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The petite thread: for the short (of whatever size, shape or taste)

413 replies

popularinthe80s · 10/10/2020 08:40

@lougirl
@Sooverthemill
@TooMinty
@peachypetite
@peachypips
@Tinkerpony
@NearWildHeaven
@rk47
And anyone else who fits under the pencil mark on the wall, all welcome.
Share your petite finds, disappointments and tips here.
This is where the petite party started: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4041075-long-cardigan-for-short-person?pg=1

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
TooMinty · 20/10/2020 09:15

Plus chunky socks with them too!

TooMinty · 20/10/2020 09:19

Have you tried All Saints for a cardigan? I am currently wearing a charcoal grey waterfall cardigan from there, XS. It is long but don't feel like it drowns me.

I have ordered a fleecy cardigan from Abercrombie and Fitch, hope it fits!

popularinthe80s · 20/10/2020 13:14

That's an idea, TooMinty, will take a look.

OP posts:
athousandstrawberrylollys · 20/10/2020 18:15

Can I stop lurking? 5'3", size 12. Have you looked at Uniqlo, popularinthe80s? Their v-neck cardigan which hits the model on the hips hits me about mid-thigh, and has become my de facto longline cardi

Coffee4Queen · 20/10/2020 18:47

@popularinthe80s I was the same but with Solovairs! I went back and forth so many times. I bought the two below to try on as they looked less chunky but returned them and got my Solovairs in the end as I loved them too much Grin

www.schuh.co.uk/womens/red-or-dead-rod-robbie-leather-lace-up-black-boots/1421717020/

www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/boots/ankle/spike-black-leather-carvela

AngelaScandal · 21/10/2020 04:12

Thank you to whoever put us on to petite Sainsbury’s! My package arrived yesterday . 2 x petite corduroy pinafores fit beautifully. The only thing going back is the denim dress which was not petite and makes me look like something from Life On Mars.

pumyin · 21/10/2020 05:20

@RoginaInWellies Size 1 & 1/2 feet here. Have spent an inordinate amount of my life looking for little shoes!
I have found the following offer a variety of styles & often “non-toddler” type designs:

AlexandAlexa
Smallable
Unisa. John Lewis & Zara - children’s
Selfridges
Childrensalon
Farfetch

Coffee4Queen · 21/10/2020 06:45

@popularinthe80s have you looked at Lands End for cardigans?

www.debenhams.com/women/knitwear/cardigans/petite

atomicnotsoblonde · 21/10/2020 06:55

5'2 and dress size uk 4 or 2. I'm tiny - it's a nightmare especially for workwear 😱

popularinthe80s · 21/10/2020 09:02

@athousandstrawberrylollys, glad you're joining in!
Did you mean this one? www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-100pct-extra-fine-merino-wool-v-neck-cardigan-428859COL69SMA001000.html

@Coffee4Queen, have you been in my study? :-) I've actually been considering Solovairs. The astronaut or the monkey boot. Which one did you go for in the end?

Lands End - hmm. It's a good idea, but I had a disappointment with them last year - got excited and ordered lots - but it was all too big. But I'll have a look.

Please feel free to share pics, anyone. Our tall sisters on the 'What you're wearing today' thread are rocking it with the photos. No pressure, of course - I'm shy myself - but if you have the energy, a photo can be helpful.

OP posts:
Coffee4Queen · 21/10/2020 10:28

@popularinthe80s Grin Grin

I got the Greasy Derby.

I like the idea of outfit of the day photos. Might encourage me to wear proper clothes some days and not just loungewear!

athousandstrawberrylollys · 21/10/2020 11:18

@popularinthe80s that looks very like! Mine is cotton, but it's a few years old and scooting around the website I don't think they're doing it exactly anymore.

My biggest small-person problem is trousers. (Long torso, very short legs). The only pair I own that didn't have to have several inches hacked off the ankle are some M&S ankle grazer cords, which are full length on me!

DisgruntledGuineaPig · 21/10/2020 16:40

I bought some flat black boots that don't make me look like I have noddy feet today! They are from M&S and are very dull though. But I need something i can wear with trousers for work.

Also was on the hunt for the smart winter coat. Think I've found one that fits well, doesn't make me look like I've borrowed DHs coat or like a new year 7 who's mum has bought a coat they'll grow into. Sleeves would need shortening but that's standard. But its more than I wanted to spend, by quite a bit. Its this one from Ted Baker, would go with the green option. www.johnlewis.com/ted-baker-rose-belted-wool-blend-coat/olive/p5095434

Thoughts?! (The general "oversized" coat look can bugger off, I need something that looks like it fits me!)

TooMinty · 21/10/2020 18:24

And a bit less interesting than Ted Baker.

CurbsideProphet · 21/10/2020 21:33

I'm just checking in so I can go back and see all of your recommendations. I'm 5ft and seem to spend my life looking for short enough sleeve and trouser lengths. I'm only WFH so technically no need for new clothes, but I can always look 🙂

icklekid · 22/10/2020 05:08

@DisgruntledGuineaPig

I bought some flat black boots that don't make me look like I have noddy feet today! They are from M&S and are very dull though. But I need something i can wear with trousers for work.

Also was on the hunt for the smart winter coat. Think I've found one that fits well, doesn't make me look like I've borrowed DHs coat or like a new year 7 who's mum has bought a coat they'll grow into. Sleeves would need shortening but that's standard. But its more than I wanted to spend, by quite a bit. Its this one from Ted Baker, would go with the green option. www.johnlewis.com/ted-baker-rose-belted-wool-blend-coat/olive/p5095434

Thoughts?! (The general "oversized" coat look can bugger off, I need something that looks like it fits me!)

I have this ted baker coat but the shorter length and the sleeves/ top half fit me pretty well - I love it!
popularinthe80s · 22/10/2020 07:12

@athousandstrawberrylollys, thanks for the confirmation. I may have an order.
@coffee4Queen, ah, the Solovair Derbys. They look lovely. Did you get the 6 or the 8 eye? I'd actually really like the 8 eye, but nervous of the noddy effect (@disgruntledguineapig :-)

Might be able to help with the coat scenario, if the (admittedly gorgeous) Ted Baker coat is too pricey....I was considering the Hobbs Tilda, but it's still out of my price range and also a bit too smart for my work/life. But I have just got this in XXS and it's brilliant. If you are a larger size, I think the smaller cut around shoulders/length would still apply www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-cashmere-blend-chesterfield-coat-429475COL31SMA006000.html

OP posts:
chasegirl · 22/10/2020 08:02

Great thread. Am 5ft 1 abs size 8 to 10 depending on the shop.

Struggling to find dresses at the moment as they are all too floaty and drown me, even the petite range dresses.

Usually buy from Next, new look etc. Rarely from Dorothy Perkins as they never fit me.

chasegirl · 22/10/2020 08:05

Am also looking for knee high boots. Bought a pair from River Island last week that will be returning, they look great until I sit down as they are too high at the back of my knee.
So I bed knee high boots that arent quite knee high Confused

Sooverthemill · 22/10/2020 09:17

Here’s my OOTD which I also posted on main thread, loads of us aren’t tall on there! I think pushing up sleeves and rolling jeans to just above ankle somehow work on me to make me look less short ( in a photo)

The petite thread: for the short (of whatever size, shape or taste)
DisgruntledGuineaPig · 22/10/2020 09:37

Oh I found the perfect knee high boots last year, leather, brown, flat, smart enough for work, not too high at the back - Sainsburys! Im hoping they will do them in black this year.

OhRosalind · 22/10/2020 10:24

Solovair monkey boots are lovely, DH has just bought a pair. Not sure they are less chunky looking than DMs though, i think higher and fitted to ankle/calf actually looks less bulky. I wear DMs but quite like the chunky look, I like barely-there sandals but prefer a chunky boot to balance out coats, otherwise I think my feet look like tiny trotters.

Interesting that people are avoiding high waists, I have a very short torso but think the highwaisted/tucked in look is flattering as it gives me a a shape, thereby avoiding the toddler dressing up in parents’ clothes look. Maybe I’m kidding myself though!

Looking good @Sooverthemill, I like the length of the jeans. I think rolled up over boots is less flattering though/makes my legs look stumper, unless they’re heels. But I hate cold ankles, winter is hard!

Sooverthemill · 22/10/2020 10:32

@OhRosalind thank you. I have no idea about my torso, don't even know what my body shape is but I love high waisted jeans and kid myself they are flattering. All my recent jeans purchases are high waisted

Coffee4Queen · 22/10/2020 11:57

Not an OOTD but a bottom of the day. @popularinthe80s I got the 8 eye. A tip from a blogger recommended on here, if you feel the shoes are too clunky or chunky and your legs look like sticks in Santa’s boots, balance it out by drawing the eye up so like a big scarf, jumper or jacket. If you decide to get them make sure you follow their measurement guide or get different sizes. I’m usually a 4, sometimes 3.5 so I got both. I kept the 3.5 but I’m sure the 3 would have been ok too!

The trousers are M&S, a corduroy pattern jersey material. It is so comfy!

The petite thread: for the short (of whatever size, shape or taste)
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