How to Find Petite Clothing?

How to Find Petite Clothing: A Guide by a Fellow Petite Woman and Fashion Designer for Petite Women

As a petite woman myself—and a fashion designer dedicated to designing clothing for shorter women (extra-petite & petite)—I know firsthand the challenges of finding clothes that genuinely fit and flatter a petite frame. Too often, we find ourselves altering or compromising on style and fit, and even the so-called “petite” sections can miss the mark. But with the right strategies, knowing where to look, and understanding the nuances of petite styling, finding beautiful clothes that actually fit becomes possible. Let’s dive into a practical guide on how to find petite clothing that celebrates our unique proportions.

How to Find Petite Clothing

Navigating the world of fashion as a petite can feel like a never-ending treasure hunt. Start by looking for petite sections in stores and using the right keywords online, a little strategy goes a long way. Seek out clothing brands that cater specifically to petites or opting for customisation can further enhance your shopping experience. Here are some insider tips to make your search easier:

1. How to Find Petite Clothing in Stores

When shopping in physical stores, keep an eye out for sections or signs labelled “Petite.” Dedicated petite sections typically feature clothes that are proportioned with shorter lengths in sleeves, inseams, and torso. Here’s how to make the most of shopping for petites in person:

• Ask for Guidance: Store associates often know their inventory well and can point you directly to pieces or brands they carry that might suit a petite frame.

• Specialty Stores and Boutiques: Some brands and boutiques focus exclusively on petite clothing, meaning every piece has been crafted with a shorter frame in mind.

• Timing Matters: Many stores receive shipments on certain days. Shopping shortly after new stock arrives can increase your chances of finding petite-specific pieces before they sell out.

2. How to Find Petite Clothing Online

Online shopping opens up a world of options for petites, but finding the right fit requires a strategic approach. Here are some tips for finding the perfect petite clothes online:

• Use Keywords: When searching for petite clothing, try keywords like "petite dresses", "clothes for short women", "petite workwear clothing", "short inseam",  "Extra-petite clothing" (if you are under 4f 11/ 1.49m), and "Petite clothing brands online". Adding these phrases to your search can help narrow down your options.

• Explore Petite-Specific Retailers: Many online stores now cater specifically to petites, with search filters dedicated to height ranges or shorter inseams. Take advantage of these options for a more tailored browsing experience.

• Check Reviews and Fit Photos: Customer reviews and photos can be incredibly helpful in determining whether an item will suit your frame. Look for comments from other petites to gauge how pieces might fit.

The best petite clothing brand online

The House of Arti is awarded the best petite clothing brand. They are a premium- luxury designer petite clothing brand for extra-petite and petite women. With the House of Arti you can shop your garment size within your height range for the perfect tailored fit. Now isn't that amazing! 

• Extra-Petite Clothing: 4f 7.1" - 4f 11" | 1.40m - 1.49m 
• Petite Clothing: 4f 11.1" - 5f 2.6" | 1.50m - 1.59m 

3. Other Tips for Finding Petite Clothing

• Try Customisation and Tailoring Options: Many brands now offer customisation, allowing you to choose specific inseam lengths or adjust the fit. Don’t overlook the power of a good tailor for minor adjustments. (Uniqlo offers in-house tailoring) 

• Consider Petite-Friendly Fabrics: Stretch fabrics and knits tend to be more forgiving on petites and are easier to adjust if needed. Aim for items that allow movement and enhance your proportions.

House of Arti: Petite Clothing Brand Review

How to Shop for Petite Clothing

Shopping for petite clothing goes beyond simply finding the right section in-stores or the right petite clothing brands online. Shopping for petite clothing comes down to fit, style, and quality. From selecting the right silhouettes to supporting brands that prioritise petite-friendly fits, these tips help make the shopping experience more successful. Here’s a guide to styles and silhouettes that look particularly good on petite frames and how to assess the quality of petite-specific brands.

1. Understanding How a Garment Should Fit on a Petite Body

Petite sizing is more than just shorter lengths—it’s about proportion. Here’s what to look for:

• Sleeve Lengths: Sleeves should sit comfortably without extending beyond the wrist. For petite shirts, they can sit at the wrist or between the wrist and knuckles. 

• Bodice and Torso Fit: Aim for tops and dresses that don’t bunch up around the hips. A petite-friendly bodice is often shorter (at waist-line or shorter) to align with a petite torso.

• Waistline Placement: High-waisted pieces are generally more flattering, as they help elongate the legs, and lengthen the body in general.

2. Key Silhouettes That Look Great on Petite Women

Certain silhouettes naturally complement a petite frame. Here are a few tried-and-true options:

• V-Necklines: A V-neckline creates a vertical line that can lengthen the appearance of the torso. (Read more about What necklines look best on petite women)

• Midi Dresses and Skirts: A midi length that falls below the knee can give the illusion of longer legs.

• Fitted Bodices with Flowy Bottoms: Dresses with a fitted bodice and an A-line or flowy skirt create balance and add femininity to a petite silhouette.

• High-Rise Pants: High-waisted pants that sit above the hips and just at the ankle are fantastic for petites, as they visually elongate the legs, and balances out our proportions. 

3. How to Identify Good Petite Clothing Brands

With so many petite brands offering petite sizes, knowing what to look for can help you separate quality from quantity. Here’s how:

• Use of Petite Models: Brands that display their clothing on petite models give a realistic representation of how items might fit.

• Detailed Size Guides: A comprehensive petite size guide helps you choose the right fit by offering measurements specific to shorter frames.

• Good Reviews from Other Petites: Look out for brands with strong, positive feedback from other short women.

 

How Does Petite Clothing Fit?

The way in which petite clothing fits the body isn’t just a scaled-down version of standard sizes. Proportions, placements, and lengths are thoughtfully adjusted to flatter shorter frames. 

(Read more: Petite vs Regular Size Clothing) 

1. What Height Range is Considered Petite?

Petite sizing typically accommodates women under 5’4” (162 cm). However, petite women come in various body shapes and proportions, so not all petite clothing will fit every shorter woman perfectly. For example, shorter ladies under 4f 11"/ 1.49m are considered extra-petite, which then again needs specific size guides and a much different garment fit.  

2. What Makes Petite Clothing “Petite”?

Petite clothing is crafted with shorter proportions in mind, including

• A Shorter Torso: Petite tops and dresses are designed for shorter torsos, preventing the drop-waist effect that traditional lengths might cause.

• Higher Elbows: Petite tops take elbow height into account, which is crucial for tailored jackets and fitted long sleeves.

• Shorter Sleeves: Whether short, three-quarter-length, or long, the sleeves of petite tops are shorter than regular sizes (by - 5cm / - 2 inch) to ensure a proper fit.

• Higher Armholes: Petite tops feature higher armholes to prevent gaping and ensure a seamless fit.

• Narrow Shoulder Width: Petite tops have a smaller distance from shoulder to shoulder compared to regular tops, including structured garments like jackets and coats.

• Shorter Inseam: The inseams on petite pants are shorter to eliminate the need for hemming. Shorts have shorter inseams as well to sit correctly at the thigh.

Finding clothing that fits a petite frame takes a little extra strategy, but it’s well worth the effort. Whether you’re shopping in stores or online, following these tips can make all the difference in finding clothes that fit and flatter. Don’t be afraid to explore brands that specialise in petite sizes or to experiment with the silhouettes and styles mentioned here. Every petite woman deserves clothing that fits well and celebrates her unique shape.