Do Short Women Wear Kids’ Clothes?
If you’re a short woman, you’ve probably been tempted at some point to wander into the kids’ clothing section. Maybe you were looking for a jacket that didn’t swallow you whole, or a pair of pants that didn’t need three trips to the tailor. I know the feeling, I’ve been there many times myself. But while kids’ clothes might seem like a quick fix, the reality is far more complicated (and frustrating). Let’s talk about why so many petite women end up in the children’s aisle, how it really feels, and why the fashion industry needs to do better.
My Experience Shopping for Kids’ Clothes
When I was younger, in my teens and early twenties, I often shopped in the kids’ section. I bought everything from workwear basics to dresses and jackets. It wasn’t ideal, but back then, my body was smaller and I could squeeze into those sizes. Now, in my late twenties and early thirties, my body has changed (hello, hips, thighs, and bust!) and kids’ clothing is no longer an option.Before I started my brand, I often paid hundreds for custom jackets and trousers just to look professional at work. Otherwise, I stuck to cropped women’s pieces that sort of worked, but let’s be honest, it was exhausting.
And I’m not alone. Most women I know under 1.53m (5ft) have shopped in kids’ sections, especially at Zara Kids for knitwear. Women slightly taller (1.53m–1.59m) usually avoid kids’ sizes but still complain about proportions and end up altering everything.
The Challenges of Kids’ Clothing for Petites
Here’s the thing: short women don’t have children’s bodies.
- Fit & Proportions: Kids’ clothes may be shorter in length, but the widths don’t work. I have a full bust, muscular thighs, and a woman’s frame, just scaled down. That means tops get stuck around my shoulders, and pants won’t go past my thighs.
- Style & Professionalism: Children’s clothes are often juvenile, think frills, cartoon prints, and pastel tones. They don’t exactly say CEO or wedding guest.
- Fabric Quality: While some kids’ brands use decent fabrics, most are made for active kids who will outgrow them quickly. Petite women need investment pieces, not disposable fashion.
And honestly? Shopping in the kids’ section can feel humiliating. I remember checking my surroundings, hoping nobody noticed me rifling through racks meant for 10-year-olds. It made me feel small, insecure, and sometimes even ashamed of my height.
Why Do Petites Settle for Kids’ Clothes?
From what I’ve seen (and lived), there are a few reasons short women end up here:
- Kids’ clothes are cheaper.
- The lengths often work without rolling sleeves or hemming pants.
- Women’s sizes are usually far too big proportionally. Alterations cost a fortune and often end up reconstructing the entire garment.
- No need to rely only on cropped pieces from women’s stores.
But here’s the catch: none of these “benefits” fix the deeper problem; kids’ clothing isn’t designed for adult women.
Petite Clothing vs. Kids’ Clothing
The differences are huge:
- Proportional Cuts: Petite clothing has bust darts, waist placement, and shoulder fits that respect a woman’s frame. Kids’ clothes don’t.
- Style Maturity: Petite clothing offers workwear, date-night outfits, and elegant occasion wear. You can’t exactly show up to your best friend’s wedding in a dress from the children’s aisle.
- Fabric Quality: Petites deserve elevated fabrics like silks, wools, beaded evening-wear, not just cotton basics for active kids.
This is why petite-specific brands are so necessary.
The Emotional Side: How It Really Feels
Every petite woman I’ve spoken to has felt embarrassed, dismissed, or belittled by the fashion industry for being “too short.”
This goes beyond clothing. Society often perceives short women as childlike, less authoritative, or even less capable. Here are real comments women have shared with me:
- “I had to channel my inner masculinity to demand respect in the workplace; it’s an ongoing cycle.”
- “A lawyer once told me to wear higher heels if I wanted to get ahead.”
- “My colleagues still call me ‘cute’ in the office, and I’m over 50.”
- “I’ve been paid less than peers despite having the highest qualifications; simply because I look young and petite.”
These experiences fuelled my decision to create House of Arti. I couldn’t bear the thought of young women and us older ladies continuing to feel small and excluded.
Case Studies: From Kids’ Section to Confidence
Around 90% of my customers once shopped in the kids’ section. Now, they finally have clothing designed for them.
One customer told me:
“I used to buy kids’ clothes for work, but now I can finally wear pieces that look mature and professional. I feel more confident and taken seriously.”
“I used to buy kids’ clothes for work, but now I can finally wear pieces that look mature and professional. I feel more confident and taken seriously.”
Another said:
“I finally own a shirt that fits perfectly, no alterations needed. It’s an investment piece, and I feel empowered.”
“I finally own a shirt that fits perfectly, no alterations needed. It’s an investment piece, and I feel empowered.”
How House of Arti Solves the Problem
What makes my brand different is our height-based sizing system. Instead of forcing petites to “make do,” we design proportional clothing that respects shorter frames.
- Extra-petite: 1.40m–1.49m (4’7”–4’11”)
- Petite: 1.50m–1.59m (4’11”–5’2”)
- View our bespoke petite size guide
On top of that, we focus on modern classic styles, luxurious fabrics, ethical production, and timeless investment pieces.
So, do short women wear kids’ clothes? Yes, many of us have, and some still do. But we shouldn’t have to. Petite women deserve clothing that fits their bodies, matches their lifestyles, and respects their identities as women, not children.
The good news? Times are changing. Petite brands are rising, and with continued support, we can finally close the gap in fashion. No more kids’ section, it’s time for petites to step into clothing made for them.
