This month’s Pick of the Petites was inspired by a single item that caught my eye on Friday. I happened to be in Debenhams, there to return an item and nearly fell off the up escalator (which was a pretty spectacular feat to do), as I was completely love struck by the mannequin, cunningly positioned opposite the up escalator, that was wearing this J by Jasper Conran, striped coat.
J by Jasper Conran Striped Navy Collarless Coat
Sadly, this coat isn’t a petite (drats and double drats) but that didn’t stop me from swooning over it! After small voice of reason had dragged me back from my reverie of swanning around Florence in Springtime wearing this coat, with a sharp, metaphorical slap around the chops of
‘You ain’t going to Florence in Springtime, so stop that right now!’,
I suddenly couldn’t help but notice all the striped, nautical garments in the shop! I knew then and there, that this month’s Pick of the Petites, would be on this very theme!
The nautical look is a perennial favourite every Spring. It never really goes away, such is its timeless-ness. I’ve not included t-shirts/tops other than a single bardot top as stripey tees are really two a penny, but the top half is where we’re starting.
Tops / Jumpers
Nothing says Nautical quite like a bardot top and M&Co have a long sleeved top that will look equally good under a formal blazer or a casual jacket.
M&Co Petite Bardot Striped Top
When temperatures are a little cooler or you want to take your nautical look from day to night, casually throw a striped jumper over the shoulders, whilst wearing your white linen trousers. And I liked the little knitted detail around the neckline.
And not everything nautical has to be in the classic navy and white combo; red and white also capture the nautical vibe.
Dorothy Perkins Striped Pointelle Jumper
Whether lazy holidays are spent building sandcastles on the beach, lunching on lobster in a quayside restaurant or simply messing about on boats – make mine a yacht please – then a good jersey hoodie always comes in handy.
I love the addition of the pockets on the front. Plus you can choose your colour way. Below is jet black on white but the hoodie also comes in navy and white. Available in regular too.
Lands End also do a navy Mixed Striped Three Quarter Sleeve Hoodie in both regular and petite which is currently, slightly reduced.
Lands End Petite Black & White Jersey Hoodie
Trousers / Jumpsuit / Romper
You simply can’t do the full on Riviera look without owning a pair of wide legged, linen trousers. Pair them with your stripey tees for daytime and they can also take you through to evening by swapping the tee for a sparkly, strappy top and heels. Precis also do the Navy and White Striped T-shirt that’s peeping out over the trousers.
And if you’re not confident wearing white, then black is provided courtesy of these Marks & Spencer Black Linen Trousers.
Precis Petite White Linen Drawstring Trousers
But isn’t this supposed to be about stripes, Petite Vix?
And what if I want to wear the stripes on my bottom half?
No problem!
New in at M&S are these adorable wide legged striped trousers. Just keep the top half very sleek.
Marks & Spencer Petite Striped Wide Legged Trousers
And for something a little different, I’ve found a striped jumpsuit and rompersuit!
The jumpsuit is quite unusual in that it’s not a full length one so perfect for summer days and nights.
Glamorous Petite Wide Legged Jumpsuit
ASOS Petite Linen Striped Rompersuit
Dresses
For dresses, I was spoilt for choice! But I honed it down to 4, covering different styles to suit a variety of sartorial situations.
This would make a great addition to a working wardrobe. The different panels of stripes on the torso give this a slightly more sophisticated feel than a normal shift dress and the illusion of a nipped in waist. Just slip on a red jacket, grab your briefcase and you’re ready to conquer the boardroom.
Debenhams Petite Navy Striped Dress
This petite number is the kind of dress that will take you anywhere, anytime. Smart enough for the office with pumps and a jacket, but relaxed enough for Spring/Summer weekends with friends, paired with a colourful cardigan in a bright spring colour – cobalt blue or orange, maybe even bright pink with wedged sandals or ghillie flats.
Don’t you just love the asymmetrical hem? And because it’s petite it won’t trail on the floor! HURRAH!
Marks & Spencer Petite Asymmetrical Hem Shift Dress
I couldn’t possibly leave out a maxi dress, especially as a) they are my favourite kind of dresses AND b) there is this corker of a striped maxi, relatively new in at M&S.
I fell in love with it, as soon as I saw it. I have floral and abstract patterned maxis in my wardrobe and I can now unashamedly confess, that I have, not just a striped maxi but a graded, striped maxi currently hanging in my wardrobe. I’m itching to wear it this summer! Bravo to M&S for coming up trumps with this dress. The graded stripes make the dress more visually interesting and with the diagonal stripes going down the skirt part of the dress, it’s very flattering on.
For a casual daytime look just slip on a denim jacket and for evenings dress it up with a statement necklace and wedged heels.
Marks & Spencer Petite Graded Striped Maxi Dress
Finally, for those of you who like their dresses with a little more of a tailored feel, you’ll like this simple and neat ASOS Petite Striped Shirt dress with D ring tie belt.
ASOS D ring Striped Shirt Dress
Jacket & Skirt
We’re back with M&S again (and no, they’re haven’t paid me for this post!) who are really rockin’ their stripes this season, for a jacket and a skirt. Now obviously you wouldn’t wear these together, unless you’re intending to make anyone who looks at you, cross-eyed!
However, if you only want to buy one key item that can be either formal or informal then either of these two hit the mark. They can be worn with endless colour combinations.
I love that little cut out detail at the waist on the jacket.
Marks & Spencer Petite Striped Jacket
This skater skirt is already sold out in sizes 10, 14 and 16, so I doubt it’s going to hang around for much longer. If I didn’t already have a black and white striped skirt, I’d be seriously considering this one.
Although it’s described as a skater skirt, it would also fit the bill for a petite as a midi as it hits just below the knee. Finding midis for petites is about as hard as finding snow leopards in the wild!
Marks & Spencer Petite Skater Skirt
Accessories
If you’re not keen on wearing stripes for the (unfounded) fear that they may make you look wide – this is really unfounded – then bring in your stripes via your accessories. For example, a simple striped scarf tied at the neck or in the hair is an elegant touch.
Or wear your white linen trousers with a cobalt blue or red tee and casually drape this scarf around your neck – perfect for Spring days when there’s still a nip in the air.
Woolovers Unisex Silk and Wool Striped Scarf
For a versatile and smart, everyday bag which makes a nod to the nautical with its textured striped central panel, go for this classic, bowling bag with crossbody strap. And the good news is, it’s currently on offer; 20% off.
Ben de Lisi Striped Bowling Bag
I love this wristlet clutch – a super chic way to take your stripes from day to night.
And for those lazy days on holiday, whether on the beach or strolling through cobbled streets in ancient villages, this is a good sized tote.
Why not take your nautical stripes to your feet with these sandals, that have an eye-catching, conversation-starting suede pompom on the toe!
BUT
you’ll have to have a spare, cool £625 to buy them! Amazingly, they are low in stock in most sizes, so somebody must be buying them! Suffice to say, it ain’t me, despite them being so unusual!
Mariela Montiel striped duchesse-satin sandals
However, I’ll probably settle for these fun Espadrille Flatforms at a more budget friendly £15.99.
Currently available for petite feet in size 3.
New Look Espadrille Flatform Sandals
Do you like the nautical look? Will you be incorporating some striped into your Spring wardrobe?
Linking with Garay Treasures / Sheela Writes /
I've never considered stripes as my favourite pattern but…I have so many stripy things in my wardrobe! Mostly tops and a few dresses. Will definitely wear at least some of them this spring 🙂
I seem to have loads of striped tops and just one stripey skirt! But I can't wait for Summer and I can now wear my stripy maxi dress!
such an amazing post!, love stripes and always thought they're fabulous to add some sailor-y mediterranean vibe to any outfit, but you've created a perfect report on how to wear stripes! with lots of attitude!!
besos
Thank you. You do stripes so well. I love how you mix them up with other patterns.
Hello, my name is Tiina and I'm a stripe-a-holic… And now I feel like I've just been booted out of rehab for being a hopeless case, and the first person I meet is a dealer (that would be you in this scenario)…
Ha, ha, Tiina! I've literally just read your breton post!!! Then I popped back here and you made me chuckle with laughter. I'm quite happy to be a dealer as having a stripe addiction is one that I say embrace!
I love stripes!! You have found so many good things. Love those pants and that jumpsuit especially.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
The pants are fun, aren't they? And I was quite surprised at finding the jumpsuit.
What a great post this is of highlighted striped fashions! Thanks for some great ideas and inspiration!
Thank you. Glad it's give you some inspiration.
I have way too many stripes, but somehow I'm always looking to add more to my collection. Speaking of which, the coat you featured is amazing! Also, I recently came across those satin flat sandals for $700 and then when I saw the price I wasn't quite so enthusiastic. Maybe they will go on clearance!
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
It is a beautiful coat – the photo doesn't do it justice. If only I was taller!!!
Ha, ha, I'm not if they do go to clearance that I'd be able to afford even the clearance price!
I love that striped blazer so much! 🙂 I've really been branching out and trying different layering options rather than just a scarf, and a striped blazer is one of those pieces I'd love to have. Something like my comfortable Zara jersey ones so that it works perfectly with jeans on the weekend!
Stripes are always a true classic, you couldn't go wrong with any of these striped pieces!
Away From The Blue Blog
Yes, that blazer also caught my eye. Something a little bit different than a cardigan or a plain blazer.
I just saw a striped shirt at Target last night, but talked myself out of it! I may have to run back and get it!! (I too love those expensive shoes—but I bet we could find a cheaper pair!!) jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Get back to Target!!!
The shoes are just too adorable but definitely need to find a cheaper pair!
As a huge stripes fan, I can't help but loving this post ! You did a great selection =) Kisses
Fashion and Cookies – fashion & beauty blog
Thank you Vale. Glad you liked the selection.
I'm a total sucker for stripes too! These are lovely! I have always wanted a red and white striped one but not found one I REALLY like!x
I do have a soft spot for stripes too! Keep hunting Kezzie – I'm sure you'll find one.
I do love some stripes! That Marks and Spencer skater skirt is amazing, I'll have to check it out in person!
It is rather a treat that skirt, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by, Gemma.
Oh, I love stripes and I love polka dots! What a great post and I have now been introduced to M&Co – thank you! Completely agree with you about the myth of horizontal stripes making you look wide – I did a little post about that on my blog (including badly drawn pictures) – the opposite is true, they actually make you look taller (scientifically proven)! So, yay for all things stripy!
You're welcome. M&Co don't have a massive selection but everything little helps and I have one or two pieces from them which I like. And yes, where do these myths start???? Vertical stripes can indeed make you look wider.
Hello my striped sister 🙂 I adore stripes!!! Especially when it's in different orientations on the one same outfit, isn't that glorious? I've been hunting for striped shoes and a striped bag for a bit now, so those cravings still need to be satiated at some point. And also a striped dress, and I adore the one you showed with the asymmetrical hemline. Anything asymmetrical gets me!!!
p/s incidentally, Jacqueline, my link-up is now live and I'd really love for you to come over xoxo
http://sheelagoh.com/2016/03/18/perfectly-flawed-a-link-up/
pp/s I'd fall flat on my face for Jasper Conran any day too, he was one of the very first gods to whom I genuflected 🙂
Yes, yes, yes, different orientations absolutely! The asymmetrical dress is fun isn't it? Thanks for the reminder – I've linked.
Snap! I've always admired Jasper Conran's work.
Some lovely pieces here,I love the Lands end hooded and the M&S jacket
Laurie x
The jacket is a great one, isn't it. Would go with so many things.