Toronto based model agent, Ben Barry is featured in this video discussing how models that are similar-sized/look like the consumer would more likely attract said consumer. Well, DUH! We want to see what something looks like on us. One reason why I, as a petite woman, prefer celebrities over models. While most celebrities have amazing tailors and/or have the connections to have something made especially for them, I can at least PRETEND that an outfit that Eva Longoria or Reese Witherspoon is wearing would look good on me, since they’re around the same height as me. Honestly, is this really news? All we need to do next is to see more height diversity on the runway. It seems that a select few designers have gotten the message about dress size, why not height? I don’t want to get into ethnicity since it doesn’t do much to motivate me to buy or not to to buy when it comes to clothes (really, why would a 6′ tall Asian model convince me more than a 5′ black model?). Cosmetics, MAYBE.

Note: I’ve spoken with Ben before.  He “acknowledged” the height issue at that time, but like most body image activists, dress size seems to be the focus.  I can sort of understand why, but at the same time, as I’ve said over and over again, dismissing the issue just means that it doesn’t matter.  And it should.

My husband and I took my parents to a delicious brunch on Mother’s Day at the club where I play tennis and I think we all ate way, way too much (there was just so much food, including poached salmon, tons of salads, a carving station and the most delicious dessert table).   I usually don’t eat land meat before 3 PM, but the carving station was very tempting (or rather, “highly recommended” by my mom).

I was originally going to wear a different dress to brunch, but ultimately decided on the above Peacock Parade purchase, a beaded neck dress by Hale Bob.  The dress was paired with tan peep toe pumps from STUART (the Stuart Weitzman line available at Ron White) and a Tory Burch tote.  That was a recent purchase from the newly-opened Tory Burch boutique at Yorkdale. As for pics of what we ate?  Here are two:

Some French Toast, rice pilaf, beans, fish and tortellini

Swan shaped pastries with custard and cream

They also had one of my favourites, strawberries dipped in chocolate (can’t have a good buffet without it).  Anyway, I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day too!

One of the dresses I purchased at America’s Next Top Model LIVE! Toronto was this convertible/multi-style dress from Henkaa (“change” in Japanese).  Henkaa has three lengths, a mini dress/long top as well as two dresses (known as the Sakura), which come in short and long.  It’s one size fits most – the regular sizes fit anywhere from size 0 to 14 – and there are some 24 colours to choose from.  It’s also available in plus sizes, fitting those up to size 24.  I wish that I had known about Henkaa in 2009-2010 when I was engaged, so I could recommend these for my bridesmaids.  The mini is priced at $98 Canadian, short at $128 and long at $158.  Sashes and tube tops as well as accessories are also available.

• Wearing the Henkaa Sakura short dress in black
• Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
• Bag: Tory Burch Ella Logo-Perforated Tote
  

I like how you can create dozens of different looks with just one “dress” – including skirt looks.  Considering the price, it’s many looks for one!  Also, the light weight jersey material is perfect for warm weather wear.  Of course, it’s not all perfect.  It can take time to put together styles, and you might want to consider a tube top or cami to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.  In addition, the long gown, which is, according to the website, 46″ from the chest might be a little bit too maxi for the very “sub-petite” – even if you control the length.  It would be nice if they created something that was just slightly shorter – perhaps at 42″ for petite women!  Very short women like maxi looks too!

One of the styles that you can create with Henkaa dresses:

Changing lengths without alterations:

Those in Toronto are lucky as the Henkaa boutique here in town.  For those outside of the GTA, but in Canada, the US or Australia, dresses are available online.

A few days ago, I asked readers which Greta Constantine dress I should wear to Toronto Fashion Incubator’s 25th Anniversary gala.  Well, here it is:

The hair:

Yes, it’s the dress I purchased from TNT, chosen over the coral dress (and the shorter, blue one).  I paired the Greta with shoes I bought from The Odd Slipper (which Kelly from Alterations Needed affectionately called “mullet shoes” because of the glittery heels), a BCBG bag and went out to get my hair done.  The event was pretty good, with delicious appetizers and wonderful drinks.  What wasn’t that great was that it was standing room only for those of us who didn’t attend the dinner.  Not great on my feet, despite the shoes having a platform.  You can read more about TFI25 over at DelectablyChic!.

Last month, we asked our readers: Do you think anti-size zero activists understand that zero can be a “real” size for petites?  The results were definitely not surprising:

While 31% of you believed that body image activists only had issues with tall, size zero models, 23% of you believed that they don’t quite understand the issue of vanity sizing (i.e. size zero was “created” to make people feel better about themselves since they’re wearing a smaller size). About 19% of you aren’t exactly sure whether body image activists truly get it, since height is rarely discussed/acknowledged and just over 15% of you, for some reason, don’t believe that size zero can be a healthy size at all.  Just under 12% chose “other.”

Do you think these results are accurate?  I would also love to hear from that 15% who don’t seem to believe that size zero is a “real”/”healthy” size.  I assume that by visiting this site, you’re a regular reader here and in other petite blogs.  Or,  do you mean a “real” (as in non-vanity sized) zero?  If it is the latter, then it isn’t even a size, as the measurements would probably have to be like 26 bust, 18 waist and 24 hips!

By the way: Congrats to Kat P, who will be receiving the Smashbox Decades of Style palette from our Half Decade Blogiversary Givewaway!

Remember the post last week where I asked which shoes I should wear to the DelecTABLE Designs preview party (by the way, you can see some event pictures here)?  I didn’t end up wearing any of them.  Instead, I went with my Christian Louboutin Proratas.  I haven’t fully broken in the my pink Annabels yet, and because the party wasn’t a sit down dinner type event, I needed something that I could walk around to check out the different dining room installations in.  I had worn the Proratas several times before, so they seemed like a better choice.

• Dress: Versace for H&M, size 2
• Shrug: Ann Taylor, XSP (really old)
• Bag: 442 McAdam
• Shoes: Christian Louboutin Proratas, size 34
• Fascinator/hair piece: Featherband

What do you think? And do you like the hair? I had it curled professionally, and actually thought they were a bit too tight at first, making me look a little young. However, running my hands through the curls helped a bit and so did adding a little water. The mini fascinator/clip is by Featherband and was purchased at the recent Blush Pretty Beauty Board event.

Petite Fashion Challenge #15, courtesy of  Long Live Classy, asked readers to recreate an outfit from Pinterest a closely as possible.  I have to admit that this was a hard one.  First I had to find a pin that I liked AND it had to work with what I had in my closet!  And because there are so many fashion/style pinners out there, things that are available one day just get lost the next.  I think I spent a good while looking for The Perfect Pin.  The one I finally chose, courtesy of vogue.es (Spanish Vogue) and from Lauren Indivik’s Pinterest account looked easy enough to style:

 Pinterest Picture:

My Picture:

• Dress:  Banana Repubic, size 00P (circa 2009)
• Shoes: Stuart Weitzman, size 4 1/2
• Pin: Bought in Hong Kong, December 2011
• Clutch: 442 McAdam
• Sunglasses: Fendi – bought at an outlet mall in Florida

The dress I’m wearing is an old one I got from Banana Republic back in 2009. I believe Jean has this dress as well. My shoes are a more recent purchase – pre-ordered from a Stuart Weitzman boutique back in the winter for the spring/summer season and picked up around early March.  Of course, I’m going to add a bit of my own touch to the challenge, so unlike the girl in the picture, I’m smiling (something I thought she should be doing). I’m not wearing a floral bracelet nor am I wearing dark nail polish.  In fact, I’m wearing NO polish and just my silver chain bracelet.  After graduating from a high school with a strict uniform/dress code more than a decade ago, I still can’t bring myself to join the so-called Arm Party or nail art crowd.  You can take the girl out of BSS (Bishop Strachan School), but you can’t take the BSS out of the girl, I guess.

*** REMINDER: Don’t forget that our Half-Decade Blogiversary Giveaway ends April 30! Enter today!***