How to dress when your short (petite)

[Lovemusic33]

Fed up of seeing things a like on models, buying them and them not fitting correctly. I’m 5”2, size 10/12, everything’s too long on me.

Went to Sainsbury’s today as they have lovely autumn dresses and pinafores but most come down past my knees, I picked up a jumper dress and again it’s way too long. I always look like a child wearing there new school uniform (to grow into). I know some shops have a petite range but they never have the designs and styles I like . Trousers, dungarees and boiler suits are all too long on me and make me look like a umpalumpa or a minion.

Where do short people buy their clothes? What do they wear?

[honeybunlatte]

I'm 5"1. I turn them up myself or get them altered.

[Lovemusic33]

With things like dungarees and jump suits I find the crotch is too low.
I might have to get the sewing machine out for dresses and trousers.

[mumderland]

Have you tried in the girls section? I've seen some petite women on Instagram say they get clothes from the girls section, such as dresses, as the length fits them better.

[InsertFunnyUsername]

Agree with PP, shop in the girls section. I am 5'2 size 8 and regularly shop in the teens section of H&M, Select, New Look etc.

[Lovemusic33]

I have a few bits from next kids section, buy my leggings from there as they are a better fit, might have to try a dress and see if it’s shorter.

[Oblomov19]

I order loads, from petite ranges.
Debenhams have great petite ranges. As does M&Co.

[MikeUniformMike]

They will be.
Shop in the petite ranges or shops that aren't aimed at taller people.
I'm not petite but not much taller.
Uniqlo is usually fine, as are the high street brands. The top end high street shops are too long for me.
Shops that sell things by inside leg measurement (e.g. Gap) or short/regular/tall (M&S) are usually good.

Jersey dresses and shirts are a pig to shorten, as they need to be shortened from the waist.

[Skinnychip]

I buy plain things from kids sections eg jeggings , leggings, plain tshirts, etc also buy womens cropped jeans as they are normally the right length as are gap ankle grazer length. I bought a petite pinnafore from new look which is a good length for me. The worst thing for me is finding boots the right height! Knee high is too high, mid calf makes me look stumpy!

[OliveOwl]

Asos Petite range is good

[Deecaff]

I'm the same height and find if I buy skirts they tend to be knee length rather than over the knee that they're intended to be which suits me fine. I also buy cropped or ankle grazer trousers/ jeans and wear them as full length.
I never wear boiler suits or dungarees or dresses anyway as I don't have the figure for them.

[MissNorma]

Yep I have this problem as a short arse.

Trousers are problematic. I can't wear boyfriend style cardigans, or maxi or midi styles, or anything voluminous as they just make me look like a child dressing up in her mum's clothes!

Tend to wear more fitted jumpers, cardis and tops, mini skirts and dresses, and trousers from petite ranges.

[goodforbrian]

I am just a bit shorter than you and I find ASOS Petite section a life saver! Topshop petite is also very good for us shortys

[Lovemusic33]

Yes, boots are always a problem too as are cardigans.

I will look at ASOS, i bought a few bits from TU today but not the bits I really wanted, I have to buy a size 12 as my bottom and hips are wide but the rest of me is a 10, buying a 12 makes things even longer 😢.

[TheMarzipanDildo]

God I know this feeling OP!

[Bourbonbiccy]

Yes I know the frustration, a lot of garments just don't sit right once on.

Even petite for me can be a struggle at petite is around 5"4 or 5"3 , I'm only 4"10.5 and a size 6 (or less now in most places ) but still have a good sized bust.

I had never thought of shopping in kids sections, but will definitely try that now. I normally get my items tailored, but it's a pain.

[user1468941724]

I'm a petite with a bust but no hips! Find DP petite good and ASOS. All clothes seem to be so much bigger - wider and longer.

[AnastasiaS]

Sainsburys TU have a petite range online, sorry if anyone else already mentioned this. There are a few pinafore dresses at the moment.

[lotusbell]

I struggle too, at just about 5ft, even most petite ranges are too long. I will get flamed by the taller among us but a lot of shops do trouser legs in 30", 32", sometimes even 34" but don't seem to go shorter than 28" the other end of the scale. Yes, I know stuff can be altered but who has the time, frankly!

[LunaTheCat]

I am short and love Cos. Their dresses sit well
I think trousers and skirts are harder.
Dresses look better than separates when you are short .

[BuffaloCauliflower]

I’m 5”2 and size 12 - generally I just embrace things being longer! I’ve made it part of my style, more and more boho as I get older. I like a midi/semi maxi skirt length and tend to wear longer dresses and skirts most of the time.

I agree dresses are better for petite women. It is the proportions that are more tricky though I grant you, but often things can be taken up. If a dress sits in the right part of my waist but is too long I’ll take it up.

Agreed on ASOS petite for jeans though, I have 26” leg jeans from there. Also yeh GAP bi-stretch petite trousers are the best ever as they fit curves and length, only actual trousers I’ll buy.

[Pigeon31]

I find Uniqlo quite handy for fit and they do (some) trousers in 28" length.

I'm also not fond of heels. I tend to wear more fitted shapes and short skirts (which are often just above kneelength on me).

But also you just get used to doing some simple alterations. And some shops will also do them for you (Uniqlo adjusts lengths in store, and so do Levis).

[SparkyBlue]

@lotusbell I totally get it. I am 4'11 and jeans and trousers are a nightmare.

[GlitteredAcorns]

I am shorter than you but don't like mini dresses, so I am happy when they fall below my knees. The problems is that the back,shoulders never sit right.

[Summersummershine]

I'm 5'2" and I feel your frustration! I struggle with petite ranges as my top half is a fairly average length but I've got shorter legs and arms - which means petite range dresses tend to be the right length but with the waist too high. And I always have to fold sleeves back!

I usually get things altered for length if needed but it's a hassle and expensive. I've got a sewing machine so I can do simple things myself but I'm always worried I'm going to ruin it as my sewing machine sometimes seems to have a mind of its own!

[TroysMammy]

Cropped trousers for "normal" people are perfect .