OK, so last year was a little rough. But 2021 can be whatever we want it to be.
After a year of obstacles (we shall overcome 
It’s not what you know or even who you know. It’s who knows YOU.
The whole point of building your personal brand is because people need to know, like and trust YOU.
What do the Targets and Nikes and Apples of the world have in common with your favorite actors, musicians, and influencers?
They each have a distinct brand that people know, like and trust enough to buy.
Their brand tells their story: How they came to be, the experiences that shaped them, how they see the world.
Their brand communicates their vision: What type of world they want to create for the people they care about.
Their brand has a look: The visuals and colors they use, how they use style and imagery to clarify, emphasize, and convey their message.
Their brand has a voice: How they talk, the words they use (and the words they don’t.)
Yes, people know these brands and people because they have big platforms and (sometimes) a lot of money, but that wouldn’t matter if you couldn’t tell them apart. If they didn’t have their own distinct vision, story, look, and voice, TarNikApp would barely register on our collective cultural radar.
They’ve managed to combine the things that people pay attention to in an appealing way: A clear brand + consistent exposure.
The good news (or not-so-good news depending on what day it is) is that in this day and age, you don’t need to spend a ton of money or build a huge platform to have either of those things.
A clear brand + consistent exposure are key.
Storytime!
There’s a woman I’ve been following on social media for a while, and I started following her because it seemed like I saw her everywhere.
She was at conferences and hosting workshops and quoted in articles. Online, she was always posting about being a #girlboss and traveling to speak and promoting her brand. But I had no idea what she actually did.
I went to one of those conferences and she was there, at the head of a line of people waiting to speak to her. “Oh, that’s [redacted],” I said to a fellow attendee. “I’ve seen her around, but what does she actually DO?”
The people around me shrugged; they didn’t know either. But they still got in line to talk to her.
That’s when I realized: it didn’t really matter that people didn’t know what she did. What mattered was that people knew who she was.
It’s the opposite of what most of us have been taught about hard work and learning valuable skills and developing our talents. But I’ve seen “who knows you is more important that what you do” play out in too many different scenarios to call it a fluke.
And it’s not that hard work, talent, etc. are not valuable. They are. It’s just that people want to know who you are before they’ll really pay attention to what you do.
As an if-I-just-work-hard-enough-people-will-notice introvert it was a painful realization.
But then I started to see the value in exposure, for being known for your story vs your skills, because that’s the way people truly connect. There’s no need for hateration in this dancerie because we all have a story.
If you want people to hire you/invest in you/collaborate with you because you’re so damn talented (and you are!), they have to know who you are FIRST. And the best way to make that happen is to build YOUR brand.
You don’t have to wait until you’re “ready” to take action. Check out these resources, sign up for my email list, and set up a chat so we can figure out the best way to make sure people know YOU.
Need help taking that first step?
Then you need a PowerUP Session! That’s how I help you unpack your thoughts, create a clear vision that aligns with your goals, and take ACTION to get you started. Learn more.
Petite Coat Edit: Puffer, Trench, Tailored, Teddy
Clockwise from top left: One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine
Here in New England it’s just about time to do my seasonal storage swap and be reunited with my favorite coats and boots (so excited to break out these lightweight Sam Edelman combat boots again)! Below are a few of my staple categories for a robust coat closet. If you’re building up a timeless wardrobe or refreshing an old one, I’d start with the trench and the tailored coat, as together they’ll cover most of your outfit needs and the styles truly last the test of time!
- Trench coat
- Tailored wool coat
- Cozy teddy / sherpa coat
- Down puffer coat
- Plaid coat
Petite sizes in outwear always sells out first, so I’ve combed the web for classic picks that are well stocked starting in 00 or xxs petite. Macy’s actually has a great selection of petite coats from a range of brands, and is currently running a huge fall sale (ends 10/12)!
1. Trench
- Great reviews: Banana Republic timeless trench (xxsP – LP)
- Detachable hood, reviews mention running slim: London Fog classic trench (xxsP – xxlP)
- Oversized midi length fit in petites: Nasty Gal oversized trench (0P – 10P)
- Classic tan trench: Lauren Ralph Lauren petite trench (xxsP, xlP)
- Drapey trench: A+F drapey trench. Regular sizing only, so sleeves will fit long but the overall length works for someone petite. Have an older version that I love and wear regularly!
2. Tailored / Wool-blend
- Chic longer pick: Seven (xxs P – LP)
- Lady Day Coat for Less: J.Crew Factory wool blend lady coat (00P – 12P)
- MICHAEL Michael Kors belted coat in camel, black & fuchsia (xxsP – LP)
- A+F double cloth blanket coat in cream, brown & grey (xxsP – xlP)
- Calvin Klein faux leather trim wrap coat (xxsP – LP)
- A + F tailored wool blend dad coat (xxs P – xlP)
3. Teddy / Sherpa
- DKNY soft touch coat in a feminine rosewood or camel (XXSP – LP)
- Banana Republic Sherpa Cocoon coat (XXSP – LP) love the look with knit sleeve cuffs
- J.Crew double breasted teddy coat (XXSP – LP)
- Budget pick under $50: Boohoo teddy sherpa coat (0P – 12 P)
- Budget pick under $50: Missguided Petite borg teddy coat (2P – 6 P)
4. Plaid
- Love the soft colors: Calvin Klein Petite Plaid Coat (0P – 8 P)
- Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Walker Coat (0P to 12P)
5. Puffer
- Classic parka with great reviews: LL Bean 650 fill Classic Down Parka xxsP – xlP)
- Under $100: Uniqlo ultra light hooded puffer (regular only, but xxs & xs can be petite friendly)
- MICHAEL Michael Kors Belted Puffer (xxs P – LP)
- Cole Haan down jacket w removable hood (Under $90 with good reviews; xsP – xl P)
Twist Front Dress dressed up vs down
With many of us now working from home for the foreseeable future, I’m always on the lookout for transitional pieces that can be dressed down with sneakers and dressed up for the occasional meeting or trip to the office! I’m partnering with Nordstrom to share this simple but chic dress that can be paired a number of different ways including with casual flats for everyday wear, since I know many of you have ditched the high heels over the past year!
Twist Front Dress
These feels soft and stretchy just a tee shirt dress but the twist front takes the look up a notch and the long sleeves make it a great seasonal transition piece. The ribbed material is medium weight so it layers nicely with your favorite blazer, moto jacket and trench coat. The length hits me (5’) right above the knees, so it can be work appropriate for petite ladies especially in the black color. The sleeves on the xs are a little on long on me, but beyond that the rest of the dress fits well without being bodycon tight. I chose the white since it shows the twist detail off more clearly, but the black is a little more camouflaging at the tummy area!
Styled for On the Go
Styled for Work
I also welcomed in the new season by finally taking my chelsea booties from the Nsale out for a spin! They’ll be a little more flattering / elongating if paired with black tights as the temperatures drop. I love how they bring a little bit of an edge to this preppier outfit. This adorable plaid skirt sold out quickly but I’m keeping an eye for any restocks on it!
Thank you to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.
Coming Soon: Edited Pieces
It feels surreal to finally share with you guys a project that’s been years in the making and a small labor of love! I started this blog over a decade ago as a creative outlet, posting my trials and errors as I learned how to dress my body type. As a fresh college grad working in a male dominated field, building a closet of polished, well fitting pieces was always about so much more than just shopping. Dressing well sparks confidence, brings a little joy to my day, and helps me put my best foot forward for others to take me seriously.
While my style needs and tastes have evolved over these years, I’ve kept a running list of classic pieces I’d love to add to my wardrobe, but have been challenging to find in the right fit or quality. I’ve also kept close track of the types of pieces I get the most frequent reader requests for, but can rarely find.
And so with Edited Pieces, we’re starting small. Making small edits to timeless styles that we’ll want to wear for years to come. Each style is either handmade or produced in limited quantities at small factories, and undergoes countless rounds of sampling and testing. We’ve taken extensive measurements, pain points, and info from YOU guys, from a detailed survey that thousands of you helped fill out 2 years ago, to the wonderful readers around Boston who have been helping fit-testing and share feedback on each piece.
I wanted to keep the EP initials of Extra Petite in the brand name for a couple reasons. One, while everything we make will be petite-friendly, we didn’t want it to feel petite-only. Every body truly is different and comes in different proportions that we hope to be able to cater to as we grow. And secondly, as a nod to this blog, my first passion-project turned career, which has connected me to this incredible community. Thank you for being here along the way and for helping me realize this dream.