The Best Petite Clothing Brands in South Africa

The Best Petite Clothing Brands in South Africa

Shopping for petite clothing brands in South Africa is one of the biggest fashion challenges many women face, and as a petite fashion designer myself (standing at just 1.45m tall), I understand this struggle all too well. For years, I found myself shopping in the children’s section, not because I wanted to, but because the clothing in most stores simply didn’t fit my frame.

But as I approached my 30s, I realised that shopping in the kids’ section was no longer an option—it lacked the sophistication and style I craved. I wanted elegant deep-neck dresses, chic open-back designs, tailored work blouses, and trousers that were both professional and mature. If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’ve faced similar frustrations.

The good news? There are petite clothing brands in South Africa that understand and cater to women like us. Let’s explore the best petite clothing brands, from innovative South African labels to international options available here.

1) House of Arti: The Best Petite Clothing Brand in South Africa

When it comes to petite and extra-petite fashion, House of Arti leads the way. As South Africa’s first dedicated petite clothing brand, House of Arti offers high-quality, modern classic pieces tailored for mature modern women. Their garments are designed with shorter proportions in mind, ensuring a perfect fit that flatters petite frames.

What sets House of Arti apart is their bespoke petite sizing system, designed specifically for petite and extra-petite women. Whether you’re looking for timeless blouses, elegant trousers, or feminine petite dresses, this brand has you covered. Shopping with them is convenient and luxurious—they offer free shipping, and their collections are exclusively available online.

With the House of Arti you can shop your garment size (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL) within your height range for your perfect tailored fit:

  • Extra-Petite: 1.4m - 1.49m / 4f 7.1" - 4f 11"
  • Petite: 1.5m -1.59m / 4f 11.1" - 5f 2.6" 

House of Arti isn’t just a leader in petite fashion in South Africa; they are making waves globally. Their mission is to redefine the standards for petite women, ensuring we no longer have to settle for ill-fitting clothes or compromise on style.

Read House of Arti Achievements:


2) Forever New: South Africa's in-store Shopping Petite Clothing Brand

If you’re looking for something feminine and polished, Forever New is a great option. While this Australian brand isn’t exclusively for petites, they do carry a petite section with a small but carefully curated selection. You can find Forever New stores in most major malls across South Africa, making it convenient to try on pieces in-store.

Their petite collection features beautiful dresses, elegant tops, and a touch of girly charm that’s perfect for special occasions. However, their petite range is somewhat limited, so you may not always find a wide variety to choose from.

 

3) PrettyLittleThing: Online Shopping in South Africa 

For trend-focused petite fashion, PrettyLittleThing offers affordable options aimed at younger women. This fast fashion retailer caters to the 16-24 age group, with a range of dresses, tops, and casual wear designed to fit petite frames.

While their garments are made from synthetic materials and aren’t known for their longevity, they do deliver on style and affordability. You can only shop PrettyLittleThing online via their South Africa website Link, making it a viable option for those looking to experiment with trendy petite fashion.

 

4) Next: Affordable Online Shopping for Petite Women in South Africa 

Next is an online boutique offering petite clothing at very affordable prices, starting from as little as R300. Their pieces are geared toward everyday wear, similar in style and quality to South African retailers like Mr Price or Foschini.

However, after reviewing their size guides and product offerings, there are a few limitations to note. None of their petite items is modelled on petite bodies, and their size adjustments are minimal—usually just 5cm shorter than regular-sized garments. This doesn’t always translate to a truly flattering fit for petite women, so it’s worth keeping this in mind when shopping with them.

Shopping for petite clothing brands in South Africa doesn’t have to be a struggle anymore. With options like House of Arti, Forever New, PrettyLittleThing, and Next, petite women now have access to modern, stylish, flattering clothes that celebrate their unique frames.

For those seeking timeless, high-quality pieces, House of Arti stands out as the best choice for petite fashion in South Africa. Whether you’re looking for petite workwear pieces, evening dresses, or everyday petite wardrobe essentials, this brand understands your needs like no other.

The key to dressing well as a petite woman lies in choosing brands that prioritise fit and style, and these stores offer a starting point for building your dream wardrobe.

Must read: The Petite Struggle: Why finding petite clothing in South Africa is so difficult

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