So where does one buy non frumpy petite wear?

[PetiteMum]

went to debenhams today, and it was shocking....just.....polyester....EVERYWHERE! I need clothes, mainly tops to hide my post preggo flab :(

Oh, Petite, I hope people come up with some answers cos I'm desperate for some new clothes and just can't find anything either. In desperation, I'm almost ready to make stuff myself at the moment.

I like next, top shop and occasionally dorothy perkins.

But what really annoys me is that it's the bottoms you really need in petite and you get a collection with 30% bottoms and 70% tops when it's easy to wear regular tops when you're short.

Yeh, that's true.... I was also hoping to bag a perfectly fitting trench coat.....again shockingly bad. The arms were too long! Unless my arms have shrunk!

Boden is doing a petite range Autumn/Winter season I think

community.boden.co.uk/boden/blog/2011/06/10/a-sneak-peek-at-boden-petite/

Oooh, Mumelie - that's very exciting. Thank you. Just hope what's left of my clothes last till the Autumn!

Being a very petite person myself I struggle hugely to find nice clothes that fit well on my tiny frame. Noway will I look at Boden hell no its vile looking.

Mmmmm, see topshop, DP etc have petite ranges that saw me through my twenties just fine. Now I feel. Should have fewer clothes, but better quality and no idea where to start! :(

Hi I'm also a petite - only 5ft - and find it hard to find good quality clothes to fit. I find that Debehanhams is a hit or miss, sometimes I can go in and find, other times its a load of rubbish.

M&S online have a better petite range than in store and I recently bought a new pair of jeans in GAP they fitted well and only had to be taken up at the bottom - story of my life! Have you looked at www.Petiteaffair.com they specialise in petites. I know that Austin Reed had a petite section and so did Banana Republic whether they still do I don't know.

If you do find good ranges please let us know.

Most of the 'petite' ranges seem to be so boring. Mostly black and often horizontal stripes which look dreadful on me - a 'House of Colour' Deep Autumn, Natural Gamine. There has to be something better out there!

Top shop

Another 5ft person here!
Next is good for jeans, linen trousers and coats and jackets. I am less keen on their other stuff for some reason
M&S petite online has the occasional item that is not frumpy but you do have to look hard... I have a decent trench from there, a pair of boyfriend jeans and a black dress which was a recent purchase
Topshop petite is also worth a look - however, I am 35 and some of it is too young for me
Dorothy Perkins petite is also good for tops and there is a nice floral cotton sundress in there at the moment
John Lewis petite online has various brands that do petite stuff - I recently got a nice navy spot dress to wear to a wedding

I buy a lot on www.petiteaffair.co.uk so I would recommend that site. If you're looking for a trenchcoat, the mauve mac as an alternative is really nice (but it is dry clean only).

I've recently bought some summer stuff in Next and Wallis petite sections which are doing me fine too.

Its not easy is it!

Many thanks HappyAsIAm for your recommendation of Petite Affair- at only 5"1 I always have to take up jeans and trousers, I have now placed my first order and am very excited about it arriving !

Glad to be of help! Its usually me asking for advice, so good to return the favour.