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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

I am such an idiot

Aziraphale

Veteran

So, last week I posted a question about where to find good fitted button-front shirts, since I'm 5'1" and shirts never fit me right, and my favourite black button-front needs to be replaced:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....or-petites

One suggestion was to try Banana Republic petites. Well, I have never in my life (as far as I can remember) tried on a petite size anything, mainly because the only petites sections I've ever seen are in department stores, where the merchandise appears to be marketed for conservative "older" women. Now I admit, I have never looked all that closely. Maybe there are funky things there, but the ambiance, what with the fluorescent lighting and racks and racks of garments, has always put me off. Also, I've never had an office job, so I've never had an urgent need for the tailored clothing that one might find in a department store. But in the past few years I've really been getting into button-front shirts, with their forgiving fabric and elegant, mature feel (after all, I'm not 21 anymore, haha). Most regular shops, either in the malls or downtown, don't carry any petite lines. (Maybe this is different in the US, but here in Canada there are slim pickings for petites).

So back to BR petites. I go look in their (woefully minimal) petites section, fail to find a black shirt, but take a dressy, fitted blue one with white pinstripes to the fitting room. It's preppy as all get out, which is not my usual style, but I'm oddly attracted to it, and besides the only other choices are white (which doesn't suit me) or salmon (which I hate). And guess what? Size 2 Petite FITS ME LIKE A GLOVE. It was a REVELATION. I feel like such a twit. WHY has it never occurred to me to try on petite clothing? I am the very definition of petite! I already know this!

Anyway, I'm not sure that the preppy blue shirt will play well with my other clothes, but I buy it anyway because it fits so darn well and, let's face it, that's a novelty for me. And it curves in at the waist and flares out a little, giving the impression that my waist is more defined than it is. So I take it home and proceed to try it with things. And it goes with NEARLY EVERYTHING in my wardrobe. (Please excuse the shouting but I am beside myself). It goes with skinny jeans or bootcuts. It works beautifully with a black pencil skirt. I can roll up the cuffs and dress it down with a short, frayed denim skirt. It even looks fab with A-line skirts, if I put a skinny belt over top.

So, now that I have discovered the magic of petite sizing, I would love to hear suggestions of other shops with good stuff that comes in petites. In Canada, of course. Suggestions, anyone?

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Aida

Veteran

*cheers!* A perfectly fitting button-shirt deserves joyous shouting! No suggestions on stores with good petites (I'm sure the other ladies will!), but I am happy for you

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

That is a great revelation!
I think Cleo has a good petite selection - Shannon seems to buy a lot there.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thanks, Sveta. What is Cleo? Is it online only? I've never heard of it, but I found a web page.

Freckles

Veteran

Hurrah Elizabeth. Not being petite I'm no help.

I know there is a Laura petite at our large mall but I've never shopped at the regular Laura so no idea what their merchandise is like.

Is there a Tweed and Hickory where you live? I bought a coat on sale there that fits me like a dream. I was almost at the checkout before I noticed it but with the higher armholes, which make the total difference for me was why it was perfect. It is a pricey store but their clearance rack is awesome times three. I think I came home with this winter outdoor jacket for well under $100 in the Spring. This was perfect as it is not too heavy but our winters are wicked with cold springs...

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

No, we have it in our mall. I cannot believe there in no one in Vancouver - but there is one in Victoria. Their shipping is pretty reasonable I think so it may be worth a try for you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!

SOOOOO happy for you, Elisabeth!!

And not surprised.

Your new shirt isn't a version of Angie's gorgeous shirt, is it? I couldn't find that one in Petite on the web site (alas, or I'd have ordered it up in shot.)

I totally share your aversion to what I knew as "petites" clothing in Canadian department stores (or other stores). Like you, I avoided those sections with barely disguised disdain and refused to consider that I should try the stuff on. But DUH, when I did!!!

I'm not even technically petite at 5'4" - but with my short waist and short arms, petite jackets, shirts, and dresses fit me FAR better than regular size.

Watching Shannon's fashion journey has been a true revelation to me. True, she works in an office so can wear some clothing that I wouldn't necessarily need or buy. But she buys many items that I probably wouldn't have given a second glance, and with her expert flair makes them appear funky and fun and not at all "boring" or "conservative." It has been such a joy and an inspiration to see this.

She gets a ton of her clothes at Cleo petites.

You could also try Laura petites for some things, although you'll have to be picky; some of it really is "old lady."

Talbots is similar.

And soon, soon, SOON we will have Ann Taylor!!

Another real joy for me is European clothing. I can fit into stuff off the rack in European sizes much more easily than N.A. clothes. I have French, Italian, and British jackets (in different sizes, since their sizing systems vary) that fit me perfectly. No need to alter the sleeve length. I can also wear the dresses right off the rack.

For basics, I do rely on a lot of BR stuff in petite sizes, along with trips to the US.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

We have a Cleo in our mall in Kingston. They may not be out west, though - not sure. But Shannon can advise on sizing there. She's a true expert.

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I am so glad you found these! I felt the same way-when I discovered BR petite shirts I was amazed that it fitted me perfectly, I think I have probably at least 6. However, its not only in Canada that petite pickings are slim. its no different in US. For tailored clothes, BR is really the only place that I was able to find that fits my needs. Ann Taylor is too large for me(even the smallest sizes) and when I go into department stores, I have simular reaction as you-their petite departments seem to carry very matronly type clothes. JCrew is actually another place that I really like and lot of their clothes is a good fit for me(although their sizing is not consistent in my opinion).

Aida

Veteran

(Psst Suz, Angie's shirt is from Zara!)

catgirl

Veteran

Girl, even I knew you were petite! I totally hear you on the petite frump factor - my mom's friends wear the clothes from department store petites - but j. crew and BR and Nordstrom all carry a good selection.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Una -- no Nordstrom, no J. Crew here, sadly. But yes, I DID know I was a petite -- it's just that I had never tried on any petite clothing, owing to the fact that I thought all of it was, er, matronly.

Suz -- we do have a Cleo in Vancouver (two, actually). I just looked it up. And as luck would have it, one of them is at my local mall. I'll give it a try sometime soon.

btw, who is Shannon? Is that the name she goes by, or is it something made up?

Anonymous

Squee about the button front shirt! I hadn't worn one in years and years and years and because of Angie, I've rediscovered them and now I am addicted. Need to rein myself back in or that will be the only kind of shirt I have in my closet!

I'm so glad you had a petite revelation too. That's fun.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shannon is Transcona Shannon.

I warn you, my reactions to the clothes I actually see at Cleo are not terribly positive. But what Shannon does with those clothes - that's another matter entirely.

I just bought my first Cleo dress.

Aida - are you sure about Angie's shirt? The one in her recent post? I may be confused, but she told Sveta she LOVED the BR shirt that is very very similar (if not the one) and I thought she said she had bought it. Anyway - regardless - it's a great shirt!

Elisabeth, J. Crew may come to Vancouver soon; there's one in Toronto now. We still can't do online ordering.

Kari

Veteran

Yay! That's fantastic - button down shirts are HARD.

How did I miss all this time that you are in Vancouver? I'm really due for a trip up there! Actually several of us Seattlites have been toying with the idea of a YLF day trip up there to shop - perhaps we could meet you sometime!

Aida

Veteran

Suz, yep pretty sure! You can search the comments on the post :} BR does have a similar one though, I think Tanya has it?

Elisabeth, Kari and Anna and I will come to Vancouver to hit up Zara with you and then you should come to Seattle to hit up JCrew with us

Aziraphale

Veteran

Update: Vancouver DOES have one J. Crew downtown (yay!) but I phoned them and they don't carry petites (boo).

Aida, might have to take you up on that Seattle offer next time I'm down there.

sarah

Veteran

Elisabeth, I'm a petite, too. And I am REALLY a petite. I guess it's the narrow shoulders and being short-waisted as well as short. Nearly all my clothing has to be petite, or it just doesn't fit. JCrew doesn't carry petite in their stores, but at least in the US, if you order from the store, they ship free to your house. I do this for all my JCrew. Gap, ON, BR, Talbot's, AT, Loft, all carry petites. I'm not sure which of those you have.

Welcome to the world of petites!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Suz, Angie has a shirt from BR but it is solid blue with white collar and cuffs, not striped one like in her post.

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

HOORAY!!! That's fabulous!

And hey, don't forget me! If there is a YLF trip to the north or if you come down here, I'd love to be in on it (assuming I'm not away as I so often am on weekends).

cciele

Veteran

I know nothing about Canadian shopping, but so happy you found a shirt that fits!

ManidipaM

Veteran

That is a great revelation, Elisabeth! Congratulations on having a whole new department of shopping opened up to you!

christy

Veteran

As a fellow petite, I can commiserate with the small amount of petite clothing in the stores. I'm not much help though...I'm in the US and primarily find my clothes at Nordstrom, Ann Taylor and Loft with the occasional find at Banana Republic. However, the extra effort is worth it as clothes will fit you SO much better! For me, it's most important that I wear petites for jackets and button up shirts. I find petite dresses and skirts are often too short for me though. And since I tend to wear fairly high heels, petite pants are usually too short. Congrats on the revelation though!

fashionista

Veteran

I am happy for you but I am of no help here sorry.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You're not too far from the border in Vancouver. You could order stuff and make shopping trips to Seattle!!

Sveta, thank you for confirming I'm not nuts! I knew she had a BR shirt. That was the one I was thinking of, I guess!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Elizabeth - Shannon here...sorry I missed this thread completely. Suz pointed me your way (thanks Suz)!

I do buy quite a bit from Cleo Petite (I'm in WInnipeg) in store and have also ordered online. They have some web exclusive items only available through their online store. I'm only 5'1" and very short waisted so blouses and dresses must be petite proportions or the waist is too low, the shoulders too wide and any bust darts in the wrong place.

Suz is right in that Cleo Petites often isn't "exciting" when you first see the clothes, either in person or online. But it's when you put them on that you get the "ah ha" moment. They are without a doubt my favourite place to buy dresses because they fit me perfectly proportionately. Their clothes can run into the frumpy side if you're not careful, but styling can make all the difference. Here are a few samples of Cleo items I've purchased and love.

Definitely worth checking out and I find their sizing to be fairly consistent and quality is decent. Also, they often have sales that are 30% off so pricing can be quite good.

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cheryl

Veteran

I'm no help with the store recommendations but YAY for finding a great fitting shirt!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Sarah: we have Gap, Old Navy, BR, Talbot's, and just one J. Crew. I don't think we have Ann Taylor or Loft, but I'll check. Definitely no Nordstrom. Thanks for the tips! I had no idea Gap carried petites! I did know that Talbot's did, but I've never gone in there because of the old lady vibe. But I'm being naughty -- I know we're not supposed to leave any retail stone unturned!

Christy, that's so true what you say about getting shirts and jackets in a petite size. I'm the same. I think I have a regular rise, because regular jeans pretty much always fit me if the inseam is 30", which lots of places carry. (Or I can take a 32" inseam and hem them a bit). But the waist of fitted jackets and shirts ALWAYS hits me in the wrong spot. I spent forever looking for the perfect waistcoat last year, and when I finally found it, I paid a lot to have it taken up at the shoulder, which moved the waist up. But this sort of thing is too expensive with jackets, as they would need to take the sleeves off and possibly take the shoulders in as well. Grrr. If only petite sizes were more widely available.

Shannon (of course! Duh. In my mind you will always be Transcona Shannon. I didn't connect the dots) -- goodness, those outfits are not matronly AT ALL. I'm so impressed! I really like your style. I will keep that in mind and try to have an open mind when I visit our local Cleo.

love those shoes that tie up with a bow, by the way.

lyn67

Veteran

WOW, that's a great discovery, so happy for you, may we see a pictie, now:-))