petites

I’ve been a fashion editor for many years now and one of my favourite items of clothing that I always turn to when I want to look put-together is wide-leg trousers. The only problem is, I’m 5’2 (just) and it’s often a difficult balancing act between looking chic and looking swamped. Find the right pair though, and this pants style works wonders for leg lengthening, making you appear taller and, I always think, smarter.  It took me a long time to discover the joys of this trend though. Being on the shorter side meant I avoided them like the plague, ogling from afar at tall girls wearing them in the office or at fashion week. It was only when I was forced into a pair for an event and was showered with compliments that I became determined to make th...

As a petite woman, I often dread dressing for the cooler months. More layers usually equate to more trips to the tailor, as there’s always another billowing sleeve take up or trouser leg to hem. (Of course, I’ve discovered many a DIY hack in my time and can’t tell you how useful iron-on hemming tape can be when you’re in a bit of a rush.) However, this autumn, I’m attempting to keep my alterations to a minimum and instead invest in clothes that actually fit to begin with. As more and more petite-specific options become available, it’s easier to find items that not only fit my stature but also genuinely adhere to my personal style. Gone are the days of petite options being relegated to a small selection of jeans styles at Topshop. Now, plenty of brands exist that are catering to w...

As a petite woman, I can pretty safely say that I’ve experienced all the pros and cons that come with my stature. Sure, I might not be able to see over the crowd at a concert, but I know I’m the one having the last laugh when there’s always ample legroom on a long-haul flight or cross-country train journey. While there are some issues I have just learned to accept (reaching the top shelf of the kitchen cupboards is a losing battle) there are other realities I refuse to give up on and one such example is finding well-fitting clothing. Thankfully with every passing year, there seem to be more and more options for women who stand below 5 ft 4 in, which by the way is a large percentage of the British female population, as the average height of women in the UK i...

I sometimes feel like Zara was put on this earth to taunt me. I hop onto its site, confident as can be, certain that I’ll come away with a bounty. I leave either empty-handed or with a lone pair of shoes. Clearly, there are worse things in life (plus, you’ll find some spectacularly expensive-looking footwear options in-store right now), but I’m always a bit disappointed that those tailored flares are so long they’d lose their silhouette if I took them up or that the standout dress I’ve been ogling online would be perfect if only the waistline sat in line with my petite proportions. I have an hourglass figure, too, and Zara’s clothes appear to be far better suited to people who are tall, straight up and down and within a rather li...

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: It’s one of my favourite sayings in life and in fashion. You’ll catch me going to the same three restaurants all the time, my middle parting has stayed the same for about 10 years, there’s one nail colour I get on repeat, and then there’s the way I dress… What can I say: I’m a creature of habit, and while sometimes it has its downsides, other times it has its pluses. One example is the topic of today’s post. Once I found that there are certain pieces that worked rather well on my petite frame, I stuck with them, and it’s made both dressing in a way that flatters my figure rather easy over the years. In fact, I’m proud to say that people are often surprised when they find out that I’m only 5’2” because of the way I’m able to elongate...

While the average height for females in the United Kingdom is said to be 5’3″, it can certainly feel like clothing is not made with women of that stature in mind. From billowing sleeves to seemingly endless pant legs, dressing rooms can feel like a helpless place for shorter women where nothing ever fits quite the way it was intended.  I for one stand at the relatively tiny height of 5’0″ and have struggled with finding clothes to fit my entire life. And while it’s been helpful to make regular visits to an expert tailor or embrace the frayed hem look, I’ve decided that it’s time to find a better way. Luckily, several retailers have heard the frustrations of petite women everywhere and have begun creating specialised li...

While the average height for females in the United Kingdom is said to be 5’3″, it can certainly feel like clothing is not made with women of that stature in mind. From billowing sleeves to seemingly endless pant legs, dressing rooms can feel like a helpless place for shorter women where nothing ever fits quite the way it was intended.  I for one stand at the relatively tiny height of 5’0 and have struggled with finding clothes to fit my entire life. And while it’s been helpful to make regular visits to an expert tailor or embrace the frayed hem look, I’ve decided that it’s time to find a better way. Luckily, several retailers have heard the frustrations of petite women everywhere and have begun creating specialised lines designed...

Standing at the distinctly less-than-average height of 5’1″, I have always had difficulty finding dresses. Midi hemlines can often skim the floor while cute minidresses intended to finish above the knee usually hover around the top of my shin. In fact, I barely remember the last time I purchased a dress that didn’t need to be taken up, taken in or otherwise adjusted in some way. Because of this issue, you’ll usually find me in separates throughout spring. I’ll often pair a printed skirt alongside a plain white tee or opt for tailored shorts and an oversize button-down for more casual days. However, this year I’m determined to become a “dress girl,” and so I have taken it upon myself to find the best petite dresses on the ma...