Why Is Petite Clothing More Expensive?

Why Is Petite Clothing More Expensive? An Inside Look from a Petite Fashion Expert

As a fashion designer specialising in petite and extra-petite clothing, and at a height of 4’9” (1.45m), I know first-hand the unique challenges shorter women face in finding clothes that truly fit. For too long, petite fashion has been a mere afterthought in the industry, treated by larger brands as a side venture rather than a core focus. They recognise a market for petite women’s clothing, but their approach often focuses on profit over proper fit. Here, I want to shed some light on the hidden reasons petite clothing tends to be more expensive and why it’s worth the investment.

8 Reasons Why Petite Clothing Is More Expensive?

Petite clothing can be more expensive than standard sizes due to a variety of factors, from the lack of dedicated tools and knowledge in the industry to the costs of ethical production. Mainstream brands typically overlook petite needs, meaning that petite-focused brands need to pioneer their own paths, often with limited resources. These added complexities and higher production costs ensure that every piece is carefully crafted for petite proportions. Lets dive into this deeper, here are the 8 main reasons why clothing for petite women is more expensive:

1. Lack of Knowledge and Proper Sizing for Petite Bodies

Petite fashion design is still underrepresented in the mainstream. Even in top fashion schools, like the one I attended, there’s little to no focus on body diversity or petite sizing. We never had classes that explored different body proportions, and petite garment blocks weren’t even available for experimentation. Traditional garment blocks, or base patterns, are made with the average-sized woman in mind, which doesn’t translate well for shorter frames. So, petite brands have to invest in creating unique sizing guides and petite-specific garment blocks from scratch, which adds to production costs.

To give you a better perspective: I spent over 7 years researching, gathering data, and creating our unique bespoke petite-size guide to cater to us extra-petites and petites. And by no means was it a walk in the park.

My petite clothing brand "House of Arti" offers a unique shopping experience where you can shop you garment size (xs, s, m, l, xl) within your height range for the perfect tailored fit: 

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

2. Limited Knowledge Among Mainstream Brands

Most large clothing brands lack expertise in petite sizing. They often use outdated measurements and assumptions about what shorter women need, resulting in garments that don’t fit well even when labelled as “petite.” For many brands, offering petite options feels like a niche or “risky” endeavour since they assume that demand is low, so they produce these items in small quantities or as “limited editions.” This scarcity, combined with a lack of proper sizing knowledge, makes it challenging to find well-fitting options, and when brands do attempt it, the costs are passed down to the consumer.

3. Petite Brands Are Young and Often Self-Funded

Many petite brands are relatively new and often founded by petite women themselves who have struggled to find suitable clothing. These brands are often self-funded or operated with limited budgets, which means they can’t produce in bulk like larger brands to minimise costs. They prioritise ethical production and sustainable practices, both of which raise production costs but ensure quality and responsible sourcing. Supporting these emerging petite brands not only gives you access to better-fitting clothes but also helps push for a change in the industry towards greater inclusivity.

4. High Costs of Sampling and Manufacturing

In running my petite clothing brand, I’ve experienced the cost of developing garments specifically for petite proportions. Unlike larger brands with standardised sizing blocks, we must create custom petite sizing blocks, which require extensive sampling. For a single, simple dress, it can take up to seven or eight samples to get the fit right, with each round of samples costing over USD $1,000. We also need to hire petite models & women to fit-test these designs and refine them until they’re just right, which is another added expense. These complexities are unique to petite brands and reflect the dedication to making clothes that fit properly.

5. Lack of Petite-Specific Tools and Mannequins

One of the unexpected hurdles in petite fashion is the lack of petite-specific mannequins. Designing on a dress form is essential in fashion, but because standard mannequins are too tall and proportionally different, petite designers must rely on live models or flat pattern-making techniques, which require additional resources and TIME. Creative draping, a technique used to give garments shape and flair, becomes nearly impossible for petite sizing without a properly sized mannequin. This lack of industry-standard tools means more work on live models/ bodies and many rounds of sampling which increases the cost of producing petite clothing.

6. The “Mature” Price Point Assumption

Some high-end and fast fashion brands think that offering petite clothing might attract younger customers, such as teenagers, due to the smaller sizes. To prevent this, they often price petite items higher, aiming to maintain a “mature” or “luxury” brand image. However, this misinterpretation overlooks the fact that many petite women are adults, professionals, and even mothers. For example, a 39-year-old, 5-foot-tall woman who has two kids, with a distinct figure isn’t comparable to a young teenager. Despite this, brands price their petite lines higher to avoid what they perceive as a “youthful” market.

7. Investing in Sustainable and Ethical Production

Many petite brands are committed to ethical and sustainable practices, as the founders themselves often value transparency and responsibility. Sourcing sustainable fabrics, ensuring fair wages, and implementing environmentally friendly practices come at a higher cost, but this is important to both the brand and its customers. For petite clothing, these standards are even more challenging to maintain as they operate on smaller production scales, making each piece more costly. This dedication to responsible production is part of why petite fashion is more expensive, but it also ensures quality and durability in the final product.

8. Building Awareness and Changing Perceptions

Building awareness about petite needs within the fashion industry requires significant effort. Petite brands often invest heavily in marketing and education to change the industry’s perception of petite fashion. They conduct research, host focus groups, and collaborate with petite customers to refine their offerings. All these efforts contribute to the higher cost but are crucial for creating a community that values inclusivity and fit.

Investing in petite clothing is about more than just finding clothes that fit. It’s about supporting brands that genuinely understand the unique needs of shorter women and are willing to go the extra mile to create garments that flatter and fit perfectly. While petite clothing may come at a higher price, the quality, ethical production, and thoughtful design make it worthwhile. Next time you shop for petite clothing, remember that you’re investing in a brand that’s dedicated to making you look and feel your best.