ATTENTION SMALL GIRLS: ALDO CLEARANCE SALE! Small Girls, I feel I have a duty to inform you of one of the greatest clearance sales I think I’ve ever experienced. Aldo - the quite pricey shoe retailer with an unfortunately similar name to a budget supermarket - has dropped it’s prices CONSIDERABLY. There are loads of 3s and 4s left and there’s some absolute bargains to be had. As I’m off to Egypt on Thursday (all-inclusive Hilton break, baby!), I stocked up on the strappy essentials as well as some boots to console my feet once I return. The grand total of all 4 pairs of shoes - £66! (including free delivery because it was over £60!) But quick - you know those small sizes will be the first to run out!
Leopard print has never before been my thing. It just brought to mind Bet Lynch type characters with bleach blonde hair and smoke-flavoured halitosis. The kind of women who prop up the bar in Queen Vic type pubs, making lewd comments and men uncomfortable. Despite these original misgivings, the trend seems to have infiltrated my style subconscious; I find myself with multiple accessories and even a washing basket adorned in this most ferocious of prints. Having trickled down from the S/S 2011 catwalks - where animal print in general was a force to be reckoned with - this “timeless classic” (as deemed by Domenico Dolce, no less) is now to be seen pretty much everywhere. From Queen Small Girl Kylie Minogue (5’0”) in a shocking double leopard extravaganza, to Rachel Bilson (5’3”) + Olivia Palermo (5’4”) with their leopard-print accents, there seems to be a constant supply of celebs validating my recent conversion to the spotted side. I’ve fallen in love with a number of items on the high-street (and net-a-porter!) of late, so I’ve just put together a compilation of recent buys and wish-I-could-buys for your enjoyment <3
(For links to the items above, please go to the Facebook album)
LADY GAGA RULES
Last night was one of those nights I know I’ll be talking about when I’m 80 years old, boring my grandchildren to tears with the well-worn (but patiently endured and humoured!) story they’ve already heard 10 times over. I know this because last night, I was at the Children in Need Manchester Rocks concert in the presence of a legend. The Small Girl to end all Small Girls - Lady Gaga (5‘1“).
The company I work for, you see, makes all of the merchandise for Children in Need; those Pudsey ears, those spotty t-shirts and all of the other bumf associated with this ever-so-worthy cause. Invited to the concert as a fundraiser, I expected to be shaking buckets all night and to only catch a few stolen glimpses of the stage through slightly ajar doors. On arrival however, we were led to a corporate box which was not only 20 metres from the stage; it overlooked the dressing area where the artists got changed and psyched up to perform.
The lady herself came on FIRST. That’s right - the headline act opened the show. But before she even walked on stage, we saw her. Provoking some genuine hyperventilation, we watched her mill about behind the scenes, her blonde Madonna-esque hair emphasising the fact that we were watching a modern-day icon. And my god, was she tiny! Despite wearing 5 inch Louboutins, her dancers towered over her, promoting her larger-than-life presence from pretty amazing to an absolute miracle.
Like Madonna before her, this is a Small Girl whose power is, at least in part, because of her smaller stature - not despite of it. Gaga is an absolute powerhouse; she’s arguably conquered the world and on her own, pretty insane, terms. And yet - as her little monsters I’m sure will tell you - she’s actually very humbled by her own success, exuding oddball-turned-uberstar from every pore. She appeals to those who have never felt conventionally beautiful; her below average height and off-centre beauty inspire feelings of solidarity and loyalty, allowing the rare combination of mass + underground appeal, incredible power and immense likeability.
The picture above is an un-zoomed in shot of her playing the piano. Seeing her perform from this distance was - without wanting to gush too much - really amazingly inspiring. Her whole attitude, style and energy reminded me why I started this blog in the first place; to remind petite women that the style rules we’ve been fed are utter bullshit - looking taller should never be the aim of the style game, because tallness is no longer a requirement for beauty. Gaga’s prescription of confidence, charisma and sheer enjoyment - these should be the new style (and life) rules for Small Girls today
OLSENS: US VOGUE’S BEST DRESSED SISTERS
Beating Beyonce + Solange Knowles, Dakota + Ella Fanning and (most importantly) Kate + Pippa Middleton, the Olsens have just been named best dressed sisters by US Vogue.
Described by the issue’s editor, Mark Holgate as “legitimate fashion forces”, the pair have been crowed Queens of the Stylish Siblings due to their “instinctual” fashion know-how. Holgate admits that they don’t always get it right, citing this as one of the main reasons for their victory. Their risk-taking, layer-making, stylist-shunning wardrobe makes for the occasional mistake, but some pretty damn regular sartorial genius.
Wearing long, flowing skirts, baggy sweaters and bulky furs, the flattest of pumps and piles of jewellery; these girls seem to be on a two-girl mission to subvert every Small Girl style rule going. Their complete lack of concern for looking hot (and for looking tall!) has, ironically, made them the most inspirational, sought-after style duo going - above and beyond their towering peers!
New website coming in new year!
There will be minimal bloggage on this site while I write and build the new magazine format site, but please join the Facebook page for the news and updates in the meantime. Link at the top of this page! Small Girl Love x
Street Style London (All 5’4” or under)
If you’ve ever hunted in vain for a (faux) fur coat that fits, you’ll understand my excitement when I find one which looks even vaguely like it might. The short body and sleeves make this Evil Twin version a distinct possibility, and the red wine tones make me drunk with excitement.
I love that this is a little bit eccentric; like something your crazy hedonistic aunt might wear with floral tights and bright green docs. If you’re a little less on the wild side, this would look amazing with a bodycon black dress, thick wool tights, stack heel boots and a jewellery box full of chunky rings.
Kylie Minogue (5’0”ish) has just been voted the no.1 female celebrity men would swap their wives for. According to The Sun (the font of all accurate knowledge, obvs), 36% of men want to wife swap with our Queen SG, while 43% of women wouldn’t mind switching ‘im indoors for silver fox, George Clooney.
I’m not sure being so highly desirable to Sun readers is an all-out win, and it’s not like we needed affirmation of Kylie’s worth, but it’s still a nice little reminder that sometimes the general populas actually do believe that the best things come in small packages…
Natalie Portman (5’3”)
(Source: ladyskywalker)
Right, so it’s 8pm and it’s dark outside. You know what that means - “Summer”, as it’s deceitfully known in this country, is ending. The brollies are going up, the tights are coming out and leaving the house with less than 2 layers on is a crime punishable by frostbite. I have to admit, though; I do have a sneaky love for all things Autumnal. I quite like the knits and the scarves, and the coats, and the chunky boots. The need to be all girly and flowery and flash-fleshing is gone, with only one objective in its place; to be as cosy as humanly bloody possible.
Introducing then, this spot-on cable knit dress from ASOS Petite Exclusive. Fitted enough to avoid the Michelin man effect common to a lot of cold weather ensembles, this dress is the go-to transitional piece to keep you feeling warm yet looking good. Perfect.
