high waisted Archives > splash of chic

I like to start off a new year with some fresh new wardrobe basic, and I have been stocking up over the last few weeks. The majority of my shopping has been centered around basics, therefore I started wondering if other people do the same. There is a lot of value in creating a strong basics foundation in your wardrobe.

If you are wondering what basic clothing means, essentially, you can wear basics with anything and everything as the foundation of a “look”. It is important to have a variety of t-shirts, bodysuits, and button down basics because your looks can morph with one foundational basic to another.

For example, take the bodysuit below, and pair it with jeans and tennis shoes. the look initially is daytime and a chill night with friends outfit. Once you take off the tennis shoes and throw on a pair of heels you have transitioned to night time. You can also take that same bodysuit and pair it with cozy shorts, and you are just casually hanging at home. All 3 of those looks are with off of one transitional basic.

Because I like versatility in my basics I am always on the hunt for good quality that will last. My favorite retailer for wardrobe basics recently is the Abercrombie’s Soft A&F Collection. They are quality fabrics and they also have a great sale going on as they get new seasonal items in.

Take a peak at the links below if you are in the market for some staples to build your outfits in your wardrobe for each season or just stay cozy at home.

Basics in my closet include:

Oversized Boyfriend Tee in Black & White
Fitted Black & White Tee’s in Black & White
Black & White Lace Bodysuits

Abercrombie Basics on Sale with Links:

Boyfriend Tee Shirt: Linked Here
Soft A&F Terry Shorts: Linked Here
Long Sleeve Asymmetrical Body Suit: Linked Here
Leopard Sunday Shorts: Linked Here
Long Sleeve Cozy T-Shirt: Linked Here

Boyfriend Tee Shirt
Soft A&F Terry Shorts
Long Sleeve Asymmetrical Bodysuit
Leopard Sunday Shorts

In summary make sure you find basics that fit your body and are made of good quality fabric so that they wear well. Never underestimate the power of the basic, and once you find a great source stick with them!

Ordering clothes online, just like shopping in retail stores, can sometimes be incredibly frustrating to find the right fit. This is especially true when you are a petite framed individual. Ordering online only seems to intensify the issue. The main reason is it takes us even further away from the physical product.

In the last year I haven’t been shopping in store, but ordering online for obvious reasons. Since my job has me “staying home” my entire wardrobe has shifted to more “comfortable” clothes. This has doubled my shopping online, and with that, doubled all the returns to FedEx and UPS. I have finally said enough, and decided to put together a style guide for myself on how to dress a petite frame like mine.

Instead of continuing on the endless cycle of ordering and returning consistently I started researching if there was a style guide that petites could follow as their fashion bible. Once I started researching it seemed there was a golden rule of fashion that not just petites, but everyone should follow, the rule of thirds.

When you ask google to define the rule of thirds it says, “1/3 to 2/3 ratio is the most aesthetically pleasing division of spaces.” Esthetically pleasing sounds good to me, and on top of that this fashion rule to live by actually goes back to ancient Greece, so I’m thinking there has to be something to it! Ratio’s may not make sense to us initially, but essentially this means if you dress in the correct proportions for your size you won’t look frumpy, stumpy or unflattering. 🙂

Now we know the rule of thirds needs to be our style guide for fashion, now how do we put this into practice?

No problem! We put together a pairing list that will help make it easier to put this rule into practice. While putting this rule into practice can get confusing I kept it as simple as possible.

There are three ways to formulate an outfit in this Style Guide:

1/3 on top & 2/3 on the bottom
- Cropped or tucked top & high wasted pants Free People Example: Link
- Cropped or tucked top & high wasted skirt Reformation Example: Link
2/3 on top & 1/3 on the bottom
- Midi dress-for petites with slit: Link
1/3 on top & 1/3 in the middle Reiss Example: Link
- Tucked top with skirt-It’s best to leave a separation between the clothing and your shoes.

Style Guide: What to buy as a Petite?

Agolde High Rise Cropped Jeans. Easily pairs well with heels or flats, and looks great on a petite frame.
Mini Bag
High Wasted Mini Skirt
Pointed Toe Clear Heels

High Waisted & Cropped Pants by Agolde Here
Mini Bag by Charles & Keith Here
Mini Skirt by Free People H ere
Crop Blouses or Tops by Free People on Revolve Here

Hopefully you can use this as a style guide to style your petite frame.