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

[popularinthe80s]

@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

A question for those with skinny legs - what ankle boots do you wear that doesn’t make you look like you’re playing dress up in your dad’s biker boots? Not Doc M’s please, I was thinking about Solovairs but are they too chunky/bulky?

5ft and half an inch here! I rely on mostly Next, Uniqlo, Dotty P and H&M.

My biggest problem is trousers. I bought a pair of Saint & Soifa pants a while ago and I really like them - they do short legs for trousers (why I bought them!). I wish all shops did long, regular and Petite trousers, not just regular, or tall and regular.

@Coffee4Queen I have identical dilemma. Size 3.5-4 feet so not eeny weeny, but skinny ankles and calves. Thinking of trying M&S hiker boots

Size 8 - size 3 feet and 5"3'.

I love having small feet! Bargains galore in the sales.

Feeling your skinny calves pain @popularinthe80s , I really want some suede knee-high boots with a low heel to wear with midi skirts and dresses for a seventies vibe but it’s so hard to find any slim enough that they don’t flap around (suggestions welcome!). For ankle boots I usually end up buying lace-ups.

Same here, @OhRosalind. I have a colleague who rocks that 70s look. My envy is deep.

5 ft 2 (used to be 3 before dc1)

Hobbs and phase eight and Wallis.

I will go to the tailor to get maxi dresses shortened esp if they allow BF ing.

@popularinthe80s I have these from M&S last year ( I think they still do them)with thick socks they are pretty comfortable, as they have laces I can tighten on my ankles.
@OhRosalind I have some slim calf KH boots from Jones the bootsmaker mine are flat though, might be worth having a look to see if they do other styles.

Thanks @dontcallmehelen I’ll have a look there. Buying online makes it so much harder. I have some very slim Hunter wellies and bought those because in the reviews everyone was moaning about how tight/narrow they fit - on me they’re perfect. Not everywhere has reviews though.

For boots I've always gone with DUO Boots for slim fitting.

I now have size envy and to slim back down to be a size 6 😂😂😂😂😂

TBH I'd settle for losing no stone and being an 8 again and digging out a wardrobe of clothes I haven't worn in 7 years!!!

@popularinthe80s @OhRosalind Ever since I was a teenager (90’s teen) I loved the 70’s long, floaty dress look with the long floaty hair! I always wanted that to be “my style” gliding about in my maxi dresses. Alas you need to be very tall to glide & float :(

Oh yy the gliding about looking all cool & floaty my dream as well.

Great thread thankyou! I now have about 1000 tabs open on my browser to look at .

Does anyone know of petite sports/outdoor wear ranges? I do a lot of running in bad weather, and all my waterproof jacket necks are too long* so I get a snorkel type effect and/or the zip sticks me in the windpipe. I'd love it if I could get a petite cut lightweight jacket that was also actually waterproof.

*Obviously the sleeves are too long too but that is so usual I've stopped even noticing!

Don’t shatter my 70s dream @Coffee4Queen, I need to believe that petites can glide and float! In my mind I’m small and sylphlike in skirts and wide trousers, in reality I’m getting my heel caught in my hem.

Any recommendations for UK petite bloggers/instagrammers? I follow two US ones but would prefer local.

I wish I had thinner calves. I have eu size 36 feet and knee high boots are very often too tight on me. It's really annoying.

@dontcallmelen thank you for the type - crikey, I think the M&S ones are actually currently in my shopping basket!
@Coffee4Queen tell me about it. It didn't help, watching Mrs America - I knew Gloria Steinem was incredible, but I didn't realise she LOOKED incredible - those clothes...

@random, I used to love Duo, too. However I had a bizarre, very British 80s sit-com experience of bad customer service from them. Emailed and 'explained'. No response. I don't really want to give them any more of my hard-earnt cash.

Interesting that the Americans are the ones catering for us shorties. Another J Crew fan here (though the sizing is v erratic and over generous so may not be small enough for the size 6 Uk). For good dresses / workwear Nanette Lepore are fantastic but £££ - however there are always loads new in ebay of precious seasons. The shoulders are lovely and neat.
For the tiny of back, Miss Mandalay does swimwear and bras in a 28 back.

@ultragroupie Gap do fantastic petite sports leggings

[quote MatildaonaWaltzer]@ultragroupie Gap do fantastic petite sports leggings[/quote]
Brilliant thanks I’ll check them out

@Coffee4Queen

Any recommendations for UK petite bloggers/instagrammers? I follow two US ones but would prefer local.

Depends on what kind of style you like, I follow SusieSoSo, SmallTownThreads and StealMyStyle40.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions please?

@popularinthe80s 👍🏼Hope you like them they are my favourite pair at the moment.
Anyone got any suggestions for a warm parka type coat, was toying with the idea of a children’s north face one.

@dontcallmelen, I was on another thread about Parkas and looked up Seasalt - they do petite. I have not bought one but I was interested to see for my next purchase.

Also, I have an Isle Jacobsen short rain jacket which is knee length on me - she does two lengths of her rain jacket. They are expensive but waterproof and very long lasting (mine is 8 years old and it is in constant use here in Ireland).

As to why the Americans have more petite ranges - US women are much more likely to be petite. I remember working there as a student every Summer and I was amazed that I was the tallest girl at work - lots of women are hispanic and so very tiny. And all the shops have petite ranges which is why I love to go over and shop there (although only for casual wear, as their fashion is a bit meh).

@DoraemonDingDong thank you! They all look great but stealmystyle40 is my favourite.