Office Bow and Lace

I have to give Ann Taylor credit for making some of the prettiest lace pencil skirts. This is the third one in my beloved collection from over the years – some of you may remember this champagne number from last year and this glazed green one back from 2011. Each of them did need alterations on me but it was well worth it. This season’s might be my favorite – if your size is sold out in petites, potentially try the regular sizing (still fully in stock). I had ordered both to compared and was surprised the measurements were so close: 00P – 13″ across waist, 17″ across hips, 19.25″ long. 00 regular – 13.25″ across waist, 17″ across hips, 19.75″ long. Material and waistband are stretchy.

A piece I love from their latest arrivals is this sweater dress which comes in three classic colors (personal favorites are the heather grey and dark green, one of the colors of the season). The sleeveless design lends itself to lots of re-styling options – you can top it with a blazer or jacket, or layer various types of turtleneck tops and collared shirts underneath.


I got one recently c/o AT and it fits true to size for an xxs petite. The gentle fit and flare silhouette is flattering and the stretch in the material is comfortable (there’s an invisible side zipper to help with entry). I like my sweater dresses fitted so I machine washed and dried mine, and it shrunk a little bit to a very good fit on someone my size. I haven’t had a chance to take photos yet but wanted to mention while it is on sale.

I thought this skirt fit true to size for AT and got about an inch taken in on each side of the waist. A few of you asked about the specific alterations I get on pencil skirts – I like mine to sit higher at the waist and also be very tapered, so when my tailor is taking in the waistband to fit, I usually ask him to slim down the sides proportionately but slope in a little extra down at the bottom. When getting this alteration, make sure to have your tailor pin it and then walk around to make sure the bottom opening doesn’t become too narrow (learned this the hard way!).

A few other suggestions from this weekend’s sale (use code YESPLEASE for the 40% off):

1. Other work-to-weekend dresses: cowl-neck sweater dress in plum, or this tie-neck shirt dress in a beautiful autumn-colored chevron print. I can see both of these paired with heels or flats for work and then boots / booties for casual wear.
2. They have several wrap dress options in both solids as well as DVF-esque prints. I haven’t had the chance to try any on for fit, but saw the “tile print” pattern in-person and thought it was very pretty.
3. Faux leather pencil skirt also in black – their material is matte and not at all shiny like some. The green is a stunner color but brown (can see this with lots of neutrals and prints) and black seem most versatile. If you can get away with a leather-looking piece at the office, I think these are a way to spruce up outfits via a new texture, plus can definitely be worn outside of work. I’m surprised to see one reviewer saying the petites ran big, because compared to all the other skirts I’ve tried on from AT, I thought this style was true to size for them and even a little small. Here is the 00P on me again which almost fit (I think this style looks best snug). It measures 12.5″ across the waist, 16.25″ across the hips, and 21″ length – the material and waist does have stretch which is nice.