Amalfi | Claudia | 4 | $130

Nordstrom’s Westside Pavilion location will be hosting an Over/Under event Saturday April 21. The Over/Under events showcase racks and racks of shoes and boots from the Women’s, Junior’s (BP), and Salon departments—all under size 5 (4–4.5) and over 10.5.

A little birdie told me a couple of great brands — Amalfi and Munro — are to be featured this April.

Over/Under events take place only twice a year (the next will be in October) and only last for one day. The shoes are not on sale; this is a special event catered to us gals with teeny (or larger) feet. If you wear a small size shoe, this is a perfect opportunity to grab a pair or four.

Amalfi | Bethany | 4 | $140

For more information, or to sign up, call the Westside Pavilion’s Nordstrom location and put yourself on the event list. Event begins at 10am.

Nordstrom Westside Pavilion
10800 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 470-6155

Yaya Essex Rain Coat | P | $351

April showers bring… the overwhelming need for a stylish new raincoat?

Okay. So they bring May flowers, too. But one look at the Yaya Essex house raincoat, and you’ll forgive the rhyme. Truly the best raincoat in a P size that I’ve seen in years. Not to mention its on-sale status: $351. It’s classic. It’s gorgeous. It’s on sale. And it’ll fit.

Oh, and might I add that B.Luu is one of the best shops for small sizes…

Victoria’s Secret | Silk & Sequin Cami | XXS| $38

Gals can never have too many sexy camis in their closets, because nothing dresses up or dresses down so well. My next purchase: the silk and sequin cami from Victoria’s Secret. Sizing starts at XXS. And if that isn’t enough to convince you, this will: it’s on sale for $38.

I recently chatted with the lovely and talented Christa MacLellan about fashion, petite shopping, and her blog. She lives in Toronto, where she writes about her life and what it’s like to be a petite fashionista.

What brands are in your closet?
Velvet, Enjoy, Forever 21, Joe’s Jeans, Lululemon, and H&M.

How tall are you? And what size do you wear?
I’m 5′2″ and a size 0.

Where do you shop?
H&M, online stores, boutiques in uptown Toronto, eBay, and every vintage shop I can find.

Your favorite online shops?
For something personal, I look to cafepress.com; bargain, eBay; and for luxury, none other than neimanmarcus.com.

Favorite uptown Toronto shops?
Muskat Brown, Enjoy, Mendocino, Heidi Ho, Lululemon, and Accessorize for the best accessories and cami/panty sets.

Joe’s Jeans | Petite Provocateur | 24 | $158

Tell me about your blog. What would you like my readers to know about it?
I blog about what I find interesting, entertaining, and helpful as a petite. Sometimes it’s the style of a petite celeb, or the savvy petite woman on the street. Just whenever I read or see something that’s worth sharing.

Anything new and exciting you’ve found? Petite brands, shopping etc?
I love the brand Tamiece out of San Francisco — these gals have created a petite line that is youthful, sexy, and playful. I really hope they make it. They are truly unique!

Anything else you would like my readers to know?
Most importantly, I want readers to understand that being petite means that you are under 5′4″ — in any size. You can be a size 12 petite! I think that’s a common misconception. With my blog, I hope to appeal to petites of every shape and size.

Foot Petals
Not pedals, as in foot-straps for your bicycle, but petals. As in, saving dainty divas from a night of 3-inch-heel torture. These heavenly pieces fit nicely in all shoe sizes (yes, that includes you, Ms. Size 5), and they are loads more comfortable than those standard insoles. Offered in a variety of styles and designs (for us style conscious gals), these handy little shoe pads are great in all types of shoes. Because being beautiful shouldn’t be painful. And because achy feet suck.

I prefer the Tip Toes. With these, I can shift from a day at my busy office to a night out in Hollywood — without pleading for a barstool.

You can find them at Target, Zappos, and on their official website.

Coin Purse
Yes, I’m a city girl. No, I never have money for a parking meter. And while shopping on Robertson, the meter maids are quick to remind me of this little detail, slapping a $40 up-charge while shopping.

But I digress.

I’ve invested in a variety of change purses, which have been more than helpful –especially when in a rush. I always have a quarter for the meter. The only problem? You have to remember to fill it up.

Don’t want to spend more than a handful of change on your new accessory? Try a trip to Chinatown. I found my latest mini-clutch there for $2. You’ll have luck at any shop in Chung King Plaza.

If you’d prefer something a bit plusher, Hayden Harnett has a great selection of coin purses that will accessorize any purse. And, it costs only as much as your next potential parking ticket.

Purse Hanger
I don’t are how ‘hip’ and ‘clean’ a restaurant always is, I don’t want to rest my Chloe purse on just any old floor. Fortunately, those days are over. The purse saver? None other than Flo’s Fabulous Purse Hangers. These hangers come in a variety of styles, and they fit perfectly in even the smallest-sized purse. These miraculous little hangers bend to lay flat and, with the slightest touch, voila! transforms itself into a purse hook. You can find Flo’s hangers online at her official website.

This month I’m featuring a handful of bloggers for your extended petite shopping enjoyment. My interviews have unearthed worthy shopping information for every petite shopper. Hope it’s helpful in your quest in finding the right sizes!

San Francisco-based Pink Mirage is a prolific shoe blogger with frivolous and decadent posts of the finest shoes to satisfy any fetish. Pink Mirage is a perfect oasis for every fancy shoe addict.

What brands are in your closet?
A lot of Ann Taylor; some Bebe; some of the Nordstrom’s store brands such as Classiques Entier, Caslon, Nordstrom Kids (don’t laugh, I know some of you shop in the kids’ aisle because you’re petite, too!);
Wacoal Petites (highly recommend); Calvin Klein; XOXO; and Easy Spirit shoes. And I guess a whole bunch of other ones that I have 1 or 2 items of.

How tall are you? What clothing and size shoe do you wear?
I’m 5’1”. However, my friend thinks that’s a bit generous.

I wear 0–2 petite, although I will range up to a 4 petite; really just depends on how the clothing fits on my body and how the brand sizes its own clothing.

My shoe size is 5–5-1/2 U.S., or around 35 European.

Ann Taylor | Crochet Cardigan | PXXS | $128

Where do you shop, including online, for petite sizes?
Ann Taylor carries a lot of petite clothing options (hence why I have a lot of clothing from them). Easy Spirit carries a wide range of shoe sizes, although sometimes you have to be prepared to splurge and pay nearly regular price for the remaining in-store size 5–5-1/2 pair.

Classiques Entier | XS | $350

I tend to buy in-store and I like going to factory outlets for all the good deals. Nordstrom’s Rack and Marshall’s are good stores for bargain hunting. I haven’t really ordered clothing online besides pajamas; which don’t really have any sizing issues.

What is your favorite article(s) of clothing and why?
Well, since I am a shoe blogger, I guess I should pick my current favorite pair of boots. I like that they aren’t too high and are good for California winter weather. However, I will warn you: the heel of light-colored socks will turn black (apparently they used some sort of non-colorfast cloth in the heel area).

Edited by serafina

The absolute best pair of skinny jeans I have found that fit my skinny lil frame impeccably are Diesel’s Lowky Lowrise skinny jeans. Available in their deep indigo wash, they fit divinely in the leg and make my ass look utterly marvelous. And, as a skinny jean, there are no pain points with the fit.

Over the years I’ve found myself purchasing Diesel when other high-end denim lines didn’t fit or were outrageously priced. For me, Diesel gives me the most bang for my buck and I’m never disappointed with my purchase, or the fit. Diesel jeans come in sizes as small as 24W/30L.

Diesel’s Lowky Lowrise skinny jeans can be found at the Diesel stores at Third Street Promenade and the Beverly Center for between $220 - $260.

DIESEL Santa Monica
1340 Third Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 899-3055

DIESEL Los Angeles
Beverly Center #778
8500 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 652-5504

Online you can find these jeans at eLuxury for $125.

Petite professionals, hear this: You don’t have to settle for Ann Taylor (and the like) for smart office attire.

Follow my lead: I frequent BCBG for stylish work clothes. And why? Because its size 0 / XXS fits me oh-so-well with a line that caters to a size 32 bust, 25 waist, and 35 hip.

BCBG suits are equal parts sexy and professional. Size XXS is a comfortable fit around the shoulders, and the leg length is perfect — a reoccuring problem for little me. I wear BCBG’s suits almost exclusively — not only for the fit, but because the colors and fabrics are more appealing than the usual, bland neutral-toned petite suits.

While in NYC last weekend, I paid a visit to the Flatiron BCBG boutique on 5th Avenue. And, as expected, its sales staff was duly educated in BCBG merchandise and sizing. So I asked about petite sizing, and just how many of those coveted sizes arrive per order. This particular shop generally orders five size XXSs in tops and dresses, and five size 0s in pants and skirts, and only one or two size 5s in all shoe and boot styles.

All things considered, I’m impressed.

Most shops order a mere one XXS size per style, and even that varies per order. Same goes for retail boutiques and larger stores such as Nordstrom’s and Dillard’s.

Another BCBG option for XXS is their BCBGirls lines. And while the styles are a bit more youthful, its flare adds a much-needed kick to the solid colors and straight lines of a typical professional gal’s wardrobe. Their size chart varies from BCBG: the size 0 / XS caters to a size 32 bust, 25 waist and 35 hip.

BCBG locations run the gamut in SoCal. In LA, you can find BCBG XXS sizes at the following locations:

BCBG: Max Azria - Hollywood & Highland Center
6801 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 463–1922

BCBG: Max Azria - Rodeo Drive
443 North Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 275–3024

BCBGirls & BCBG: Max Azria - Melrose
8026 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 658–8083

BCBGirls at BCBGirls - Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Drive
Commerce, CA 90040
(323) 722–8313

The best BCBG boutiques in NYC:

BCBGMAXAZRIA - Flatiron
168 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 989–7307

BCBGMAXAZRIA - SoHo
120 Wooster Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 625–2723

Marky, the doyenne of the exquisite European-import shoe boutique has an exclusive offer for Serafina readers: Enter SERAFINA at checkout and save 15% on your order. All sale items (except “at cost” sale boots) are eligible. Now, that’s rapture.

Gigi Favela “Raida”
Celebrate your inner high-heel-aholic with Gigi Favela’s out-and-out dazzling cherry-red patent leather pump. Made in Northern Italy with the finest materials, these gorgeous gold-heeled pumps are very movie-star-in-Milan: glamorous and captivating.
$310

Missoni “Flora Wedge”
A posh, lady-of-leisure print meets a touch of bohemian rhapsody in Missoni’s floral patent wedge. These baroque wedges come with something a little extra… attitude.
$695

All of the below styles are made in Italy with leather soles and uppers, and are available in size 5-1/2 & 6 (36 Italian). 

Missoni “Bow Sandal”
Detailed with the iconic Missoni print, these playful, ladies-who-lunch, downtown version, rich, metallic cocoa sandals are feminine, yet edgy, and undeniably cool.
$549.00

Alberto Zago “Asmara Bianco”
Irresistibly flirty, Zago’s brushed-metal button sandals are begging for an afternoon of mint juleps at the Ivy. Who knew white leather could be so posh.
$188.00 (“at cost” sale price)

 

*Alberto Zago “Glove Pistachio”
Such a statement-making shade of citrus-hued pistachio, Zago’s ripe-for-picking ankle wrap wedge sandals have a chicest-girl- at-the-art-opening vibe.
$230.00 (“at cost” sale price)

*This shoe is not available on the Marky website, but is available for purchase by calling the shop or e-mailing Marky directly. She will be happy to assist promptly.

Feel like you haven’t lived la dolce vita in a while? This spring, channel your inner Italian diva with the exquisite d’Orsay aqua-trimmed, chocolate zebra print pump, exclusively offered by European shoe boutique Marky.

About to be put into production in Italy, this elegant and wickedly hip shoe will set you apart from the hoi polloi. Ladies, this is an amazing opportunity; your friends will be green with envy when you tell them that your splendiferous pumps were handmade in Italy — especially for you. All for only $330 USD.

Marky is now accepting orders in sizes 35 to 42 (including half sizes). The d’Orsay does run true to size; however, I suggest you consider ordering a half-size smaller than you generally wear due to the open toe and suede/leather upper (suede stretches). Order now and these lovelies can be yours by April 1, 2007 — just in time for spring. Order online and Marky will ship directly to you, or should you find yourself in the Windy City, you can pick them up at the boutique.

Marky
3919 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 248–1500