serafina Petite Fashion Blog » 2007

Archive for September, 2007

pencil skirts

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Channel your inner Garbo, girls. Pencil skirts are back! And there’s no better way to show off your gams and sexy curves than in a close-fitting, timeless, and oh, so va-va-voom, 40s-inspired pencil skirt. Pair it with a pair of stilettos and you’ve got a look that will give Veronica Lake a run for her money. Available from nearly every designer, in every fabric and color imaginable, including denim, this season’s classic skirts can work at the office or after hours.

Look for cuts that hit right at the knee, or slightly above, to elongate your legs.

My faves? So glad you asked:

D&G Denim Pencil Skirt

D&G Denim Pencil Skirt | 2 | $175

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Rebecca Taylor | 0 | Lace Pencil Skirt $280

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AG Chelsea | 24 | 5-pocket Denim Skirt ($145)

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J Crew | 0P | Stretch Vintage Cord Skirt ($68)

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Da Vinci Ruched Pencil Skirt

Da Vinci Rushed Pencil Skirt | 0 | $230

Posted in Online Shopping, Skirts | No Comments »

technology fashion

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

Just when you think you’re doomed to forever carry that oh-so-not-chic, been-through-the-wood-chipper polyvinyl mess of an excuse for a laptop bag, along comes Kolobags, a one-stop shop for technology fashion. Offering an enormous selection of hand-selected designer laptop bags from around the world – in whatever shape you’re looking for — the site is incredibly easy to navigate: you can shop by style, color, designer, or size.

And, to make your experience even sweeter, Kolobags is offering a 10% discount to serafina readers who order before by October 31. Just enter ‘koloserafina’ at checkout. You can also get a free shipping coupon mailed to you if you sign up to their newsletter.

Suddenly, work just got more interesting.

Casauri Striped Envelope Case | $78

The cure for an overly minimal outfit — irresistibly fun and fresh. Casauri’s striped envelope case is simply radiant in a funky Paul Smith-esque print.

Gina B. Bella Bag | $278

This is the bag that will make your co-workers green with envy. With a bohemian, relaxed-and-tactile quality, the Bella bag looks dreamily luxe. A great work-to-cocktails option — sharp and dignified. Must. Have. This. Bag.

Gina B Molly Bag

Gina B. Molly Bag | $288

Beautifully pared down, this bag has the elusive appeal of a status handbag. A terrific everyday carrier, distinguished and stylish. It doesn’t matter if it’s a workday, a play day, a holiday, or a Sunday, this bag is classic chic and utterly timeless.

Metstyle Bowler Bag

Metstyle Milano Bowler | $110

Playfully eclectic, and a spectacular take on the iconic bowler bag. So fun I can’t stand it. I’m so inspired I may even take up bowling.

Lodis Milano Audrey Tote

Lodis Milano Audrey Tote | $275

A simple and functional tote that’s loaded with style and straight-up elegance in cranberry-red Italian leather. Old-world and graceful – very Italian heiress.

Samsonite Verana Leather Tote

Samsonite Verana Leather Tote | $149

Who knew the ubiquitous luggage company could be so posh. Stylishly sturdy, with a drawstring closure, silver grommets, and ample outer pockets for stashing gadgets and essentials.

Moonsus Legal Satchel | $221

A smart and an entirely ladylike take on the legal satchel. It’s impossible not to love this fantastically versatile carryall.

Posted in Online Shopping, Bags | No Comments »

bdb: t-bags & allegra hicks sale

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007

Posted in Sales | No Comments »

5ft2in: all petites welcome

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

Sunny Suppa Image Ladies, ever lament why all the world’s pants are designed for women who have gams longer than a football field?

An ongoing problem for petite gals of all sizes, and also the cry of help that Sunny Suppa, president, founder, and designer of the new pants line 5ft2in™, relied on in desperate moments. Being a petite gal who needed properly fitted pants, Sunny realized her calling and developed a new line especially for us smaller gals.

Introducing 5ft2in™, the pants line that caters to professional women sized 5’2” and under. Although not yet available in shops (keep faith, she promises very soon), they’re likely to change your world. I was lucky to get an interview with Sunny this month. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

1. What inspired you to begin your petite pants line?

Petite women inspired me! I was a design student who had just learned how to sew when professional petite women started to ask me to help them hem their pants for their office jobs. I never intended to do hemming work but soon the word spread and I became the hemming girl. I found myself surrounded by professional petite women who all encouraged me to start a clothing line for vertically-challenged women because there’s nothing out there in the stores.

2. Tell me about your line.

5ft2in™ is a pants line designed for professional petite women who are 5’2” and under in all sizes. My definition of a professional woman is woman who either works in an office or has her own business and she has to look professional in her work environment. I design pants that are perfect for business casual and can be worn from day to night. What’s special about these pants is that I did not use industry sizing standards to create them. Instead, I created my own sizing standards by studying the petite women’s bodies. The fit is really what make 5ft2in™ pants stand apart, and they don’t need hemming!

3. Can you tell me what your pants will be like? Materials, sizing, designs?

The material I used is a mix of rayon, polyester, and a touch of Lycra. It’s machine washable and extremely comfortable. All of the pants are made for petite women and they are tested on petite women. The first line for 5ft2in™ is a collection of classic inspired contemporary pants. As much as I enjoy fashion, it was important for me to create these classic pieces first to ensure that petite women out there have their closet essentials. Sometimes the hardest item to find at the store is a pair of simple black pants that fit!

4. When will 5′2″™ be available for purchase? Online/ in stores?

I’m talking to a couple of stores right now and there’s a possibility of a trunk show coming up at the end of the year. I’m also working on getting my e-commerce site up so petite women can shop to their heart’s content! Please check my website for updates, www.5ft2in.com.

5. What sizes will you carry?

Sizes offered right now are from 0 – 12, and the pants run small. As the company grows, I plan included other sizes from 00 all way to 28; however, for now, I have to start with what is manageable for my company size.

6. Will you only create pants or will you also have shorts, skirts, etc.?

In the beginning, there will be pants and capris. I plan to add more styles in the future, including shorts and skirts.

7. What pants do you currently wear? Can you recommend them to my readers?

Right now I usually wear Banana Republic or Ann Taylor. I have a really hard time finding pants that fits in the store for my height (I’m 5’2 ½”). I love Lucky Brand jeans.

8. I’m just barely 5′4″ and a 00P. Do you think you will leave enough material in the pant hem for girls my size to take the hem down?

I’m really glad you asked this question. One unique feature about 5ft2in™ pants is that they are made with generous hem that allows petite women the ability to cuff their pants and still have it look proper if they need to. For instance, they can cuff their pants during their commute on the subway, and let it down when they put on their heels at work. This feature has a great alternative benefit: if you happen to find the pants too short for you (a rare occurrence for petite woman) there should be plenty of material to take down.

9. Did I miss anything? Anything else you would like my readers to know?

In the beginning when I started this company, I hit some bumps in the road and it made me doubt what I was doing. I wondered: Did my company truly have potential? Once again petite women set me straight as I watch their reactions to 5ft2in™. From their feedback, I came to realize that in addition to designing clothes, I was doing something greater for petite women. I was making them feel good about themselves. And that’s when I realized the mission 5ft2in™ is about empowerment and giving back confidence to petite women. So I want your readers to know that I truly appreciate hearing from them and their feedback means a lot to me and the development of 5ft2in™. I do read all the e-mails I receive, and, though I may not always be able to write back to everyone in a timely manner, I am listening and please keep your feedback coming. My e-mail is info (at) 5ft2in (dot) com.

edited by serafina

Photo credit: Jennifer Graham Photography, www.jgrahamphoto.com

Posted in Designers, Pants | 4 Comments »

september sales & events

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

There are good things opening up all over LaLaLand this month. Petite women, start your engines. It’s time to shop!

Privee Cropped Baby Doll Jacket | P | $268

Intermix

No longer do I have to shed tears about needing a trip to SoHo to visit the one-stop shopping mecca, Intermix. SoHo’s fashionable Intermix opened a shop on Robertson this weekend. Find your favorite small sizes in Theory, DVF, Stella McCartney, and much, much more.

Intermix
110 N. Robertson Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90048
(310) 860-0113

Mon - Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

James Perse Cowl Neck Dress | 1 | $215

James Perse

James Perse has finally graced Beverly Hills with brand-spanking-new 5,000 square foot flagship shop. Let the joy begin! Get L.A. cozy with his line of fantastic soft cotton basics. Choose from a cornucopia of soft-as-a-baby’s-bottom tees, bathing suits, bags, and loungewear.

James Perse
357 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Warehouse Sample Sale

The Warehouse Sample Sale tours the country offering huge discounts on premium denim lines. This month they hit L.A., offering up to 80% off all denim. That’s right, eighty percent. Go get ‘em, girls.

L.A. Convention Center
Concourse Hall
1201 S. Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90015

September 23rd
Sun: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Remember to RSVP or it’ll cost you 5 bucks.

Only Hearts So Fine Bralette | P/S | $42

Montana Avenue Giveaway

Enter by the end of the month for a chance to win a $2,500 shopping spree on the West Side. What woman doesn’t need a glamorous shopping spree? Register before September 29 to win at a handful of trendy Montana Avenue boutiques: Il Primo Passo, Aura, Blues Jean Bar, Jill Roberts, Holiday, Planet Blue, Only Hearts, LuxeHaus, and Moondance.

Posted in Shops, Sales, Contests | No Comments »

shopbop sale: new markdowns

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

Shopbop has graced us with another online sale. Find Vince, Hanky Panky, Splendid, Alice & Olivia and oh so much more.

Posted in Online Shopping, Sales | No Comments »

panty raid sale

Sunday, September 9th, 2007

Panty Raid in Silver Lake is having a big lingerie sale — find Hanky Panky, Timpa, Cosabella, Eberjey, Mary Green and more. Stop in to inspect their overflowing XS sale bin.

Panty Raid
2378 1/2 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 668-1888

Posted in Shops, Lingerie, Sales | No Comments »

petite legs denim

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

Ladies, I’m on a mission to save us that requisite trip to the tailors after an otherwise-perfect shopping spree. And, finally. Finally, I tell you! I’ve found the answer.

Introducing Petite Legs, a new UK-based line of denim designed exclusively for those 5’2” and under. President, founder, and designer, Samantha Loton, shares our passion for jeans that fit perfect the first time.

Petite Legs Short Leg Fit Denim

1. What inspired your petite-pants line?

As a 5-foot petite girl with an inside leg length of 26 inches and a UK Size 8 body, shopping for jeans would always border on impossible! I would scout the petite sections, find a pair I liked, and they would still be far too long at the leg. I would always have to pay extra for an alteration service, and it frustrated me how I wasn’t of abnormal size, and yet the shops wouldn’t cater for my jeans needs at all. I became aware of petite girls around me with rolled up jean legs and frayed trouser hems from too long trousers dragging along the ground, and realized just how difficult it is for us petites to buy jeans. So, to save myself and other petites from being banished to children’s sections, I created Petite Legs!

2. Tell me about your line. Where are you located?

Petite Legs is located in England; Norwich and Lincoln. Our boutique is currently on eBay, which can be found through our Web site.

3. What are the materials, sizing, designs like?

Currently, Petite Legs stock mainly denim jeans, as I felt buying jeans was the main problem for us petites, as they are hardest to alter. Petite Legs focuses on inside leg length/inseam as the most important factor, and we currently range from 26” leg to 29” — but plan to include smaller sizes. Our jeans are of excellent quality, with stylish and unique designs. We are still a new boutique, so we are working on expanding our selection of designs and sizes, but currently aim to stock to offer something to everyone’s liking. Styles currently include Straight Leg, Boot Cut, Flair, Wide Leg, and Tight Fit. Waist-wise, we range from a UK size 6 to a UK size 16, and are developing our range to include plus-sized petite leg jeans.

Petite Legs Gorgeous Fit Denim

4. I see that Petite Legs is an eBay boutique. Will you be selling the line to any US or UK shops?

No, our line is available exclusively to our Petite Legs eBay boutique, with plans to open an online store: www.petitelegs.co.uk.

5. Will you have only denim, or will you also feature trousers?

We intend on expanding our range to include petite trousers as well as denim jeans, and plan on increasing our range of crop trousers.

Petite Legs Low Rise Denim

6. Will you only create pants or will you also have shorts, skirts, etc.?

We plan to expand our whole range, with jeans available in a short-leg length from UK sizes 6 – 18. And if personal demand is there, we hope to stock sizes around this, so please contact us with suggestions! We also have exciting plans to expand to general petite-sized clothing such as shorts and skirts, and possibly upper-body clothing. So, bookmark petitelegs.co.uk and see how Petite Legs develops!

7. What size are you? Which designers do you currently wear? And can you recommend them to my readers?

I am a size 8 with an inside leg length of 26 inches, meaning I always struggle finding jeans to fit! I’ve only ever found one pair of jeans that fit me perfectly at the leg, and these were capri trousers from Gap. I love the style of jeans from Topshop, but I always find them too long at the leg, and have to pay for alterations. Next has a good petite range but, again, I had to get them turned up.

Petite Legs Straigt Leg Denim

Petite Legs Straight Leg Denim

8. Anything new that you would like to share?

We encourage any advice and suggestions from petite girls, and would like to know what they want to see from Petite Legs. It’s also helpful to know what sizes people are, so I can take this into account when sourcing jeans!

9. Did I miss anything? Anything else you would like my readers to know?

I would like to explain that with Petite Legs jeans, our focus is on the inside leg length being petite, which means you don’t have to be a petite girl to have shorter legs. So we encourage suggestions from larger girls with shorter legs in order to expand our larger waist range.

10. Your smallest UK size is a size 6 (US 4). Any word on when you plan to offer smaller sizes like UK 2 & 4 (US 0 & 2)?

Currently the smallest waist size we offer is size 6 (UK), but we do aim to offer smaller sizes in the near future.

edited by serafina

Posted in Denim, Online Shopping, Designers, Pants | No Comments »