I had some rare mall time to myself and wanted to do a good old fashioned try-on session for you guys! There are a few versatile, tailored pieces from Ann Taylor that caught my attention over the past seasons and are now majorly marked down. I couldn’t find my correct size in store for some of these, but just checked online and everything here is still well stocked in petites (and most regular sizes too)!
Going to start with two pieces that are very much my style – classic with a feminine touch.
- Pearl doubleweave pencil skirt
I had this skirt bookmarked for months and finally got to see it in person – I’m shocked it’s still fully stocked in petites. The doubleweave fabric is a little more substantial in weight with a hint of stretch. The cream color may seem seasonally limiting, but try it paired with either grey or herringbone pattern tights for winter wear. And if you tire of the faux pearl buttons, they’re decorative so you could switch them out or try just removing them. Fit wise, I usually need to take-in AT bottoms at the waist and I could only find a 0P to try on in store (one size up from my usual so it was a little big). Click over to the regular sizing tab to read several more happy reviews on this skirt! - Tip: if you want to tuck a darker colored blouse into a cream skirt without the color showing through, wear skin toned shapewear shorts underneath and tuck your blouse into the shorts (BTW, I just noticed my go-to affordable shaper shorts now come in a new size XS!).
- Geo icon blouse
This lightweight, machine-washable blouse has a beautiful dusty blue-grey color (a tad darker in person than online) with pleated ruffles and a nice drape. You can also style it with navy or tan bottoms for business wear, or with white or blue jeans.
- Herringbone puff sleeve top Fits and feels comfortable like a stretchy tee but looks more elevated. There are delicate puffs to the shoulders, and the material is medium weight (not thin). It’s gently fitted in the torso without being tight.
Left: Cheetah wrap dress 00P, fleece lined tights S // Right: windowpane sheath dress 0P (comes in 00P)
- MAJOR savings: Windowpane sheath dress Awesome price for a tailored office piece that’s easy to throw on for a day of meetings or presentations. I couldn’t find my size to try on, so this is one up from my usual thus is loose. It’s lined, and I like how the waistline sits a little bit higher for a visually flattering look (you can add a skinny belt to break up the pattern). Click on over to regular sizing vs petites to read a few more customer reviews on this dress.
- Cheetah wrap dress AT makes these classic wrap dresses every season in different prints. The fit is usually consistent and petite friendly, and these are also nursing friendly since it’s a true wrap style. The material is stretchy with a smooth finish.
Left: Mock neck shell xs (starts in xxs petite), high waist trousers 0P (starts in 00P) // Right: Everlane cotton sweater xxs (a staple I have in several colors), Cheetah sweater skirt xxsp
- Mock neck shell This shell in camel is an elegant staple piece – picture it tucked into high rise white jeans and sandals or ballet flats casually in the summer, or under a blazer or cardigan for workwear year round. On me, the camel was a little close to my skin tone, and would look better on complexions with a tad more contrast in either direction. This is not a loose snag prone sweater knit, but rather a tighter weave with a smooth finish that doesn’t look cheap. I could only find size XS regular to try on in store, so the torso looks loose on me in the above picture but it would be fitted in the right size.
- Madison high waist trousers (see all colors and patterns). I’ve mentioned this specific cut of trousers several times over the years as a favorite. They are higher waisted, with a gently flaring leg that looks long and lean. The downside with trousers like this is you either have to wear high heels or get the 30″ petite inseam hemmed to wear with lower shoes. A 00 petite should fit someone with an approximate 25-26″ waist (I got my older pair taken in at the waist, and it was worth it as I still love them).
- Cheetah print sweater skirt AT knit sweater skirts usually fit a little smaller than their other bottoms, due to the stretch. My usual size here fit at my natural waist, and the cut is a semi snug flare (fitted on me from waist down to the hips) so size up if you want more of a flare. The background color is beige with a hint of blush. Also, you need a slip skirt when wearing unlined fitted sweater skirts with tights, otherwise they’ll cling to each other. Personally I would get more wear out of a pencil silhouette sweater skirt – I saw this leopard sweater pencil skirt in store and it was nice quality with a classic color scheme, and would look fab paired simply with a black turtleneck.
A few more marked down items, still available in xxs / 00 petite and up:
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