Petite clothing - where to shop ?

[jen127]

I am really struggling to find petite clothing ! I am 5'0 and size 8 on the bottom and 10 on the top. But the fashion at the petite level is generally very old fashioned.
Any ideas or suggestions ???

I find that next are good for work stuff, and most of their line is made up of smaller versions of their "normal people" designs which is good. Dorothy Perkins is ok, got a cute maxi dress a few weeks ago from there. Topshop's again is just smaller versions, but they seem to always pick the most lurid stuff, never things that you might actually want to invest in. Asos has a huge petite range, but the last few things I've got from there haven't impressed me quality-wise (although lovely, lovely designs). Very also have their own line, but I've never got anything off it so can't comment! The main problem I have with petite sections is that there's never much choice in-store, most of it's online so it's a PITA trying to guess sizes. I'm sorry, that wasn't much help was it?

I just bought some stuff from asos and have just had a lovely pair of jeans from the petite range. I ordered them on sunday and they came the next day. Very impressed with fit

I'm 5ft and size 8. I think you have to put in a bit more effort and shop around if you're petite.
It's often better to look at petite ranges online as they tend to have more stock than what shops carry in the petite ranges.
TOPSHOP petite - good for jeans, chinos, knitwear and jersey basics. I personally find the petite dresses a bit short but I'm 35 so it might be more of an age thing
M&S petite - you have to look through the drab stuff to find the odd good piece. This season I got a great spotty trench that I've had loads of comments on. Also a pair of chinos. They also have a couple of nice maxi dresses I have my eye on.
NEXT petite - fits me very well. Good for jeans, tops, dresses, coats.
DP petite - not very me TBH, but other petite friends really like. The off piece of knitwear is OK. And they have some good maxi dresses.
BODEN petite - I am weaning myself off Boden but some of the coats and trousers are OK
Others worth a look - ASOS petite, Miss Selfridge petite, John Lewis online petite though some is grannified.

The petite ranges in M&S, Wallis, Dororthy Perkins, Topshop, Miss Selfridge are all ok. A bit hit and miss, but ok. Country Casuals does a petite range and I had a decent cardi from there last winter, but obviously, the shop is aimed at older women.

I love Boden petite. I really do. I think their skirts and dresses are really nice.

A good petite website I have used in the past is petite affair. Their spring/summer 2012 range doesn't look that great to me though, and I wonder whether they're in trouble or cutting down on their ranges for some reason.

Monsoon used to do a summer petite range. I don't know if they still do.

Principles petite is still going in Debenhams, but I don't rate the wuality. Also in Debenhams is John Rocha petite and the Debenhams own brand petite if you have time to go through what is great-grannyish and what is passable.

I find that generally the petite stuff is the dowdy part of the main ranges! I hadn't heard of petite affair so I'm off to have a snoop! What's your opinions on maxi dresses for petites? I think they drown me and make me smaller and rounder- any tips ? Aside from losing my 9 year old baby belly

I bought dresses from Wallis online last year and had to send them back as they were too long!

I find M&S main collection trousers in short length are ok but petite is often too short for me (I'm 5'2").

Our larger Tesco used to stock a passable petite range but I think they've phased it out. Again, their trousers were sometimes too short for me.

Next is the one I'd probably recommend.

If you are near a banana republic it often has some nice things in its petite range. Good deals at sale time.

What is Boden's quailty like ? they seem quite pricey ? But don't mind if the clothese are nice ..

I have shopped in banana republic in the US , we don't have it here and have found their stuff to be fab!! I might need a trip then so ..

There's banana republic's in central London.

Hi I agree with blueberry. If you are able to go into banana republic in London (regent st) they have a good petite selection and yes I've picked up some very good deals at sale time. If you are looking for jeans then go into a big Gap as i've bought jeans from them that haven't needed shortening.

Ok so a trip to London is required ! I think I can swing it ! Thanks ladies !!

Oh yes, Banana Republic always gets a look when I'm in London.

jen, I really like Boden's petite range. I bought a couple of skirts (same skirt in 2 different colours/patterns, called the 'fun skirt') in the autumn/winter range and they were great, but I haven't bought anything since then as I am pregnant. But I think the quality is really good and I am definitely going to buy lots of Boden petite things again when I have the baby. I am really pleased to have found a range with quite a few acceptable pieces in, especially skirts and dresses.