'normal' and affordable petite clothing. does it exist??!!

[SeonaSeona]

I'm 5ft 1. Size 10.

I'm on an actual low budget. Not just 'cutting back', no choice but to shop at the cheapest brands. Think Primark prices (if they did petite). Could stretch to some things at Zara prices if I ask family for clothes money as presents.

I cannot seem to find petite clothing which is affordable in simple basics.

The past year I've been getting stuff from boohoo and misguided as they are cheap. Would be nice if I were under 25 without a bit of a mummy tummy (diastasis recti) that I want to disguise!!

Everything I can afford is super 'fashionable' and (imo) too young for me. I realise fashionable is for any age but I'm more a classics/basics/know what suits me and try to incorporate trends only if they suit my body type.

I ordered some plain t shirts. Size 10. When they arrived were huge tent like things with a weird unflattering fall. Changed for size 6. Still huge and still too long. I don't even want anything 'tight' , just a plain t shirt not too loose but far from tight. Ditto a petite belted coat last winter which wasn't a 'puffer' jacket or cropped!!

I realise I won't get good quality fabrics or cuts for the price I need, but just some non 'ironic' basics would be good. Like Primark have some of, but they don't do petite.

Apologies for huge rant!!

I feel your pain ! ( and you are taller than me 😏 )
Have you looked at TU in Sainsbury's ?
In a lot of places even their short length trousers are too long for me, but some styles in Sainsbury's are ok. For plain t shirts take a look at some children's ranges in shops, although you will find most have motifs which are not suitable ( unless unicorns or dinosaurs are your thing !)
I can't help in recommending costs as it takes me ages years to find a good one.

Coats !

Oh and I don't really need petite trousers or jeans - for some reason petite is too short in them, I get average length and get them taken up a little.

Need petite tops, coats, knitwear, cardis, dresses and skirts (except maxi or midi though as they are too short).

Just looked at h and m petite. That's kind of what I want, but only 33 items and mostly bottoms.

I signed up with Stitchfix and my last 2 pairs of trousers were perfect length. I'm pear shaped, big thighs, and 5ft!! So buying clothes in shops is really hard. I'm impressed by Stitchfix but you do have to give your measurements accurately. You don't need to sign up to monthly subscriptions but I like to try a box once every 2 months and you just post back what you don't want And they refund you. Plus I like the stylist to pick clothes for me. If you want to try let me know and I'll give you my link. You'll get £15 off first box .

Yes petite tops at Stitchfix too.

Dorothy Perkins and New Look do petite. Admittedly I don’t know about their tops as although I’m 5ft I’m short mainly in my legs (if that makes sense) and so wear ‘normal’ length tops which are only slightly long on me. But you are definitely right re the (lack of) availability for petite clothing.

@VictoriaBun

Thanks for commiserating with me .

Agree on the unicorns and sparkles thing in Kids sections!! Although thanks for reminding me of that, I will try again as I've had some great cardis and jumpers from age 12-13 ranges.

I like TU in general so will have a look as one near me.

Also, Debenhams might be worth a look- although pricier normally, they have a constant clearance/jumble sale at the minute (admittedly I didn’t think they were reopening). You may well find something heavily reduced.

Ooh yeah, I used to go to New Look and Dorothy Perkins when I lived near a shopping centre. Think my mistake may be trying online too much.

I'm going to look into stitchfix just now thanks.

I'm 5'1 and swear by Next Petites.

Will look on Debenhams website, thanks.

Have a look on eBay - you can get good condition second hand clothing

I like next shoes so I'll try next, would have to be the sales.

Think maybe my mistake is trying to go for the absolute cheapest online cause of my budget. When I maybe should be looking at the sales in the high street type places you've all suggested.

I feel your pain.
A few things I have found after painful trial and error:
Coats - Trespass do XXS (not just XS). For example, this fits me really well -I'm a 6/8 at 5ft 1
www.trespass.com/rainy-day-womens-waterproof-jacket#color_code=Red
If that's out of your price range, there are cheaper ones on there.

Dresses: you can find some real treasures on New Look. I know it's polyester/vicose, but as you'll know, if you're petite and on a tight budget, you don't have much choice.
E.g. this - they often have discounts
www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/summer-dresses/petite-green-floral-puff-sleeve-midi-dress/p/652182639

T-shirts - I have a few of these. M&S (probably the only thing I've bought there for ages). The 6 is nicely fitted without being skin-tight
www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-3-4-sleeve-fitted-t-shirt/p/clp60429813?image=SD_01_T41_8976_F0_X_EC_90&color=NAVY&prevPage=srp

Also, have you tried Peacock's kids' section? I've got some t-shirts from there that are refreshingly devoid of unicorns.

Sorry, all a bit random but hope something works.

YY to eBay. The vast choice sort of intimidates me, but I love second hand, I used to work in charity retail and loved it. Will try harder with that.

Wallis and Principles both have petite sections which are a bit more normal.

I agree about the generally ‘oversized’ look in tops. I’m the same size as you OP and I often have to go as low as size 6 to avoid looking swamped though tightness over the bust can be an issue.
Next have a fairly decent petite range.

There was another thread in Style and Beauty last week about decent, non-cutesy Petite clothes that might be worth a look, PPs had some good recommendations. A soft Whistles jacket was recommended by lots of people. French and Italian brands were also suggested for petites.

Ooh thanks!!

Size 6/8 would definitely be too small for me, I'm 8.5 stone at 5ft 1 and biggish boned and hipped and C cup, but perhaps an 8/10 wouldn't be too much longer and I like a good waterproof!! Will try there.

Love M and S t-shirts and shoes!! Didn't know they did petite. Could stretch to a t shirt price in there hopefully.

Never heard of peacocks. Will look. Somehow despite my curviness I can usually get away with age 12-14 cardis, knitwear, and t shirts if I stretch them a little. Trousers and coats no way haha.

Thanks my mum used to love Principles and Wallis . If I can get in sales.

Will look at thread. Yep, not a 'cutesy' type although I like dusky pink and some flowers etc, but nothing that looks like trying to match your Children's changing bag.

@Lunaballoon - definitely!! Drives me crazy!! I'm not even really slim, BMI 22-23, C cup, broad shoulders and a belly to hide, and the 'petite' t shirts and blouses SWAMP me. In both size and length. Don't know if it's vanity sizing or the fashion.

OP, I'm a bit taller (5ft 3), petite built and often this awkward borderline in terms of sizes.

M&S's best t-shirts are the simple ones for £4.50 (I think that's the price now, used to be £3.50). So not bad.

Asos generally will have quite a few petite clothes (although some of their sizing is rather generous). I find Miss Selfridge is generally quite small, for shorter women. So is Oasis (if they're still trading) - but if on a budget, then on sale, they used to be a bit pricier. As pps said, definitely Dorothy Perkins petite, New Look petite, and Debenhams is often overlooked but has a very good choice of different brands and regular sales. I shop there a lot and 9/10 I always find something nice that fits me. They sell both, Wallis and Principles, amongst many other brands.

I'm 5ft, and find standard t-shirts, tops are fine in general as I prefer a slightly longer line. However, what I would welcome would be some "plain" clothes. No tie hems, high collars, pussybows, cold-shoulder, batwing, lace panels, midriff-baring, smocked or otherwise tinkered with. Just a basic T-Shirt. H&M used to be really good at this.
Trousers are always a pain. I have short legs. Usually standard petite is too long.
And even if you do find normal petite stuff, it's only ever about a quarter of the range of garments available to everyone else.
Right now I am trying to find lightweight trousers. Not flares, not bootleg, not Palazzo pants. I don't want zebra print or ott patterns. I want trousers that taper in at the ankle, that are plain, not high-waisted, and don't cost a fortune.

Asos! Their own range - fairly cheap and varied (and often on sale) - lots of classic basics.

I appreciate that your budget is low, but I really don't think you will get what you want for Primark prices. I've pretty much given up buying cheap clothes. IMO it's better to get one good item for £50 that will last you than spending the same amount on 5/10 items and having to buy more in six months time. Buying good quality staples helps, like good jeans, a good coat etc. But in general, petite ranges are woefully small. Next is probably the biggest one, you have to go online and it's still not as good as the main range.

I'm 5'1 (and a bit) and have the opposite problem to you. Short legs and normal body, so it's usually trousers I need in petite and normal tops are OK. My basic t-shirts I use for layering are actually from Primark. The stretchy crew neck ones they usually have piled up.

I do think kids clothes can be hit or miss. If you find girls clothes a bit pink and fluffy, you can always try boys kids clothes. I get my boys basic coloured t-shirts from Next for about a fiver.

I'm petite (size 6-8) and 5ft and I've got some fitted tshirts from primark. My DD is about size 4 and shes got stuff from there too.
Wallis petite (imo) is not petite at all whenever I've tried anything .
Next does vanity size a lot!! I've got size 6 skirts and shorts from there and I need a belt to stop them from falling down! (And my waist is not tiny) they must be at least a 10-12.
Having said that I find next, DP and new look probably the most affordable, new look I sometimes use their teen range- no rainbows or unicorns there.