Vanity Sizing Shoes?

There is so much kvetching out there about vanity sizing - rightly so - that I am not about to get on that merry go round. Though there is one aspect of it that I just simply cannot ignore - the vanity sizing of shoes.

Now it may just be me, but I am finding that a size 4 is no longer a size 4. Some of the size 4 shoes out there fit my sister's size 5 feet. Not only that, I have shoes in a size 5 from years ago (I take good care of my shoes, have a great cobbler, and replace soles when needed) and they fit fine.

I am a shoe girl. I have no problem throwing caution to the wind, sucking it up, and slapping down the $$$$.00 for the right pair of glass slippers. Therefore I think a shopping guide review (fall shoe season is at hand) for the petite foot is in order.

Note: Shoes that are sized to European standards can be anywhere between 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch larger than its American equivalent. Therefore a 4 = 4 1/2.

zappos.com: Starts at women's size 3, free overnight shipping, and free returns.
I love the color of these boots, and they are perfect for the current slouchy relaxed trend.
Gabriella Rocha - Fabia: $112.46















nordstroms.com: Starts at women's size 4, although sometimes you can find 3.5. Free returns at store locations.
I own these in black and red. These shoes are so comfortable they feel like a bedroom slipper. Fashion and comfort in one package - a rare find for under $100.
Franco Sarto - Sirup: $99.95













stuartweitzman.com: Shoes start at a women's size 3. The website is run by zappos, so you get the benefit of free overnight shipping.
I believe that nothing needs to be said about SW. I have never had badly made shoes, uncomfortable shoes, or a pair of shoes turn on me and go bad.
Stuart Weitzman - Chatup: $280.00














cinderellaofboston.com: Shoe sizes start at women's size 2. Okay, don't freak out, that is not a typo. These shoes are specially designed for a petite woman's foot, unlike children's shoes which lack padding and support in the proper places. They carry everything from work, casual, to dance the evening away shoes.
Cinderella of Boston's fall catalog will be released on August 20th.

A few brands that I have found to stand the test of time, be comfortable, and fashionable - VANELi, Franco Sarto, Stuart Weitzman, Linea Paolo, Cinderella of Boston, and Nordstroms brand.

All shoes shown above are a size 4. Happy shopping!

It Always Comes Back to Your Jeans

I know I talk about jeans, a lot, but there is a good reason for that. No matter what the style, trend, or brewing potion of next seasons must haves—jeans are where it’s at. Let’s get real; even the stars are starting to don denim on the red carpet. Eva Mendes pulled off Diane von Furstenberg wide-leg jeans at a recent gala.

With denim crossing the line from casual only to “you can wear me to a five-star restaurant if you dress me up right”, if you don’t already have a few rockin’ pairs in your wardrobe—there is no time like the present to make that leap.


A long way from her The Addams Family days, Christina Ricci (5’1”) in straight-leg jeans and pointy-toe heels knows how to elongate her petite frame.

Get Christina's Jeans: J.Crew, jcrew.com, $88

My personal favorite cut for jeans are boot cut. Boot cut jeans offer the sleek line of straight-leg jeans with a little more play at the bottom to balance out wider hips and thighs, or shirts that hit above low waist.

Nicole Richie - Cool and Casual

When it comes to everyday, relaxed style - petite (5'2") Nicole Richie takes the cake. This girl has one foot in this seasons trends and one foot in the next. Here Nicole effortlessly dons the current monochrome trend (one which I personally love and subscribe to) accented with a metallic braided belt that sets off her waist. Richie has gorgeous legs and isn't afraid to bare them. With nude peep-toe pumps that closely match her skin tone, Nicole's legs appear to go on for miles!

Steal Deal:

Over-sized, plastic sunglasses: Fred Flare, $9


Cap sleeve Shirt: Old Navy, $22.50



Braided metallic belt: Wet Seal, $9.50


Cuffed sateen shorts: Le Redoute, $29.99


Peep-toe, Steve Madden suede pumps: Zappos, $73.95


All images instyle.com

Petites in Flats

CREDIT: Aguilera/London Entertainment/Splash new online; LIMELIGHT PICTURES(2)

Favorite (5'3") petite Ashley Olsen kicks off her high heels to run errands in L.A. donning strappy patent leather flats.

The real deal: pollyanna.com (860797 shoes)
The steal deal: urbanoutfitters.com

Eva Longoria (5'2") - Always in Style

Eva Longoria courtsey: Getty Images

This summer leading into autumn two big material trends on the horizon are satin and animal prints. Together or separately, you cannot escape either of them. The best way to wear them, of course, will be dictated by your personal style.

Satin works fluidly with the jewel and metallic tones of the season. Eva has it right with just a hint of animal in her shoes, MEOW! I believe that as a petite animal print clothing will overtake you like ivy crawling up the side of a house.

My personal style choice is just a hint of print in your accessories. A headscarf, bracelet, purse, or shoes can keep your look in season while not overpowering you.

Accessories available at: nordstroms.com

Chain Maille

CREDIT: Kushner/INF; PRESS/BAUER-GRIFFIN; London Entertainment/Splash News

This summer it’s all about one simple accessory; the long gold chain. Large looped links, decorated with daisies, dressed up, or dressed down – it’s the must have fashion piece of the summer.

Personally, I love it. This one little item can go from spicing up the run of the mill drab office grays to accenting flashy nighttime metallic blues without even batting an eyelash. The chain is a perfectly acceptable +1 guest for all events and gatherings.

Infamous party girl Cameron Diaz dresses it up while mommy Reese Witherspoon wears it casual and cool.

Plus, with the plethora of chain flavors available, there is something for everyone no matter what their style.

A few words of advice, just don’t wear it too long! Sarah Michelle Gellar’s chain should be used as the guideline for maximum length. (Yes, Reese’s is longer, but she is stooped over.) If you don’t happen to have this article with you, one thumb length below your solar plexus will do.

Petites with small frames should avoid overly decorated chains and opt for something simple or with a chunky piece at the end. Otherwise your accessory will be wearing you.

Whatever you do this summer, don’t do it without your long gold chain.

Deciphering Fashion Trends

Every season it's tradition for most women to open the closet, survey the wardrobe, sigh heavily, and hit the mall for the seasonal clothing update circus.

A lot of fashionable women are horrified by this prospect. Confused by colorful displays calling to you from big picture windows, ostensibly bestowing wisdom of the season's hippest fashion trends, making you stumble around the mall in a daze. The anxiety attack sets in, frenzied grabs for the first items in your size, and the return home with sub par purchases that look exactly like items already in your wardrobe.

Fist to the heavens, you curse the fashion world for making you feel like a walking episode of "What Not to Wear".

There are tips and tricks to avoiding this horrendous experience. You will be able to pride yourself on your fashion savvy and, most importantly, thumb your nose at the industry because the tumultuous seasonal clothing update has been conquered.

Understanding where to pull fashion trends from is the key. You instantly turn to the pages of Vogue and down the runways of Paris. Haute couture is slick, but can you imagine hitting Cubby Bear clad in the hottest from the 2007 fall runway show of Azzedine Alaïa or Dolce & Gabbana? I didn't think so. What you can pull from these two places are the colors and textures of the season.

Hit your local bookstore for the Italian and British versions of Vogue, Elle, and any high-end fashion magazines. It's more than obvious that the Europeans and Brits have it hand over fist in the fashion industry.

Uncovering the actual styles, cuts, and accessories is the real work. Magazines like Elle and Lucky, a fabulous shopping and style guide, are a good indicator of current trends. These always have a lot of non-couture spreads and articles, which have tons of useful information.

Watch Hollywood a few months before you start shopping (that doesn't mean Paris Hilton). Stars like Sarah Jessica Parker (whose new clothing line "Bitten" is now at Steve & Barry's), Nicole Richie, and Scarlet Johansson are known for their fashion savvy and dress in the trends of the coming season.

Also, don't ignore catalogs from the higher end chain boutique stores like Anthropologie. The neckline, sleeve and torso cuts of their clothing reflect current trends.

When all is said and done, pinpoint the stores that carry the merchandise that you are seeking. Some great resources for all budget levels are Nordstroms, H&M, Club Monaco, Delia*s, and fcuk. This will help avoid many wasted hours wandering up and down the corridors of the local mall, unless you enjoy that type of thing.

It sounds like a lot of work, but one afternoon with a few glasses of wine and Vogue can arm you with the power to kick some fashion industry butt. Line your closet with pieces that you will keep and cherish for many seasons to come, instead of tossing them to Salvation Army next year.

Foundation Woes Solved

Summer is hot, and for some humid. Whatever climate, if a woman wears foundation she has problems. During the day even the best foundation fades, streaks, gets blotchy, and creates a myriad of visual horrors.

Sigh a sigh of relief, problem is solved: Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer.

Like a painter "primes" a canvas, this product primes the skin. A lightweight, creamy gel meant to be used prior to foundation. It creates an invisible layer and acts as a buffer to outside elements. The colorless gel leaves makeup looking fresh and true to color the entire day.

The primer comes in oil-free and hydrating versions for oily and dry skin types. For a nice wake up call in the morning, keep the primer in the refrigerator. When applied the cool gel helps tame the morning puffies.

Nelly Furtado Looking Fab!

Nelly Furtado (5'1") is looking fabulous in a petroleum blue silk chiffon cascade "Sunset" dress from the Malandrino Fall/Winter 2007 collection.

The ruffle detail in front is just enough to not overwhelm her petite frame. It's triangular shape draws the eye upward. The cut of the dress drapes perfectly, not too billowy, and creates nice vertical lines that elongate Nelly's body.

Simple heels and minimal accessories complete the look without creating distraction.

Get Nelly's look: macys.com , nordstrom.com , Forever21.com

(dress starts in a size 4, shoes in a 5M)

No Vanity Sizing Here

The subject of vanity sizing in the U.S. has been whipped by all women, not just the petite world. I have seen posts by woman sized petite, plus, and those who are 5'10" that weigh 125lbs. Therefore, I am not going to beat a dead horse. What I am going to do is let you in on an online shopping haven, La Redoute.


La Redoute is a French based catalog company with 75+ years of fashion experience. The best thing about them is that they do not vanity size for the U.S. When they say size 2, they mean it. Waist, inseam, and rise measurements are all true to what are stated in print. They carry pants in 30 1/2 inseam (I even found a pair in 29 1/2). La Redoute's collections are created exclusively by world-class designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Their prices are affordable even for a college student, and their clothes range from office wear to night out on the town dresses.

Affordable, fabulous clothes, shoes, and accessories. Got to love those Europeans when it comes to fashion!

(All clothes shown in size 2.)

Denim, Denim, and more Denim

I have always had the most difficult time finding jeans that fit. The children's section is a bust because the jeans rarely pull up over my thighs and if they do, they come up over my navel. Not an attractive look in my opinion. Plus, who wants butterfly decals all over their butt? Even the new 00P from the Taylor Twins and Banana Republic have not treated me well. The solution my petite posse ...Delia*s!

I have been living in the jeans I purchased in March. Not only that, I have purchased 4 more pairs in different washes. With the new "skinny" trend, Delia*s is now offering the look in a 26" inseam. They have also added copper tint and khaki tint to their washes to compliment the metallic color trend.

Another great resource for jeans is CCS. They carry size 0 starting in 28, 30, 32, and 34" inseams.

Bonne a Petite

I have always believed that old expression, "the clothes make the man", or in this case the woman, because I truly feel that cultivating a personal sense of style will definitely boost any woman’s sense of self.

As a child I was one of those little girls who dressed in their mother’s finest, decked out in the real jewels, and ruined many makeup kits by swathing every beauty product known to woman in layers heavily across my face. When I became a teenager, I was obsessed with fashion magazines and models. I tried to emulate every model’s look, accessory, stare, pout, and hairstyle.

Yet as the world around me grew up, I didn’t. Since junior high I have remained 4’10” and hovered around 80lbs. Therefore, as a developing (and I use that term lightly) teen and a full-grown woman, my fashion options were highly limited.

In department stores salespeople mostly ignored me as they could not fathom selling to me, and when I did “bother” them I was glowered at before being relegated to the children's section. I have been forced to settle with "fuddy duddy" styles at Petite Sophisticate (no offense meant); buy larger sizes and spend $$$ to have those tailored; don cheap looking suits and childish looking clothes; or resigned to live in jeans and T-shirts.

So I finally gave up and turned to the internet to save myself the embarrassment of shopping in person.

Stumbling around the net, as one does, I came upon the blogs of other petite women who took it upon themselves to delve through the clothing industry and triumph for women of my stature. I began to discover it wasn’t just me that suffered from this affliction. There were others out there; petite, plus, and even women that the industry considered “normal” struggled.

As a petite, I think pants are the hardest item to find. The length/inseam has to be shorter, and the rise (crassly put, the crotch area) must be shortened to properly fit the vertically challenged. At the suggestion of some bloggers I hit Delia*s for jeans in a 28” inseam and a less than 8” rise. I triumphed with my first successful jeans purchase in over three years!

For work I found blouses and skirts in 00P – 16P at Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, (the Taylor Twins have 00P online and outlet stores only), and for play there were fitted tops and sweaters in 00P at Banana Republic. The accessory and shoe departments of Nordstroms reflected in the pupils of my eyes.

In a literal Candyland of clothing my fashion flames reignited. I dare the industry to defy me now!