Dressing Room Diary: New Fall Looks From Chico’s
Based on their website, I expected to find Chico’s fully decked out in glitz, glamour, and red, red, red. I’m delighted to report that the stores are not so one-sided and they have lots of new fashion for your everyday life in colors other than red. Here’s a peek at some new fall looks from Chico’s. The good news is that Chico’s has one of their rare sales going on with 25% off many styles.
If youāre new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session so you can see whatās new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5ā4ā³ and weigh around 146 lbs. I have broad shoulders with straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often buy one size larger on top. Youāll see me try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me because I want you to see whatās in the stores and get some styling ideas. I tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.
Chicoās sizing can seem confusing, but itās actually quite simple. Most brands only go up to a size 12 or 14, and if youāre any larger, you are out of luckā¦unless they happen to make plus sizes, which are fewer and far between these days. Chicoās sizes are 000(0/XS), (0/2ā XS), 0 (4/6 S), 1 (8/10-M), 2 (12-14)-L, 3 (16/18-XL) 4 (20/22-XXL. Chicoās also carries many garments in petite and some in tall. Iāll tell you what Iām wearing in Chicoās sizes so you can understand how things run.
I only styled two red pieces for this try-on session, and this is the first. This jacquard topper is a beauty. It’s a woven fabric with a subtle pattern and some metallic threads running through it. The shape is slightly fitted, so it has a slimming effect. You could dress this way up or down with some jeans and a tee. The petite version is here. They also have stretch Brigitte pants in a matching print if you want to have a suiting effect.
I paired the jacket with this no-iron, stretch white shirt. Chico’s makes some of the best no-iron fabrics that never need touching up. This one has 3/4 sleeves, which I wouldn’t wear under a long-sleeved jacket…but that’s what my store had. The selection is always much larger online.
The outfit photo doesn’t show the detail on the jeggings, so I took a close up. These pull-on slim jeggings have tiny red stones scattered across the bottom of the leg. I have the bottom folded under 2″ in my photo and am happy to find the petite version here. It’s nice to find more and more petite options online at Chico’s because I think that’s been missing.
I am standing on my tippy toes in this picture because these straight-leg jeans are too long for me. Luckily, they also come in petite here online. They’re available in three colors with a regular or tall inseam. They’re a nice off-white shade with lots of stretch.
I paired them with this jacquard cardigan in soft shades of taupe and ivory. They call this a floral, but the pattern is so large it looks abstract to me rather than like an actual flower. Under it, I am wearing one of their high-neck tank tops. I have a slew of these microfiber tanks in various necklines, and I always size up (wearing a 2) so they’re not skin-tight.
This Zenergy velour set feels soft and cuddly. It’s hard to see, but the color is navy. It also comes in black, a stunning deep forest, or a rich merlot that looks yummy! The gorgeous vest is reversible and has pockets inside and out, plus a dual zipper you can zip open from the bottom to make it easier when you sit. It has channel quilting and princess seaming to slim the look.
These pull-on velour pants are several sizes too large for me, but I wanted to show you the look with the vest. Velour pants are so great this time of year because they resemble velvet but are super stretchy and machine-washable. The pants have a straight leg and zippered pockets for a sporty look.
These faux leather cutwork pants are roomy and buttery soft…just the fit I prefer in faux leather pants. The inseam is 25 1/2″ in this regular, and they’re available in petite with a 23 1/2″ inseam. These would be nice for daytime now and dress up for the holidays. These are currently 50% off!
This faux pearl applique sweater caught my eye because it’s one of my favorite shades of taupe. It also comes in black, but I prefer the taupe with the faux leather pants because I think it softens the look. It has a classic fit with a slightly shorter length of 25.5″.
This sweater has a metallic knit ribbon across the front, and the white shirt is attached. I’m seeing lots of this one-and-done layering lately, making it easy to look coordinated. The sweater is black with silver metallic detailing. I’m wearing it over these Juliet side vent pants. The pants come in three colors with regular and tall inseams. This specific Juliet style doesn’t come in petite, but many others do here.
This sweater is a rich and vibrant cobalt blue, which is fun for the holidays if you don’t wear red. The “gems” are bold, but there’s just a small spray of them around the neckline in the shape of a necklace, so it isn’t overpowering. I paired it with these petite high-rise straight-leg jeans. They come in light or deep wash with an unfinished hem. This petite inseam is 27″, which is a hair short for me but great for ladies who need a shorter inseam.
This red jacket has fringe detail along the neckline, front, and pocket edges, which gives it a French-inspired look along with the tweed. This size 1 feels a bit large on me, so you might consider sizing down. The fabric has metallic threads in shades of pink and gold running throughout, giving it a holiday appeal.
I wanted a long-sleeved shirt to try on with this jacket, and all they had was this no-iron tunic, so I simply tucked it all in. It’s a lovely fabric and softer than I’m used to in their no-iron shirts, so it all crammed into the jeans pretty easily. These jeans are too long for me, too, so I’m standing on my tippy toes again. They do come in petite with a 28″ inseam, which would work with a low heel for me, but most petite ladies might need a higher heel. Their trouser jeans are all long this year to accommodate all the platform shoes and heeled boots I’m seeing.
I’m not usually drawn to Zenergy, but I love this color, and when my hand touched this fabric, I had to try it on. This sueded scuba fabric (where do they come up with these names?) feels like a piece of the softest suede, chamois. The zippered top is just 23.5″ long, which they describe as petite-friendly.
The pants also seem on the shorter side, but that could be because I’m wearing one size too small. The inseam is 27″. The leg has a stripe running down the side that elongates the look. There’s also a coordinating zip-front jacket in the same fabric and color that has amazing reviews and looks terrific. The fabric for all three is 49% polyester, 43% modal, and 8% spandex, so the knees will never bag out!
These wide-leg ankle pants are a nice heavyweight ponte knit that comes in six colors. I am wearing the charcoal in regular with a 26″ inseam. They also come in petite with a 24″ inseam and tall with a 29″ inseam. These fit like a dream and have amazing reviews. I would wear these with a bootie that fits under the leg. They’re a classic pull-on with a back dark and front seaming that is smooth in front and very flattering on. The reviews also tell the story of very happy customers.
This sweater comes in lurex in green or camel here or plain red, plum, or black here. The lurex has a nice glimmer for the holidays. This is also 25.5″ long and has shorter bracelet-length sleeves, making it petite-friendly. This would be fun with jeans for a casual, festive event or just running errands when you want to add more pizazz to your look.
This ruana is too large for me, but I wanted to share it. I love the rhinestone zipper that runs down the front, and the weight is nice for milder climates. It drapes beautifully and has lots of 5-star reviews. The smaller sizes are slightly shorter, but I could wear this perfectly well. The color blocking is unique and has a lovely, sophisticated look that you could dress up or down.
MORE CHICO’s FINDS
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Such a great post with so many styles to consider- I too like that Zynergy set.
I see myself lounging in that on Sundays this winter while the snow is flying outside!
Thanks for all that you do, Jennifer.
Itās sooo cozy. Thanks for being here Paulette!!
I am sorry I have not been commenting on your posts.
Had a difficult 4 weeks with my husband in and out of the hospital.
All is well now and we even had permission to go on a cruise to the Bahamas..
Back to normal now, so you will be hearing from me again.
Chicos styles are a nice change from all reds. But that red jacket and gem studded jeans looked great on you
Oh my, Lin. I’m so very sorry to hear that but equally happy to hear he is on the mend. When our loved ones are ill or struggling, it is always our first priority. I hope you have been taking care of yourself during this time! xo
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I have two pair of the trouser jeans in 2P and I am 5ā2ā tall, 140 pounds. They are so comfortable. I wore my black wash ones on an 8 hour car ride with my new Havanese dog in the back seat! They are great and so is she!
Great finds but the jacquard topper I love! So sad they aren’t in Canada anymore!
Sorry about that!
I’m new ti your site, and I love all of your selections from Chicos!
Especially the two red jackets. Perfect for the holidays!
Welcome, Laura! They are really fun!
Jennifer, I know you always say you don’t wear red, but I think that red tweed fringe jacket looks fantastic on you with the white blouse and blue jeans. The combination is of the three pieces is super, and I can see you getting many compliments wearing this outfit with a navy bag and navy blue loafers.
Thank you Bea! Iāve actually been on the hunt for something red to add to my wardrobe! My silvering hair is changing colors I want to wear.
I am seeking your opinion on shoulder pads. I bought a blue fringe jacket last spring at Talbots which is very similar to the red one you are showing today. Mine just seems a bit structured and is bulkier at the shoulder than my other blazers. Have you ever removed the shoulder pads or is it a look to just go with?
I have broad shoulders so I always remove the pads so long as it doesnāt ruin the line of the jacket. Reach under and fold one pad back then check how it looks in front. If thereās not a noticeable droop, Iād say you could easily remove them.
Chico’s clothes look good . You look great in the red tweed jacket. The ribbon sweater with shirt is a winner.
Happy Friday. I was surprised to see the unfinished hem on the jeans? Is this ‘frayed’ look still in style? Are you seeing other mainstream retailers still offering them? I have a pair that I haven’t worn since May.
Thanks!
I would say their popularity is waning but I still do see lots of higher end brands showing the frayed bottom.
Hi Jennifer
I love Chicos and particularly love the red topper on you. It makes me want to run over to my Chicos store. I have a question Iām hoping you can help with. I recently bought a dress at Chicos. I would call dressy casual. Iām thinking I could wear flats or heels but what do I wear (if anything) on my legs?
Pantyhose seems back in style so if tights are too casual, Iād wear sheer pantyhose.
There are so many nice things at Chicos. Our Chicos does not carry petites so I’m going online. The sizing really is confusing. I’m not sure if petite really is. I really like all the sweaters.
I have to order all my petites online too. Thereās also a larger selection.
So many lovely things and they all look so lovely on you. I had to order the petite trouser Jean’s in chestnut rinse indigo which looks very dark. I also ordered the green pleated cuff sweater. Thank you for sharing all of these looks.
Iām delighted to see more petites! Thank you so much for ordering through my links, Valerie.
Thanks for the Chico looks. LOVE the Ruana. I am a bit confused, are you recommending go larger or get a smaller one? It looks great on you-but I usually buy medium or small, depending on the style. L/XL would be a big step up?
Sorry I was confusing. I recommend you buy your regular size. I was nearly pointing out that even the XL isnāt unwearable on me. It was all they had for me to try on but Iād order the M.
Hi, Jennifer. There are so many things in this diary that I want to put in my closet but I don’t have tge room. If I wiuld pick one it would be the ruana. The design is great and I can see it over black jeans, dress trousers, and as a evening wrap over a cocktail dress or formal for events like a special dinner, the theater, a symphony concert, or ballet.
Christine
Itās a great piece, I agree!
I love Chicos clothing line; however, it does not fit a plus size lady. I tried their largest size but it just doesn’t work. I even wrote the company but it did no good, not even a response from them. I guess there are not enough of us to make a difference. Their clothing is both classic and elegant.
I think is is very individual depending on our shapes. I’m sorry they don’t work for you.