If only it was easy to envision an outfit in your mind, head to your designated age and size group at the store, and find exactly what you need. Half the time when I’m shopping, things aren’t available in my size or the style I’m looking for doesn’t seem to exist. That’s why I’ve always been an advocate for shopping outside your age and size group when finding pieces to fit your personal style. Today, I wanted to share some outfits I’ve worn featuring pieces I found beyond the petite women’s section to give you some inspiration to go out and explore! So let’s get into it!
Shopping Outside My Size Group
While the jumpsuit I’m wearing here is from the petite section, the chunky cardigan is not only from the tall section, but it’s also in size large (I’m normally a size XXS/XS)! I’d been looking everywhere for an oversized, chunky black cardigan with sleeves long enough to cuff. It was surprisingly hard to find one that had the look I wanted, and that was in my size.
I finally found the one I’m wearing here, and thought it had the perfect chunky knit look, but it was a bit boxy and short in my usual petite size. I’ve had this cardigan for a while now, so I’m a little fuzzy on the details of all the sizes I tried. If I remember right, I wanted to increase the length of the cardigan with as little effect on the width and the sleeve length as possible. I tried going up a couple sizes, but in the regular length, but it still wasn’t long enough. If I went up any more sizes, I was afraid it would be too wide and still not long enough. So I ended up going up a couple sizes from my usual size, but in the tall length, and it was perfect.
I think this was the first time I had ventured into the tall section, and I’m so glad I thought to try it. I was able to check an item off my wish list that I’d been searching for for a long time, and it’s been such a versatile piece in my fall and winter wardrobe.
Shopping Outside My Age Group
In addition to exploring outside the petite section, I’ll often explore the kids’ and teens’ section as well. While clothing in these sections aren’t always age-appropriate, sometimes you can find pieces that work. In the outfit above, I’m wearing a plain black jersey skirt from the kids’ section in size 10-12Y. In the outfit below, I’m wearing a floral skirt in size 8-9Y (I’m normally a size 12, but these ran large).
I can picture these skirts in the women’s section of stores like H&M, Zara, Nordstrom, etc. So finding them in the kids’ section just means they’re more likely to be petite-friendly and cost-friendly. However, if I can’t picture it being in the women’s section, it’s probably too youthful and I would pass on it.
Below is an example of an outfit that was the result of shopping in three different age groups. The top is from the petite women’s section, the overalls are from the teens’ section, and the boots are from the kids’ section.
Shoes are great to look for in the kids’ section. Like with clothes, sometimes there are hidden gems there. Some adult shoes are also available in the same style in kids’ shoes, and are much more affordable. As a general rule of thumb, you can subtract two from your adult size to find your kids’ size. I’m normally a size 4 in women’s shoes, and a size 2 in kids’ shoes, but I’m wearing a size 2.5 here because these ran small (see my review here).
Admittedly, it’s not easy shopping in the kids’ and teens’ section. They’re not high on my list of places I’d like to be seen. If you’d like to explore shopping in these sections, but don’t want to brave physically being there, there’s always online shopping!
I hope you found it interesting to see how these outfits were put together! (For more outfit inspiration, you can also find me on Instagram.)
Do you shop outside your age and size group? I’d love to know!
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