There are so many misconceptions when it comes to petite clothing, so understanding the petite design process can be confusing. Is everything just...shorter? Nope! If brands simply chopped a few inches off hems and sleeve lengths, we shorties would definitely still run into some problems. Curious about what petite designers take into consideration?Let's cover the main ways petite clothing is made differently to better fit your petite body!
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Hems
The standard height for someone considered petite is 5’4” and under. Regular-sized clothing is usually designed for women between 5’5” and 5’7”. This is why most of us are constantly tripping over pants, rolling up sleeves, and tucking in regular tops so that they don’t look like tunics or dresses. Yikes! Not ideal.
Petite clothing is designed to be shorter in all these areas. For petites, the base of arm holes will be raised on tops and blouses in order to get the fit around the bicep and shoulder right. Plus, the hemline on tops is raised to hit just at or above the hips meaning fewer French tucks in the future!
Dresses and skirts fall much differently on someone who is taller than 5'4 than they would on a 4'11 frame. When buying petite, so much attention and information is taken into account when curating and designing dresses, jumpsuits, and skirt lengths so that they will lay nicely throughout the torso and hit at the most flattering points. So many petite problems, solved!
This is where petite sizing can get tricky and sometimes confusing. While a petite body is shorter in height, that doesn’t always mean it’s evenly shorter all around.
Since petite bodies are shorter, the waistline of a garment will usually be raised in order to land in the right spot—your waist! For pants and jeans, the rise is often designed shorter too with your petite proportions in mind. Whether you have a long or short torso as a petite, you will find a comfortable fitting option you love when choosing petite.
Let’s face it, we’ve all tried on a pair of what are supposed to be ankle-length and they are so long we can barely walk. Inseam is always an obstacle for petites, but don't lose hope! Tailored petite pieces are designed with that in mind and created to ensure the best length for you. Inseams can be anywhere from 3 to 4 inches shorter depending on the style. Want to figure out how you can accurately find your correct petite inseam? Short Story has created an inseam guide for just that!
Along with inseam, sleeve lengths are hard to get right on petites. While some petites out there will have different proportions like shorter or longer arms, long sleeve clothing items not made for petites can feel extremely long. You can only cuff your tops for so long without craving a better fit!
Petite sizing sleeve length could be0.5 to 2.5 inches shorter than regular sizing but can sometimes be a little less or more depending on the clothing item. If 3/4 sleeve styles are your favorite to wear, petite-specific tops will hit exactly at those points whereas regular tops will be longer and less flattering.
True petite styles like blazers and jackets are designed with a fitted body, shrunken shoulders that will comfortably fit petite frames, and a sleeve that will hit at or a little lower than the wrist. When exclusively choosing petite, you can say goodbye to long sleeves that give off spaghetti noodles vibes and say hello to tailored and sophisticated fits!
Details
Ever tried on a piece of clothing only to feel ridiculous because the design details that were meant to be cute were just way off? One of the most common problems is grabbing a trendy pair of distressed jeans, only to see the knee holes at your shins when you look in the mirror!
When petite pieces are designed, they’re made with petite proportions in mind. This can vary depending on the individual, but usually, you’ll find that things like distressing will be exactly where they’re supposed to be—at your knees! Bust darts that help shape a top will actually hit you at the right spots, allowing the clothing to shape and form your bust properly. Elbow patches won’t land on your forearms and yes, you guessed it! They'll be at your elbows!
Design details like these matter on petites. The closer they get the placement right, from embellishments to seams, the better it will fit! You'll also find that some brands will scale down a larger print so that it doesn't overwhelm a petite frame. We can truly have it all!
Petite clothing is made differently and for a good reason. Like everyone, we shorties love to wear clothes that fit! Being petite isn’t a problem that needs solving, but is something to be celebrated! And when it comes to embracing all things petite, Short Story are the petite expert in providing curated outfits and personalized styling advice right to your door for an effortless experience.
So what are you waiting for?! Sign upand one of our talented stylists will curate a collection tailored to your body shape and preferred style.
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Narrow Shoulder Width: In petite-size tops, for instance, the distance from shoulder to shoulder is smaller compared to regular-size tops. This is also true of clothing with structured shoulders, such as jackets, coats and even T-shirts. Shorter Torso: Petite clothing is designed to fit those with shorter torsos.
As most petite clothing exists as an afterthought of larger, fast-fashion brands, there are consequently very little to no premium/luxury options to discover. Even when luxury designers attempt to duplicate their designs for petites, they fail to get the sizing right.
Regular sizes are designed for women 5'4” to 5'8”. While traditional size hemlines and inseams might be too long on a 5'4” or smaller frame, petite sizes offer a shorter, tailored fit. Height continues to reign supreme when distinguishing between petite and regular sizes.
Although it might feel like it, being petite doesn't just mean you've got short legs. You're a bit shorter all over. Petite sizing adjusts everything proportionately. That means the waist sits higher, the shoulders are narrower, and the sleeves are shorter, as well as the shorter inside leg (cries in 27 inches).
In summary, if your height falls anywhere less than 5'3” or 5'4”, you can proudly call yourself a petite lady. Also, if you find that most clothes you find are too large for you, with a little searching, you will definitely find a proper fashion store which has clothes that are a perfect fit for you.
Petite refers to stature not weight. Most people still think petite means skinny when in fact petite has nothing to do with weight. Petite is the term used in the fashion industry to describe a woman who is 5'3 tall or under. Petite women come in all shapes and sizes, whether they're a size 4 or 14.
Someone with a lanky frame could still wear a petite size in tops, while another may be considered petite only in pants or skirts. So the question is: Am I petite? If you're 5'4” or under, the answer is, probably. And if you're taller, but sometimes find straight sizes ill-fitting, perhaps!
Models under 5'6" are usually “parts models” who only model specific parts of the body, such as the face, hands and feet. Since there is lower demand for petite models in the industry, modelling agencies rarely represent anyone under 5'7".
In the fashion world, "petite size" is a standard applied primarily to women who are under 5'4" (162.56 cm). It's important to note that petite sizing is not a reflection of weight; rather, it focuses on height and proportion.
A: The best dress shape for petite women often includes styles that define the waist and enhance curves, such as wrap dresses, fit-and-flare dresses, and sheath dresses with hemlines just above the knee. These shapes can accentuate your waistline and elongate your legs, creating a harmonious and flattering silhouette.
The ideal length for women's petite dresses is mini or to the floor. Sheath dresses are perfect models for short beauties. Every girl wants to look like a princess. If you can't take your eyes off puffy skirts or ruffled tops, wear a high platform or heels, visually increasing your height and height/volume proportions.
This body shape is all about defining your waistline.
A universal v-neck, peplum, fitted, and wrap style tops are all fabulous options and will pair perfectly with curvy fit or straight-leg high-rise pants or jeans. Wrap yourself in a faux wrap dress for a figure-flattering look!
Petite generally means resized to fit a slimmer shaped body. I am NOT petite - I am short. "Short" means exactly that - it's the same fitting as regular pants but just with a shorter length.
Petite bottoms feature shorter inseams and hemlines so that customers do not need to get garments tailored for a proper fit. Because the knee position is correct, petite garments provide a sleeker look than regular-sized garments. Petite pants have a shorter rise so that the garment sits correctly on the body.
Petite sized tops are designed with shorter sleeves that hit at your wrist for a perfect fit. No more peek-a-bra. Petite tops are crafted with higher armholes, so dresses do not reveal your bra for a better fit.
Many believe that petite just means being 5'3” or shorter. The truth is, petite is a proportion and not just a size. You could be 4'll or you could be 5'7 and still be considered petite. It's a fact that a woman who is 5'7” could possibly need to wear petite tops or bottoms if she has a shorter torso or leg length.
One of the key distinctions between regular and petite sizes is the proportions of the garments. Petite clothing takes into account a shorter torso, narrower shoulders, and often shorter sleeves.
Petite sizes are designed for women who are shorter in height (usually 5'4'' and under) and have a smaller frame, while regular sizes are designed for women of average height (usually 5'4'' to 5'8'') and frame.
Many designers believe that the demand for petite sizing is low and the production costs are too high. This is because adding a petite collection requires twice as much work at the development stage. Clothing manufacturers usually start with a base pattern which is developed on a fitting model.
Petite clothing is designed to fit women who are 5'4" and under, whereas regular size clothing is typically designed for women who are 5'5" and taller. This may not seem like a big difference, but it can greatly impact the way clothing fits on your body.
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