At last week’s Saturday Style School, a question about the best shops for Petite clothing came up. And while I thought it might be helpful, it turns out everyone loved it and asked for more.
Because let’s be honest… Being petite is awesome. AND our lack of height does bring some unique style challenges that our taller sisters don’t face.
So, in case you missed the live workshop and Q&A on Saturday, I wanted to share the best shops with you here. Plus, there’s a brief snippet about what each brand and store does best.
And what perfect timing! Because if you haven’t already, you’ll likely start thinking about a seasonal style/clothing refresh. And now you’ll know exactly where to go and what to look for to make it easier (not to mention faster). I mean, we can shop at the same-old-same-old stores or try someplace new that actually carries styles that fit us.
Before we start shopping, though, there is one quick thing to discuss. And that is…
How petite sizing differs from regular-sized clothes:
Pant inseams and the length of skirts and dresses being shorter likely goes without saying. However, there are several other measurements a lot of Petites are unaware of. But once you do, your life will get so much easier. Not only will it help you avoid taking oodles of clothes into the dressing room only to leave later frustrated and empty-handed because nothing fit. It also explains why certain styles didn’t work for you in the past.
Below are the little measurements that make a big difference when you’re 5’3″ and under:
- The shoulders are narrower
- Sleeve length is shorter
- Arm openings are small and higher
- The knee allowance is higher
Why is that important?
Because being short isn’t the only prerequisite for wearing Petite clothes. You’ll need to decide if wearing ‘petite’ from tip to toe is ideal for you.
Tell me more…
There are true Petites. Meaning Petite sized clothes fit them top and bottom.
Then, there are fancy Petite hybrids. Say, for example, you have long legs for a short woman. Then, Petite pants are likely too short on you, but Petite tops are perfection.
Or, when a Petite has a longer torso (or broad shoulders or a voluptuous bust), then Petite tops aren’t brilliant, but Petite pants absolutely are.
All that to say, the more you know about your shape and your proportions, the easier it is to know where to shop and what sizes to look for.
We go even more in-depth on the differences in Episode #08 of the Inside Petite Style podcast. When you’re ready to listen, tap the image below.
One More Thing…
These are hands-down the best shops for petite clothing, so you’ll want to bookmark your favorites right away so you can find them again easily. They’re also broken down by section: Career, Casual, and Curvy, so you can jump right to the category you’re most interested in.
The Best Casual Shops for Petite Clothing:
#1 – Buckle
My #1 go-to for petite denim.
A word of warning… Make sure to have an idea of the wash, rise, and inseam you’re hunting for before going to the site. They have three bazillion styles, and it’s super easy to fall down a fox hole only to emerge hours later with a head full of options but an empty basket.
My tip… use the filter to narrow down your selection. It’s a total game changer! And it’ll save you gobs of time. Plus eliminate the risk of choosing a pair that’s not perfect for your shape.
If you need more info on rise, inseam, and leg shape, make sure to check out, Finding the Perfect Pants Doesn’t Have To Be A Pain In The Butt. There are some must-know tips on which jeans will best flatter petites.
Here’s the link to shop Buckle now.
#2 – Anthropologie
Perfect for the petite boho. Boho can be a struggle because of all the loose, flowy fabric. It’s super easy to cross the border into Is-There-A-Person-Under-All-That-Material? You’ll gracefully avoid that trap by shopping their petite section.
Here’s the link to shop Anthropologie Petite now.
#3 – Lucky Brand
For Petites, pant inseam is everything. And while Lucky doesn’t have a ‘Petite’ tab, they offer lengths as short as 24′. Like with Buckle, use the filter to avoid wasting time looking at styles that don’t offer what you need.
Something else that Lucky is brilliant at? Trendy boot cut and funky flared leg styles. In case one of those is on your must-have shopping list, you’ll want to check out Lucky Brand.
Here’s the link to shop Lucky Brand now.
#4 – Missguided
The oversized trend is easy to love. It’s relaxed, breezy, and oh-so-comfortable. But like boho, the drop shoulders, the billowy skirts, and drop waists can be tough for petites to carry off well without looking shorter or wider.
Missguided’s petite oversized styles are awesome because the measurements are miniaturized for smaller girls.
They also know how to rock the maxi dresses. And you won’t have to cut a foot off the length or have gobs of fabric dragging the floor.
Here’s the link to shop Missguided Petite now.
When you’re ready to discover more about your Petite Body Shape and the styles that fit and flatter you best, tap the image below.
The Best Career & Workwear Shops for Petites:
#5 – Petite Studio
If your vibe is ladylike and classic with a flair for fun, you must check out Petite Studio.
A bit about the company… Like the name suggests, they only design for petites. And because no two petite women are built alike, PS measures each of their designs on three different women to ensure the sizing is spot on.
Something else they excel at? Outerwear. So, if you live in a cold climate or are going someplace chilly over winter break, give them a glance.
Here’s the link to shop Petite Studio now.
#6 – Ann Taylor
The perfect option for work clothes. Especially if you’re petite on top and regular on the bottom or vice versa. They create most of their styles in both regular and petite sizing. Enabling you to mix and match suiting or separates for an outfit that fits you brilliantly.
For more casual options, the Loft likely has exactly what you need.
Here’s the link to shop Ann Taylor Petite now.
#7 – Banana Republic
Another smart option for suiting, as they offer pants in a multitude of rises and inseams.
Looking for a beautiful blazer that’ll take you from work to happy hour? Go to BR first. You’ll find one that’s short enough to flatter.
Here’s the link to shop Banana Republic Petite now.
Best Curvy & Extended Size Shops For Petite Clothing: (Although they all offer traditional sizing as well.)
#8 – Good American
If you’re looking for jeans, you must must must check out Good American.
A couple of cool features:
* You can pick the model size that’s closest to your shape. ‘Cause, what’s the point of seeing if it looks great on a size 0?!?
* They offer ‘Flat Tummy Tech’. Can I get a hallelujah?
* Their Deep V style gives you booty coverage and then dips in the front for comfort while sitting.
Here’s the link to shop Good American now.
#9 – ASOS Curve
Don’t let their ‘street style’ reputation scare you. While they rock edgier styles, they have tons and tons of cute, casual dresses perfect for WFH and weekends.
And now, with their acquisition of Top Shop and Miss Selfridge, their petite selection has absolutely exploded.
Here’s the link to shop ASOS now.
#10 – Boden
I think of Boden as the British version of J. Crew. From flirty dresses to casual tees, their pieces survive season to season.
What makes them great? They use quality materials at surprisingly low prices.
Here’s the link to shop Boden Petite now.
Extra Credit – #11 – Reformation
Reformation is perfection when it comes to dressier dresses. Think cocktail parties, holiday parties, and the like.
Here’s the link to shop Reformation Petite now.
There You Have It – The Best Shops for Petite Clothing:
What??? I missed your favorite? Pop it into the comments below, and we’ll get the conversation started.
‘Til next week.
Hugs and happy shopping.
