STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

curiouscookie · BCBG

Help for a Petite person

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

Hi, welcome to the forum!!

I can't help you here (exact opposite body of you), but you may get more traffic if you post this in the section called "Shopping and Fashion"

Bastet · Kate Spade

Hi! I have similar issues, I'm 5'3. I adore Gap curvy fit jeans. They're the only jeans I've tried recently that don't gap in the back. If you have curves, go check out the Gap curvy fit stuff. I also buy pants at Banana Republic petites, a 0 fits me pretty well there, though I actually have to have them let the hem down 3/4 inch, but they do it for free. I have a problem finding skirts. I've had luck at The Limited and Express for skirts that aren't too big. I also raid the Jr. departments in Nordstrom and Macy's occasionally for skirts. For tops, I can usually wear a regular small, so they're not as much of a problem for me as skirts/dresses/pants.

I never buy pants online, because they're so hit or miss for me. My best luck in pants has been with Gap, BR petites, and very occasionally the petite department at Lord and Taylor. Most of the time, I find petite departments in department stores to be rather depressing, a lot of the stuff in there would be too old looking for my 88 year old great aunt to wear. But L&T has some good stuff if you're patient. :)

Elle · Hermes

Welcome curiouscookie!

I'm a shorty too! I have the same problem at many places, since I'm 5'2" or so and have a small-but-curvy frame.

I gotta say, some things at BR might work for you, but it sounds like you're even smaller than me and almost EVERYTHING there is too big and/or too overscale for me.

I would run to Petite Sophisticate and try on a suit or two if you need them - they're going out of business early next year and everything is on sale. They have good business separates there too.

Have you tried shopping in the kids section? I still do it! Mostly for basic things, so nothing with bows or kiddie sayings . I most recently got a denim skirt, tank top, sweat shorts, and a cord jacket from the kids department at Old Navy. I find adult-sized skirts to be really overwhelming to my frame alot of the time, especially with all the full and a-line skirts out there right now so the girls dept is a great place for scaled down versions. You can also find nice coats there if you keep an eye out.

I get my jeans at Fossil. They have a website and B&M stores. I like them because they carry Short, Regular, and Long lengths and go down to a size Zero - may or may not be small enough for you .

Good Luck!

Kel · Coach

I have the same problem. I am tiny, so of course nothing fits. I am even to the point that I hate to go shopping unless it is for the basics because it is so frustrating to find things. But going back to your problem, I would forget about Banana and Gap, the only things I can buy there are shirts. But for jeans I like Buffalo. I go to Lohmann's and get them for $29.99. Then I go to the tailor and get them hemmed. I have also heared from my friends who are also small that Sevens and Juicy run small. I just don't want to pay those type of prices. Also for other things, I love Nordstrom Junior department. They have cute clothes and good prices. I hope I helped some, if I think of anything else I will post more.

curiouscookie · BCBG

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your input.

Yes its very frustrating and hit and miss - especially with pants and skirts - they overwhelm me. Same with tops - they look just too big and though I don't really want them to be too clingy - just nicely fitted to show off my curves

would be great!
I had a run of great luck on finding my size last winter when I was living in Baltimore but since then not much, just the occasional buys.

I have shopped at Petite Sophisticate and have found some great pieces there on sale, my suits and also lovely shirts and work pants. But now that they are closing down

- the stuff in the store near me is awful!

I have had some luck with Gap jeans and to my surprise even Old Navy pants and basics!

I will try and repost in the other column like you suggested zeitgeist4.