Petite clothing brands that actually fit small frames

[Heavyeyelids]

Just wondering if anyone can suggest some good-quality brands that do a decent petite fit? I'm 5' and small-framed and even when I buy petite I often find things swamp me. The places I tend to look are Boden, Hobbs or Seasalt but often the cut just hasn't been adjusted properly and even the petite looks huge. What do other people do? I've been trying to find a linen jumpsuit but my last three attempts to buy something have been unsuccessful. Thanks all!

Look at brands for younger women. Sometimes they cut smaller. Abercrombie?

I also like H&M for knee length shorter cotton dresses. Their trousers - unless cropped - are useless. I repeat buy the cotton cigarette cropped trousers. I iron out the front seam(prefer more casual look) then turn the hem up with wundaweb!

Jumpsuits? Difficult. Worth trying Zara kids maybe. I have two pairs of wide leg trousers from there that are fab.

Happy hunting!

I’d love to know, too. I’m 5’1 and nothing petite fits me. Everything is still too big, it’s infuriating. M&S extra short trousers are usually okay, but other than that, nope.

Brilliant, thank you - I'll have a look at those.

'The Petite Label' are quite good. Their signature little black dress fits like a glove on me. I'm 5'3".

You will need to keep checking their website though as things sell out fast.

Take a look at White Stuff, Karen Millen and occasionally Monsoon do some collaborations.

It depends on your look/style to some extent too.

This is my dress - but I've noticed they are listing linen pieces now too:

thepetitelabel.co.uk/collections/frontpage/products/signature-petite-little-black-dress

Have a look at Whistles petite, Abercrombie as per PP suggestion, COS for some pieces if you choose carefully, Uniqlo for XXS, Lipsy petite (avoiding the very young styles!), Friends like these and Love and Roses petite (available from Next along with a few other brands). It’s hard to find decent well made stuff for petites that isn’t just very boring though! Sézane works well for some things as well if you avoid the very flouncy patterned stuff!

Also if you are ever in the US J.Crew do good petites. They do deliver to the UK but returns are ridiculously expensive.

Style by Claire Lopez and ExtraPetite (Jean Wang) are great on instagram if you want to get ideas - they are both small but always beautifully dressed and give good advice on what to look for when you are petite.

These are all new to me! Thanks so much. I will sit down later and look them all up.

I have a few Wallis Petites jumpsuits from vinted which are well proportioned. Hopefully the more modern stuff is as well cut.

Just remembered Mango as well. I think it’s Spanish so tends to run small. They also do Mango teen which might work.

H&M Divided and Zara Trafaluc - (teens/young person ranges)

Agree with H&M, easy to find small frame clothes there. Zara stuff is very long but cropped styles work as full length and they are slim cut. Anthropologie and Free People similar, all too long but good for small fit tops and cropped bottoms.

For more formal stuff I’d look at Karen Millen - extensive petite range and they are fitted rather than swamp you styles.

Nobodys child do a petite range and think they have a linen jumpsuit too

Talbots petite range if that still exists.

if you are small framed as well have you tried some kids ranges. Obviously not frilly dresses but for things like plain t shirts or leggings or whatever might be worth a go.

there are sometimes some nice stuff in m&s petite and as a pp said, the extra short are the only trousers I buy that are the perfect length. They do sell out really fast though, showing there is a demand!

Other than that it can sometimes be worth learning how to do basic alterations yourself, or paying for a tailor - you could try and negotiate them doing several things at once? Taking up trousers (particularly thin material, not jeans) for example is really easy, even if you cant sew there's wonderweb.

I like the look of lots of monsoon tops. But they’re very often huge! And I’m bigger than some of you - size 10/12 5”4. I hope they read this and produce an XS! Strangely some of their dresses fit fine - it’s the tops that are huge.

On Zara kids, you’ll have to try the trousers on. I actually find the 13-14 years too long often and need the 11-12 or 12-13, Can be a challenge on the waist (!) depending on the cut.

Also, if within your budget, look when on holiday abroad. French and Spanish shops in particular often cut neater and cater for smaller frames - often better quality too. I like sFera - a Spanish brand. Also have great stylish cheap shoes!

I’m 4ft11 myself but Kids clothing never fits me as I have a bigger chest and wider hips. The proportions are completely different for kids.

I agree that kids’ stuff is the wrong shape. And I don’t want to look like an 11-year-old ! Actually I have some 11-12 anoraks which are fine, but no sweatshirts with unicorns on, thanks.

I am not a young person, so teenagery brands, although they are more my shape, are not my style and are often a bit viscosey in a bad way. Established petite ranges are usually frumpy.

Boden petite can be ok, but 10 is still too big but 8 can be too tight - I guess I am a miniature pear 😢

Kids clothing is only the wrong shape for some people. We’re all different. I’m hourglass myself but My Zara tweed wide leg trousers age 13-14 from a couple of winters ago are amongst the most flattering well cut trousers I’ve ever had! However I doubt I’d fit into their skinny or straight leg designs! You have to try things on.

Next sometimes have good short trousers. I acquired a black slightly bootleg pair of all cotton ( stretchy super comfy) jeans there recently for a long haul flight.

I bought this recently and love it! I’m 5’ too and didn’t need it taken up. I buy quite a lot from Boden petite and usually take it to my local alterationists but this was fine. It’s definitely worth finding a good alterationist if you can. I don’t buy a lot of clothes but when i do buy something I always get it altered - it really does make all the difference.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-rosa-double-cloth-jumpsuit-olive-d1714grn?_pos=13&_sid=c4193474a&_ss=r

Thanks everyone.

I tend to look for precis petite on Vinted
also Bon marche does good basics in short length

marks and Spencer’s now do two lengths of short jeans which is amazing

Follow ‘The Petite Lady’ on Insta.
Lots of different UK brands, try-ons etc.
Big focus on the whole fit, not just the length.