Petite Fashion - How to Dress Well If You're Petite
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Introduction
At 4'11" tall, I've had to dress my petite frame to look professional, sophisticated, and just to quench my fashion thirst. Most clothing is made for women 5'5" and taller, so if you're petite, dressing the way you want can be tough. This lens will explore the best of what I've learned shopping and dressing my petite frame.
Visit my petite fashion site for even more!
Visit my petite fashion site for even more!
What is Petite?
A woman 5'4" and below can be petite by fashion industry standards. A woman who is short will have shorter body proportions, and so she needs clothing with shorter proportions. Some of the proportions that are specially constructed for petite clothing include:Shorter length of sleeves and pant legs.
Shorter length of tops and jackets.
Shorter pant rise.
Shorter neckline.
Shorter measurement from shoulder to waist.
Narrower shoulder.
Narrower hip.
Higher armholes.
Smaller details and prints.
Petite Fit Guide
Common Fit Issues Petite Women Should Avoid
Since regular sized clothing is not made for petite women, here is a guide to some common fit issues petite women should avoid while shopping. Let's see if you can figure out how these garments are not fitting well...
Regular size top on petite woman:
Can you see how this regular size top is not fitting me well? Need help? See the answer here: Bad Fit of Regular Size Blouse on a Petite
Regular size jeans on a petite woman:
Can you see what's wrong with these regular size jeans I had hemmed? These jeans are made for a taller woman, but can you see the problem in the fit on petite me? See here for the answer: Bad Fit of Regular Size Jeans on a Petite
Juniors sizes on a petite woman:
Ok, we've all shopped there. Juniors sizing is smaller, slimmer, and shorter right? But it wasn't designed with women our size in mind. Can you see how awful this juniors size tank fits on petite little me? See the answer here: Bad Fit of a Juniors Top on a Petite
Bad fit on petite celebrities:
Yup, bad fit happens to petite celebrities too! Can you see what's wrong with Ellen Page's suit jacket? See the answer here: Bad Fit on Petite Celebrities
Regular size top on petite woman:
Can you see how this regular size top is not fitting me well? Need help? See the answer here: Bad Fit of Regular Size Blouse on a Petite
Regular size jeans on a petite woman:
Can you see what's wrong with these regular size jeans I had hemmed? These jeans are made for a taller woman, but can you see the problem in the fit on petite me? See here for the answer: Bad Fit of Regular Size Jeans on a Petite
Juniors sizes on a petite woman:
Ok, we've all shopped there. Juniors sizing is smaller, slimmer, and shorter right? But it wasn't designed with women our size in mind. Can you see how awful this juniors size tank fits on petite little me? See the answer here: Bad Fit of a Juniors Top on a Petite
Bad fit on petite celebrities:
Yup, bad fit happens to petite celebrities too! Can you see what's wrong with Ellen Page's suit jacket? See the answer here: Bad Fit on Petite Celebrities
Alterations
How to Alter Clothing for Your Petite Frame
So now we know what to avoid...but how do we find clothes that fit? One way is to enlist the help of a tailor and have some clothing items altered to fit petites perfectly. Not everything can be tailored, but here are some common petite tailoring tips to get you started.The Importance of a Good Tailor
First, read about why finding a good tailor is an important step for any petite woman.
Tailoring a Button Down Shirt for a Petite
This button down was HUGE on me, but I got it altered, and now it's one of my favorite tops!
Altering a Waist Gap on a Pair of Pants
This happens to so many women! Don't put a pair of pants you love back just because the waist gaps. It's such an easy alteration to do.
Altering a Blazer Jacket
This jacket was boxy and shapeless on me. After having my tailor take in the sides, now it's slim and flattering.
More Pettie Resources
These sites will help you with shopping for your petite frame, and find your personal style.
- Petite Fashion Blogs
- This site brings together some of the best and most stylish petite fashion bloggers on the web. See what these bloggers are wearing and where they're shopping to get ideas for your own wardrobe.
- Alterations Needed Forum - Petite Fashion, Style and Fit
- Join this active petite community! Ask questions, give advice, share your petite finds and more! This community also has a marketplace to buy/sell/trade petite clothes with other community members, as well as city specific petite shopping guides.
- Alterations Needed
- And then, of course, there's my site! Here I share my shopping finds, tips, and outfits. I also give loads of fit and alteration advice! Stop by and say "hi!"
- Pettie Clothing - How to Dress if You're Petite
- My other lens!
Where To Shop
Brands That Make Perfectly Proportioned Petite Clothing
Make sure you click the "Petites" section before shopping.
- Ann Taylor
- Petite work clothing.
- Ann Taylor LOFT
- Petite casual clothing.
- Banana Republic
- Petite work and casual clothing.
- Gap
- Petite casual clothing.
- Old Navy
- Affordable petite clothing.
Independent Petite Designers
Petites Making Clothing for Petites!
Support these small businesses making petite clothing.
- Henrietta Pertuz
- One of my favorite petite designers.
- Sweet Velvet
- Try the Audrey Dress! It's amazing!
- Allizon Izu
- Petite denim.
Petite Intimates
Did you Know They Make Petite Bras Too?
If you're petite, chances are your chest is too! Check out these bras made just for petite women.
by Alterations Needed
Alterations Needed
Alterations Needed is petite-sized adventures dressing well in a standard-sized world. Starting as a blog, and evolving into a community with the introduction... more »
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