Petite-Friendly Outfit From Nordstrom For Fall
At 5’4″, I’m right on the cusp of the petite size range, yet I find myself searching for petite garments more often these days. Jeans have gotten progressively longer over the years to go with all the platform shoes, boots, and sneakers that are popular, but that makes it tough if you’re short. Today, I’m sharing a petite-friendly outfit from Nordstrom that required no hemming for me.
I’m often lucky enough to find jeans or pants that hit at my ankle, but many of those have frayed bottoms, and frankly, I’m over that look for now. Unfinished jeans were a short love affair for me. I now prefer to look more polished…and a finished hem helps a lot with that.
DANSKO SASSY CUTOUT CLOG HERE. – KATE SPADE SHOULDER BAG
Today’s outfit starts with these jeans that do not drag on the floor. I love Kut From The Kloth Jeans for their fashion-forward style, great fabrics, and reasonable price. I’ve paid much more for denim, but I can’t say I’m that much happier for the price. Many of their styles come in petite, and many other styles are simply not as long as other brands. These Kelsey Flares have a great high waist (perfect for controlling muffin top), a faded black wash, and a slight flare. They have a wider hem on the bottom, which helps the flare hang well. I will say that I am spotting lots of medium-rise and a few low-rise jeans lately, so be prepared.,
Luckily, tops and sweaters are on the shorter side these days to coordinate with all the wide-leg pants that are on trend. That makes them petite-friendly without actually being in the petite category. This Caslon cardigan is a case in point. It’s a soft, substantial-weight organic cotton blend that’s just 23″ long. It hits at my hip, which helps me look taller than with many longer cardigans do. Plus version here.
MONICA VINADER CHAIN BRACELET WITH BAROQUE PEARL ENHANCER
The color is called Tan Doeskin, which Caslon makes in many items. It’s a neutral beige that doesn’t look warm, so would work for women with various complexion undertones. I have it in several sweaters and love its soft color. This cardigan also comes in a great navy, which I could not resist. It’s a medium weight but not hot, so it’s perfect for transitioning the seasons.
I’m always delighted by Caslon pieces because they fit my lifestyle with modern essentials in natural fibers and easy silhouettes. There’s nothing fussy or overdone about Calson basics, and the prices are very reasonable.
MORE CASLON
This waffle henley shirt is also by Caslon and is available in six colors in sizes 00-18. The plus size in black and burgundy is here. It’s an organic cotton blend with a length of 24 1/2″. I usually scrunch my tops at the waist if I don’t tuck them in, so that makes it short enough for under the cardigan. It’s a great little layering top in super soft fabric that’s also not too long. I prefer tops and sweaters in this length range because cropped is often too short on my long torso, and I’m way past wanting my tummy to show when I reach up.
You’ve seen this Kate Spade shoulder bag on me often since I bought it last year. It’s a great size and holds plenty. Plus, it coordinates with so many of my outfits because it’s in three of my favorite neutrals. I love that the tan and ivory are on top and sides, but the bottom is black, so it doesn’t get dirty looking.
I’ve been having bunion pain lately, so decided to add some Dansko’s back into my life. I used to wear this “professional” clog when I worked for long hours standing on my feet. Now, I want something a bit more stylish, and Dansko has really stepped up their game. These Dansko Sassy Cutout clogs have a nice low platform and a strap that buckles behind the heel securely, so I don’t have to grip my toes. The unbending sole means my toe joint gets a rest, which it really needs. I’ve worn them several times now and really like the boost they give my height. I was very tempted by these clogs, but I wanted the back strap.
MORE DANSKO
Nordstrom is my favorite department store for so many reasons, not the least of which is their great selection and incredible customer service with free shipping and returns. It’s free to join the Nordy club here, which allows you to earn points towards notes you can use on future purchases. They also offer BOPUS, ROTUS (reserve online, try on in-store), and curbside pickup, plus you get free basic alterations.
I love this petite-friendly outfit from Nordstrom for fall that doesn’t require any hemming and fits me right off the rack. If you’re solid in the petite category, I recommend jeans in this category.
Do you have a favorite brand that fits you without any alterations?
I’m new to this blog but finding it very helpful. I am 5’2″ and find Talbots has the best selection for me. I’ve been a loyal Talbots shopper since 1998! I still have to hem slacks at times but overall, I have a good success rate.
Welcome! Talbots is a favorite of mine too.
I really appreciate the time you take to research and detail the fit and features of all the items you showcase. It is so thoughtful and helpful!
I would love to see womenās pant lengths described with inseam and rise lengths rather than height or labels like petite-regular-tall. Iām 5ā8ā so not petite at all, but to some retailers my height means a regular pant length should fit me. My inseam needs are 30ā for ankle, 32ā for full length and 33-34ā for boot/heel length. I often have to hem pants to get the length I want. Height doesnāt correlate to pant length for many of us! And I wish Nordstrom would carry more pants in tall or long lengths. Sadly only a few jeans.
I totally agree. Knowing the measurements is much more helpful that a label.
It sounds like Rosemary and I could wear each otherās clothes! I found the Liz Claiborne Sara style jeans in 12P fit perfectly and not to long on my short inseam of 28ā. I bought them on sale at JCP! Enjoy your vacation Jennifer!
Thanks Sydney!
You always look so lovely. Itās a treat to see how you combine an outfit from all the choices and stay true to what you like. I wish I could say Iāve found jeans that work for me, but at 5ā3ā and refusing to pay top prices for pants I then have to hem myself has frustrated me too much. Even more frustrating is that if I am buying jeans for my husband, they come in every combination of waist and length ā why isnāt it the same for women is one of my common statements.
It’s infair that women do not get the same options for fit that men do. We often pay more too
Iām far from petite at 5ā8ā but even I find some pants too long. A 33ā inseam only works with heels and I donāt wear them anymore. Sometimes I have to take pants in to be hemmed a titch but Iād rather that, than too short. Iām loving the high waisted pants too. It saddens me to see mid rise come back in vogue. Hopefully there will be a choice between high and mid for those of us high waisted and those low waisted.
I am petite but canot wear petite bottoms, the rise is not comfortable.
Our bodies are so unique. I usually need the higher rise of a regular pant
I am definitely not petite. I wear a 30″ pant inseam. Oten that comes with a petite label in recent years. I also play the game of finding akle length pants in tall sizes for the 30″ inseam to make them fit like a full-length pant on me.
I’m over cropped pants and ankle pants. They do not suit my long torso and relatively shorter legs unless I use a column of color to trick the eye. For the same reason, I will not wear medium- and low-rise pants. Not only are they hideously uncomfortable on me, they make my torso look even longer. Wouldn’t it be nice to have choices for a range of women’s body shapes and leg lengths every year? For this reason, I tend toward more conservative clothing when low-rise pants come back into style. Conservative clothing brands tend toward moderation, so I will dress for my body shape, not someone else’s. I hope it’s not a seven-year cycle this time around.
My torso looks awkward in lower rise pants too so if that is a coming trend, I will sit that one out
I am 5’1″ so those pants, even though they are petite, are way too long. I have a really hard time finding true “petite” sizes in pants. I’m long waisted so I have to buy regular shirts since the petite are way too short for me. What a conundrum–too short for pants–too long waisted for shirts. I wish the fashion people would produce an actual petite length pant for us shorties.
Good morning – Iāve ordered the cardigan in navy – score!! What happened to your ābuy me a coffeeā button? I have become a big fan of your posts and recommendations! I want to support your work – seems only fair since youāve become an important part of my morning routine. Thank you! Xxoo
The buy me a coffee is on the sidebar when you’re reading a post. Thank you so much for supporting me, Barbara! xox
I really like that cardigan. I need shorter cardigans also. Since I’m 5’1 I have trouble finding jeans that aren’t too long. Sometimes ankle jeans fit like regular jeans on me. I wear Kut from the Kloth, Wit and Wisdom and for a less expensive brand I like Articles of Society. I find if I find jeans in the petite section they are usually too big in the legs and too short.
I really like Wit & Wisdom too! Nice fit and a great price.
Love the outfit on you. I’m the same height and do love the shorter length in tops and sweaters to balance out my short legs. Wish the cardi was still available in the neutral. Hadn’t been to Nords in a while, and last time asked where the petite section was. First gentleman sent me to the children’s section, 2nd woman at desk asked, “what’s a petite?” LOL. Obviously Nords had gotten rid of their petite section at my store.
Sadly, Nordstrom got rid of their petite sections years ago. Theyāre now integrated into the regular departments. I wish theyād bring it back.
Love the camel sweater but they are sold.
Itās still available in plus size and I expect they will restock. They often do.
Lovely outfit but not for “true” petites. The pants are 29.5 inches long! Even with 2.5-inch heels — and how many of us wear them — they are long. The hem is finished so nicely that hemming would be difficult / expensive. The Caslon sweater may be a reasonable length, but the sleeves are long on you – so too long for most of us shorter women. Despite Nordstrom’s service, it is not a petite-friendly retailer.
Iāve got to say that outfit looks great. The proportions and neutral colors look fresh and timeless.
Good morning Jennifer, itās a beautiful slightly crisp morning here on the east coast. Yes, requires a light sweater as I take my morning walk.
My go to, all time favorite best fitting jeans, āTalbotsā.
Have a fabulous dayš