THE BEST BRANDS TO BUILD PETITE OR PLUS SIZE CAPSULE WARDROBES
International Fashion Company Who What Wear just said, I was an “expert at putting together capsule wardrobes.” After a long time building petite and plus-size capsule wardrobes, I’ve found a short list of brands that make it easy and never disappoint. Shop now and please share this post with someone who struggles with finding clothes that fit their body type.
PETITE OR PLUS SIZE BRAND DIRECTORY
My cheerleader, client, and friend Nancy stepped out of her comfort zone and in front of the camera to help me demonstrate why great style doesn’t discriminate. Although she didn’t feel comfortable “on camera” she agreed to be because she does “feel great going out”.
I’m 5’4″ and wear a size 0, but after more than two decades as a personal stylist, I love sharing options for all shapes and sizes. Here is my list of the best brands to build a petite or plus size capsule wardrobe along with some stylist tips for finding the best fit for your body.
Investment Pieces
Something every stylish woman has in common is the ability to layer. Layering pulls a look together and helps flatter our figures.
Long cardigans are effortlessly cool and help to hide any imperfections. Designer styles like these even elevate a $12 Rolling Stones graphic tee and Spanx leggings. Nancy just got this reversible Gucci style and it’s stunning.
Blazers do the best job because they help define our waistline. Veronica Beard makes the best styles for all body types. Nancy and I are both wearing the one-button Scuba and Natalia and I are both wearing the #1 selling Miller. Get them both in sizes 00-24 HERE.
VINCE
A slip skirt is one of my New Wardrobe Checklist Items and a key piece in several of my capsule wardrobe checklists. This one from Vince is flattering on everyone. You’ll find the best selection of VINCE extended sizes HERE.
Quality Affordable Fashion For All Body Types
Nordstrom Private label does the best job of making quality affordable fashion for all. Their exclusive brands run big but work well if you’re someone who falls in between regular and plus sizes.
Nordstrom Exclusive Brands
CAPSULE WARDROBE JEAN BRANDS SIZE 00-24
Denim is the backbone of all of our wardrobes. Take my free Jean Quiz to find the best fit for your body type. Here are some size-inclusive favorites.
NYDJ Sheri Slim
This is the Sheri Slim Nancy is wearing in white. It comes in 3 lengths petite, regular, and plus sizes. For a better fit, the opening at the ankle is wider (15″) on the plus size style, and a little higher in the rise (11.5″).
NYDJ Chloe Cropped
If you have short legs and are looking for “cropped” pants with a slit you don’t have to hem the Chole comes in a petite 21″ inseam or plus 23″ inseam.
NYDJ Ava Darling
These are Nancy’s favorite crop flare jeans. You can find them in 4 colors HERE sizes 00-22.
KUT
Nancy and I both bought these trending wide-leg crops for fall. See more styles from KUT HERE.
Fidelity Favorites
Natalia 5’8 and 38DD is wearing a size 31. I’m 5’4” and 32aa and wearing a size 25.
Fidelity Juniper
Rise: 10″ | Leg opening: 16.5″ | Inseam: 26″ | size 24-32
Fidelity Cher Straight Leg
Rise:10” | Leg opening: 13” | Inseam: 27 | size 24-32
Good American
Good American does a great job making flatting “skinny” jeans for sizes 00-22.
THE SECRET SAUCE FOR A PETITE AND PLUS-SIZE CAPSULE WARDROBE
Hallelujah, it’s never noticeable by your accessories when you gain 10 pounds. Accessories are one of the best secret weapons stylists use. I promise you’ll never regret a designer accessory purchase. Here is a short list of my favorites for everyone.
Designer Bag
My designer handbag directory has the complete list, but here are a few of my current crushes starting with Chloe. Chole’s “Marice” was featured in my First Look at Fall Capsule Wardrobe. She’s that perfect mix of classic and casual. At 11.75″W x 9″H x 3.5″D she makes a great handbag for someone small, but she also works beautifully as a cross-body bag for someone tall.
YSL
Here my 5’8″ friend Natalia holding the YSL camera bag and I have on the Small Loulou (9×6.6×3.5 with an 11.8-22 inch strap. Both of these are the most popular styles for all shapes and sizes.
CHAIN LENGTH: 10.2 TO 18.8 INCHES
Make sure you pay close attention to the dimensions not just the description online. Most of the time the medium Loulou is too big, but it can be deceiving.
In the Instagram video with Nancy, I have the Wallet on a Chain and Nancy has the Large Envelope. A Wallet on a Chain is great for everyone and especially great for travel since it easily converts to a clutch.
Nancy and I are both nuts for Valentino. If you crave a little color click here to shop a current round-up of Valentino available right now at Saks.
David Yurman Two-Tone Jewelry
I have a lot of jewelry but I wear my two-tone David Yurman pieces the most. A two-tone set is all you need when you travel and is another stylist tip for mixing metals in your outfit.
My Current Rotation – Small Scale
Nancy’s Current Rotation – Large Scale
