A Petite Look At Chico’s
The weather is cloudy and looks like fall here (even though it’s still warm), so I’m really in the mood for fall clothes. I hopped in the car yesterday for an epic drive (many hours) to the closest US mall and had a look around. I popped into Chico’s and found most of their racks empty, awaiting fall merchandise. Bummer! There were only a few things in my size available, so I tried them on. The lighting is notoriously bad for pictures in Chico’s because the light is right behind me on the wall, but here we go…
The front table was covered with stack upon stack of flare and wide-leg jeans, so that’s an indication of the direction Chico’s will be going this fall. They had no short or petite garments in this store, so I’m standing on my tip toes in this picture.
With my broad shoulders, I look and feel a bit like a matador in this shirt, but it sure is fun! It’s a great option for women with narrower shoulder who want to add some visual width up top. The embroidery is of lovely quality, and the color is called ultra pink, which makes me smile. They suggest it with jeans, but it would also be great with some classic black trousers. I tucked it into their Girlfriend Flare jeans in the Royal Street Indigo wash. These are one size large for me and miles too long for me with a 32″ inseam. The rise is nice and high, which I always appreciate for muffin top control.
The next thing I spotted was this space dot, black and white print in two items. First I tried on this no-iron stretch shirt which I paired with the So Slimming Juliet Straight leg crops. The stretch of the shirt, coupled with the no-iron fabric, makes it a winner in my book. The Juliet pant is nice and stretchy, and the length is obviously, petite-friendly. They come in three colors and are super easy to wear with many tops.
Then I spotted these Brigitte stretch pull-on crops in the same print. I love the ease and fit of this new Brigitte style with the same slimming technology as always but a wider, more modern leg. The inseam is 26″, which is also petite-friendly and will be great over ankle booties going forward into fall. My recent weight gain has me moved up to a 2 in this classic microfiber tank, which is pretty flexible, in my opinion.
I’m not sure I’d put this dot print top with the pants, what do you think?
I hope to get back for a larger try-on session soon, when I know there’s more to see.
I always liked Chico’s but since they stopped carrying petites, I’m done. I have to try on clothes before I buy. I’m disappointed that so many stores stopped carrying petites. They all seem to cater to the larger women.
Love Chico’s. But sizing is not consistent these days at all. I am usually a 2 (and often a 2.5–but not every style comes in half sizes). However, many tops I must buy there in a 3 (a lot are running small). Dresses on the other hand, are huge–I live over an hour from the only Chico’s in the region–so I have to order mostly online. The 2.5 linen dress I just ordered was a huge sack on me; I drove to the store and they only had a 1 (too tight across back). The manager ordered me a 1.5 thinking that would be just right–10 days later, today, I received an email that the dress was not available and my credit card was refunded. Total bummer! The pants seem more consistent–I’m a steady 1.5 there.
I used to love Chicos when they were in my mall in Ontario. I bought quite a few lovely things that I still get compliments on today! Sorry you had to drive so far to get there. Perhaps while you are here in Canada you could try some of our stores and give your Canadian followers some things to look for. Iām sure stores like Aritzia, Lululemon and Reitmans all ship to the U.S.
Thank you for sharing how to wear jeans. I am 5ft 2 so wide leg pants are not for me.
I like Chicoās jewelry as there are always matching pieces for any clothing you find there.
Once you find the right size, all their clothing seems consistent.
Please share some blazers that would work with jeans.
Thanks again for all your hard work
Will do, Patricia. I’m excited for the fall clothes.
I was in my local Chicoās just yesterday and the racks were full of the new fall line of clothing. The colors are beautiful.
Thatās exciting. Iām ready for fall.
Love the dot look! I’ve been to Alderwood mall many times. I think this time of year is just tough to find things.
I think you’re right. It’s such a nice mall!
Did you drive to Alderwood Mall Chicos? Usually there is a good selection.
I did! Not much new there this time.
That blouse is really pretty. And…I always love anything in dots! Love seeing Chicos items on you because we do not have a store close by!
You are such a good sport, Jennifer! I’m not sure any of these pieces would go home with me (exception: off white crops) but naturally you look so good in clothes, period. Jennifer, I have a question on fall dressing.
For Fall- what shoe looks best with wide leg crops? Thanks Jennifer!
Wide leg crops look great with mules, (if you can wear them) and shoes with a low vamp like a ballet flat. If theyāre a wide crop I like them with chunkier soles and booties. Platform sneakers too.
I saw the drama sleeve shirt on Instagram and happy to see you styled it! Super cute and the sleeve is so unique. I want to try the new Sable color Knit top in their catalogue, but not in the stores yet. Love your look with the high rise jeans!!
Itās very cute. They had one or two brown pieces in but I think the back must have been packed with boxes. I love high rise pants!
I am definitely interested in the girlfriend jeans. They donāt appear to have a dramatic flare. I will need to try them on since I am between a misses and petite sizing. I agree that fall clothing is a favorite of mine too!
Thanks for keeping me current on whatās available and new each season!
They are a gentle flare which is nice.
Good afternoon, Jennifer,
Long ago on one of your blogs you talked about either Correct toes or Awesome Toes. Well, I finally got around to looking on Amazon realizing I needed help with my toes. Oh my goodness, what a selection. I have no idea which ones you had tried. if not too much trouble could you address my question. Enjoy your blog everyday–wouldn’t be a day without coffee and Jennifer! Thank you!
I use and love these ones. I think they have really helped with foot and toe strength too.
Oh the floral shirt is pretty and IMHO would also be perfect for a tropical vacation paired with a burnt orange bottom (shorts/pants/skirt) and neutral (ecru) colored footwear. Whereas the wearing of black ‘n white is my easy to-go-to and in this case I might wear the two printed pieces together as a casual evening outfit and tuck the top in, add a skinny belt to give the illusion of a jumpsuit, top off with a pair of strappy heeled sandals, a smaller scaled handbag and drop beaded earrings. Or wear similar to how you have styled them with the tank (and sleeves ruched up) for casual daytime wear and add simpler jewelry. -Brenda-
P.S.: Am just envisioning, as unfortunately the pant’s inseams featured don’t suit my personal body type.
I can see the two print pieces together that way too.
Love the “no iron” black a d white shirt. Actually all of those shirts are great.
It is August and I too am looking forward to Fall. Don’t like the heat so Fall is my perfect Season.
It’s my favorite too
Jennifer- you are always such a good sport! I hope you found some fun other shopping too for the long drive! I like those jeans but would need a shorter inseam too. I like the no iron shirt but agree not as a matched set. Thank you for sharing!
I had some better luck at a few other stores, but I am sooo ready for fall clothes:)
Not sure about the dotsā¦too large a print. The cut of the pants and the shirt look good. Iām waiting for my first purchase from Chicos. I ordered the plain denim jacket and wide leg high rise jeans. Wish me luck on the sizing! Too bad you had to drive so far for slim pickings.
Good luck! Fit is tricky online, but once you get it right, things stay pretty consistent. I did find a few things in J.Jill which I’ll have for you soon š
I confess that Chico’s sizing method continues to leave me mystified, and the one near me seldom has anything in petites. So Chico’s remains on my do-not-shop-there list, in spite of some cute things in the window displays.
My store at home has more petites and they have them online, but I agree, it’s frustrating to not have them in the store.
It’s also on my -do-not-shop list for the same reason. I looked at the Juliet jeans Jennifer showed (thanks!) and they have a 29″ inseam for petites. Seriously?! Except that Jennifer looks so cute, it really is not even worth the time to click through for someone my size.
I hear you. I think brands are making pants and jeans long enough to wear with platforms which few of us are wearing these days.
I have no luck at Chicos. I can’t find anything in petite sizes. And they seem to have done away with 2.5, which was my size. Last year I ordered some tees in 3 and they are just humongeous. I’ve had to cut them down to size and rehem, but the shoulders are just too wide to ever fit. The 3/4 sleeves come to my wrists. And I’m 5’4″, so not short. They are now my wear-at-home stuff, not to be worn in public. I’ve given up on Chicos.
That’s not fair. I do see some 2.5 items on the website but I’m not sure what it is you were looking for.
I have that microfiber top as well, great piece in white. Iām sure youāve featured it before. You really are a wonderful āpersonal shopperā. Many thanks!
I have it in several colors…it’s a great basic