Petite Dressing Room Diaries
I have a very small dressing room diaries for you today. To be honest, I spent most of this shopping trip, trying on workout clothes. I’ve decided to commit myself to Pilates and my daughter insisted suggested I needed to update my workout clothes. She’s right. They are sort of old and after hitting Athleta, Lululemon, and Nordstrom, I realize there are also seriously out of date. It was a wholly discouraging experience. Those photos are not here and you’re welcome:)
If you’re new here, dressing room diaries is when I go into stores and try clothes on so you can see how they look on a woman larger than a size zero who is older than 25. For reference, I’m 5’4″, weigh 147lbs, have wide shoulders and straight hips. I have a long torso and short legs.
I stopped into Talbots where everything is on sale. I started with this tinsel dot sweater. It comes in 3 colors but I was only interesting is this ivory and silver one.
It’s available in petite, regular, plus and plus petite. I’m wearing a medium in regular and could have also worn the large petite. These slim ankle jeans are a petite 10, which is one size too large for me. I love this neutral shade for winter. It’s not white or cream but coordinates with both.
I’m loving everything faux fur this season so I couldn’t resist this poncho. It comes in black or this ivory in XS/S and M/L. I’m wearing the M/L and needed the smaller one. So fun to toss over everything and feel sort of luxe.
Blackwatch Plaid is everywhere this time of year and Talbots makes one of the nicest. Here it is in Talbots classic, Hampshire pants which you saw me wear in ivory here. They fit beautifully and are a timeless style. I’m wearing an 8 petite which is a bit too loose on me. Even though I am only 5’4″, I prefer this style in a 6 regular and then I hem up an inch.
The black sweater is the cashmere Sabrina in a small petite which is way too small on me. It has a beautiful portrait collar and is tunic length. Based on how this fits me, I would wear a medium in regular. It comes in 7 colors in petite, regular, plus, and plus petite. The white spots you see on the sweater are flecks in the mirror.
I tossed this merino sweater blazer on top because the greens coordinate. J.Crew makes some great sweater blazers but they’re all on the longer side than this.
These are Talbots velveteen pants. They have classic 5 pocket styling so I put them in the same category as dressed up jeans. I’m wearing a 6 regular with the hem folded under. I prefer the fit of regular for me and if the legs shrink in the wash, they’re perfect.
This classic cotton shirt has a whimsical polar bear print which is fun for this time of year. I’m wearing a large petite and like the looseness so I can tie it at my waist. I guess these few extra pounds have moved me from a petite medium to a petite large…good to know.
Here are the velveteen jeans with the tinsel dot sweater.
And then I popped the same poncho over as above. I love buying things I can mix and match for different looks.
Do you shop like that?
Are you a fan of capsule wardrobe dressing?
Thanks for reading ladies and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident
Hi Jennifer,
I’m a little late to the party here, but I wanted to tell you that I purchased the faux fur cable knit poncho from Talbots, and I absolutely LOVE it!!! I’m only 5’ tall so the XS/S fit perfectly. And while you really can mix and match the poncho in various ways, I’m planning to purchase an ivory turtleneck and pants to complete the look.
Thanks very much for showcasing this beautiful piece! ?
I’m so happy you got the poncho! It’s a gorgeous piece
Talbots is my favorite store and has been for over 30 years. Thanks for showcasing their things. Merry Christmas!
Absolute favorite look is the tinsel dot sweater and velvet pants. You look fabulous. Here in Canada we don’t have Talbots but I have heard great things about the clothes. Have a good weekend.
I love everything that you tried on, especially the blackwatch pants, the polka dot sweater, and the polar bear shirt. I think that you look fantastic and not even close to 147 pounds! Your dressing room dairies is always my favorite post every week.
Thanks Sharon, I can assure you, that’s what I weigh;)
New to this site as well. Love your classic looks. I am short 5’1” , short legs and arms but curvy. I shy away from anything print, plaid, etc. on the bottom half. I think you look great in the black watch slacks. I am a big fan of Talbots.
Welcome Debbie
I love all of these clothes but with champagne taste and a beer budget, I can’t purchase much. You always loo k great but there’s just something about these particular colors that fit you so well. The softer, lighter look is so becoming. I’m trying to move away from so much black and lighten up my wardrobe so thanks for this post. BTW you have pretty bare feet. Wish I did. : )
Lol, thanks, Eve. My bunion surgery scars don’t show from this angle.
Love all the outfits, especially the dot sweater and poncho. All look great on you. I really need new workout clothes also. I used to work at Curves and all I wore was workout clothes. They are really outdated!
I will put together a post on workout clothes soon. Once I figure out what makes sense;)
Like all the outfits on you especially the beautiful poncho. So fun! Really like the black watch plaid pants too and the sweaters. I would like velveteen jeans in black and gray, so will check out Talbots.
There should be great after Christmas sales.
Nice photos Jennifer! You look great. And I hope you give yourseLf time to adjust to a new routine that includes your exercise of choice. If we approach it as something to help us stay strong and feel good, you se it as less a matter of punishment/weight loss strategy than something we do to Feel Good! For me. It’s Pure Barre, absolutely love it and I look forward to putting on my leggings and a workout top to head to the studio. Have a great holiday!
I took a Barre class several years ago really liked it. I’m hoping Pilates will be as fun. So far it just hurts:)
As a new reader, I was thrilled that you posted your height/weight and body type details!. We are very similar,(though I have a couple of years on you?) and it’s great seeing what you style on a body type similar to mine. I look forward to seeing more. Thank you!
Welcome!!
All of the photos looked great. I particularly liken the dot sweater with the velveteen jeans.
I loved all the outfits! You look great ! Thank you.
Love DRD, but I have a question… when you tie the front ends of a shirt, how does the blouse look from the back? Does it scrunch it up, does it still hang down? Sometimes the “rear view” can be a problem. Love your blog!!
The blouse is scrunched and stops at the waist in back. If the blouse is long enough and has high side slits, I tie the front and leave the back long.
I purchased the poncho for my sister for Christmas. When I tried it on it felt like a dream! If I didn’t already own a similar poncho, sans the fur, I would have purchased one for myself!
I love these Talbots clothes on you! Hope you bought the poncho, the dot sweater, and the pants (in all three colors!). Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Bea
You look really nice in all the items. I love the poncho! I usually don’t buy from Talbots because the sizes are so inconsistent.
I like the outfits today. When I tried on subtle plaid patterned pants, my daughter commented that she thought the pattern cut me off. Do you think that a shorter person should avoid pattern on the bottom? You look fine in the plaid pants.
I was wondering the same thing. I look forward to Jennifer’s respnse
I think the size of the pattern, length of your top and your silhoutte all matter. I’m not sure I understand what she means by cutting you off. What top and shoes did you have on?
I tried the slacks with a sweater top that came to mid hip.
I love all of it but especially the poncho and the gray velveteen pants. You look good in all of it.
That polar bear shirt is so cute and I LOVE the poncho. I have a Sabrina cashmere tunic and love it, too. I do think Talbots sizing is all over the map…I wear S, M, PM, PL depending upon the item. ?
Thanks, Jenn, for showing us so much from Talbits. Especially love the polka dot sweater on you. Likewise the poncho and the velveteen pants. Am looking forward to the January sales. Last year in my Canadian neck of the woods, I was told sales are less due to so much online shopping. That is too bad. Wishes for a happy, healthy Christmas to you and yours. I am nursing a very sore stubbed toe and hurt leg today so welcome a distraction today very much!
Ouch, that sounds painful. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and I hope you feel better soon.
I don’t usually have that much trouble but that Sabrina sweater may have been mislabeled. Is was so tiny on me.
I tried the slacks with a sweater top that came to mid hip.
Let me know when you master the Pilates workout gear….I too am looking for yoga clothes that I feel confident in…..:( I wear the lulu leggings….but finding a sleeveless top that doesn’t show so much skin is impossible.
I’m new to your blog and really glad I found you. Love the styles you wear and your explanations. A great help as we older women (not you, me) try to stay dressed appropriately and comfortably.
Have a wonderful Christmas!!
Welcome Violet! Wishing you a fabulous holiday too.