One of the most common questions I get asked by my readers is what are the best stores for petites. You want to look stylish and put together without the hassle of having to get things altered or hemmed. It’s incredibly frustrating to scroll through a brand’s website or walk through their storefront and discover that they don’t offer petites. At 5’4″, I’m right on the cusp of the petite size range, yet I find myself searching for petite garments more often these days. I decided to go down the online rabbit hole and find the best places to buy petite clothing for women over 50. I’ve put together a full list of the best petite stores and brands. Many I frequently share on the blog, and a few that are new to me, and I’m excited to try.
P.S. – If you have any favorite brands that I missed, I’d love for you to share them with other AWSL readers in the comments.
What does petite sizing mean?
While this may seem like a no-brainer, I think it’s important to understand exactly what petite clothing is before you shop. Here are the main differences:
- Length: Petite clothing is designed for people of shorter stature, typically around 5’4″ (163 cm) and under, although this can vary by brand. As a result, petite clothing items like pants, dresses, and skirts are usually shorter in length.
- Proportions: Petite clothing is not just shorter in length; it also takes into account the overall proportions of a shorter person. This means that items like sleeves, inseams, and torso lengths are adjusted to better suit petite individuals.
- Waist and Hip Placement: The waist and hip placements on petite clothing may be higher than on regular clothing to better fit the shorter torso of petite individuals.
- Sleeve Length: In petite clothing, sleeve lengths are typically shorter.
- Shoulder Width: Petite clothing may have narrower shoulder widths to accommodate smaller frames.
- Rise: Petite pants and jeans usually have shorter rises, which is the measurement from the crotch to the waistband.
- Pockets and Details: The placement and size of pockets and other details may be adjusted in petite clothing to maintain balanced proportions.
It’s important to look at the size charts for each brand when you’re shopping petites. They may say what height they use to define their petites. I’ve learned that it can vary from retailer to retailer.
What height is considered petite?
Petite height is generally for women who are 5’4″ or shorter, regardless of weight. Think of it as a proportion designation, not a size difference.
Best Stores to Shop for Petite Clothing
1. Talbots (Available Online & In Store)
Talbots’ petite garments are proportioned for women 4’11” – 5’4″, in sizes 02-16. Their Plus petite is proportioned for women 5’4″ – 5’8″ in sizes 14W-24W. They also carry petite in their very popular T by Talbots casual line. Because I have a long torso, I go back and forth between the regular and petite categories to get the best fit. You can see my latest Talbots try-on here.
2. J.Jill (Available Online & In Store)
J. Jill carries a wide range of petite items, sized from 00P to 18P. They’re proportioned for women under 5’4″. However, if you have a short torso, no matter your height, you may find their tops a better fit for you than the regulars. I’m having lots of good luck at J. Jill these days.
3. Loft (Available Online & In Store)
Loft offers petite in regular cut (straight), and curvy cut for women 5’4″ and under in sizes 00P-18P. They’re an affordable go-to brand with modern styles for petite women, plus most brick-and-mortar stores carry petites in the store for you to try on.
4. Ann Taylor (Available Online & In Store)
While Ann Taylor is typically thought of for work clothes, I find that they have quality, classic, elevated pieces that can be worn for a casual lifestyle, too. Like Loft, Ann Taylor typically has a petite section in store to try on. Ann Taylor carries petite clothes proportioned for women 5’4″ and under sizes 00P-18P. They also carry regular fit (straight) and curvy fit for women with different body silhouettes.
5. Eileen Fisher (Available Online & In Store)
Eileen Fisher is all about sustainable and ethical fashion, and their petite clothing is no exception. With their often oversized esthetic, I found it more important than ever to have the correct proportions of a petite. They carry many pieces in petite sizes 2P-18P. Most store locations don’t carry many petites, so your best bet is to order online from the brand directly.
5. Athleta
Athleisure continues to be trending, but it’s important to find the perfect fit, or else you just look sloppy. Athleta is one of the few places I’ve found that offers petites for athletic wear. If you’re looking to try the brand, I highly recommend theseBrooklyn Ankle pants or my new favorite, the Endless pants. The petite is 2″ shorter than this and too short for me but great for gals who have shorter legs than I do.
6. J.Crew (Available Online)
J.Crew is known for its preppy and classic styles, and its petite line is a great option for women over 50 who appreciate a polished look. Their petites are recommended for women 5’0″-5’4″. They offer a reduced sleeve and torso length to fit smaller frames. Your best selection will always be online for petite, but especially at J.Crew.
7. Anthropologie (Available Online)
If you’re looking for more boho and eclectic pieces to add to your wardrobe, Anthropologie is a fantastic choice for petite women who appreciate unique and artistic designs. They are specially designed to fit smaller frames for women 5’4” and under with shorter sleeve lengths, tailoring at the waist, and better-fitting armholes. From flowy dresses to statement accessories, Anthropologie’s petite collection is only found online. The nice thing is that you can order online and return it to your local store if you have one.
8. Nordstrom
If you only wear petite, Nordstrom will be a challenge for you. They removed the petite section from their brick-and-mortar stores several years ago, but if you type “petite” into the search bar on their website, a nice selection will come up. They do carry several different petite-friendly brands, and I find they usually have a great selection of denim and special occasion dresses.
9. Local Boutiques and Tailors
Don’t overlook the potential of local boutiques and tailors in your area. These places may offer petite clothing and alteration services to ensure a perfect fit.
More Stores With Great Petite Options
- Banana Republic Factory has a great selection.
- Gap has lots of basics at terrific prices.
- Madewell carries a large selection for women 5’4″ and below.
- Boden carries lots of petite options that “put a smile on your face”
- J.Crew Factory is a great source for classic, preppy styles at terrific prices.
Do you have other favorite brands to share?
