Is 5 foot 4" Petite?

[Deggy]

I'm slightly prompted another S&B thread here, but I'm convinced I used to be 5 foot 7 " and always considered myself quite tall. However, I'm losing height as I go through menopause and I'm only a shade over 5 foot 4 now.

It hasn't occurred to me to ever buy petite clothes, but I'm constantly sending clothes back and moaning about how ridiculously long everything is

Am I really starting to edge into 'petite'?? I always imagined petite clothes were for much daintier looking women than me!

@Jujujudo , I've not found that to be true. They usually have the bust, sleeve and waist proportions for the short height.

If you are a size 12 and under 5', you are unlikely to be 'petite' all over.

How old are you OP?
Im 53 and don't think I've shrunk yet. 3 inches seems a large amount to lose.

3 inches is a hell of a lot of height to lose!

I'm 5ft4 and buy the petite range anywhere that sells it, but I like trousers to sit at the ankle, and like a bit of a fitted and cropped look to everything.

No it's not

I didn't realise we shrank as we aged, I'm glad I'm not the only one though 😅

I was weighed and measured at hospital last year and I was 159cm.

I was weighed and measured yesterday at hospital and I'm 158.2cm now

I'm only 33

you thought you were 5'7 and ow thinking you are 5'4 or less?? how is that even possible?

Yes … their ‘short’ is now about right for the U.K. average, petite women now need extra short but IME they don’t stock enough of them.

I’m 5’1” and generally find Next ok except it’s quite a limited range available in petite.

It's not 'petite' - 'petite' ranges are for 5'3" and under, and even at 5'3" it's usually only with trousers that it actually makes much difference.

I'm 5'2" and petite ranges are usually better for me when it comes to trousers, or dresses where the waist needs to hit in exactly the right spot - eg more structured/tailored type things I suppose. Everything else I'm all right with a standard range really. I might need a petite for a maxi dress but I never really wear them!

When I worked at Matalan 20 years ago (!) the slightly cringey induction training video politely informed us that for women, the average height in the UK is 5ft 5in, and average shoe size is 5.
I'm 5ft 5in and have never needed to buy petite clothing. I do find some trousers a shade too long unless I wear decent height heels - but then when I try the same on in the petite version, they're too short - so I can't win!

I'd take medical advice if you really lost 3 inches in height when you're still in your 50s. You need checking for osteoporosis to make sure your spine isn't falling apart. Sorry to be so blunt but it's important.

Petite is usually under 5 4".

That tiny difference can be put down to how you're holding your head at the time.

I’d say 5’4 is a tall petite or a short regular! Helpful, I know…😁

To me “petite” is say roughly 5’3 and under but also depends on proportions/build etc. However, I am not even 5ft so my sense of tall is somewhat skewed to me!

I'm just under 5'2 and I find that even petite clothes are a little long now that stores seem to be catering for taller women in general.

I'm 5ft 3 and buy petite where available.

Agree they are dangerous - I have to wear platform trainers with them as if I wear with heels I'm constantly tripping 😅

I’m 5’3 and a half, petite length trousers are good for me as I have short legs. A 27-28 inch inside leg is perfect for me. Standard length is 30. Petite arm length clothes tend to be better too as I have small feet which means shorter arms. I also have child size hands. I don’t buy a lot of petite clothing however as I mostly find it comes in small sizes such as 6-8 whereas I’m more of a 11-12 and definitely have a large bust. I just need shorter arm, leg and body rather than being small all over. I have often heard petite refers to height and not weight/clothing size. A lot of people think petite means very slim though. My friend is very slim but well over 5’7 and pettite, shorter length clothes are uselsss for her. She just needs long and slim fitting.

Going back to the height loss. There is a section on the NHS app where they record your height measurements and there is a note saying
"Prior to age 70 average height loss is 1cm per 10 years"

From when though?
Not from being 18.

I’m 5’3”. I wouldn’t say I was petite as that suggests small and delicate to me - but if I’m buying trousers they need to be short length or from a petite range.

I believe most shops, petite is 5’3 and under BUT leg length for regular starts about 30” whilst petite is around 27”-29” length - so largely depends on your measurements. I’m 5’3 and find I have to buy petite for dresses otherwise the waist is in the wrong place, but I’m sort of in between for skirts and trousers so that will depend on the style and whether I want it slightly on the short side or slightly on the long side.
If petite or short length fits better then get that. We all know that women’s clothing sizing are more of a random guide than any level of accuracy! I’ve got things in a size 12 that are smaller than things I’ve got in a size 8!

I'm 5ft 4 and it's hit and miss whether petite fits, I find dresses fit me better length wise but the sleeves in Jackets are too short for me and trousers are sometimes short (I'm a 30 leg). It's probably more 5ft 3 and below I'd say, maybe even 5ft 2.

I am 5 ft 5 and a half. This year I have bought trousers from White Stuff and Next in their petite range and the length is perfect. And I don't think I have short legs! In these two ranges they are meant to be for 5'3" and shorter. It seems you take that guidance with a piece of salt and try them anyway!

You could certainly buy petite as it’s aimed at people up to 5 ft 3. You’re only a tiny bit over that.

AI says after age 40.