February 24, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: If the Skirt Fits







































Say hello to my new polka dot skirt! :-) I wore it last night to a speaking engagement at UCF (the University of Central Florida). As I mentioned in my shopping post, I had been drooling over this skirt for months. I tried it on in my usual size and was disappointed to find that it was very long. Not long as in it went past my knees, but long as in it came up really high on my body (above my belly button) and in general was just a lot of skirt on me. So even though I am by no means petite, I decided to give the Petite size a try. My normal size was tight, so I tried the next size up in Petites and - voila - it was the perfect fit! Since it's a size bigger than usual, I can wear it lower on my hips and still it hits me at the same place just above my knee as the regular size. (The skirt is wrinkling slightly in the photo because I use a self-timer and ran across the room to get into position.) Have you ever found that a Petite size fit you better? Do you like mixing polka dots with polka dots? 

Shirt: Old Navy, $20
Skirt: Banana Republic, $50 (similar)
Shoes: Colin Stuart c/o MJR Sales, $17
Purse: Calvin Klein from TJ Maxx, $120
Earrings: Banana Republic, $10
Rings: LOFT pink stone ring $11, My Stella & Dot website $49
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Banana Republic $10, My Stella & Dot website $49


1. Forever 21 polka dot shirt, $19.80
2. Mod Cloth polka dot shirt, $34.99
3. YOOK polka dot shirt, $88

51 comments:

  1. You spoke at UCF last night?!? How did I miss that?! LOVE the outfit!! I will always adore polka dots <3

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  2. I about flipped when I saw that skirt in your shopping post, and it looks great here!  Such a good buy!  can't wait to see more ways you style it.

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  3. I love polka dots with polka dots! As someone who doesn't wear bold prints, it's a fun way to spice up an outfit. And that top just might make a 'puffy sleeves' girl out if me!

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  4. such a cute outfit! i'm not bold enough yet to mix dots with dots, but you definitely pulled it off here! 

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  5. I love the mixing of the polka dots!!!

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  6. It was for a class! :-) I'm speaking again today and again on Monday - totally unrelated classes, they just happen to all be scheduled for the same week!

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  7. So cute! I love polka dots and think it's fine to mix as long as they are different sizes :) 

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  8. Jess {The In-Between}February 24, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    I have never thought to try a petite in a size if it was ill fitting in the regular...Good move! Love the skirt!

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  9. You look super adorable! I love the mixing of polka dots, you really pull it off!

    www.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.com

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  10. Love the skirt!  Looks so cute with the polka dot blouse. 

    http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com

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  11. My blog title yesterday was SOO similar! It tripped me out a little bit when I saw your todays post name! Loving the new backdrop and camera! 

    Nicole @ www.RealLifeDressUp.blogspot.com

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  12. Love the look! Great combo!

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  13. Nicole, "if the shoe fits" is a common idiom! :-) I use plays on idioms a lot in my titles!

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  14. I actually LOVE this! When I read the title I was iffy, but it works. I think the facts that the poka dots are different sizes and the color of the two pieces are different are what make it work.

    p.s. LOVING the backdrop! It makes your outfits pop!

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  15. All my Ann Taylor dresses are petite.  Technically I'm just on the edge of petite sizing (I'm between 5'3" and 5'4" tall) but I have long legs so petite pants are too short.  But for some reason Ann Taylor dresses need to be petite to fit me right.

    I never would have thought to put dots with dots like that.  It's fun!  

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  16. I looove that skirt! It's absolutely fabulous! And I seriously love your mix of polka dots! I actually have that top in the white color - but I'm seriously diggin' the cream color you have!

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  17. LOVE this. polka dot on polka dot is fabulous if done right and you pulled it off!

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  18. I absolutely find a better fit in petite sometimes.  At 5' 6.5" I am definitely not petite either, but recently found a tunic top at LOFT that was longer than I wanted.  Found the same top a size larger in petite and voila - perfection!  :-)  Loving the polka dot skirt!  It might mix well with florals or stripes, too.

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  19. I love the outfit! I've been trying to figure out an outfit for an event this weekend and this is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the inspiration :)

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  20. Ugh! So jealous that you have the adorable skirt! I saw the similar one you posted, but is there not any more at Banana? Did you find yours at a store? Now that i see how cute that skirt is, i want it so bad!!!

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  21. I think the mixing of the polka dots looks great! It works here because the dots are different sizes and in different colors. Same size/color dots would not work, but you found the perfect combo. I can say that as a 5'10" woman I have never even ventured into petites unless it was by accident. 

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  22. Obsessed with this outfit. About to go on a search for that shirt!

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  23. I love your skirt, J!  I don't usually like polka dot on polka dot, but you changed my mind with this photo!  I like how you went with the petite fit on this skirt too because sometimes you have to just re-think how you can make something fit better, and it looks great!  I am already petite, so I guess I could buy something in kids if I really needed to.  LOL!  I actually buy regular lengths though, as a lot of pants are too short in petite lengths with really high shoes!  xx

    Pip
    http://chicstayathome.blogspot.com

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  24. I LOVE this outfit - you look fantastic! Yes, I do find that I need to buy Petite Sizes esp. at Banana Republic. I'll definately have to try the polka dot on polka dot trend - it looks so cute!

    www.whatjocraves.wordpress.com

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  25. Mr. Taylor and his LadyFebruary 24, 2012 at 2:02 PM

    aww, you look fabulous girl! love the look! you can never go wrong with polka dots...or stripes :)
    xo TJ

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  26. Love your polka dot blend! Pretty much every pair of pants I own are a petite size, but that's because I'm only 5'3". Even regular-size "ankle-length" pants are usually long enough to cover my whole foot!

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  27. LOL Pip! I have heard of people buying little boys blazers to save $, you could give it a try! I have a couple little boys KU sweatshirts that I love. Sleeves are 3/4 length but that's ok by me. :-)

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  28. I just found my skirt in the store on Monday, it has been sold out online for ages. Try calling your local store - if they don't have it, they can ship you one from a nearby store!

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  29. Yay! Glad I'm not the only one who does this (I'm 5'7"). I feel bad for all the truly petite people - we are snapping up their sizes!! ;-p

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  30. I'm 5'9" and have definitely bought a petite skirt!  I just size up like you did.  

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  31. I am 5'5", that annoying height between petite and regular sizing.  For example these pants from Mango were labeled "cropped" but I found them to fit like normal length denim :)  Oh well, I guess I could cuff them for the crop look!

    http://granola2glam.blogspot.com/2012/02/target-sweater-with-mango-burgundy.html 

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  32. Loving the dots on dots. It seems that would be tricky, but you made a believer out of me. Great look.

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  33. love the polka dots! You might want to get a remote so you don't have to rush into position for your photos. They're pretty cheap. :-)
    Niki
    Www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com

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  34. Thank you! It's on my to-do list. First things first I had to figure out how to take a photo with the darn thing. ;-) 

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  35. Seeing as how I'm 5'2, I always wear petites! Thank God they even exist, actually ; )

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  36. I bought the Canon Rebel t3i Dummies guide for the basics to get comfortable with the settings and handling the camera. I'm currently reading Digital Photography for Beginners magazine. But to be honest, husband and I have been taking photos on the auto settings and they have been turning out pretty well. I used to take the photos inside but going outside in natural light really helps. I know that can be hard in FL (I'm a native Floridian) with the heat, but the lighting outside is a huge benefit. Also, if you photograph from low position (husband squats down) it gives a different feel to the photo. Just things I've learned so far. I'm happy to share tips that I come across.

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  37. Thank you for the tips! I love a white background so I think it would be hard to do outside + yes, the heat is horrible. My tripod is currently set about waist high and seems to be a good angle! Thanks again!

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  38. I love mixing patterns, but not so much mixing of the same patterns. I usually do polka dots with strips or zig zags rather than just two different sizes of polka dots.

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  39. i like the new studio and picture quality! and this outfit is definitely a keeper. 

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  40. The picture on the rigtht is really cute!

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  41. Thank you!! I really don't take myself seriously and was cracking jokes to my roommate like "I'm just taking a shower" and "hey, want to see my armpit?" haha! The pic got the job done though (you can see the clothes) so I posted it. ;-)

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  42. As many have already commented, I *really like* how you've used two different sizes of polka dots in your outfit~~~because polka dots, (which are the size on your gorgeous skirt), for an ENTIRE outfit might be just a little "too much."!!   

    Although I don't know whether or not this thought is accurate, J., but it seems that you can successfully ............ "tone down"............ a LARGER clothing pattern in an outfit, i.e., *B.Y.*    choosing a SMALLER clothing pattern, (of the same type), within that single outfit............ e.g., as in BIG polka dots/LITTLE polka dots, (i.e., as you've beautifully done in this post's outfit!!)............ WIDE stripes/NARROW stripes, (i.e., as you did in your outfit of January 8, 2012, Today's Everyday Fashion: Fun with Stripes )............ and e.g., as in BIG, buffalo-plaids/MINIATURE plaids (??)

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  43. Love this outfit!  You look amazing.  That skirt is so cute!

    Rachel
    www.aspiringchic.blogspot.com

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  44. I love this outfit so appropriate for work but so fun!! I have been looking for the top but haven't found it anywhere at any oldnavy is it recent? As soon as I find the top I am going to try this look. Thanks Namrata

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  45. Nothing feels better than finding the perfect fit without the assistance of a tailor! Just did a post on polka dots- you mix them so well! 

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  46. Love the mix and match polka dots together - looks great on you!

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  47. I have never tried petites like that but I have tried on skirts and they have been far too high waisted. So I think this is a great idea. 

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  48. I noticed the skirt is from Banana Republic, and in fact, Banana Republic is the ONLY store where I sometimes need the petite sizes (I'm 5'8" so by no means petite). However, I find that sometimes their dresses and skirts are too long (awkwardly below the knee in a sundress, etc.) and switching to a petite size makes the skirt fall better. I love this polka dotted skirt and all the BR items on your site - it's one of my favorite stores! 

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  49. Yay, glad I'm not the only one that does this at Banana. I'm 5'7" so by no means petite either! :-)

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