Gently Nudging The Petites - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Gently Nudging The Petites

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It’s a trend for petite ladies to chime and explain that they can’t wear fashionable trends because of their height, and sometimes their small frame. It happened again on yesterday’s Spring Trends for 2014 blog post, and this was my response:

“……...you should not feel penalized for being petite with respect to these trends, and I can’t stress that enough. I have many, many petite clients and friends – below 5ft 4. And they wear most of these trends with panache – especially fluid and oversized fits. The lengths need to be adjusted, both on the top and bottom, and going too oversized is problematic. But other than that, there is nothing that a petite can’t wear. My 4ft 10 friend, who is extremely stylish, wears soft wide trousers with a heel. She also rocks flats, ankle straps, cropped pants, oversized fits, and midi skirts”.

With a little length and proportion adjustment, and attention to detail, petites can wear what regular and tall ladies wear. I live with this proof every day when dressing my clients. Plus there are very petite ladies on this forum across a variety of body types who wear the most fashionable trends with panache. So if you think you can’t wear something just because you’re petite - think again. At least allow me and the others here to offer suggestions on how to make a look that you really want to wear, work for your body type.

I hope that’s a deal. xo

Dressing

72 replies

Latest reply was from Suzanne (ambergreen)

April

Veteran

It's a deal!

Although I can't remember ever saying, "I can't wear that because I'm petite." I have definitely thought that certain leg-shortening looks were not doing me any favors because proportionately speaking, my legs are short, but it's pretty rare for me to rule out something that appeals to me because I'm not tall.

Anonymous

Deal! It would be helpful, though, if you could add tips on how we petites can adjust the proportions, etc. to work for us. Thanks!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Not a petite, but I've been amazed when someone on the forum adds....."and I'm 5'1" at the end of a post, and I would have taken them to be my height (a whopping 5'6")! The camera, of course, is not really the truth teller we take it to be, but it does show that good proportions are achievable on anyone. Shannon rocked a pair of wide legs and a slouchy sweater yesterday to perfectly illustrate your point.

Susie

Veteran

Since I am heavy and definitely don't have a small frame, I don't think of myself as petite, just short. So maybe that is why I don't reject trends that appeal to me even if they aren't particularly figure flattering!

But I'm still not wearing cropped pants

JayS

Veteran

Thank you for that. It also compliments what you said this morning on your blog post..there are no rules - only suggestions to be considered. Being a very by-the-book person, I have to remind myself to break the "rules" occasionally. I think we petites may have to pay a bit more attention to our individual proportions. A mistake there is less forgiving than on a taller person.

I love your client posts...it's been awhile. A post with one of your petite clients would be a real treat for us petite ladies.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Excellent, ladies.

April, as always, you are a honey.

Beth Ann, I thought the same thing. My jaw dropped when Rute and Shannon told us they are 5ft. AMAZING.

Ruth, please ask in the comments section when I forget to address how petites can wear a particular trend or look.

JayS, thanks for bringing that up. Clients (and friends) Phoebe, Meredith and Bei-Jing - who we featured on YLF a few times - are ALL 5ft 2. Their actions speak louder than my words, so there you go.

Susie, petite in the US means "short", so I am sticking to the same terminology.

MsMary

Veteran

DEAL! I know I've been guilty of saying those dreaded words in the past, and as I recall, each and every time I've been proven wrong. So... DEAL!!

Diana

Veteran

Well, I'm just barely petite at 5'3.5" but I am petite on top (not in the arms though which can be problematic). I do agree that most looks can be done if some care is taken. However, my issue sometimes is actually finding items that fit the way they are meant to. For example, cropped tops. 90% of them are too long on me so they aren't actually cropped but rather hit at an awkward point right below my waist. A crop top that is actually cropped on my petite upper half would be fine, but one that doesn't fit right is not flattering. I think sometimes people confuse improper fit (eg too long) with trends that will not work, ever. I am lucky that I can make my own sweaters and do simple alterations, but otherwise you'd be looking at potentially expensive tailoring just to try a new trend.

On a similar note, I think it's important to consider scale. For ex, a big statement necklace is overwhelming on me because my chest is so short but a medium sized necklace LOOKS like a statement necklace on me in proportion to my size. Similarly, I generally can't wear true bf jackets because they swallow me up, but a longer REGULAR jacket (like my suit jacket) that would be a tailored fit on a taller person looks like a bf jacket on me. So I think it's important not to get hung up on labels. It may not say its a bf jacket but if it looks like one on me, then it is a bf jacket for me.

Emily

Veteran

Thank you for this!

I have noticed that In client blog entries and forum posts I can almost never gauge a person's height. (ETA - for example, I did not realize until now that Diana and I are about the same height, I always assumed she was taller.)

I graze the top end of petite at (nearly) 5'4" and have ruled out trends that are not traditionally flattering for this reason, but after seeing lots of bodies in lots of styles on the forum and demoting looking taller as a priority I am having a lot more fun getting dressed.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I've bookmarked this post to read later when I find myself saying this! The only thing I can remember thinking this about is the over sized and/or drapey look. I love those looks but steer away from them. I think what I need to focus on finding is these pieces that also have structure. Thanks for the new inspiration!!

ramya

Veteran

Deal. I was just typing up a post to ask if I should keep or pass a flared pant

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Deal. I'm barely 5'2" and I'm willing to at least try things on and see how they look before deciding if it's right for me or not. I don't really mind looking short (I am short, I'm not fooling anyone). Most of my concerns (with cropped pants and midi skirts) are due to my wide calves but there could be a way to make it work, you never know til you try.

Gigi

Veteran

Ironically, it's been since becoming more fashion conscious that I have started saying, "I can't wear X because I'm petite." But Diana hit the nail on the head when she said that it's the *fit* of the off-the-rack garments. For instance, I am not just short but small all over--XXS petite--and I simply swim in most clothing. Sometimes even the XXS petite is too big! As Diana points out, I would be looking at some very expensive alterations. I see a lot of very cute misses' stuff that I would like to try, but the waist and armhole placement never work out. And you can't always alter everything--I have ordered tops where there was a particular design on the front that would have been cut off if the length of the garment were shortened appropriately, or where a particular lace or crochet inset was positioned by the shoulders that would have probably unraveled if it would have had to have been cut. So theoretically, yes, I can wear anything or any style I want. But practically speaking, I'm extremely limited.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Angie, reading the comments here, I am wondering if some day you could do a post on "translating" or "interpreting" a look for a petite similar to the post you did once on translating a Pinterest inspiration. Because I think a lot of the same principles might apply. As with any proportional difference, we need to adapt the looks to get the effect we're after. A direct copy won't do.

I fall into the "not quite petite" camp at 5'3.5" inches (but I am saying 5'4"). I never, ever buy petite pants because they don't fit me properly -- I just shorten the regular pants. Sometimes a petite shirt or jacket will fit me better -- but it depends on the manufacturer, and usually I can get a better fit in regulars.

I believe it trying any trend that appeals to me. It's fun to try stuff on and see how (or whether) it works. Sometimes we can surprise ourselves by looking better in a particular silhouette than we'd ever imagined.

But hearing the woes of some of our extra-petite members, I know I'm very lucky. Fit is absolutely the first issue and can be very tricky if you are so small.

I think if I were in that position myself I would find a fantastic seamstress and get some patterns made up for a few basic items -- silk and simple knit tops, some trousers and skirts, maybe a dress or two. And then I would spend my shopping energy on seeking out (and getting alterations on) the cool statement pieces that would make my look current.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ladies. Great thoughts here. I will address them separately when I am back at my desk. I am about to work with a client.

A short answer to Suz's request. That's tricky because people are petite in different ways. Meredith, Bei-Jing and Phoebe are definitely petite - but petite clothes do not fit. So we never shop in those sizes. But we do have to watch the lengths of things.

Gigi, I have a friend who wears a size 23 jean and is. 00P. We find her fashionable and stunning clothes no problem.

April

Veteran

Definitely true that there's a big difference between "petite" and Petites. I never buy petite clothing unless it's a brand that runs really large. The rise on the pants is too short, the sleeves are too short, the shoulders are too small. I have a normal torso on short legs. My overall height may qualify me for the petites department, but nothing else does.

kkards

Veteran

thanks for the reminder that fashion trends can be adapted to different body types and sizes.
reading this, and the responses, has made me realize how much shopping on line has opened up more styles/sizes that can work for me. its also made me realizie how important it is to have a little knowledge about basic construction and alterations, and a tailor you can trust.

EveningMood

Angie, you are so right, we can do it all with a little effort, but it is a little harder to make some things work when everything seems to swallow you up alive! And sometimes a little harder is too hard. I stand 5'3'' and I have a hard time even with tall boots, I have nearly given them up this winter. Midi skirts I have tackled successfully, but I failed at BF jeans and cropped pants, and I feel very insecure in flats. I will not go near harem pants. But maybe with your help I will get braver!

Gigi

Veteran

Angie, where do you find stunning clothes for your friend? I have looked high and low, and outside of Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and Loft, there is very little that fits me. I am often sized out even at Nordie's. I did find some Vince Camuto stuff there, but the SA told me that his clothes often run small.

Angie, does your friend also have small shoulders (= high armholes), a small bust, and a short waist? Those three things are significant limitations for me.

Sorry to be so negative, but I have practically exhausted myself on occasion trying to find stuff that fits.

Suz, your idea about finding a tailor and getting some custom-made pieces is a good one. But I am exhausted on the tailor search too. Can't seem to find a good one. Taking a break for now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I see the problem, Angie. But I think what worked so well in your Pinterest copy post was how you explained your reasoning -- and I think that strategy might work as well with something like this.

So, for example: We didn't buy a petites size because your height doesn't necessary dictate where you'll find the best fit; you may get a better fit from regulars. We had the sleeves and hems taken up on these items. The proportion of Jacket A didn't work, but we found Jacket B, which had a different cut and worked just fine. We wanted to try wide leg trousers -- the ones from Company X were simply TOO wide and swamped the client; so we tried these slightly modified ones and got a similar look.

And so on.

It wouldn't even need to be done on a real client (although obviously, we all love those posts!! Who doesn't love to see the beautiful Bei-jing or Meredith or Phoebe?) But it could also be done just as two ensembles laid side by side, showing some possible adaptations.

In your Pinterest copy post you explained things so well, that a person could do the same for herself. She might look at it and say, "Hmm. Well my hair is dark, not light, like the blogger's. So how am I going to get cohesion into this outfit?" I think this is what petites need to do.

It's like an additional body type modifier that doesn't make any sense simply on its own, the way it is usually used -- precisely for the reason you mention -- there are so many ways to be petite! It's a body type modifier that has to be factored in with a person's other body type modifiers. What will work beautifully on a slim rectangle who is 5'3" won't work on a 4'11" curvy hourglass or a 5'1" apple -- and vice versa.

Another idea would be a list of retailers/ lines that work especially well for the extra petite women. Although I know that is tricky, too, because it's always changing. In the end, your advice to leave no retail stone unturned is always the best advice!

Aziraphale

Veteran

I fully agree with you. I am very short, and while my height occasionally throws a spanner into the works when shopping for clothes (e.g. waist position on dresses), I have to say that it is my shape that provides the true limitations. Most height-related problems can be addressed easily. For example, too-long sleeves and hemlines are a breeze to fix. Tailored shirts and jackets have more complex fit issues, but nothing that shopping in the petites section won't take care of. Tackling shape, on the other hand, requires a more finesse. Note that I'm not complaining about my limitations here. I don't feel like I have many. I'm just pointing out that the styles that are truly unflattering on me are so because of my shape, not my size. For example, sleeves gathered at the shoulder never, ever work on me, not because I'm little, but because I've got bony, square shoulders that need no emphasizing. Collars buttoned up all the way don't look right, because I've got a short neck and moderately full bust.

I do wish there were more retailers that stocked petite sizes in their brick and mortar stores, however.

cheryl

Veteran

It's a deal

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gigi, if you can stand the price tag, you may have better luck -- lots better luck -- with higher end merchandise. Theory, for example.

The other really good option is European clothes. I find the cuts tend to work far better on me, particularly in those areas you mention - the armhole, bust, etc. I don't have small shoulders, so that is not an issue for me, but the other issues, yes.

Another place to try -- and you can order online -- Zara. I wear S in Zara (5'3.5" and size 0 or 2 or XS in most US made clothes). They make XS as well. It might fit you. I can buy most of their jackets right off the rack and get a fit.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Bravo, petites! I am often impressed at how well many petite YLFers wear challenging silhouettes, and I'm convinced that overall proportions can be more a factor than height itself. Heck, I'm 5'7" and can look squat if I don't dress to lengthen my short torso.

Greyscale

Veteran

I'm not really petite (5'4" but the only short part is my legs). Even with the short legs, I've learned over the years that huge pants can look great on me. Or at least, they're the legs I have, and I can't really wear heels often, so I might as well run with it! One of my favorite inspiration photos is the cover of the Sartorialist book:
http://www.thesartorialist.com.....-line-nyc/
The woman in the photo is 5'1" or so, though she's so slender that she may not be the best example. I'm also inspired by so many of you on YLF, especially Deborah, who plays with volume and shape in really exciting ways.

Now I have to get more comfortable with extra volume on top. I feel more limited by my medium-size bust and big biceps, but it too is mostly in my head.

kwix

Thank you for this post, as a petite lady, it's always good to be reminded of the things we can do to look stunning!!

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions, Suz. I've thought about trying Zara, but I've heard so many complaints about hit-or-miss quality that I've been afraid to. I haven't done Theory because they're generally just too expensive. But I should watch their site more often for sales or clearances and see what I can get.

I don't mind a higher price tag, but I can't handle a *much*-higher price tag. Part of my problem is that I have lost quite a bit of weight due to health problems, and I don't want to invest a lot of money in pieces that might be too small for me once I gain my weight back--which I'm hoping will eventually happen. I do shop the midrange stuff (BR, AT, etc.), because I am serious about looking good and getting stuff that fits, but I'm wary about dropping too much money into stuff right now.

I also don't like to wear many synthetics, especially polyester. I'm sensitive to chemicals and don't use fabric softener, and the static is just too much to deal with. This actually does rule out a surprising amount of clothes. It seems like more and more clothes are being made with polyester and acrylic these days...I suppose it's cheaper.

I'm such a whiner! ;^) Thanks for listening.

catgirl

Veteran

I struggle with this but mainly with ankle pants which confuse me to no end. Otherwise I often have the opposite problem of thinking I am tall and wearing everything with abandon.

I did just find out I am an inch taller than I thought - all of 5'2"!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Ha! I was definitely guilty of this in the past but I have come around. I don't see anything in yesterday's post that I couldn't wear - except maybe the pastels! Every body type poses it's own challenges and every person needs to make adjustments for things that work best for them. It helps to be open to trying on new things. Playing with them at home. Returning some that don't work. And being open to making some shopping mistakes... not every piece is going to turn out to be a workhorse but some gems and new favorites may appear. If we don't try new things, new shapes, even new colors (maybe?!), we can get stuck in a rut. That isn't very fun!

I got a flippy skater skirt this winter. The Halogen petite skirt was 19", way too long for this look. I kept at it and eventually found one that was 16" and perfect with dark hose, boots and a sweater. It took some patience and perseverance but it was worth it to find something that worked for my height. These days I am wearing oversized fluid sweaters, flats and knee high-boots over my wide calves. There are all things I previously thought I couldn't wear. Now they are my go to pieces.

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