Is there a ‘petite’ thread?

[legfaced]

I’m in desperate need of good quality basic petite vest tops. I find the straps on most are too long. I tried ASOS petite but they shrink like mad and are really thin material.

Or just buy normal clothes a size bigger - e.g. stretchy vest dresses from Primark.

My current wardrobe is 2 pairs of petite skinny black maternity jeans (1 Asos, 1 h&m) 1 pair of skinny black maternity trousers (h&m, I don't know if they're intentionally short or not) and 1 pair of skinny jeans (as above.) Then a load of size 14 tops from Primark and H&M. I'm normally a 10.

I'm wearing a lot of pjs at the weekend, although I've just ordered some petite maternity leggings from asos.

By any chance do you know if New Look do their petite maternity in store or is it online only?

I am 5 ft 2 and a size 10 to 12. I like the gap and banana republic petite ranges. Also j crew but it is very expensive. Next is ok for jeans. M and S are ok occasionally for short length trousers.

The New Look where I am (Stirling) has them in store, it's a pretty decent sized branch. I got a nice pair of under the bump dark blue skinny jeans that were the perfect length (I'm 5'). Plus a couple of skater dresses to wear with opaque tights or leggings. I remember work wear being a struggle, I think I wore the same outfit over and over...

I’m not petite, 5’5”, but I must have a short torso because vests are so long on me.

I buy a size down now but it’s not perfect.

Hurrah, a petite thread

Holy I don't wear jeans but sure I have read on MN that Levi's do free adjustments/tailoring if you buy jeans in their store? Could be wrong though.

Do any of you buy from the childrens' ranges at all? I do like the teen ranges at H & M and New Look for basics type stuff (and I can share them with my DC, bonus!)

Anyone on the petite side of petite? I'm struggle with petite stuff even. Especially when the fashion is roomy tops.

icelandic Baggy stuff makes me look awful. I really struggle with tops generally tbh as they swamp me. I’m a size 8 and 5ft 2 so not really petite petite.

I have just ordered new look petite leggings so will report back!

icelandic Baggy stuff makes me look awful. I really struggle with tops generally tbh as they swamp me. I’m a size 8 and 5ft 2 so not really petite petite.

Icelandic - I'm another one who can't wear baggy tops. I think there's a lot to be said for accepting some fashions will always look terrible on short people.

The pleated skirt look that was so beloved last year by stylish types looked so frumpy on me.

On the other hand, last autumn I was on the "AW17/18 trends" thread and someone posted a short cord skirt, lots of angst about how short it was, but on me it sat low to mid-thigh so perfectly acceptable, whereas the "average" sized ladies looked a bit "here are my pants" in it.

I currently hate the whole statement sleeves thing, it makes me look like I've borrowed a taller persons clothes and it's a faff to alter.

Not that you haven’t had some great advice here, but have you been over to the Style and Beauty board?
I’d bet they might also have some good suggestions :)

Just bumping this up - I'm after petite springy trousers, that'll look good with brogues and trainers and dont look like jimjams. Anyone seen anything good?

coffee I’ve got some gap petite bistretch trousers. They’re ankle grazer length and always a 30% off offer kicking around

ooh, thanks Legfaced! Looks promising. Now I just need the forcasted snow to do one so I can start getting the old ankles out and move away from thick tights and multiple layers...

I'm glad to find you all
I'm 5ft but size 12/14 (depending on the shop). At the moment I buy 29" leg jeggings from Matalan and roll them up

Oh honestly, could someone point out to shops like M&S that if you are short, you are more likely to be a smaller dress size too? (There short leg chinos are not available in a size 6, but the regular length are)

Coffeeorsleep completely agree. M&S do size6 in regular so why not in petite? Especially since I have some M&S size 8 clothes despite being an M&S size 12 back in the 80s/90s at the same weight. At 5'2" and a BMI between 23 and 24 I never use to be considered small and now I am.

But Marks and Spencer do make a size 6 in petite !

Not of everything.

Everything online starts from a 6 in petite though. I used to buy my work clothing from there and never had trouble finding a 6 Petite .if it's not in store because it's out of stock they will do click and collect .

Are there any good places for petite petites? I'm a UK 4 or even a 2 sometimes and am 5'2.

I struggle for reasonably priced formal workwear and smart casual stuff. I've tried banana republic but any other suggestions?

I buy the vest tops from the h&m older kids range. The age 14+ is perfect and they are all cut a lot higher so my boobs don't fall out.

In fact a lot of the tops in the girls range fit me perfectly.

Same with Zara. Perfect sleeve length on jumpers when I buy the age 13-14. 😏

Topshop and miss Selfridge do small sizes in petite . Maybe good for basics ?

Came on to say Miss Selfridge too - not exactly high fashion but they have some cute things that fit for work. I find any brands targeted at a younger audience are better for petite sizing - I wear a lot of Jack Wills stuff in a 6 because it tends to be an actual 6 not vanity sized like a Whistles one might be. Hollister have the odd nice thing too if you can swerve massive branding.

Moonmaker - unfortunately on a lot of their trousers that they do in Short, Regular, or Long - they only offer the size 6 in the regular (and I believe many of their larger sizes are only available in regular too). I can see that most demand would be for regular - but surely for the smaller sizes, you are more likely to be short and a small dress size (so you are in proportion) than a regular or long legged person...

But they don't seem to get generally, last time I went in they had a big load of jeggings in a range of colours on 3 shelves with short, regular and long - fabulous range of choice. Only issue, some bright spark had decided put all the short ones on the top shelf...