Petite coats, not grandma style

[WiganKebab10]

Hi all, every year I fight the same battle. The quest for a decent coat in a petite size, that has not been designed with a 70 something in mind. Have any of my vertically challenged mums netters found anything cool this year? I've scoured the usual suspects that do petite sizes: Boden, TopShop, Precis, Dotty P, Gap......etc, but nothing.

The coat is for work mainly, and needs to be a warm winter coat.

Please help!

[divere]

Watching with interest as I've just started a thread looking for a petite coat! Why must it be so difficult.

[LoadsaBlusher]

I love ASOS petite , I'm 5'1 and their sizes are true to fit for my height.
Also Miss Selfridge Petite can have some nice things

I quite like this ASOS petite coat but I have just spent ££ on a parka so will add to my wish list !

[BlueEyedWonder]

I'm 5ft and a size 6-8 so will join this quest!
I have a parka from Topshop petite that I got last year.
I'd like something smarter this year. High wool content. Black or grey.
I missed out on the Boden petite collarless coat - sold out already. I'm checking Banana Republic petite and Gap petite but nothing as yet.

[ginorwine]

Blue .im about to return my petite collarless coat size 10 in the neutral beige colour to boden so one will be in stock !

[WiganKebab10]

The only other tip I have for Boden is to check out the JonnyB stuff. I've had a couple of successes with Age 13-14 size, and I'm also 5ft1, size 8-10.

[WiganKebab10]

However, nothing there suitable for work. I'm also after grey, BlueEyedWonder, so let me know what you spot.

I'm checking daily now, as it's getting chilly, so hopefully between us, us shorties can all get sorted!

If not, let's open a specialist shop!

[alwaysalaughtobehad]

Same here I have not had a decent winter coat for years. So depressing when you see all the lovely styles but arms too long/ length too long etc. I've got close with Principles Petite in Debenhams a few times. I hate wearing anything that makes me look chunky so winter coats have to be right!

[WiganKebab10]

Still no luck. Although I have this on its way:

www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Boiled_Wool_Coat/pp/P_32025.html

[Floisme]

I'm a petite who is also considerably nearer to 70 then 40. There are two things I would like to say:

Firstly, I think I've only ever found 3 coats that I haven't had to get altered. One was from Jigsaw, one from M&S and the third I'm afraid, was bought in New York. The rest of the time I get sleeves shortened and sometimes the hemline too. Yes it's a pain in the arse and adds to the cost but it also saves me a lot of time as I no longer spend weeks trying to hunt down a decent fit.

Secondly I am getting seriously pissed off with posts that use 'grandma', '70-something' or 'old lady' as shorthand for 'unflattering', 'unstylish' or 'dated'. Why can't we just say 'I'd like to find a petite sized coat that's also stylish and modern'?

I object very strongly to the assumption that because I'm hurtling towards old age, I should be satisfied with second rate clothes. Fashion should be for everyone.

Op, I'm really sorry to single out your post as it's by no means the only one and it's certainly not the worst; it just happens to be the one that snapped my patience. Because this is discussed time and time again on these boards and Nothing. Ever. Changes.

[BuggersMuddle]

I'm petite, but relatively broad across the shoulders and largish of boob. TBH I usually buy from a standard range and get the sleeves taken up.

Obviously it depends what style you're looking for and the preferred length (if I want something that has a fitted waist in the right place, I shop petite).

I do go for fairly classic styles to be fair, but I wouldn't say they were frumpy. Jaeger is generally designed for the tall in general IMO, but I've had knee length coats / swing style hip length coats (prob a bit out of fashion now) that have worked well.

I often shop in Hobbs as they shorter in the waist than most shops IME, which works for the vertically challenged. I'm 5' btw, size 10 and 30F.

I guess what I'm saying is - unless you're an awful lot smaller than me - don't discount the normal ranges. My current winter coat is supposed to be mid-thigh, but on me looks like a just above the knee coat dress and I've had lots of complements as it doesn't look 'wrong', just different from when it's worn by someone of 5' 10".

Equally sometimes the more 'traditional' ranges are worth a look. I recall in my 20s when funnel neck, semi-straight cut trench coats were in, I found a fabulous one in Precis Petite, which is not a shop I'd usually consider.

I'd also be prepared to try lots of things on. I used to be very guilty of only trying what I thought would suit me. I think if you're difficult to fit (as I am), then widening what you're willing to try is worth a shot. I was utterly convinced last year that I was buying a coat in Biba that was totally my style. Tried it on and it looked hellish. DP came up waving the coat dress style and I was unconvinced, but it looked great on.

[Uphillanddowndale12]

I second Floisme's comments.
Can you please tell me where I'm supposed to buy these "grandma style" coats from, cause at my age it seems that this is what I'm supposed to be wearing - I've obviously been doing things wrong by wearing coats that suit me based on colour, style, fabric, quality, design etc regardless of whether I'm a granny or not .......

[WiganKebab10]

Thanks Buggers. I guess I got so fed up over the years of spending £££ on the coat and the £££ that I got fed up. I then discovered 'Petite' ranges, which, as we know, are hit and miss in terms of availability, but really do fit some much better.

Have you come across any decent standard sized coats that fit well this season in particular? Something warm is what I'm after.

No offence intended on the 'grandma' language. I guess I was struggling for a more descriptive adjective. I take your point though, and will endeavour not to stereotype in future.

[TwoInTheMourning]

I kind of get what the OP is saying though Floisme. The likes of Minuet and Precis Petite who exclusively cater for petites are very very dated; I am 46 years old but look immediately frumpy when I pur on their clothes. The likes of Top Shop and Miss Selfridge (petite ranges) are probably too young.

I shop at Gap petite and Banana Republic Petite. Massimo Dutti can work very well too as it's a Spanish brand and sizes are generally smaller. They have some gorgeous coats at the moment. Jack Willis can also work sometimes.

[Floisme]

Thank you for listening op I hope you find something soon.

[Floisme]

TwoInTheMourning I completely agree with you that those brands are dated and unstylish. That's my point.
Why should women be fobbed off with that kind of tat because they're around 60 or 70? Or any age?
If they're not good enough for you, why are they seen as good enough for me?

And why are words like 'old lady', 'grandma' and 'pensioner' used interchangeably with 'unflattering,' 'unstylish' and 'dated' time and time again on these boards?

(Not directed at you, op)

[Imnotweirdimlimitededition1]

Try uniqlo - I find the xs a great fit, no alterations needed & I'm 5foot size 8-10. I think it's of Japanese origin

[BlueEyedWonder]

The petite collarless Boden coat is back in stock in an 8 and I'm tempted to give it a go!
ASOS petite also have a nice looking mid grey coat described as slim fit as well as a similar oversized pea coat. Also tempted by these.

[WiganKebab10]

Does anyone know how the Massimo sizing comes up? Would you say try to size?

[lorelei9]

have you tried Zalando at all - good range of stuff.

I have the petite issue and I'm sure you know, shoulders and arms fitting can be a huge problem but some of the continental brands, if I go down a size, sort of become petite and the right length...hard to explain, but seems to work.

[BlueEyedWonder]

I've managed to order the Boden collarless coat in a petite size 6. The reviews for it are mixed. Will report back. M&S petite online have some coats coming through now but none so far are quite what I'm looking for.

[afreshstartplease]

I bought a lovely petite fishtail parka in miss self ridge about two weeks ago 69 quid

[WiganKebab10]

Thanks Lorelei and Freshstart, I'll take a look!

Any reports from the Boden Corner yet BlueEyed?

Any other success stories??

[WiganKebab10]

Thanks also imnotwerid - uniqlo also on my list!

[alwaysalaughtobehad]

I've just bought this one - found it in a Debenhams. Even the Small is tiny! Beautiful coat! only.com/only/wool/onlsophia-wool-coat-otw/15100268,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_15100268_colorPattern=15100268_LightGreyMelange#lcgid=on-wool-coats

[alwaysalaughtobehad]

Am now hunting for my first Parka. That is also a nightmare if petite as I immediately look massive! Anyone found one? I don't like khaki. Shame as Miss S had a nice one!