Shorty Stories

Petite-Exclusive Designer Jess Jeetly on Her Debut Collection

CynthiaC — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:35:26 +0000

Petite sizes, especially petite-exclusive collections, while growing, are hard to come by. Often seen as something for a very mature market, many petite women avoid them like the plague. However, things are changing, especially with Jeetly, the newest entry to the petite-exclusive market. Founded by 5’1” Jess Jeetly, the small UK-based collection of work-appropriate dresses, skirt suits and blouses launched online only this past fall. The collection, which exclusively uses petite models (the two main models are 5’1″ and 5’3″ respectively), has since gained a following in the UK, and its pieces have already been seen on several local television personalities. I recently spoke with Mrs. Jeetly on….

Jeetly: A UK-Based Petite-Exclusive, Work-Appropriate Collection

CynthiaC — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:00:09 +0000

Recently, I was contacted by the PR rep for Jeetly, based out of the UK. This is an online-only, petite-exclusive collection that only launched this past fall. The collection consists of blouses, skirts and dresses, all appropriate for a moderately conservative office. I was lucky enough to get a discount to purchase two of the dresses from the debut collection, the Davina, a teal peplum dress and the burgundy-coloured Victoria.

Davina:

Gloves: From a swag at an event I attended Shoes: The Odd Slipper (Addison) Belt: Nine West (old)

I honestly never thought I’d ever wear a peplum dress – most peplums I’ve tried, save for an Arthur Mendonça top and AIME skirt, have made me look wide (and it’s very hard to make me look wide – LOL). The material is soft and fairly lightweight, so it can be worn probably 10 months of the year. I had some issues with the zipper earlier on, but it has since been resolved. While the dress itself is fairly plain, it can be easily dressed up or down, depending on where you are going.

Victoria:

Shoes: From Banana Republic’s first Mad Men Collection (Fall 2011) Belt: BCBG (came with a dress) Clutch: Auslini

This dress is made with a thicker material and is more cool-weather appropriate. In Toronto weather, it would probably be wearable between late October and mid-April, give or take a few weeks. Like the Davina, the material is soft, but a bit more stretchy. In fact, I think it’s a better fit than the Davina.

Overall:

The dresses are fairly conservative. Skirts fall below the knee, but at a length that still works for many petites (proving that above-the-knee is not a rule for all petites). Sizing is definitely NOT vanity sized. It starts at a UK 6 (US 2) and fits closer to a US 0 (a real 0, not a Banana Republic/J.Crew 0). And since the styles are plainer, it can work to the advantage of the wearer. If she works in a more conservative office, she can add a blazer to make it more formal. If her company is more casual, add some funky accessories.

Price-wise, they are slightly lower than Banana Republic. Dresses are 95 GBP (or about $150 US/Canada), blouses and skirts around 45 UK ($80 US/Canada) and blazers around 75 UK ($120 US/Canada), though with shipping and duty, it adds up to be a bit more. I also like the interaction it has with fans and wearers – concepts are posted online and people can vote and comment on the style (similar to what The Odd Slipper does with shoes). Styles with negative feedback will not be produced. Finally, as I noted, the dresses can be very plain worn alone, so definitely accessorize!

A Note To Readers: Thank You For Reading Shorty Stories!

CynthiaC — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:19:37 +0000

As you may have noticed, Shorty Stories has not had new posts from this site in several months. I have decided to concentrate on my main site, DelectablyChic! and sister site, The DelectablyChic! Closet, which has been featuring my outfit posts for the past few months. At first, I was planning on featuring body image posts on this site, which was what the site was founded for back in 2006 (or 2007 if you are looking at it from a blog perspective), but I’ve found updating three blogs a lot of work. Therefore, I’ve decided to put my full concentration on the two DelectablyChic! sites (mostly on the main publication) where there is a lot more to write about. I will still be writing about petite issues, of course, and reviewing petite designers as they are discovered. They will, like plus sized and standard sized interviews and reviews, be on DelectablyChic!, with petite clothing reviews on The DelectablyChic! Closet.

Shorty Stories itself will not be going away. The URL will still be live and will act as a feed from The DelectablyChic! Closet so that those who have followed me since my Blogger days won’t have to change their feeds. I will also be linking body image-related articles to this site, including ones that I may be writing for The Huffington Post. And of course, body image articles and outfit posts dated 2011 or earlier will remain on Shorty Stories.

So thank you so much readers for reading Shorty Stories. I’ve had a great time writing on this site over the past few years. I hope that you will continue to read my posts over at DelectablyChic! and The DelectablyChic! Closet.

Thank you note image © Carlos Arranz/iStockphoto

Recent Purchases: Ann Taylor, J.Crew and Arthur Mendonça

CynthiaC — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:13:49 +0000

Wow, it’s been almost a month since the last DelectablyChic! Closet post! I’ve been concentrating a lot on the main site’s posts, thus didn’t have much time to take pictures of new outfits that I have purchased over the last few weeks. I finally was able to take some pictures last week, but didn’t get a chance to edit them until now. Many of the new purchases come from Ann Taylor at Yorkdale (the second Toronto store, which opened back in November), though there is also a J.Crew skirt and a top from Canadian designer, Arthur Mendonça.

Top: Ann Taylor (no longer available online – at least I don’t see it) Pants: Mavi Alexa mid-rise skinny Boots: Cole Haan

The jersey top is extremely comfortable and because it’s looser, it’s best paired with skinny pants or leggings. Footwear can either boots or heels. I tried pairing it with a skirt and belt and I looked AWFUL (there are pictures, but I’m not going to post them). The Mavi jeans, like the top, were a recent purchase. The jeans are from a boutique in Ottawa’s Byward Market called Road Trip. I will be posting about Road Trip and sister store, Trust Fund in the next week or so.

Top: Ann Taylor (still available online, in both petite and regular sizes) Jeans: Level 99 Lilly from Anthropologie (similar colour here) Shoes: Christian Louboutin Prorata

This top was purchased at the same time as the first top, though the jeans are a bit older, purchased a few months ago from Anthropologie.

Luxury Petite Fashion Has Arrived: Introducing The 16th Bar

CynthiaC — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:22:44 +0000

Finally, a luxury line has arrived for petite women 5’5″ and below. The 16th Bar, led by 4’11″ designer Frankie Ortiz, presented its debut collection in Los Angeles late last year. Currently only available online, but with plans to open brick and mortar stores, the collection consists of skirts, dresses and jackets and features true petite models 5’5″ and below. Recently, DelectablyChic! spoke with Ms. Ortiz to discuss her new collection:

On the name, The 16th Bar:

I grew up in dance and theatre, and wanted to incorporate some sort of musical aspect into the name. A bar is equivalent to a measure in music, and when you reach the 16th bar in a song, you’ve heard the intro, the melody, the mood, and your subconscious automatically formulates this first impression of the song. The same thing happens when someone walks into a room. In that first glance of noticing their outfit, that first impression, that’s The 16th Bar.

Petite Fashion Challenge 22: Winter Shopping

CynthiaC — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 20:00:21 +0000

This month’s challenge, hosted by A Preponderence of Fashion, asks:

The weather outside is frightful, but indoor shopping is warm and delightful. So, whether you have wind, rain, or snow, show me your clothes when shopping for friends or foes!

Please keep in mind that you should prepare for the cold without looking like Joey from Friends in that episode (see pic below) where he wore all of Chandler’s clothes. And yes, extra cool points will be granted for pictures taken while shopping!

Merry Christmas To All Who Celebrate

CynthiaC — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:40:00 +0000

DelectablyChic!, The DelectablyChic! Closet and Shorty Stories want to wish all our readers who celebrate a very Merry Christmas!

All the best to you and yours!

Photo credit: xxmmxx /iStockphoto

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Outfit Post: Aime’s Chloe Coat Dress

CynthiaC — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:19:52 +0000

Last time, I posted a non-outfit post of the silk/tweed Chloe Coat Dress by one of my favourite brands, Aime, a Toronto-based line of seasonless, eco-friendly clothing by Monica Mei. By the time I had posted a picture of it, I had worn the coat dress numerous times to various events, including the Barefoot Wines party in November. Don’t know why it took me so long for an actual outfit post, but here it is! I wore this, along with a Banana Republic dress and tall, Cole Haan boots to a dinner last week to celebrate my husband’s birthday.

Yes, I know, the outfit is fairly similar to the one on the Aime website minus the boots (I actually like the boots more). I’ve played around with the coat dress and have also worn it with cowl neck tops and skinny jeans or peggings. I would NOT recommend wearing this with non-skinny pants, however, as it doesn’t look that great. With fit, I was actually a little hesitant at first, as it didn’t pass the so-called “hug test” without alterations. However, good fit really depends on how you tie the belt. Aime is also fairly small frame friendly, unlike many other Canadian designers (many start at a somewhat generous size 4) and the one pair of pants I’ve tried on wasn’t super long. While the price, at $388, is a bit higher than what many might pay, I have to say that the quality of Aime’s pieces, as well as the timeless, feminine aesthetic is definitely worth it. However, I’d like to see a bit more variety than the tweed .

Do you own any Aime pieces? What are your thoughts?

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Wearing Canadian Designers: Some Recent Purchases and One Rental

CynthiaC — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 02:54:21 +0000

You might have seen these pictures via Instagram if you follow me on @delectablychic, but these are some recent purchases/rentals from Canadian designers. I’m trying to wear more Canadian to support our fashion community! Aime Chloe Coat Dress:

AIME is one of my favourite Canadian lines! Designer Monica Mei’s seasonless collections of classics are a good part of my wardrobe and go with practically everything! I bought this at a Black Friday sale (purchased online, picked up at her showroom) and have worn it three times already. This piece retails at $388, the same price as the dresses. AIME’s skirts and pants are in the $200 range. Arthur Mendonça Top:

Got this at a sample sale/trunk show recently. Arthur Mendonça is known for gorgeous, lady-like pieces, though most are not too petite-friendly – skirts are very long and most of the pieces won’t look that great after alterations as they loose their original shape/proportions (if you can afford to have it completely reconstructed, however, then that’s a different story). His smallest size is a 4 and though it’s smaller than mass retail 4s, it’s still fairly generous. I’d say that the 4 fits like a 2 at Theory. Stretchy pieces, like the one above, however, fit fine. Greta Constantine rental (for their Spring/Summer 2013 show):

Ann Taylor and LOFT Purchases – In Toronto!

CynthiaC — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 19:29:33 +0000

If you read my main site, DelectablyChic!, you’d know that both Ann Taylor and LOFT have opened up stores in Toronto (Ann Taylor now has two – one downtown at the Eaton Centre and another at Yorkdale). Being as busy as I am, I haven’t really had the chance to post some outfit pictures from my loot. However, now that things have (mostly) died down for the rest of the year, I have the chance. Below are two pieces (well, it’s supposed to be three) from the recent Yorkdale media preview: The four items, not worn:

Everything except the sweater is from LOFT