Lightweight Jackets❣️
My thoughts on the 'Third Piece' style strategy 🗞️
Lwany from Petite Fashion Weekly™
April 29, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
Hey Shortie,
How’s it going? The other day, while reading a personal style book, I actually laughed out loud when I came across the line: “I do not believe in fat or skinny clothes.” The author was—of course—a man.
I don’t know about you, but I have a wide range of sizes in my closet. Not just because sizing varies wildly from brand to brand, but because my weight naturally fluctuates throughout my menstrual cycle, from season to season, and depending on what life’s throwing at me.
My “skinny” clothes aren’t just smaller—they’re also way more revealing and tend to get the most wear during warmer months. Come cold weather or stressful times, I’m incredibly grateful for my looser, comfier pieces. I find comfort in eating, and it shows—mostly in my midsection and hips.
And yet, even knowing all that, I still catch myself resisting the idea of going up a size. Why does the number on the tag hold so much power? Why do I treat it like a reflection of my worth? Writing that out makes me realize how irrational it is – I’m the only one who knows the size of my clothes! And clearly, I’m not alone—vanity sizing exists for a reason.
As we head into the warmer months, I’ve been upgrading my activewear—and the timing feels right. I’m coming out of a season of not just cold weather, but also personal growth.
While part of me feels the urge to wait until I’m back to my most consistent size before shopping, I’m choosing to go for it now. I’d rather buy pieces that feel a little loose when I’m feeling my best than squeeze into something tight when I’m not.
Moral of the story: Having a range of sizes in your closet is a compassionate way to honor the natural ebbs and flows of life, and shopping when your body is at its fullest makes for a comfy wardrobe!
Sincerely short,
Lwany
P.S. Don’t forget to send me your style questions❣️
It’s Not About What Size You Wear. It’s About How You Wear Your Size.
SHORT QUESTION
Q: One recurring piece of advice stylists share is incorporating the famous ‘third piece,’ usually a jacket, sweater, scarf, etc., to elevate an outfit.
I’ve really been struggling with this third piece thing because:
Matching pieces isn’t my strong suit.
The selection of third pieces like jackets in petite sizes is limited.
I’m in Miami, so there are very few months out of the year when a jacket or blazer is practical due to the warm weather (now that the warmer months are approaching).
Any suggestions for versatile, affordable, and light third pieces?
— Laura
A: I can’t say I was familiar with the Third Piece rule until recently. For those of you in the same boat, the idea is that your outfit should include a third piece beyond your base layer, shoes, and handbag, such as outerwear or accessories.
Naturally, I had to scroll through photos of my outfits to see how many of them fit the bill. If we’re counting socks and sunglasses, then yeah, most of my looks technically check the third-piece box.
I get how an extra layer can pull an outfit together, but I’m also skeptical about how applicable the Third Piece styling principle would be in any hot climate. This framework feels like it was born out of the need to zhuzh up a closet made of “just okay” pieces.
If your closet is full of pieces that are true tens, they should be able to hold their own without relying on a third piece as a crutch. For me, nothing beats a flattering dress paired with chic footwear, a matching handbag, and cool sunglasses. Keywords: flattering, chic, and cool!
If matching doesn’t come naturally to you, I say lean into simple outfits. So often in life, we try to overcompensate instead of doubling down on our assets. Focus on building a wardrobe of jackpot pieces—nothing you feel “meh” about. Having a closet full of things you love is a stylish place to end up. It might take time, but it’ll make getting dressed a million times easier.
I get you – petite outerwear is hard to come by! Lucky for you, I just finished combing through every petite piece out there—more than 82,000 styles—and pulled together a shortlist of the best lightweight outerwear options.
LINEN BLAZER
Double-Breasted Suit Jacket
Petite Sizes
$500.00
BUTTON-DOWN AS A JACKET
Oversized Shirt
Petite Sizes
$89.50 $52.49
CROCHET OR LACE CARDIGANS
Lace Cardigan
Petite Sizes
$99.00 $69.30
DENIM JACKET
Denim Cropped Jacket
Petite Friendly
$299.00
CROPPED TRENCH
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