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?

I'm the same height as you. Boden has a good petite range, their dresses fit me perfectly. COS has certain styles that are good for us (their fitted dresses tend to be fairly short waisted so good if you are short). Duo boots tell you how long their knee high boots are so you can pick the shorter styles. ASOS has an enormous petite range at all different price points.

I'm 5 ft 3 and have everything taken up. Denim I just shorten using scissors. Dresses are really problematic as they never sit right so I tend to wear Separates, maxis in summer and midis in winter and lots of culottes .
All one colour as a base outfit looks better.
Does anyone here wear trainers? I'm trying to embrace the trend but just feel very short in them. Strangely I'm happy to wear loafers, even with skirts but have a real mental block regarding trainers.

Thank you, I will look at all the places suggested. Boden have a jump suit that I spotted but not sure if it’s in the petite range. My waist is quit high so I find skirts just don’t fit me that well so I prefer dresses. I’m a hour glass kind of shape, size D boobs, 10 waist and wide hips and thighs (leading down to skinny legs). Would love to find a jumpsuit or dungarees that fit correctly but they just don’t sit right.

I get jackets from Wallis - it has a petite section plus is cheap as chips

ASos PEtite

Love music You have a very similar body shape to me and I only buy petite jumpsuit from asos now, nothing else fits.

I am 5ft 2 but must have super long legs for my height. I generally dont get petite jeans or trousers unless I want an ankle length. My inside leg is 31".

I'm 5ft1 and find Boden is cut for willowy, tall women. Everything is very long in the body.

I have boobs and hips so can't always wear children's clothes. It depends on the style.

Dungarees are usually OK if I turn up the legs and adjust the slider things on the straps.

I buy tops from zara kids which is fantastic for the price too. I'm under 5 foot but find boden short too short.

The Times Style page last Wednesday wrote about this; it's quite interesting, but if you can't find the article behind the paywall, the main advice was think about proportion, make sure you have a sliver of skin showing at wrists and ankles (good luck if you live somewhere chilly) and have everything tailored/tweaked to perfect the fit.

I'm 5'1", and buy a lot from Boden! Their jeans are just right for me.

For those saying they follow people on Instagram, which petite people do you follow?

Petite people on instagram: The Fashion Lift (5'2", size 10), Susie So So (similar), Small Town Threads (absolutely tiny, she's a size 6, so I think she must be below 5' in height), HighMaintenance UK (workwear), Little Magpie 1.

I’m 5 ft 3, which is the worst height to be. I’m too tall for petite ranges but not tall enough for regular lengths. Dresses are usually my best bet, although the current trend for midi dresses is proving challenging!

I bought 2 items from Sainsbury’s the other day I’d looked in normal aisle and then found the petite area where I got the 2 items in my size in petite so fit perfectly 5’2 so length is fine, spotty pinafore and a little cardi. I find dresses and skirts need to be petite but tops are ok jeans and trousers I’ll try a few but I’m autumn I wear with boots so can fold under. Oasis used to do some shorter lengths online, but you do need to shop about and try lots on

Ooh I want that spotty pinafore! It looks do cute

Lots of nice pinnies.

I'm just under 5'2 but I've got (comparatively) long legs and therefore a very short top half. Since I have big boobs I prefer wrap or v neck tops and the bottom of the v is always fairly scandalous! I have a lot of camisole tops to go underneath and render myself decently covered.

I tend to get jeans from m & s, their leg length seems ok, but I really struggle with tops and dresses. Will look at asos petite. Small in Uniqlo was huge when I tried it on the other week, which came as a surprise!

The Dearly Bethany YouTube channel has some really good tips for dressing for petites.

I tend to buy stretch shift ( tunic) dresses- from Boden Next or Seasalt( all have petite ranges) or mini dresses in regular ranges ( that are knee length on me). I am not as short waisted as many petites and often I have to buy a regular and if needed, take up the hem. Whistles jeans and Uniqlo tend to be quite short.

Boden has the best petite range of all, I think. I've bought loads and loads from there in the past. Free delivery and free returns, generally, plus there are always discount codes floating around. Their returns speed of processing is also very good and generally quibble free.

If you have a bigger bottom that top, and a high waist, the Abigail dress would be great for you. It is the winter version of the summer Amelie dress, and it was really nice.

I’m 5’2 and my favourites are M&S and also La Redoute seem to fit me nicely. I find ASOS a bit hit and miss with some things too long in the body. I live in skirts and dresses though as have never found trousers or jeans that sit right!! Block colours or smaller patterns generally look better on us petites I think, bold patterns can look very curtain-y!! I’ve been surprised to find that midi dresses look ok - but you need something with a defined waist and a relatively slim cut to not be drowned but with trainers to give you that bit of ankle definition it’s quite flattering. I have a nice one from New Look surprisingly. I like the way Linda Cardlini dresses in “dead to me”, she’s teeny and wears lots of t-shirts with long skirts and wedges and looks great.

I found a nice pinafore cord dress in Matalan today that’s quite short, I don’t usually sop in matalan, popped in there for bedding and came out with a dress, haven’t tried it on yet but looks the right length and for £16 it was worth a try. Have also ordered a boiler suit from ASOS petite range. Thank you all for the great recommendations, though my bank account is probably not so thankful 🤣