Short Story Box Review: 2 Editors Try the Subscription Service For Petites

As any shortie will tell you, a maxi that doesn’t pool on the ground is the holy grail of  petite clothing. In fact, I spent years writing off the style because I never found one that didn’t graze my toes. Not so with this cute little number, which features straps of the appropriate size, a waist that actually hit at my waist and a tiered cut that’s more flattering on small frames than the traditional sack-like maxi. The only downside is that it’s made from a polyester blend, meaning it’s not as breathable on hot summer days. But, considering how flattering and comfy it is, this guy was an easy keep for me.

When I first unboxed this burlap-sack looking top and pleated shorts combo, I thought, No way can a 5’1” person pull off such a blousy look. But then, I tried the pieces on together (with the top tucked) and they just…worked. The shorts were a hair tighter than I would have liked. Still, I’ll definitely be wearing these basics to work and other professional settings in warmer months.

I stupidly didn’t take a photo, but the back of this linen-rayon tank is adorable with little wooden buttons going straight down. An easy “keep!” As for the jeans, I feel I need to preface this by saying I’m a jeans snob. But, while they look cute in this photo, I ultimately felt they had too much elasticity to see wearing them regularly. (Even after a walk around the house, they were bagging in the thighs and knees.) But that’s the great thing about Short Story Box. If you don’t like something, you don’t have to keep it.

What’s unique about this white button down from the 17 others in my closet is that it has the proportional untucked volume you want without the sloppy length in the sleeves or the body.

So, the shirt, j’adore. I slipped it on with the Madison Front Seam Texture Pants ($68), which felt just…wrong. When I pulled the waist to its correct height, the length was a tad too short—bad news for me, but good news for anyone under 5’4”.

The printed peasant dress was a real wild card for me, and far more bohemian than I’d usually try, but since I’d just watched Daisy Jones & the Six, I was all in. Also, the design has an underbust cinched empire waist, again not my go-to silhouette, but here the design gave the illusion of longer legs, instead of emphasizing my superlong Gumby waist. I’m a bit shy about wearing low necklines, so I probably won’t be keeping this dress, but I’m here for the style education it gave me.

The slubby yarn top ($88) was pretty and fit me well, but again, it exposed a little too much skin for my liking. The Relaxed Grace Pant ($78), however, was like meeting a soulmate, but you know, in olive drab cotton. It’s the perfect length to wear with flat sandals and sneakers without having to roll it up. And the hem is frayed, but in that gently fuzzed way I’m never able to replicate when I try to do it at home. The medium rise isn’t so low that it’s going to prevent me from moving around, and the fabric quality and simple cut of the pants are versatile enough to wear with a dressy blouse and heels (or more likely a pair of Havaianas and a white T-shirt).