A very nice reader named Rachel emailed me the following comment: “I am barely 5 ft. tall and weigh about 94 lbs. Clothes do not fit right! I cannot find pants or tops that look presentable. On the off chance that I do find something, it can be $100 or more. Can you suggest clothing that fits someone who’s small and is affordable? Thanks, Jewish Lady.”
Rachel, I truly understand your dilemma. I’m also a petite and my sister is around your height but even thinner. Clothes shopping can be extremely frustrating! Because I love fashion, I’ve spent a lot of time browsing at the mall, outlets, boutiques, etc. Finding something that fits off the rack is challenging when most clothing is cut to accommodate larger sizes. Shirts and sweaters have a boxy cut and sleeve/pant length is usually much too long.
First off, if you’re not shopping exclusively in the petite section, you should be. petite clothes not only have a shorter inseam, they fit better overall. Also, look for natural fibers. Synthetic fabrics never seem to fit/feel right.
You don’t mention if you prefer casual or dressy clothing, but most wardrobes need a solid foundation of classic pieces. Petites, in particular, have to avoid dressing too young. Because we’re so small to begin with, a lot of people think we’re kids and you don’t want to dress inappropriately. I know many petites shop in the Juniors department, but that clothing is poor quality and unprofessional.
Once you’ve decided to stick exclusively with petites, do some window shopping in a store that has good options like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Gap, and Old Navy. All of these stores have regular sales and coupons. If that’s still too expensive, try the outlets. I have many pieces from Banana Republic Outlet that I’ve owned, worn, and loved for years!
Other stores that have a wider petite selection: Express, Nordstrom, Target (online), J.Crew, ASOS, Topshop, and Bloomingdales.
Another idea for petites is to try custom options. Do you sew, or know someone that does? A good seamstress can create items that will fit you perfectly. It’s not the cheapest option, but if you truly can’t find anything in stores, it may be worth it. We have to calculate the cost per wear of an item, not just the initial cost. It’s much better to own a single quality piece and wear it often, than tons of cheap junk that hangs in the closet!
Need additional inspiration? Check out some posts from my style series:
Anyone who has additional advice for petites is welcome to comment!
I’m small made but not really petite. However, my neice is truly petite and I’m going to be sharing your post with her. Great information here!
I’m not petite, far from it, but I found some great nuggets in your post. Like shopping at a nice store for a piece that will last forever, I totally agree! I have a great dress that I got on sale, added a coupon and gift card, originally over $100, got it for like $15 and I’ve had it for 3 years and wear it all. the. time!
My best friend is petite and has always struggled with finding clothes that fit her and her style. I’m excited to share this with her!
My mother is a smaller lady and she has a similar issue. I, on the other hand, am tall and find that pants are a bit too short. Great info!
I am definitely not petite, but your comments can be just as applicable to other ends of the fashion spectrum. My sons are all tall and lean, which means that most clothing looks like tents on them. They have discovered the value of buying tailored clothing. They have even found websites that custom make shirts and slacks to your individual measurements. Good luck with your shopping.
I’m about five feet tall, but heavy. I rarely find anything in Petites that fits me, but clothes that fit my width don’t look right, either. Too long, or the waist falls at my hip so I have to get an even bigger size. I do sew, but I do that for my tiny business so I hate to take on more! Ah well, problems, problems.
I am not petite, but I have many good friends who may fit into this category and they seem to have challenges when it comes to shopping, similar to the way that I find challenges with buying cute shoes since I wear a size ten. Your article gives some helpful hints and great tidbits for shopping as a petite woman. Thanks for sharing!
Have you tried Nordstrom shoes? They have a huge range of sizes and widths.
Hey Jewishlady. I too am petite and also have difficulty finding clothes that fit right. Even though I do shop in the petite section I still find that I have to cut my pants legs and my sleeves because they’re simply too long for me. I have become really great at hemming these up myself but it does get annoying. So I sometimes resort to getting my clothes custom made. Thanks for sharing.
I, like Jenny am short but fluffy. This causes an issue as well. To buy clothes that are the right length, I would have to not breathe. Do you have any tips on where I could find clothes I don’t have to hem.
I have a friend that’s petite and plus sized. She buys all her clothes at Talbots and Lands Ends. Not sure if you’ve tried those two, but it might work?
I have the problem of not being the same size throughout. I’m short, but have a long in-seem and sleeve length. Dress Barn has a good petite section that includes some larger sizes.
Sometimes I wonder if clothes off the rack truly fit anyone properly!
Same here. It’s definitely not been my experience or anyone I know.
Very interesting comments. I have always envied smaller/shorter women. Being quite tall I found that many times things looked small on me. One thing I do believe though is that our hearts all fit and we all ( at least most that I know) have at least XL size hearts!!
My mother is petite. So petite and small that she actually wears teen girls clothes. Before long her and kiddo (who is 10) are going to be the same size. They can already wear each others shoes.
Great tips offered in this post. Before child I use to Love shopping for clothes and as a petite, I got the best fit from the petite dept. Now I just hate shopping all together!
Been 5’8″ since middle school and i would love to have this problem just once. It’s funny how we always want what we can’t have.
Thanks for the links. I am petite and will have to check them out.
I’m very petite too – I have the same problems. I put on shirts and dresses and often the necklines fall below my bustline!! Thanks for the tips and store recommendations!
Oh I so feel this!!! I work at a resale shop and have had a lot of luck shopping there, because I get to see a wide variety of brands and styles. Instead of shopping at one store where they might have just a couple different brands and all lean toward one style, I see everything and get to pick what works for me. Shop at resale shops!!!
I am 5’3″ – not exactly petite, but not really tall either. Sometimes, I can wear petite clothes and they fit just fine. Other times, they don’t. Do you have any suggestions for what area of the stores I should be shopping?
I’m not petite, but I can understand the frustration because I think it’s difficult to find flattering clothes in just about any size. Just last week I ordered 5 shirts from one particular store and returned 4 of them! haha!
I’m very thin, however I’m far from short. Growing up, finding pants that fit both is waist and in length was nonexistent. I’v finally “filled out” a little more. But finding things that fit RIGHT is challenging, still. This post was very insightful. Thank you for sharing these tips!
Miss–
I am also 5’0″ but 130-140 (when I’m not pregnant, which I am now!). My problem is finding petite length clothes that don’t assume I am “petite” in every aspect. And maternity clothes is another world! Hopefully I can follow your advice once I lose the baby weight!
Yikes! This post is totally out of my league, as a 6 foot, 235 pound man. But hey, it’s great there is something for everybody!
I have a similar problem, being tall everything is too short. I have had my best luck going to shrift stores and trying on anything that I like that looks promising. With pants I can look at the rack and see how long they hang, though long sleeve shirts are harder. This seems to be a good way to try several brands for fit.
No petites here, but we all have problems with clothes, right? It is hard to find things that fit well, no matter what your size. I also believe in finding good basic pieces and just build from there.
I think this post is great. I’m thin and tall and find it tough to get clothes to fit me quite right. I can see how it is different for everyone and that we all struggle at times. I agre investing in a really good piece is a great plan.
Sometimes I wish I had this issue haha I have a problem finding pants that are wide enough at the hips/butt but small enough in the waist…but they have to be short at the same time because I’m 5’4 lol Ah, I don’t like clothes shopping! These are great tips you’ve shared. I love to read fashion series so I can learn…there are even blogs dedicated to petite fashion!
I’m not petite by any stretch of the imagination but I can understand the difficulty in finding clothes that fit/look right. I’m in a weird age where I’m too old to wear juniors but not old enough to wear misses. I think clothes are challenging no matter what your size.
I’m just the opposite of petite, being tall, which also has it’s limitations to finding clothes. I really like your suggestion of finding quality pieces or sewing your own. Making ones own clothes isn’t something alot of people do anymore and maybe we need to consider trying it and learning to sew. Especially for those of use who don’t fit in the standard clothing sizes in stores.
Great post here! Although I am not at all petite, I have normal size on clothes, I understend soo much the problem with finding right clothes…sometimes I don’t understend some designers…clothes should fit us if we buy the right size…or not?…hmmmm…anyway…I enjoied reading your post, great writen! Best wishes!
Really helpful post for petite ladies 🙂 Your linked posts on the ideal wardrobe are also really clear in explaining what types of clothing are flattering or otherwise!
I am short but not petite, I can wear normal size clothes. I can see how this would be a problem looking for tall or petite clothes.
I certainly feel this frustration! Yesterday I was bathing suit shopping…need I say more : )
Great post. Thanks for the helpful tips.
I’ve always wished I was shorter but it seems that everyone struggles with finding the right clothes and making things work for them. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for these tips. I’m a petite and I am one with her in her dilemma. Sometimes, if I don’t need something too formal, I shop at the kids clothing ’cause the bigger sizes still fit me. LOL
I wish I could afford to pay someone to make my clothes for me! Especially jeans. I can’t ever find a pair of jeans that fit me well.
I do feel sorry for the petite folk. I’m rather average so I have no problems. I do sew elastic in the back of many of my girls’ skirts as they are thin.
I’ve never had the petite problem but this is good advice for those who do.
My mom is petite and she has the best success at Kohls especially for pants.
I’m a shortie; I was so frustrated when I asked if a bridesmaid dress came in petite and the best they could do was take in the straps–my whole shape is shorter! My waist is in a different place. Sigh…frustrating. But I wore it once and gave it to Project Cinderella, where hopefully it was found by a tall girl. 🙂
I am the complete opposite as I am 5’8.5 and have issues finding clothes for myself that fit properly! Ugh!! I do understand your pain! My daughter (go figure) is 5’ft and it is a constant irritation for her to find cute things but them not be in her size…. Thanks for this!