Interview with Jean of extrapetite

Today’s interview is with one of my favorite bloggers and somebody that you may recognize from around the blogosphere – the lovely Jean from the blog, extrapetite. Jean is one of the best bloggers out there and I love that her posts not only showcase her amazing style, but also are informative and well thought out – she always wants to make sure you make the right decision in purchasing, and that you get the best deal.

Jean blogs about a topic that is close to my heart- being petite. I am 5’1 and have always had a difficult time finding clothes that fit me. Jean’s blog has regularly helped me navigate what to buy for my height and is a must read for not only for petites, but for all fashion lovers in general. Here we go, enjoy meeting Jean:

Who are you, and where do you live?

My name is Jean and I currently live in the historical city of Boston, Massachusetts.

What are some other types of blogs that you’d wish there was more of in the blogosphere? Like “suit loving girl” or “women in finance” or anything else?

I wish there were more blogs that showcased style for business-casual and business-formal environments. For work, I think it’s important to look polished and confident, versus trendy or fashionable. I follow a lot of regular fashion blogs, but would love some inspiration for the workplace. I chuckled at your suggestion of “suit-loving girl” … if there are such blogs out there, please let me know!

What are some of the most worn pieces in your wardrobe right now?

My ASOS Petite pencil dresses (low quality, but gotta love their free shipping & returns), and Ann Taylor striped tee. A classic striped tee is guaranteed to get a lot of wear in any woman’s wardrobe!

Links: (http://www.extrapetite.com/2011/03/review-asos-petite-tailored-pencil.html) and (http://www.extrapetite.com/2011/07/summertime-business-casual.html)

What were the key wardrobe investments that you’ve made that have been worth it?

My Chanel classic flap and wallet on chain are my favorite investments. Although it may take some saving and a ton of research (plus patient hunting, if you don’t want to pay retail), I think it’s worth it. The classic flap foraged through half a century of style, and is probably here to stay for many more! And the wallet on chain – what’s not to love? A convenient little hands-free bag that converts into an elegant clutch.

What about the items you bought that you now wish you hadn’t? You seem to be very efficient with getting rid of “non worn stuff” – where are these items now?

The splurges I make under the circumstances of a sale are usually the ones I fall “out of love” with. This is different than stalking a coveted item until it goes on sale, then snatching it. For this reason, I should avoid designer outlet stores! I regret splurging on a Burberry coat on very negligible sale at the outlets.  With my judgment clouded by the outlet-shopping environment, I thought it was a worthy purchase, then spent much more getting it altered. Now, I’d rather carefully select an item that I really love and even pay full price for it, than buy several items on sale that only piqued my attention because they were on sale.

For everyday items that I no longer wear, I do turn to blogsales. These items often travel to California homes (I guess there are lots of petite women out there!). However, I have trouble of letting go of splurges that don’t hold their value at resale (ie. coats). I need to convince myself to let go!

What would you love to add to your closet? Your “holy grail dream items” ?

I thought hard about this question, and currently don’t have anything I’m coveting! I’m very happy with my stuff right now. I make informal lists of things that I want to look for, and the last item I crossed off was a classic double-breasted trench coat.

What are your petite pet peeves? 

My petite pet peeve is slouching! I see short women on the subway hunched over, and know that they’ll instantly look taller and more sprightly if they just straighten their back and shoulders. Aside from that, I don’t think there are hard fashion “don’ts” for petite women (ie. midi skirts, Capri pants) because I’ve seen women shorter than me who have rocked it all, with confidence.

You often feature your boyfriend Nick in your posts. Can you tell me more about your relationship?

Nick and I are very different, but we complement each other quite well. He works in the creative field whereas I like numbers, he’s from the laid-back West coast whereas I’m from the less-friendly East, yet we can come together to make some mean Chinese food. He’s a quick learner, especially when it comes to folding dumplings and other dim sum treats!

What are some of the very crucial tips you’d like to pass on about how to shop and dress? Lessons that you’ve had to learn the hard way?

Taking a photo of your outfit really shows what works on you and what doesn’t …more so than looking into a mirror! Also, when shopping, it’s helpful to have an informal list of wardrobe “want” items and slowly work off that list, buying quality pieces. I want to emphasize the importance of not letting sales cloud your good judgment (from question #5).

Finally, tell us something that most people don’t know about yourself! 

My longtime readers know this, but my first attempts at blogging was a personal finance blog called “Fashionable Finance.” I’m a closet coupon-clipper, and a savings & investing nerd (but not very skilled at it!).

I hope you all enjoyed meeting Jean – she was so sweet and really took her time to give such thoughtful interview answers. Jean, thank you so much – and for more of Jean, check out her blog here.