that you found a cheaper version of that Chanel bag. I love Marc Jacob. They have very high quality, good looking bags. I'm still searching for that perfect pair of nude pumps. It might just fall right in front of my eyes like the boots I found from Target yesterday. 🙂
Awesome list! I've been wanting nude pumps but I can't find my size. Ann Taylor pumps are great but they are expensive O_o. I also want a black skinny belt but I don't know if I should get a patent leather or not. What do you think?
@EveryDay Makeup (becky) I have the patent black and granite AT skinny belts and love them. The XS's fit perfectly so as long as the belt fits- patent/non is perfectly fine:)
great post as always! maybe you should add a fitted cardigan or jacket to the list, that seems like something a lot of petites always seem to have on hand…:)
LOVE that you did a part 2 to this feature! I definitely agree with the nude pumps, brooch, and pencil skirt. I haven't yet ventured to light-colored purses – I'm just too messy although I do have one white leather bag I've used 2x in 2 years.
I recently saw a nude colored bag just like that. It really looks nice… but it's cheaper! I saw it from Terranova (European clothing store)while I was canvassing for a laptop 🙂
And oh, bad thing I can't stand wearing heels! I'm really petite too (small frame, 5 feet tall) but I have a hard time wearing heels… especially that most people in our office dress down. Sometimes, waaaay down. Haha! (I work at the current affairs dept of a broadcasting company) :))
Other than that, I still look too young (despite being 21 years old) to wear clothes like pencil skirts and heels that I sometimes look awkward when I do :)) Haha!
Agreed, 3.5 heel is the borderline for work. I see woman at work wearing their stiletto or the "hooker" heels at work. Too bad there's no one to show them how to dress appropriate for work…haaa haaaa
i definitely agree with all of these! im totally gawking at the new prices for chanel flaps, tho! if i had an extra $4300 i would definitely be getting a beige jumbo flap! Easy Petite Looks
hi I came across your blog by default and am so glad i found this. I am barely Five feet tall im 151 cm and love shopping and fashion! your blog really helps us petite gals sort out our wardrobe.. I love pencil dresses and skirts and wear them most of the time to work.
hi I came across your blog by default and am so glad i found this. I am barely Five feet tall im 151 cm and love shopping and fashion! your blog really helps us petite gals sort out our wardrobe.. I love pencil dresses and skirts and wear them most of the time to work.
what a great list of staples! my only addition would be a nice strand of pearls. another classy way of adding something to an outfit. 🙂
and i'm so jealous of your Chanel bags!! the nude color is beautiful. i have yet to find a nude one for myself.
cute and little
@kileen Thanks Kileen:) I had the strand of pearls in Part 1..def a staple and I wear pearls all the time!
I can't wait to get a nude Chanel- hopefully soon:)
A dark colored blazer is another must have in every wardrobe. Too bad that Chanel prices have gone up tremendously. The beige purse is gorgeous. Great list!
Very nice list! I think a colorful cashmere well-fitting cardigan should go on the part 3 list too. After all the holiday sales, we all have so many and I personally wear them over everything.
petitemom.blogspot.com
I agree with all of these 🙂 Great advice for everyone!
Annie, this is a great list. I can't stop staring at the beige Chanel. *drool* Absolutely beautiful. I'd probably add a great fitting pair of dark wash denim to the list. Any would work as long as it's flattering for your body shape.
What a great list, Annie! Every item is simple, basic, fantastic looking. It could also burn a hole in your pocket too. 🙂 I love that you found a cheaper version of that Chanel bag. I love Marc Jacob. They have very high quality, good looking bags. I'm still searching for that perfect pair of nude pumps. It might just fall right in front of my eyes like the boots I found from Target yesterday. 🙂
Awesome list! I've been wanting nude pumps but I can't find my size. Ann Taylor pumps are great but they are expensive O_o. I also want a black skinny belt but I don't know if I should get a patent leather or not. What do you think?
@PetiteLittleGirl I agree! Dark blazer for sure~ And I am shocked at how much Chanel's have gone up and are rumored to go up again in Feb!
@Petite MomOoo yes, I love my cashmere Vince cardigans:) Good call!
@TaraThanks Tara!
@Cee I wanted to add jeans and several items but then the list just got too long..LOL
@Vicky Thanks Vicky- you should get AT pumps! You will love them:)
@EveryDay Makeup (becky) I have the patent black and granite AT skinny belts and love them. The XS's fit perfectly so as long as the belt fits- patent/non is perfectly fine:)
great post as always! maybe you should add a fitted cardigan or jacket to the list, that seems like something a lot of petites always seem to have on hand…:)
thanks for all your great comments too! 🙂
Fashion Bag 411
Beauty Bag 411
I definitely agree with your staples, but I'm not sure how I can fit the flower pin into my personal style! I should give it a try some day.
xx The Little Dust Princess
I really enjoyed this post and you picked out some great items.
I saw these flower clip & pins on Sephora and immediately thought about you. Here's the link if you're interested in seeing it:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P279627&categoryId=C20362&shouldPaginate=true
*Kat*
Uh-oh! I don't have most of those things.
Must get nude pumps…
LOVE that you did a part 2 to this feature! I definitely agree with the nude pumps, brooch, and pencil skirt. I haven't yet ventured to light-colored purses – I'm just too messy although I do have one white leather bag I've used 2x in 2 years.
Wow. I love this list! I've been looking for nude pumps since last year but most of what I've seen are stilletos. Thanks for the recommendations.
I would LOVE a pair of the Nude Louboutin pumps!!! I am still lemming the Chanel Medium Black quilted double flap…such a classic must-have!
Thanks for the list 🙂
I recently saw a nude colored bag just like that. It really looks nice… but it's cheaper! I saw it from Terranova (European clothing store)while I was canvassing for a laptop 🙂
Not so sure if you can find it here but this is their site:
http://www.terranovastyle.com/
And oh, bad thing I can't stand wearing heels! I'm really petite too (small frame, 5 feet tall) but I have a hard time wearing heels… especially that most people in our office dress down. Sometimes, waaaay down. Haha! (I work at the current affairs dept of a broadcasting company) :))
Other than that, I still look too young (despite being 21 years old) to wear clothes like pencil skirts and heels that I sometimes look awkward when I do :)) Haha!
Agreed, 3.5 heel is the borderline for work. I see woman at work wearing their stiletto or the "hooker" heels at work. Too bad there's no one to show them how to dress appropriate for work…haaa haaaa
i definitely agree with all of these! im totally gawking at the new prices for chanel flaps, tho! if i had an extra $4300 i would definitely be getting a beige jumbo flap!
Easy Petite Looks
hi I came across your blog by default and am so glad i found this. I am barely Five feet tall im 151 cm and love shopping and fashion! your blog really helps us petite gals sort out our wardrobe.. I love pencil dresses and skirts and wear them most of the time to work.
hi I came across your blog by default and am so glad i found this. I am barely Five feet tall im 151 cm and love shopping and fashion! your blog really helps us petite gals sort out our wardrobe.. I love pencil dresses and skirts and wear them most of the time to work.