Petite nightmare!
Petite nightmare!
I am 5ft and get so depressed walking around the shops. I am fine with tops, but skirts and trousers is just a nightmare. I find that I am really limited in my choice - I go to the usual places like Next for trousers and skirts etc, but I find that the collections are mainly work type clothes or for the over 50 year old woman!! :yuck: GRRR. I also go to Top Shop & Miss Selfridge, but sometimes find their clothes a little outlandish for my taste.
Are there are another people out there with this problem and what/where do you go?
Also anybody got any tips - Trinny & Suzanne style - one what petites should avoid. I am 5ft and usually a size 8-10.
Thanks...
Answers:
I'm just over 5ft and shop at Episode, Next, Principles (for work and dressy clothes) and Gap (for casual clothes). Like you, I'm fine with tops but I also find the younger shops like Top Shop and Miss Selfridge "too outlandish."
I'm quite happy not to keep up with the latest fashion trends and tend to buy classic pieces in the sales - so I guess that helps. TBH, I'd rather dress a 'bit older' than a 'bit younger,' though it does seem a shame that for us petites there is no 'in-between'.
In general, I find that it's best to go with fitted, structured pieces and to stay away from anything that's too 'drapey' or slouchy. If you are on the slim side, you can go for slightly bulkier fabrics. It's also useful to have a more eye-catching item at the top to draw the eye upwards. And heels help, of course. I tend to stick with block colours in interesting shapes, though I read somewhere that small patterns are okay.
European or Asian brands tend to be a smaller fit than British or American brands. And if you can afford it, you could head over to somewhere like Hong Kong and have a number of items handmade for you.
I also remember reading that it's worth looking at designer kids fashion because it tends to be more fashionable or designer fashion, in general, because it tends to come up smaller. However, with the former, they're obviously not made for 'womanly shapes' and the latter can be quite pricey.
In terms of inspiration for outfits, it might be worth looking at a few pictures of petite celebrities you admire. Say, Rachel Bilson, who looks fashionable but not too girlish. Otherwise, Sarah Michelle Gellar or Natalie Portman are more 'classic' dressers.
:)
Answers:
Wow jasminebarley excellent post! I'm also 5ft and I use Rachel Bilson as my style icon.
I also shop in Next and Dorothy Perkins for petite work clothes, and places like Gap for more casual wear, as the sizes are really small.
As jasminebarley pointed out, heels do help, but I can only wear 1 or 2 inches otherwise I can't walk properly :o .
I know exactly what you mean about some clothes from Topshop and Miss Selfridge being outlandish, I find this too.
Don't wear baggy clothing a la Nicole Richie, it will swamp you, wear more fitted pieces.
Sorry, that I can't help anymore.
Answers:
Thanks for the tips. I have never heard of a shop called Episode before. Is there a website?
I do try and wear heals as much as possible, but sometimes it is just nice to be able to walk in a pair of flats!
Annoyingly, Next and DP have stopped selling the petite line in their stores in Brighton! So my choice is even more limited than ever.
Answers:
I'm 5ft too :D
My style icons are Rachel Bilson and Nicole Richie (although Nicole is an extra 2 inches, at 5"2 hehe).
Clothes size I'm 6-8, with my legs measuring at around 28-29 inches.
I shop in Topshop petite, Top shop in general as their sizes come up quite small, New Look and Primark.
I am 5ft and get so depressed walking around the shops. I am fine with tops, but skirts and trousers is just a nightmare. I find that I am really limited in my choice - I go to the usual places like Next for trousers and skirts etc, but I find that the collections are mainly work type clothes or for the over 50 year old woman!! :yuck: GRRR. I also go to Top Shop & Miss Selfridge, but sometimes find their clothes a little outlandish for my taste.
Are there are another people out there with this problem and what/where do you go?
Also anybody got any tips - Trinny & Suzanne style - one what petites should avoid. I am 5ft and usually a size 8-10.
Thanks...
Answers:
I'm just over 5ft and shop at Episode, Next, Principles (for work and dressy clothes) and Gap (for casual clothes). Like you, I'm fine with tops but I also find the younger shops like Top Shop and Miss Selfridge "too outlandish."
I'm quite happy not to keep up with the latest fashion trends and tend to buy classic pieces in the sales - so I guess that helps. TBH, I'd rather dress a 'bit older' than a 'bit younger,' though it does seem a shame that for us petites there is no 'in-between'.
In general, I find that it's best to go with fitted, structured pieces and to stay away from anything that's too 'drapey' or slouchy. If you are on the slim side, you can go for slightly bulkier fabrics. It's also useful to have a more eye-catching item at the top to draw the eye upwards. And heels help, of course. I tend to stick with block colours in interesting shapes, though I read somewhere that small patterns are okay.
European or Asian brands tend to be a smaller fit than British or American brands. And if you can afford it, you could head over to somewhere like Hong Kong and have a number of items handmade for you.
I also remember reading that it's worth looking at designer kids fashion because it tends to be more fashionable or designer fashion, in general, because it tends to come up smaller. However, with the former, they're obviously not made for 'womanly shapes' and the latter can be quite pricey.
In terms of inspiration for outfits, it might be worth looking at a few pictures of petite celebrities you admire. Say, Rachel Bilson, who looks fashionable but not too girlish. Otherwise, Sarah Michelle Gellar or Natalie Portman are more 'classic' dressers.
:)
Answers:
Wow jasminebarley excellent post! I'm also 5ft and I use Rachel Bilson as my style icon.
I also shop in Next and Dorothy Perkins for petite work clothes, and places like Gap for more casual wear, as the sizes are really small.
As jasminebarley pointed out, heels do help, but I can only wear 1 or 2 inches otherwise I can't walk properly :o .
I know exactly what you mean about some clothes from Topshop and Miss Selfridge being outlandish, I find this too.
Don't wear baggy clothing a la Nicole Richie, it will swamp you, wear more fitted pieces.
Sorry, that I can't help anymore.
Answers:
Thanks for the tips. I have never heard of a shop called Episode before. Is there a website?
I do try and wear heals as much as possible, but sometimes it is just nice to be able to walk in a pair of flats!
Annoyingly, Next and DP have stopped selling the petite line in their stores in Brighton! So my choice is even more limited than ever.
Answers:
I'm 5ft too :D
My style icons are Rachel Bilson and Nicole Richie (although Nicole is an extra 2 inches, at 5"2 hehe).
Clothes size I'm 6-8, with my legs measuring at around 28-29 inches.
I shop in Topshop petite, Top shop in general as their sizes come up quite small, New Look and Primark.