Hello everyone! As we settle into autumn, here are some outfit combinations that feature the same casual sweater with varying levels of warmth. I’ve thrifted all of these items and have chosen petite sizing to better accommodate my smaller frame (5’3″ or 160 cm). Easy to thrift brands that have a wide range of petite options include Loft, Banana Republic, Top Shop, and J. Crew. I find my secondhand clothes both in store (local thrift shops) and online (I love PoshMark and ThredUp).

I happen to resonate with the Soft Gamine ID, so I’ll be prioritizing a sense of staccato rhythm and round-edged crispness to create a more high definition silhouette that doesn’t get obscured or lost under one very long, unifying shape. In other words, I try to avoid dressing as one cohesive unit and like to emphasize the various shapes, contours, and tapers in my frame. This approach can help anyone who feels lost in looser and longer clothing (not just soft games or petites!)

I also embrace my Soft Summer color palette, which makes matching within my wardrobe quite easy and convenient. My outfits feature muted and cooler tones that echo my muted and slightly cooler coloring and contrast.

Here’s a closer look at each outfit. Enjoy!

Outfit 1: Sweater, Shorts, and Sneakers

I love how casual and cozy this outfit is. It’s just a touch more polished than a t-shirt and denim short combo and a bit more soft in overall textures. I love wearing very gentle fabrics that have a well-worn quality to them.

Outfit 2: Suede Skirt and Western Boots

I adore this skirt; it’s been with me for many years (TopShop petite line from a decade ago). The waist hits perfectly with the narrowest part of my torso and the slight flaring gives it a fun shape without looking as angular as the standard A-line mini. I’m in love with the cool taupe color as well. I’ve paired it with my favorite Western boots (secondhand Durangos). The overall outfit is cozy with a little bit of spunkiness, which hopefully fulfills Kibbe’s idea of “Spitfire Chic”, albeit in a subdued way.

Outfit 3: Grey Skinny Jeans and Go Go Booties

If you are a Soft Summer, I highly recommend finding a pair of light grey jeans. This makes matching with numerous charcoal, grey, and dusty blue and pink tops so much easier. I also just adore the delicate grey color- not as stark as bright white denim.

Even though these are petite sized, I did fold the bottom cuff inwards just a tiny bit to create more space between the tops of the boots and the cuffs. I like to fold inwards to be more discrete, especially when wearing a very thin and smooth boot top.

I’ll see you in the next installment!

xx

Nona