Winterize Your Maxi Dress

Hey hey, hope you all had a great weekend -- we spent ours putting the finishing touches on Violet & Bea's room, getting lots of reading done (I'm currently loving this book), and watching the Ravens beat San Francisco's rears last night with good friends.

Let's begin the week with a styling question, shall we?

My friend Erin asked:

"I was wondering how you would style a navy blue maxi dress (short sleeve) for winter? My office is relatively casual, so work appropriate/casual ideas would be much appreciated."

Maxi dresses are awesome because they're so versatile. Since they're long, when maxis are layered well, they can actually be a warm option for cold weather. (Plus you can throw on a pair of leggings or tights underneath, or even socks if you're wearing boots... no one will know!)

Here's how I'd winterize a maxi dress, with a nice casual work environment in mind:

Hope this helps. As always, feel free to leave comments if you're reading and have additional ideas!

Style for Petites & the 5'4" & Under Set, Part 3

(via Collage Vintage)

Today we're finishing up our series on petite styling! Below are a few last fashion tips and a couple of links for a little more inspiration:

• Avoid big prints. They tend to overwhelm your figure if you're short. Stick to smaller prints and patterns so your face is the focal point.
• Always think in terms of verticality and lengthening: Even something as simple as a long pendant necklace can help with the illusion of height!
• Things like structured jackets, well-fitting tees, and heels are your best friends. Anything that doesn't lose you in a swath of fabric will only help you. Structured and well-fitting garments will draw attention to your figure rather than drown it.
• When it comes to length for skirts, tunics, and dresses, keep hems at the mid- to lower-thigh. Not only will that ensure that you have enough leg showing (but not too much!) to keep you looking lean and taller, but it'll also give the illusion of a longer torso as well, because you'll be more equally proportioned. 

• Rachel Bilson has become a celebrity style icon for petite women -- Google her name and style (or do a search on Pinterest!) for inspiration. She's got some great tips and outfit ideas. 
• Extra Petite is a blog by a 20-something gal who loves classic J.Crew style. She has a lot of great tips on how to, as a petite woman, successfully shop in the kid's section of popular stores.
• La Vie Petite is a blog written by a petite mom with a fun sense of style. (Note: She does tend to dress very conservatively when it comes to skirt length, and honestly I don't think it's always very becoming... I'd stick to above the knee skirts/dresses if you're comfortable with it.)

Advice from Jenevieve: Some things I stay away from (as much as it pains me, sometimes) are maxi dresses, long skirts, skirts that hit right below the knee (unless I am wearing heels), capris (except the ones I work out in), and long blazers/jackets (coats are mostly exempt from this rule, because it's a practical thing).

Advice from Mindy: There are some things that you just need to be comfortable saying doesn't work best for your body type, and that's okay. One example for me was when thick belts were in a few years ago. I have an extremely short waist (i.e. no waist), so a thick belt just makes me look really boxy and thick around the middle. When belt styles became a little thinner, I still avoided them because I had it in my head that belts at the waist didn't work for me. It wasn't until late last year that I tried skinnier belts and realized that it was just thick belts that don't work for me -- thinner belts actually work great for my short/petite waist. So don't write-off of an entire style, but try to tweak it or add something to make it work for you. 



Mindy included these last couple remarks, and I thought she hit the nail on the head: It's just important to learn to be comfortable in your own skin. Tall girls wish they were shorter, petite girls wish they were taller. But the reality is there are a lot of styles that may not work the best for tall girls, short girls, busty girls, flat girls, curvy girls, long-legged girls, long-waisted girls... We all get to work with what we've got, and I think that's part of the fun of it!

Thanks for sharing, Jenevieve and Mindy! If anyone else has tips for petites, leave a comment and fill us in!

Currently Collaging: Prints for Our Little Girls' Room

When we found out that we're expecting a second little girl, I began thinking through ways to update the current nursery (Vi's room) into a place for two little ladies. We didn't find out Violet's gender, so the kids' room was decorated neutrally, with a few girly touches added on once Vi came. But since we know that little Beatrice Severn Somerville will be joining us in the spring, I got to work designing the space and picking out prints to frame (for David and I, our vision for any room begins and ends with the artwork on the walls).

In addition to a few other pictures, the two above will be added to the mix: a collage, made by me (ampersands are a little part of the room's theme), and a graphic print featuring a favorite quote from Lemony Snicket, designed by David (since we inadvertently named both our daughters after characters from A Series of Unfortunate Events, we thought it was appropriate. What can I say? I like slightly macabre, old fashioned names). It's always sweet to be able to add a little personal touch to a room, especially a room that our daughters will play and dream and grow up in.

Style for Petites & the 5'4" & Under Set, Part 2

We're back with more on how to dress if you're petite or short (under 5'4")! Last time we talked about how to wear skinny jeans, boots, and ballet flats, based on some questions that Brittany emailed me. There were a few other things she'd asked about as well:

Wearing Stripes: Brittany wrote, "Shirts with horizontal stripes just feel like they cut my size even more."

(via Pinterest)

• Horizontal stripes can be generally hard to wear as a petite, but a good rule of thumb is to match the width of the stripe with your body size/height. So if you're a taller or medium build, you can get away with medium-width stripes. If you're short or petite, stick to thin, small stripes that are closer together.
• Try wearing stripes in monochromatic colors (like a gray/black, or two varying shades of the same color), to minimize the "cut off" effect (you want to keep your look as streamlined as possible, and not chop yourself into shirt, pants, & shoes chunks). 
• Wearing vertical stripes instead of horizontal is another chic option, and will elongate your torso.

Wearing Layers: Brittany asked, "How do you layer without looking bulky? Especially since I'm not a stick thin petite."

(via French Voguettes)

• Work with light and/or close-fitting layers: Don't stack chunky fabrics on chunky fabrics. Go for light knits, jersey, canvas, linen, etc. If you want to wear something like a cable-knit sweater, keep your outfit simple and don't feel the need to layer it. Pair chunkier textured tops with skinny pants.
• Avoid the bulk created by over-sized clothes. Keep the pieces you want to layer as close-fitting and sleek as is becoming to your shape. Clothes that are baggy, slouchy, or use a lot of fabric aren't best for layering when you're shorter, or for petites in general, since they can tend to drown you and overwhelm your size (maxi dresses can be the exception! See below!).

From Mindy: Layering gives more shape, dimension (height/depth) to a petite frame that may not normally be there. For example, when I asked Casey about keeping a jean jacket a few months ago, one suggestion she made was to pair it with a maxi-dress. I've never been the biggest fan of maxi dresses because I drown in them. But, I thought, what the heck, I'll try it. Because my jean jacket was cropped (which is actually not so cropped on me with my short waist), it really worked well together. The jacket framed my body better, so it wasn't so obvious that dress was boxy. So, something like a maxi-dress that normally wouldn't be the first choice for a petite frame can work by incorporating it with a layer, jacket, or another style.

From Jenevieve: I think the biggest thing for me when layering is to try and keep the longest layer shorter than or right at the bottom of my hip joint, where it meets the top of my thigh. Unless I am wearing leggings with a tunic style top, shorter is better because it elongates my legs. Layers also add more visual interest and details, so I try to do a good bit of that (blouses and sweaters, casual tees and blazers, etc.). I mean, us petite girls need to be seen, right? ;)

We've got a just a bit more to cover... Part 3 is coming soon!

People Watching: SAG Awards

Taking a quick break from our series on petites to talk about favorites from the SAG Awards red carpet!

Melanie Lynskey in Tadashi Shoji: Anyone else notice the amount of emerald-ish greens at this show? Color of the year, anyone? I loved this dress in particular because of the bodice design and the print. It's almost celtic.

Marion Cotillard in Dior: I admit, I'm not crazy about the top of this dress, but the skirt's color, fabric, and cut made me stop and stare. And it's perfect with the simple pointed toe black pumps.

Nina Dobrev in Elie Saab: This one is my all-around favorite. The cutouts & the sleeve length plus the color really made it stand out. Her hair and accessories work perfectly with the dress. Very chic.

Amanda Seyfried in Zac Posen: The skirt on this gown is what won me over. The piping details around the mermaid flare are just gorgeous.

Which were your favorites?

A fun little something...

My post about styling for Bittersweet was featured on their blog today! If you haven't made your way over to their site to learn more about their magazine and their cause, this is a great chance to do so... the work they're doing is inspiring and worth reading about.

Style for Petites & the 5'4" & Under Set, Part 1

(via The Sartorialist)

Let's start the week off right. How about kicking off a little styling series? Okay? Okay.

Brittany emailed asking for advice on how to wear a few specific things. She's 5'1", and has found it can be difficult to figure out how to translate popular styles for a shorter frame & petite build. I'm on the shorter side myself and have dealt with some of the same problems, but at 5'5", I'm not technically petite (my bone structure also outs me on that one). Luckily, my friends Jenevieve (who's 5' and who you met last week) and Mindy (who's 5'4") were wonderful enough to share some tips and tricks they've learned as they've navigated the world of petite styling and fashion. Below are my suggestions, followed by their comments.

Skinny Jeans/Leggings: As I'm sure I've mentioned before, my legs are not miles long (they're kind of on the shorter side). I've found that skinny jeans actually do me more favors than flare jeans, because they don't create a wide wedge of fabric on the bottom of my leg, making it look stumpy. (This is not to say all flares are bad! Just choose a slimmer, boot cut flare.)

• The hem of your jeans should rest comfortably on top of your foot -- you don't want anything shorter or longer. If they're too short, they'll make your legs look shorter; if they're too long, you'll look like you're drowning in fabric, thanks to the bunches they'll create around the ankles. If you need to, use a simple tutorial like this to quick-hem your skinnies! I first read about this trick in the book Lauren Conrad Style and found it works well. There are many places that also sell petite sizes for jeans (maybe try Old Navy for a start).
• Go for a dark wash jean -- they're more lengthening.
• Wear skinny jeans with heels (or wedges). This is a great option, if you can swing it (I know it can be hard as a mom to want to wear heels when you're juggling a baby -- go for wedges for a little more support!). Heels will always make your legs look long and skinny, especially paired with skinny jeans.
• In terms of leggings: Wear with a tunic or dress that hits mid-thigh, nothing longer. That'll make your legs look longer. If you wear them with boots, make sure the boots are ankle or mid-calf height to avoid the "I only have knees for legs" look.

From Jenevieve: In regards to skinny jeans, I think they are the most flattering style of jeans for petites, as long as they fit right and aren't skin-tight. I love the wide jean look with tucked in top, but I can only do it if I am wearing heels. Also, I think petites can pull off the colored jean look REALLY well. I think maybe it's because I feel like it says, "Hey, I'm small and bright and fun!" and that makes me smile.

Boots/Boots with Skinny Jeans: Look for something that hits you right above the fullest part of your calf / just below your knee.

• Take a tape measure and measure from the bottom of your heel to just below your knee -- the number of inches you come up with is the "shaft height" you should look for when buying boots. My guess is you'll want something in the 12"-13" range. Most places provide information on the shaft height, as well as the calf circumference (another measurement you may want to take, to ensure that the boots won't be too loose or tight around your leg).
• Look for boots categorized as mid-calf height boots, rather than full-length or knee-length.
• Try heeled boots for extra height! A lot of boots these days have a built-in wedge.

A few suggestions for places to find reasonably priced boots with multiple shaft heights are Shop Reflection, Delia's, Target (their online selection is much better than in-store!). I also suggest using Google or ShopStyle to search for "13 inch shaft height boots" to find other options.

Ballet Flats:

• Go for pointed toe flats rather than ones with rounded toes. A round toe will cut you off and make you look stubby, whereas a pointed toe will continue the elongation of the leg.
• Try wearing flats with skinny jeans (WITHOUT SOCKS. People. Just don't wear ballet flats with socks, unless you're trying to make some kind of fashion statement on purpose.) -- a well-hemmed pair of skinny jeans with a pair of flats is a pretty universally flattering look.

From Jenevieve: As far as ballet flats, I wear them all the time. They are just too practical for a mother of a very busy toddler to NOT wear ballet flats, even though my husband is 6'1". I am however, trying to branch out into the world of wedges. I found a really comfortable pair at Target, of all places, and am much more inclined to wear them fairly often because they truly are super comfortable (not to mention make me feel slimmer and taller).

From Mindy: I also think shoes are a pretty big style consideration for a petite frame. Sometimes I've found an outfit or dress won't work unless you add the height of a heel. But other outfits are totally great with flats even if you are petite. I have some really petite friends who always wear heels. I'm more a flats girl myself, but it's true, sometimes you need a heel when you are petite.

Stay tuned for Part 2: we're going to be talking about patterns, layering, and structure!

Girl Friday: Jenevieve

This is Jenevieve!

Jenevieve is another amazing young mom with great style (but you don't have to be a mom to appreciate her style). I love how she always manages to look cute and stylish while chasing after her adorable little son, Rafe.

She's also an expert at dressing well for her petite frame, as you'll see in the pictures below and in detail next week -- she very kindly helped me with the content of my mini blog series on fashion and styling for petites! Stay tuned for that, starting Monday!

But for now, without further ado -- here's Jenevieve's interview. Enjoy!

*   *   *   *   *

The Twenty Ninth: Tell us a little bit about what you're currently up to.

Jenevieve: I stay at home with my super busy toddler.

TN: Describe your style in a few words or a phrase:

J: Practical chic.

TN: How has your style evolved over the years?

J: To be honest, my style has developed as my budget allows. I feel that I have been fairly resourceful through the years, but have always had a taste for more expensive, finer quality pieces. I'm finally getting to the point where I can start purchasing choice items here and there. I'd really like to make the move to a wardrobe full of quality rather than quantity. Here in England, we also have a tiny wardrobe (no built-in closets) so that has encouraged me to do a lot of purging as well!

TN: Who are your style influences?

J: As blasé as it sounds, I really love the Duchess of Cambridge's style. It is sophisticated with just the right amount of trend. I also have to say that my friends and the people around me are my primary influences. I love seeing what people put together, and it encourages me to try and find new ways to wear certain items I already have.

TN: Where's your favorite place to shop?

J: Probably Gap. It just has a lot of great classic pieces that I can trend almost any way I want because their clothes are so versatile. Most of their items (except for pants) fit me really well, which is fantastic for a petite. I also really like H&M for my more trendy pieces. Like most other girls I also really love J.Crew, but unfortunately a lot of their things just don't fit me right. *sigh*

TN: How do you pick out an outfit?

J: I usually just pick one item that I feel like wearing -- whether it's a top, pants, or necklace -- and create my outfit around that one item.

TN: Which part of your look have you experimented with recently?

J: I've really been loving the rural England chic look. I love wearing my cotton or chambray blouses with sweaters, scarves, and boots. I'm always aspiring to accessorize with jewelry more though.

TN: What's your favorite thing in your closet to wear, and why?

J: I recently got some Hunter wellies for Christmas. I've been drooling over this one pair for at least a year, and now I have them! So, not only have I been wearing them a lot, but they are SO practical too. I see people wearing wellies every day, so I don't stand out like I might in the States wearing wellies on a non-rainy day.

TN: Is there an article of clothing or type of shoes you wouldn't be caught dead in?

J: Chunky clogs and studded belts. I just don't get the chunky shoe look, even if they aren't clogs. Maybe it's because I have skinny ankles and anything chunky just looks ridiculous on me. And studded belts... just not my thing.

TN: Do you have a favorite skincare or makeup product, or a favorite perfume?

J: I was given some Burt's Bees Radiance facial moisturizer that I really like. Oh, and also there's this almond oil by L'Occitane that is AMAZING, especially if you are pregnant and don't want stretch marks. But really, it just hydrates your skin really well and makes it feel amazing and soft.

TN: Any shopping tips or fashion advice you'd like to share?

J: Ha, I'm still trying to figure it out myself! One thing that has helped me is to ask a friend where they got "x item" if I really like it. I have been surprised sometimes where my friends get things, and it encourages me to look other places that I wouldn't think to check out.
 

*   *   *   *   *

As she mentioned, Jenevieve and her little family are currently living in England due to her husband's job. In her spare time, she maintains a blog about their life across the pond and her little home called Halcyon Homestead.

Know someone who should be featured on The 29th? Interested in being interviewed yourself? Drop me a line: casey [at] thetwentyninth [dot] com. 

Styling for Bittersweet Creative

In December, Bittersweet Creative contacted me asking if I'd be willing to style an upcoming staff photoshoot for them in January, to be featured in the winter issue of Bittersweet Zine. The Zine is a quarterly publication that uses art to tell stories of current social issues affecting the Washington, DC community. They ask different local artists to contribute to each magazine, and as it says on their website:

We feel like those stories of hope, joy, and selfless service will empower our readership with a high-level working knowledge of various issues while also inspiring people to engage in issues in a meaningful way, using their unique skills, talents, and experience.

I was immediately on board -- I've been hoping for ways to use my love of art/styling for the "greater good" and Bittersweet seemed like the perfect way to do just that.

For the photographs, the girls at Bittersweet wanted to be sure to communicate the closeness of their staff "family," as well as their approachability and their individual personalities. So I started thinking through an overall look and theme for the shoot, knowing I'd be working with a setting that included vintage furniture and exposed brick.

I loved the idea of playing with the meaning behind the organization's name: Bittersweet. They define it on their website as "creating beauty and balance from unlikely/opposing elements." My thought was to layer neutral pieces of clothing with multiple & opposing textures and then add small pops of color/jewelry in order to subtly evoke that idea. I came up with a Pinterest board of basic outfit ideas to send to the staff, along with some guidelines for them as they shopped their closets for clothes to bring as options.

Once I got to the shoot we needed to work a little faster than anticipated, so I didn't end up using a number of my plans, but that was fine! It became more important to make sure they were all in coordinated outfits that expressed their personalities and worked with the setting in order to get a good group shot within the time constraints we had. 

All the clothes!

Behind the scenes. (Photo by Steve Jeter)

In the end, we got a great group picture (as well as some individual portraits) that turned out beautifully, thanks to the photography of Steve Jeter. Personally, I had So. Much. Fun. The experience of picking out clothes, thinking on my feet, trying different pieces, matching up multiple outfits and pairing them with shoes and accessories for four different people was an amazing artistic challenge. It only confirmed that styling is something I love and want to do in some form as I move forward with my life. I was thrilled to have this opportunity and can't wait for more just like it!

I also can't wait to share the finished product with you once the winter issue of Bittersweet is printed and published!

Spring 2013 Trends

Spring means airy & breezy, light & bright, sweet & floral. It's supposed to be 25 degrees here in DC today, but I can dream, right? Above are a few of the season's most wearable trends for this year. Any you're particularly looking forward to trying?