Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cropped pants (think: Talbots) with a blouse and flats.

Take this or leave it, OP, it's just my opinion, but cropped pants make short women look shorter.

Agree! It adds a horizontal line where you don't need it.

X100. I am 5'5 and 120 lbs and they make me look like shit. Adding that line is the equivalent of wearing a sandal or shoe that cuts you off mid-ankle. For tall women only.

Check out Universal Standard to see if they have pieces that you like.

https://www.universalstandard.com/collections/black-friday-sale?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz8H74Zyn7QIViaeGCh1RiwvEEAAYASAAEgKcZfD_BwE

Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at these two - I think I'd fit into a 35/36?

-op

https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/pants/straight/garmentdyed-foundry-pant/AP392?rrec=true

https://www.jcrew.com/us/p/womens_category/pants/straight/vintage-straight-pant-in-garmentdyed-stretch-chino/AB648?color_name=honey-brown&noPopUp=true&srccode=Paid_Search|Smart_Shopping|Google|SS_ACQ_WPROD_BOTTOMSxxxxxx_EVG_ROAS_XXX_COUSA_EN_EN_A_CREW_GO_SH_SSC_xxxxxxxxxx,shop_wbottoms_x_xxx,PRODUCT_GROUP,71700000066617218,58700005851382024,p57824859589&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Paid_Search&utm_campaign=SS_ACQ_WPROD_BOTTOMSxxxxxx_EVG_ROAS_XXX_COUSA_EN_EN_A_CREW_GO_SH_SSC_xxxxxxxxxx,shop_wbottoms_x_xxx&utm_content=Shopping&NoPopUp=True&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQiAh4j-BRCsARIsAGeV12Cn3DplDaxnT0Q2Sn_7YQibRFdqIJ4JyT3tFgb_7KiOavyPYVs4sdsaAuyEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

As others have said, j crew sizing is all over the place. For instance I have two pair of pants, one in a 31 and the other in a 27, and they both fit great.

I would avoid the first link. That style of pants looks awesome on tall, lanky women who can pull off “baggy” while still looking thin. On anyone else it can. Easily get frumpy or make you look larger than you are.

The second pair is much better since it’s structured. However, the sizing may be off.

Have you considered a nice pair of black jeans? Madewell and J Crew both make some with a little stretch that could be nice.

Finally, the Birdie shoes you posted are great. I’d never heard of them and think I will now buy some. So thank you!

Have you seen these: https://www.anthropologie.com/plus-size-clothing

Not classic like you asked, but some fun pieces to throw in!

Just make sure you wear stuff that is properly fitted. Slim fitting dark bottoms, fitted tunic tops (no v-necks if you are bosomy). Baggy clothing on larger women just makes them look bigger.

Anonymous wrote:For shoes I've been looking at these

-op

https://www.barbour.com/us/barbour-wilton-wellingtons-black

https://www.madewell.com/the-frances-skimmer-in-leather-99105759936.html?source=googlePLA&noPopUp=true&srcCode=Paid_Search|Shopping_Brand|Google|MWGGBS00002_99105759936_8103873265_87099256071_293946777986_m_pla_local_1266_9003464&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQiAh4j-BRCsARIsAGeV12BolVoabnUANfeYc9ggoSdi9O-P6DbA149XcyoOTU7I67GClkpwOToaAoYUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://birdies.com/products/womens-flats-starling-brown-leather?variant=28874346463312

https://nisolo.com/products/womens-all-weather-boot-brandy

The pointy-toed Madewell shoes seem like your best bet if you're going for slimming, but it really depends on your style and lifestyle.

Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at these two - I think I'd fit into a 35/36?

-op

https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/pants/straight/garmentdyed-foundry-pant/AP392?rrec=true

https://www.jcrew.com/us/p/womens_category/pants/straight/vintage-straight-pant-in-garmentdyed-stretch-chino/AB648?color_name=honey-brown&noPopUp=true&srccode=Paid_Search|Smart_Shopping|Google|SS_ACQ_WPROD_BOTTOMSxxxxxx_EVG_ROAS_XXX_COUSA_EN_EN_A_CREW_GO_SH_SSC_xxxxxxxxxx,shop_wbottoms_x_xxx,PRODUCT_GROUP,71700000066617218,58700005851382024,p57824859589&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Paid_Search&utm_campaign=SS_ACQ_WPROD_BOTTOMSxxxxxx_EVG_ROAS_XXX_COUSA_EN_EN_A_CREW_GO_SH_SSC_xxxxxxxxxx,shop_wbottoms_x_xxx&utm_content=Shopping&NoPopUp=True&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQiAh4j-BRCsARIsAGeV12Cn3DplDaxnT0Q2Sn_7YQibRFdqIJ4JyT3tFgb_7KiOavyPYVs4sdsaAuyEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

The straight pant seems like they'd be great for you. I would shy away from the baggier "Foundry" pant, especially since you've said your legs are your fittest/smallest body part.

Anonymous wrote:People who are 5'5" should NOT wear cropped pants! That will make you look even shorter and fatter than you are!

You want a LONG leg line. Ignore anyone who ays "capri" to you.

5'5" is not short! It's actually taller than average.

Anonymous wrote:Op again

I still have a weird love for jcrew- maybe from their golden years. I see they have extended sizes now. I was thinking of trying something.

I tried some plus items from madewell and only one sweater for nicely. The rest was waaayyy too boxy and all the shirts seemed cropped. I was so bummed.

I have tried several pieces of JCrew’s plus size stuff and the sizing is alllll over the board, plus it’s pretty boxy. I bought four pieces online, I think, and only kept one piece because the size discrepancies were so big.

Universal Standard looks a lot more normal than I remember; I haven’t purchased from them previously but some of their clothes look decent (they got rid of a lot of the asymmetrical hems, thank god). https://www.universalstandard.com/

Anonymous wrote:
I tried some plus items from madewell and only one sweater for nicely. The rest was waaayyy too boxy and all the shirts seemed cropped. I was so bummed.

Madewell sweaters are really short/cropped. I have a long torso and they look really weird on me.

For blouses, look at NYDJ, they have a couple of nice classic styles that come in a ton of prints. I also like Michael Kors tops. I suggest going to Nordstrom Rack (in person or online) and just sampling a bunch of things which catch your fancy. They have a good return policy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cropped pants (think: Talbots) with a blouse and flats.

Take this or leave it, OP, it's just my opinion, but cropped pants make short women look shorter.

Agree! It adds a horizontal line where you don't need it.

https://theconceptwardrobe.com/build-a-wardrobe/apple-body-shape

This might help.

https://stylishcurves.com/talbots-petite-plus-size-collection-will-have-women-kissing-their-tailors-goodbye/

Petite plus ideas

Anonymous wrote:People who are 5'5" should NOT wear cropped pants! That will make you look even shorter and fatter than you are!

You want a LONG leg line. Ignore anyone who ays "capri" to you.

We’re talking about ankle length, not Capri. And literally every stylist recommends that length for short women.

Anonymous wrote:Got it on capri. I prefer longer leg anyway. I will look through Talbot's. It's hard because I distinctly remember my mother shopping there as a child and it was very much an older lady store. I guess I'm an older lady 😂

Any thoughts on the links I posted for pants or shoes?

I hear you on it being a store my mom shopped in... and while there are things that are really old ladyish, there are also a lot of beautiful classic pieces that are well made. I buy most of my work wardrobe there and often get compliments.