This coat has a story behind it. This was my first winter coat that I ever bought. I saw this jacket back in the day when Banana Republic first launched their petites line. At the time, there were only two stores in the US that carried petites, New York City and San Francisco. I was too scared to order online, so it was quite serendipitous when one of my old high school friends emailed me and asked if I wanted to come visit her at Rutgers University up in New Jersey. What a perfect opportunity to stop by the Banana Republic store right?
On my second or third day up in New Jersey, we took the train into the city and walked into the two-story store. At the time, it was the first time I had walked in to a two-story store of any kind and it was definitely more than impressive. I found my jacket and it was just like it looked online! I was super excited and tried it on instantly. It fit like a glove. You can imagine my excitement! I think I ended up wearing it non-stop the rest of the weekend. Surprisingly enough, this jacket is only a XSP. I don’t think BR had XXSP at the time even! So I suppose this is vanity sizing at its best. Either way, call me little red riding hood (minus the hood). ^_^
Do any of you guys go out of your way to find that specific article of clothing? How far have you ever traveled for clothes?
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Elle says
I just LOVE red coats, your BR fits you pretty well for XSP. I really like the sweater dress you are wearing today, it has such cute details!
I have definitely gone out of my way to shop…though rarely for specific things. 🙂
PetiteLittleGirl says
What a lovely coat! You look really good in red. I was a big fan of BR few years ago but not anymore. Their sizes are running bigger every seasons. We can hardly fit in XXSP anymore
I Don't Wear Jeans says
Nice jacket. Nice story.
The furthest that I have traveled would be Chicago. I joined my wife on a business trip many years ago and just had to take the opportunity to visit North Beach Leather. While there I found the PERFECT pair of leather jeans that I had been wanting for some time. Despite the hefty price I simply would not board the plane without them. I still wear them regularly.
Coincidentally, I am wearing them in my most recent post. Drop by and tell me what you think. http://idontwearjeans.blogspot.com/
Vicky says
Kileen, love the red coat on you! It fits you so perfectly. And the sweater dress is super cute!
BR is getting bigger in their sizes, but so are all the other stores. I think Americans are getting bigger, so the sizes have to get adjusted accordingly, leaving us poor petites nothing to wear. 😀
kileen says
@PetiteLittleGirl @Vicky so true how BR is getting bigger these days!! hopefully it'll mean that they'll get smaller too as i've noticed with some stores. i don't remember ever seeing size 000 in jeans 5 years ago… maybe we'll be seeing XXXSP? 🙂
curls-and-pearls says
Wow, red looks amazing on you! you have so many great dresses too, sweater dresses are really hard for me to find, I find them too clingy and I get really hot in them throughout the day!
The Little Dust Princess says
I almost always go out of my way to find particular pieces of clothing, accessories, or handbags. hahah If I can't find it, I want it even more!
The red coat looks AMAZING on you. I'd be too scared to stray away from my neutrals, but this is somewhat convincing me to go out there and find a bright coat
xx The Little Dust Princess!
kileen says
@curls-and-pearls oh this one was definitely a bit clingy and i've found that to be a problem especially with lower quality tights where there's a lot of static (that's why there's only 1 picture of the dress by itself!). i haven't found myself getting hot in them, but i get cold very easily so that's probably why. 🙂
kileen says
@kileen i agree that bright colors can be tricky to wear, especially red! i have a few select red pieces in my closet (i can count them on 1 hand) and it's only because everyone keeps telling me i need to wear red more cause it looks good. 🙂
Lilly says
I was just about to say how cute that coat is until I took a better look and realized I have the exact same coat haha. I haven't worn it in forever, shame.
And those shoes are hot!
superumi says
love reading the story about your coat. red looks amazing on your skin tone 🙂
visit me at:
http://popsicle-dress.blogspot.com
Daniela says
fabulous shoes!!
kileen says
@Daniela thanks! it's F21!! 😀
C. says
BR coats are the best! I have a BR trench that's been lovingly worn for a couple autumns now. This red coat was definitely worth the trek to NJ — fits you perf!
C.
http://styleanon.blogspot.com
my favorite pink says
You are so adorable! <3
-M
s says
You look gorgeous in red. I love it!
Ping says
kileen– what a beautiful coat!! looks so nice and elegant on you. the color red is fabulous too. you look great in it.
kileen says
@Ping Thanks Ping! I've always been scared to wear red cause it's so loud, but am making more of an effort to wear them now since I do like the color. 🙂
Really Petite says
You look gorgeous in red! That coat is so cute!
The Macy's dress is a bit big on you or is it just me?
kileen says
@Really Petite The dress is a bit big on me. I bought it from Macy's online last year and didn't get around to returning it on time. Unfortunately the smallest size was a small… I was pulling the dress up all day long!
aki! says
Gorgeous coat! I admired it even before reading what you wrote. It looks even better on you than it does on the model–that's definitely the way to work it.
AKM says
Beautiful, i love that red coat xox
http://fascinationforfashion-akm.blogspot.com/
Chaucee says
You can never go wrong with a red coat!
Ps – Just found your blog and love it!
Cee says
Kileen, you own so many great coats. Thanks for sharing the story behind this one with us! I haven't had to go too far out of my way (yet?) to find that one piece of clothing. I suppose I never know what I want until I see it.
kileen says
@Cee i agree i do have wayyy too many coats. i've had a bad habit of buying 1 per year for the past 10 years… :
Denysia says
Love the outfit! Just wondering, if the Forever21 shoes are comfortable? I haven't bought any shoes from them, because I feel like they might hurt my feet.
kileen says
@Denysia I've had mixed experiences with F21 shoes. I bought a silver pair previously and they were pretty good! Unfortunately these new Chic Leatherette Stilettos I just bought aren't the best. They don't have a lot of cushioning and the material feels a little cheap. I definitely wouldn't want to be walking the town in these shoes, but for the office, they're ok. In the case of F21 shoes, you do get what you pay for.
Hope this helps!
oomph. says
kileen…did you get my email? let me know your sizes (i assume small, but just confirm)…you won the giveaway!
[email protected]
Anh says
Red is always stunning!
Melanie says
That jacket is so chic! I love the color and the silhouette on you! I usually just buy online!
Melanie@UnravelledThreads
Follow @UnraveldTreads on Twitter!
Mrs. J says
You look wonderful, this would be the perfect look for christmas. I really love that red coat!! Lovely Remix!! You always look so GREAT!!
Linley says
love the black and grey with that red pea coat! very classic and simply gorgeous!
Brittany says
that is such a gorgeous color on you! beautiful!
SewPetiteGal says
Elegant and classic – absolutely no way to go wrong here! Love the coat! You know what's funny? I never bought petite sizing prior to reading the blogs bc they were never available in store to try on! I'm glad petite sizing is much more prevalent now and I'm much more aware of which retailers are petite friendly.
I make an annual day trip / trek (10 hours round trip) to an outlet mall (it has a Burberry outlet!). Crazy right?
PearlsAndGreenTea says
love the red coat! I've always been afraid of bright colors…you make me want to try one!
jiye
http://pearlsandgreentea.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth says
Have you ever heard of Style Station? At least I think that's the name… Its south of Dallas, before Waco, an old gas station in the middle of nowhere. Several years ago my friend got married and moved to Texas. She told me about this awesome vintage thrift store her husband took her too. I soon drove all the way from Atlanta to check it out! Sure, I got to visit here too, but secretly it was all about the shopping!
Chelsea Lane says
you look amazing here! love the coat story 🙂 those pumps are gorgeous!
xoxo
kileen says
@Elizabeth oh wow, Style Station looks totally cool!! i drive down to Austin every now and then so this would be on the way. i'll definitely have to check it out sometime. thank you for sharing this little gem with me!! 🙂
kileen says
@SewPetiteGal oh wow, a Burberry outlet!! 10 hours is totally worth it! i'll bet you find some amazing deals!
Serena says
My jaw dropped slightly when I saw your first pictures. There's just something about the color red that makes it so stunning. I love how you paired it wit black tights and dark shoes. Makes the coat pop even more. GORGEOUS.
The sweater dress is really nice as well. The pattern and the neck. I really like how it isn't too low but because of how wide the collar is, it looks like it dips down further than it really is.
That's an amazing story. Atleast you know you'll NEVER forget about this coat. I'm sure it will last forever… that is as long as you take good care of it. =P
I don't think I've had as crazy of an experience as you did in hunting down an article of clothing. Sounds super fun though.
<3s Serena.
Mitr Friend - Bhushavali says
Fabulous!!! Lovely coat in a great color!!!
The sweater dress is fab and has a great neckline!!!
Just stumbled across your blog and liked it a lot!!!
Do drop by mine sometime and follow is you like!!! 🙂
Fashion Panache
nicole says
hi kileen!
thanks for the follow! that BR coat looks amazing on you! and it sounds like the fit is pretty amazing too. don't you just love it when that happens? i can usually tell when i put one arm in and pull the coat over my shoulder, if it fits then i know the rest will be perfection. oh the woes of being petite and trying to find that staple winter coat. the red looks gorgeous on you and complements your dark hair, so wear it in good health! i love the photos with the golden leaves, so pretty!
http://www.lemodedujour.com
Samantha says
Love the heels!
I'm too lazy to travel; instead I just sit online for hours trying to find the best deals on items I want. :o)
-Samantha
http://thisfashionista.blogspot.com
PetiteAsianGirl says
The color of this coat is stunning on you. You're so so so lucky to have this picturesque balcony. I hate going out on the public streets to shoot outfit photos lol.
Hmm, I can't even remember when BR first launched their petites line…2007? I know I have some of their first 00P items, several of which were sold at my last blog sale because they were way too tiny. And now vanity sizing has taken over..sigh!
Banhannas says
Awww, I love that dress on you! Such a daring and a modern twist on a turtleneck. What a cute story on the coat and well worth the trek!