When most people hear the word "petite," they assume it means "tiny." "Petite" does literally mean small. However, in the fashion world, petite refers to a size range of clothing that is made to fit women clothes who are 5 feet 4 inches or under. When you're shopping for petite clothing, it's important to check retailers' size charts because a few retailers designate 5 feet 3 inches, rather than 5 feet 4 inches, as the top height for their petite clothing.
Petite fashion sizes first appeared in the late 1940s, reports The New York Times, when Hannah Troy noticed that regular clothing was too long-waisted for shorter women clothes. However, for years after petite sizing was introduced into the fashion world, relatively few designers took note, and the selection was small.
Although not all clothing makers offer petite sizing, an increasing number of them do. Retailers are also continuing to expand their selections of petite clothing to meet their customers' needs.
If you are in this height range, petites will generally fit you best no matter your body shape or age. The key word is shorter, like you. So whether you're voluptuous or rectangular, hourglass, triangle or inverted triangle, slim or curvy, this size range is for you. You can often find petites in both a regular size range and plus sizes.
Basic Differences in Fit
The most obvious thing you'll notice—and the most important—is that the clothing is shorter in length.
Sleeves, skirts, leg lengths, and tops are all shorter. Because clothing manufacturers cut to their own specifications, the length may be the only difference in some cases. Higher-quality petite pieces have other design differences, such as higher armholes, narrower shoulders, and proportionally sized details.
Petite pants should have a shorter rise, and a petite dress should have a shorter bodice.
Differences in Styles
Petite clothing styles might be just ever so slightly different from regular-size lines. Designers have an eye for making the wearer look taller. So you'll find more vertical stripes, princess seams, smaller prints, smaller buttons, and thinner belts. Monochrome outfits are a go-to petite look. You'll also find fewer styles made of volumes of material, which can overwhelm a woman 5-foot-4 or under.
Shopping Tips
Before you shop, get the 411 on what styles look best on your body shape combined with your petiteness and your age. Or use a personal shopper at retailers that offer them. They'll have advice and knowledge that will guide you to the most flattering choices. And don't forget that if you just have to have a piece that does not fit exactly right, you can have it tailored for that custom, perfectly fitted look.
In many cases, you'll find a greater selection of petites in retailers' online catalogs than in stores, which typically devote more floor space to regular-sized clothing. Shopping online definitely expands fashion options for petites. As with all shopping, trying before buying is better.
But selection is also important, and if you know your size and what looks best on you, shopping online is a good option, made more attractive if returns are easy, either via mail or in-store. Check the sizing details for any piece you plan to buy if you're ordering online instead of trying it on at a store to be sure it will fit you correctly.
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