PFC #1: Dare to defy fashion don'ts?

This is my posting for the challenge that was presented by Jean from ExtraPetite. Below is the excerpt regarding the details of the challenge that I have taken from her blog or you can read it in full here.

The Challenge:

Jean - "Create an outfit for weekend brunch with your girlfriends. The outfit must include one garment that is typically notorious for being a petite "don't." Such garments include: dresses, skirts, or pants that hit at the scary mid-calf length (not cute, cuffed jeans...I'm talking real capris) or below the knee, maxi dresses, full A-lined skirts, or wide-legged pants"

I refuse to abide by rules, I prefer calling them guidelines or advices. Do you guys remember everyone at some point couple years back, (you can totally be anonymous) had those jeans that were either a) ripped, b) had holes, c) "distressed" like construction workers, yo. d) bleached or e) all of the above. Don't you lie. You know you had them. However, everyone had these hobo jeans that made your mom cry, so does that mean the only way to break out of a mold is when everyone else has?

Noooo, let's all be totally fearless and if you like what you got, wear it. To quote amazing Anthropologie buyer, Keith Johnson, he simply says, "There is no, "no" in fashion."


So how does one intentionally break out of the mold of fashion? You know, without looking like you don't have a clue ?



I don't know. You tell me lol!




I wore this outfit twice and in different ways for a date with my girlfriend that I knew back from middle school and another girlfriend that I met in college, we still keep in touch and  gaaah I love them both so much.


I got this dress from Anthrolopologie a couple years back and I haven't worn it since the time I went on a trip to Key West. Nope, no hemming or alterations here- the dress just came at an unusual length and I'm guessing that's why it was on sale for $20. I mean c'mooon get out of town a $20 dollar dress? Anthropologie will dig into your heart just like it digs deep into the deep crevices in your wallet. I'm also 5'2 and a quarter inch (I guess I kinda lied on my "About Me" page, I blame the engineering classes I took for rounding up) so technically I'm not a tall gal. I have a sinking feeling this dress wasn't meant to be a maxi but like a knee-length dress, ahahaha. I wish the dress was made out of silk (for better draping) but the plus side that comes from the cotton is the vibrancy of the print! Let's make this a cooperative learning experience, tell me in the comments below if you didn't like or liked my outfit. **Ignore the bra straps, sorry ladies!!**

Dress- Anthropologie - Size XS
Cropped Cardigan - Ann Taylor- M
Chunky heels- Liz Clairborne- Size 6

Addition #1- The bust area is smocked, which is great but the gathered fabric around it kind of "floated" away from my body. So I added a black scarf and tied it around my ribcage to secure the fabric down as well as permanently hold the folds that occur in the body of the skirt. Also, the prints differ between the bust and the skirt and I wanted to emphasize that kind of print separation with the scarf. Good freaking gaaaah the picture below is really embarrassing but wanted to prove my point that you can look really squatty with flip flops and no definition in the top area.    

Addition #2- I paired it with a cropped cardigan. The fabric had huge flashy prints and I wanted more attention to the upper portions of my body, rather than the bottom portion. That way, when the eye travels there is some sort of lengthening (I hope). It was also to tone down the zesty, I-just-got-lost-in-a-jungle- look and I avoided strappy sandals/flip flops since the dress has elements that go "I'M GOING TO GO DIVE IN THE OCEAN RITE NAWRRR"
Awkward smile and stiff arms but the dog was cute so the pic stays. ====>

I actually want this dress to be longer (le gasp, what?!) and for kicks, I pulled the dress down into a high waisted skirt. I kinda like it at this length. Unfortunately, not appropriate for a girls day out but I'm thinking barbecue or a bonfire at the beach, barefoot:

The obvious reasons that maxis will be the ban of all petites existence is that the length is long. Immediate thoughts are, "It will swallow you up", "You will look overpowered" ... and so on. It is a tricky booger so I did some research before I got the guts to wear this maxi. Here are some celebrities wearing this type of style!

These are my picks of maxis that flatter. I believe the length can go either way: skimming the floor or at calf-length: (Nicole Richie and Rachel Bilson - 5'2) *I do think Rachel Bilson's maxi can be a tad more slimmer around the waist/ribcage. ExtraPetite, PetiteLG, and Miss Ping all had flattering maxis and you can see their post here: ExtraPetite and PetiteLG and All about Fashion Stuff

 The maxis that did not flatter: (Rachel Bilson and Hiliary Duff- 5'2)

 

Aww, Rachel Bilson what went wrong here? The details of her maxi is really cute: blue strips, ruffled edges, and sailor boats! The bad: dress is worn too low, smocked area is too long and sadly doesn't give the waist the attention it deserves, the length is too long, and the hip area is too wide for her small frame. Damnit, I do like the dress though. =0(  I don't like Hilary Duff's maxi here, the dress flares out too much for the length. If the dress was hemmed and she wore a belt, it can work.

Suggestions in wearing a maxi for petite frames:

1. You can distinguish and identify where your bust is and where your waist is. Maxis are not meant to have a tight fit, but the maxi should lie close to your body. 
2. You can wear HEELS, totally cute if you have them poking out underneath your dress (less to hem, wahoo) or showing off all of your shoe!
3. Length- For lightweight fabrics such as silk/chiffon/rayon/knit the length can be sitting at the crown of your foot or as short as calflength, just as long as it is not spilling all over the floor. (If you are going for a longer length, try going for one that tapers and narrows at the bottom) For stiffer fabrics such as cotton can be tricky because they have a tendency to flare and cause abrupt angles.
4. Umpire waist can be your best friend! Gives you a lengthening effect! It also automatically gives you pleating which a) gives the dress volume without overwhelming the frame and b) hugs your curves.
5. I love the pairing that Christina Richie did with the blazer. Try a cardigan/blazer for evening attire.

Whew, this post is my longest yet. Congrats to you if you read it all through. I had to put a summer maxi out there before it was too late! What do you guys think of a blazer or a cardigan over a maxi for the Fall? Would you dare or do you think it is strictly a summer piece?