https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 18 May 2026 16:48:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping/page/2#post-289552 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:02:47 +0000 NK 289552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5'2" and wear some petites, but I have pretty good luck in regular sizes too, probably because I'm a size 8/10 right now. I think I've just gotten used to wearing heels with jeans and pants, since petite pants are usually just a touch too short. Shoulders (and therefore crazy low necklines) are sometimes an issue.</p> <p>I shop often at Macy's and Target and have ordered petite sizes from Gap, Land's End, and Old Navy with success. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping/page/2#post-289507 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:06:54 +0000 Bianca 289507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting fact Angie. I don't feel so short now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping/page/2#post-288954 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:01:08 +0000 Angie 288954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Did you know that most of America is petite in height. The average height of the American Women is 5ft 3. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping/page/2#post-288911 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 01:10:47 +0000 sarah 288911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hi Bianca,</p> <p>I'm 5'2", short-waisted, with a short inseam, and I (frustratingly) have to buy nearly all of my clothes in petite sizes - otherwise the shoulders are too broad, tops and dresses are too long, etc., etc. I shop BR, Gap, Talbots, AT, Loft, Nordstroms, and once in awhile have luck at Macy's. I have to mail order most of my clothes, but at least I can return them to the stores. Talbots and Loft have excellent in-store selections. Gap has none, and AT is slim. I'm always on the look out for free shipping deals, which are getting more common at BR and Gap, so I can buy online and return to the store without any shipping costs.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping/page/2#post-288908 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 01:07:41 +0000 Jyoti 288908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually don't ever find the need to shop petites, and I'm 5'1" (don't know my weight at the moment, but usually take XS/S and anywhere from a 0 to a 4). I don't really have problems with shoulders or sleeves or anything like that; my fit problems are generally restricted to too long pants and too baggy waists, and I've figured out enough workarounds for these that I don't tailor too much. It may be that my style skews a bit younger/trendier than many, and that I often have luck in more juniors-type stores?</p> <p>I also live in Canada, so we don't have j crew or LOFT. I tend to shop at quite a few stores I believe are only in Canada, but beyond that, Forever 21 sometimes works, although its very hit and miss, and I recently picked up some stuff at Zara, but in the girls section. H&amp;M is actually pretty good, as things tend to run small. Although these are basically all fast fashion/trendy retailers, you might want to try them anyways, because there's so much stuff in these stores that you can sometimes find some really great and classic-sort of pieces. I pretty much just shop everywhere and try on a ton of stuff. I've learned some tricks for more casual clothing-- elastic waisted skirts are great for fitting at the waist, and jersey dresses are awesome for me because I'm really small on top but bigger on the bottom, and I don't have as many issues with fit. Jersey also stretches, so things in jersey are almost never too big for me! Skinny jeans or jeggings are actually a really good option because you can just scrunch the bottoms or fold and tuck under and its stays without any actual tailoring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288905 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 01:02:21 +0000 Bianca 288905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ladies, I have marked this under my favorites. I am going to take all notes down and see re-read suggestions. </p> <p>Angie, so interesting how different gal at different sizes can be petite or missy.</p> <p>I am also going to those other sites you all suggested. Awesome! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288886 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 23:54:50 +0000 Lisa 288886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am like Steph, normal size top half, petite bottoms. If I try a petite dress the proportions are "off" for me. For bottoms I favor Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Lucky Brand, Joe's Jeans, Hudson Jeans. I find some bottoms, the petites run too short since I like to wear a heel (even a small one) and other times, the length is fine. It's hit or miss for me. I can usually squeak by with a normal size dress if it was to be a tad short on others, then it hits me just right. For skirts, I always run petite length. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288809 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:30:35 +0000 Megan 288809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooops- double post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288805 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:27:43 +0000 Megan 288805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5'3 and a 00. I like Sydney's blog at <a href="http://www.petitelittlegirl.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.petitelittlegirl.com</a> since she's almost exactly the same size as me. </p> <p>A friend has been buying me things at H&amp;M and I've had really good luck with their size 2's- their skirts are the perfect length on me. I find Jcrew too big as a general rule. My inseam is quite long (30 inches) so I really struggle with petite pants which are usually ok-ish with flats but too short for heels. I did notice awhile ago that LOFT were doing 'Leg legthening pants' which had a 31 inseam for petites. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288800 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:22:31 +0000 Angie 288800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bianca, peoples bodies are shaped so differently. I have 5ft 5 clients who shop petites successfully and 5ft 2 clients who cannot shop petites. It's the truth! </p> <p>I'm 5ft 6 and everything in petites is too short everywhere, torso included. But the width works well. </p> <p>I have a few clients who are regular height with short arms and they wear petites tops, coats and jackets quite well too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288797 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:18:58 +0000 Maya 288797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Coco's post reminded me that I used to really like Banana Republic's short length jeans and pants. The rise was still regular, but the length was shorter than regular and longer than petite. They no longer work for me because I now need a very high rise but I liked them a lot at the time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288796 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:18:16 +0000 cloud9 288796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Talbots has petite as well. Chadwicks (online only) has a good selection as well.</p> <p>For pants, most brands have a "short" version, even if they don't call it petite, like Express/Limited. Otherwise I just hem them myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288792 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:14:34 +0000 Scarlet 288792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am well under 5' 4", but I have better luck with regular sizes. I can't figure out why that is. I do have a short inseam and hem most trousers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288789 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:10:06 +0000 taylor 288789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am just under 5'4 so I am a tall petite as we are called and all leg. But I have excellent luck with petites from AT and ATLoft...they are my go to store. The pants are often too short but if they have a cuff or generouse hem I can let that out. I can usually only wear petites because they are cut smaller allround So even though I could(being just about 5'4) wear most regular missy , they are all too big around in their smallest size, So I struggle a bit with pants:(</p> <p>here are some great petite bloggers:</p> <p>Reallypetite.com<br /> Petiteearlymorningstyle.blogspot.com<br /> extrapetite.com</p> <p>These beautiful little women seem to love Ann Taylor. LOFT , Theory and Jcrew </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288782 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:01:34 +0000 CocoLion 288782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am 5'4" with relatively long legs (long rise and thighs especially) so I have never worn petite pants with one exception: 7 for All Mankind. Their Lexi Petite A pocket jean is perfect on me with a small heel. I love that the (rather modest) flare of these pants breaks at the right spot for me.</p> <p>I also like purchasing their jeans in "short" length, great to wear with small heels; they have like a 31 to 32" inseam. For a more petite woman these would be perfect with higher heels. No need to hem and you also preserve the unique hem of many denim styles.</p> <p>So that would be my recommendation if you want premium denim. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288771 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 21:48:54 +0000 Reneeb 288771@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Has any petite ladies bought from Boden? I like allot of their tops but I always need petite in tops. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288766 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 21:41:45 +0000 Diana 288766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am just under 5'4" but I generally do not shop petites either. My limbs tend to be too long for petite sizes, and petite pants have shorter rises, which is BAD for me. I AM short waisted so sometimes I'll buy petite tops (but generally not long sleeved ones). BR is probably the only store where I'll deliberately look at the petites, and they have a nice selection. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288749 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 21:24:55 +0000 Steph 288749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am very short--slightly less than 5'1--and I tend to shop regular sizes as well. I'm strange because my upper body is actually of average length, but my legs are super short. That means that I can wear regular tops and then just got bottoms hemmed. Sleeves do tend to be long on me, but I am so used to it that I almost prefer it. When I am wearing a button-down shirt or a suit jacket, I do get the sleeves altered, but otherwise I just stick with the length they are. </p> <p>The two stores where I actively look for petites are Ann Taylor and J. Crew. I have no hope of wearing petite dresses at Ann Taylor because the waistline always hits me too high, but I do like their selection. I have also had some luck with Calvin Klein's petite options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288743 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 21:21:34 +0000 MsMary 288743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I've had some luck at Talbots, too. There is an actual Talbots Petites store here! Although Talbots are cut for pretty pears and I'm more of an inverted triangle... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288741 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 21:18:48 +0000 Reneeb 288741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am 5 2" and my jackets, tops and dresses are all petite. I think they have covered most of the stores but Talbots it is just OK and sometimes you can find basic white tunics and other basic tops at Cold Water Creek. I am growing tired of Loft myself and ordered some tops from Ann Taylor and a black Sheath dress (petite) from Jones New York. Nordstrom has been a great place for me to find my jackets and tops but it can be a challenge when all you can wear is petites. Zappo's has some petites online . Good luck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288733 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 21:12:41 +0000 Bianca 288733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MaryK, our Macy's is just ok here in CT. Few find here and there. Never thought about JCPenny...No Nordstroms at our mall </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288730 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 21:09:21 +0000 Bianca 288730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Really good info.<br /> Vix, thanks...will look into that blog.</p> <p> April you are 5'2. and a small? This should be a good clothing swap then!</p> <p>qfBrenda, I feel petite sizes really help. </p> <p>I'm just around the 5'0 mark, and busty. Not a teeny-tiny extreme petite (just short). I always feel v-neck shirts in missy sizes dip down too low, straps need shortening, armpit holes too big...sometimes sleeves depending. And ALWAYS HEMS!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288715 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 20:38:19 +0000 rute 288715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5'2 but here we don't have clothes for petites, I shop everywhere: Zara, Massimo Dutti and I take the clothees to a tailor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288707 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 20:24:50 +0000 MsMary 288707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have had fantastic luck with petites at Macy's in my area. (I often wonder whether it is because we have a huge Asian-American population that tends to wear those sizes.)</p> <p>I've also been really happy with the Gap petite pants I've tried. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288686 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:38:14 +0000 qfbrenda 288686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm taking notes. I need petites more than I used to realize. Long sleeved shirts are almost always too long for me. Not only am I short, but I have short limbs. </p> <p>So far I've done most of my petite shopping at Landsend, but I want to expand that as I improve my wardrobe. I've been looking at some things at Old Navy. Old Navy has their jeans in different lengths, works better for me than a petite size since I'm relatively long-waisted. I've found some things in JCPenney's petite department. It's the biggest local one I've found so far. I've been checking out ATL and Gap stuff, but up until now they've been out of my budget range. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288680 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:21:41 +0000 Vix 288680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>April, I hear you but even though I am much bigger, I use many petite bloggers' size info as a guide for me. </p> <p>In non-designer brands I am frequently in "online only" sizing ranges and if the size I usually order/was planning to order fits a blogger who is much shorter/slimmer than me, I know not to "go there!" Likewise if she's modeling a size that's way too big on her I know I've got a shot at things.</p> <p>I also think the before-and-after tailoring pictures (and related info) are very useful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288679 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:20:28 +0000 Maya 288679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only alter hems and rarely sleeves. Jeans I can alter myself and I never wear pants so I don't have to worry about that. Sleeves are simple and inexpensive and not necessary most of the time anyway.</p> <p>Buying petite sizes does not solve shoulder issues for me. </p> <p>The only thing that I struggle with are huge, gaping arm holes on sleeveless tops. They still gape too much in petites, and are very dififcult and expensive to alter. I have given up and plan on sticking with cap sleeves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288677 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:19:09 +0000 judy 288677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since I'm only really petite in height, 5'3, I don't shop in a petite section, except I do have a look at petite jeans, and have owned some in the past, and appreciate the lack of hemming and better proportion if they are bootcuts. My torso is not shorter than average, just the legs! When shirts and dresses got SO short, I still shopped regular size, because now they are the longer...as in just above the knee...length on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288673 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:14:37 +0000 April 288673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Maya, I shop almost anywhere. I'm 5'2" and wear a small size, and when you combine small size with petite proportions, the inseam on petite trousers is just too short to wear with anything but the flattest flats. In tops, the shoulders in petites tend to be too small and the sleeves too short. </p> <p>The one place I often look for petite sizing is in skirts. </p> <p>FYI -- I find that many of the petite bloggers are *extraordinarily* petite. Like, under five feet and under 90 pounds petite. Size 4 shoes petite. I'm very sympathetic to the difficulty of fitting such a tiny body, but my point is that I haven't found that much that I can relate to on those sites because the bloggers are in a whole different category of small. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-are-the-54-and-under-girls-shopping#post-288658 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:59:39 +0000 Vix 288658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kelly at <a href="http://AlterationsNeeded.com" rel="nofollow">http://AlterationsNeeded.com</a> has a great petites-only blog (recently mentioned in InStyle, go Kelly!) with a fairly lively forum. [IIRC she's 4'11.]</p> <p>AN tends to focus on brands that have a more classic style (AT/AT Loft, Banana Republic, J Crew, Theory etc) but she lists lots of sales and you'll find links to other petite bloggers via her site. She models all her online orders -- many of which go back -- so you can get a sense of fit/sizing. </p>