Last month Gap Inc. announced expansion plans for 2010, which include opening the first Gap store in China, scheduled for fall 2010, and expanding in Canada and the UK by making online sales within each country available.

Although the Gap currently has brick-and-mortar stores in Canada and the United Kingdom, online ordering isn't available in either country, and the Gap Direct site, which includes Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta as well as the Gap, doesn't offer any shipping options for international online customers. Now there are plans to fulfill online orders in both Canada and the UK beginning sometime during 2010.

Shopping should become a lot more convenient as online service becomes available next year. This comes as good news for petites because Gap (Buy Direct) offers a variety of clothing in petites sizes as small as 00P up to 16P.

Upscale handbag designer Carlos Falchi has designed a limited edition collection for Target.

Look for Carlos Falchi for Target handbags to be available in stores and online (Vendor's Site) November 1 through December 27. Falchi, who is known for his use of exotic skins and collage techniques brings this artistic aesthetic to the collection, which features faux python in dark hues of green, purple, brown, black and gray. Prices on the handbags will range from $19.99 to $49.99, thousands of dollars less than the Carlos Falchi high-end purses.

Pictured: Green satchel from the Carlos Falchi for Target line (Image Courtesy of Target)

Here's a plea to clothing manufacturers to check their quality control parameters when they're constructing clothing with zippers that cross seamlines. A zipper in a dress, skirt, or any other garment should slide easily. If we have to force it, there's a problem.

I thought about this last weekend when I was going to try on a skirt at the Michael Kors outlet, but I never got it off the hanger because I couldn't coax, let alone force, the zipper past a seamline that intersected it. The sales clerk finally was able to move the zipper, and then she asked if I'd like to try on the skirt, but I declined. I didn't feel like fighting with the zipper every time I wanted to wear the skirt. The same thing happened a few weeks ago when I was trying on a dress at Target, and I've noticed other, much more expensive, garments with the same problem.

I do some sewing, and I believe that reducing the bulk in the seams where they intersect the zipper can eliminate or substantially reduce the problem. At least I've always had good luck using that technique. Manufacturers, how about it? Please!!!

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Hamilton/Getty Images

Here's a shapely top in fall's trendy gray from Banana Republic (Buy Direct) that has a lot going for it in terms of petite style. The v-neckline flatters short women by helping create a longer, leaner look, and the below-the-bust ruching creates shape by emphasizing the small waistline. Another plus is that this animal print knit top comes in a wide range of petite sizes from XXS - L, and it's also offered in regular sizes. An extra-extra small equates to size 000P in Banana Republic sizing, so even the tiniest petites should be able to achieve a good fit.

Image Courtesy of Banana Republic

I love the trendy bold statement necklaces, but some of them are just too big for petites. We don't have to avoid all statement necklaces though. A petite woman can wear a statement necklace that isn't outrageously huge so that the necklace will be more in proportion to her smaller frame.

Here's a bib necklace by Lee Angel that fits the bill. Not too huge, great color palette for fall (love the pink with purple), and, last but not least, it's on sale for half price. Originally this necklace retailed for $132; it's now on sale for $66 from Shopbop (Buy Direct).

Image Courtesy of Shopbop

Although we're seeing plenty of patterned legwear this season, we can get more fashion mileage out of plain black tights because they can easily be paired with most fall dresses and skirts, and they help make legs look leaner and longer, which is a great benefit for petites. For an even longer leg line, pair black shoes with opaque black tights so that it looks as though the leg goes on and on.

Another benefit of wearing tights is that we're able to combine them with shapewear. The tights pictured are by Spanx and come with built-in tummy control and body shaping technology so that there's no need to wear other shapewear.

Compare prices on black tights.

Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Millions watched petite Karina Smirnoff dancing during the past two days, first in a performance at the Emmys with former fiance Maksim Chmerkovskiy and yesterday during the premiere of the ninth season of Dancing With the Stars.

Although Karina Smirnoff appeared on the red carpet at the Emmys in a black one-shoulder gown, she had to change quickly into her costume for the number with Maksim. According to E!, the former couple "exchanged some heated words before and after their performance," but they gave a great performance. so their tiff didn't seem to affect them on stage.

The next night both dancers, regulars on Dancing With the Stars, appeared at the season premiere. Karina is partnered with Aaron Carter this season, and the duo scored highest with the judges both for their cha cha cha and Viennese waltz. Karina's off to a great start for the season, and her costumes look as fabulous as her dance moves, so I'm anxious to see more.

Pictured: Karina Smirnoff dancing at the Emmys, September 20, 2009 (Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

In a fashion "oops" moment, petite celebs Pink and Shakira both appeared at the VMA ceremony wearing the same strapless Balmain mini, but they both laughed about it.

The black leather dress from the French design house Balmain was embellished with sparkling crystals, giving it that red carpet pizazz.

Shakira accessorized with thigh-high black boots while Pink wore black heels and displayed her tattoos.

Whose look do you like better? Vote in our petite fashion poll, and give your opinion by posting a comment, if you like.

Today Max Azria presented his spring 2009 BCBGMAXAZRIA collection at a Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runway show in New York, and two of the spring collection dresses are already available for immediate online sale direct to customers on the BCBG site. Although BCBG has a petites line, these runway numbers are sized for regular sizes XXS - L, and some petites will be able to wear them with few or no alterations.

The blue print dress features draped sleeves, draped crisscross at bodice, and side draping, all making for a dramatic appearance for a rayon dress that BCBG calls a "T-shirt dress." (Vendor's Site) It's priced at $238.

The other dress is also a "T-shirt dress" and features similar draped styling, but it's all in white. This modal dress from the spring collection retails for $148 from BCBGMAXAZRIA. (Vendor's Site) BCBG is offering free ground shipping on the purchase of either dress right now.

Photo Credit: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for BCBG Max Azria

Back-to-school shopping is over, and now the fall 2009 retail season is in full swing.  New this week:

• Payless Shoe Source (Buy Direct) - Christian Siriano's designer line for Payless Shoe Source debuted today. The Christian Siriano line joins two other designer budget lines for Payless--Lela Rose and Alice + Olivia. For a while today the site was down. I don't know whether the interest in the new Siriano line had anything to do with it, but if you encounter a problem with the Payless site, try again later.

• Macy's (Buy Direct) - Macy's is offering free shipping with $75 regular-priced petite clothing purchase at macys.com. Enter promo code: PETITE75 at checkout. This offer is valid through September 10. Only a day left, so hurry on this one.
• Old Navy (Buy Direct) Old Navy has petites, and there's a sale going on right now. Check out the cotton argyle v-neck cardigans available in petite sizes XS - XXL. Sale priced at $20. Super cute!