Are you 99% sure your kids will be taller than you by the time they’re age 12? Do you ever fall in LOVE with a dress on the internet, only to realize it’d look totally different on you because you’re a petite?
Standing at only 5’2″ I have this “problem” every time I’m shopping. Necklines are lower on me, straps fall down, all my pants and dresses need cropping, things don’t hug my body in the right places. I’m used to it now — I see a retailer picture and know I’ll need to make alterations for the perfect fit. I check fabric compositions to see if the length will shrink in the dryer. I have a drawer with all the jean hems I’ve had to chop off. On the other hand, sometimes I actually embrace that a mini becomes a midi dress or a midi a maxi dress on me.
As with everything in life, it has its pros and cons, but I always decide to look at the good things. Choose joy and be thankful for the body my creator gave me — a beautiful petite body that carried two babies. But, and it’s a big BUT — can we agree that occasionally the fashion industry ignores us? That we are different than the women SO MANY designers use as their models?
“Over 70 million U.S. women fall into the special size category, that 50 % of the population is actually under 5 foot 4 inches,” The Fashion Institute of Technology writes in the description of an Image and Style course. FIFTY PERCENT!! and yet I can only find “petite” clothing in a handful of brands or a tiny section of a department store. And most times, unfortunately, they are not the best quality. I understand that needing a different pattern may cost more but if the average American woman is 5’4″ and a big 50% is under it, there’s a HUGE gap between the designer and the real costumer.
I recently found Jenny Wang, the co-founder of Petite Studio NY. As a petite herself, tired of not finding clothing that didn’t drown her, she created her own brand. In her words “if you are petite, you don’t have to pretend to be something else.” I love this. I embrace my height but need clothing to show it. Clothing that was designed for me and not a 5’8″+ model.
I’ve been reading every article about her and obsessing over every piece. I love her and all the work she’s done to provide petites like me with quality pieces. So today, I’m so excited to show you some of the pieces I genuinely love from Petite Studio NY. Pieces that I didn’t have to hem, or try to alter to accommodate my body. This is a brand that for sure I’ll be coming back to before looking other places.
Note: You can get 20% off until May 28th with code MEMSALE20. You also get free shipping and returns in the U.S — don’t we all love that? And you can join their rewards program for free and get some perks just for us petites. I found all the pieces were true to size and the quality was great. For reference, I’m 5’2″ and around 115 pounds. Don’t ask me exact, I never weigh myself other than when I go to the doctor.
Petite Dresses To Wear With Flat Sandals & A Pretty Bag
Midi dresses are my favorite to wear in the summer, but most always end up hitting the floor and needing heels, so no thank you! I want to wear flat sandals without feeling a dress is drowning me. They are both great for a casual outing with comfy shoes or with heels for a more formal occasion.
The Outfit
Dress (XS) – Straps don’t fall down, waist hits on my actual waist and the length is perfect. It has a short lining so when the wind blows you are still covered. Wear it casual like I did, you can even layer a knotted shirt on top. Of course, it’s perfect with nice heels for other occasions.
Sandals – I love slide sandals but don’t like the lack of support, so I’m obsessed with these slingbacks that keep my feet in place. Love the low stacked heel.
The Outfit
Dress (XS) – Look at that asymmetric-ruffled hem and straps. I can cry because finally have a dress that hits my body in all the right places. Same as the red one you can easily wear with heels for something more formal.
Sandals – I love slide sandals but don’t like the lack of support, so I’m obsessed with these slingbacks that keep my feet in place. Love the low stacked heel. Size up if between sizes.
A Beautiful, Special Top
One of the things I LOVE about being petite is that I can wear crop tops without showing too much skin. I love pairing them with high waisted pants, comfy sandals, and a bag for an easy and put together outfit.
The Outfit
Top (XS) – One of those pretty tops that makes you feel special. Every detail is perfect. It hits right at my bellybutton and loved it with my wide leg pants to balance out the puffy sleeves. 100% linen except for the sleeves.
Pants – My trusted wide leg crops. I’ve been wearing them non-stop since last fall. Size down.
Sandals – I love slide sandals but don’t like the lack of support, so I’m obsessed with these slingbacks that keep my feet in place. Love the low stacked heel.
Shop Petite Studio Dresses
Shop Petite Studio Tops & Pants
I hope you loved Petite Studio NY as much I did. Here’s to being shorter than our kids but always looking our best!
Chao, chao. Julieta
A huge thanks to Petite Studio NY for sponsoring this post. I’m so thankful that you reached out to us and I found you! I’ll be popping by the NYC store soon! And to you, our readers, thank you for your continued support.
For more petite style, find me over on IG (@julietatorresd). You’ll also find all the athleisure, high-rise jeans, and a raw and vulnerable take on motherhood. Social media shouldn’t be for the good things only. See you there!
Love all these! But my problem is I’m not a true petite. I’m only 5’3” with short legs but I’m long waisted with broad shoulders and long arms so petite sizes are not proportioned for my body. But pants and dresses are always too long. It would be nice to see the fashion industry include length choices in their lines. It’s always been available for men. How about us ladies?
Couldn’t agree more with you. I actually have short legs and long torso. That’s why I always wear high waisted things to balance out my proportions and make my legs look longer. I hear you on the long armband broad shoulders. My little sister is only 5″ but she has broad shoulders and long arms. Makes things a little more complicated. At least you can count on sleeveless dresses!!
These are gorgeous pictures! I would frame the two with your whole family! Btw I really like the shirt yoir husband is wearing too.
They are and I’m definitely framing them, thank you! and yeah that shirt is so amazing. It’s from Bonobos I think, but I got it for him last year. Love their shirts though
This is great if you are 5′ and 100 lbs. But as a 158 lb, 5′ woman I find most petites are not made for me. So my search continues for a garment that is perhaps shorter in length or cropped.
So sorry about that Denise. This is something that definitely needs to be addressed by the few petite brands available. I still think a dress with the silhouette of my yellow dress can work for you. It marks a waist but it’s not snug. And with out height is always important to accentuate the waist even in a minimal way. I pray one day your search gets easier!
Can you provide a link for that gorgeous bag?
Sigh. I wish there was a petite line that was a bit more affordable. Spending more than $100 on a dress or top isn’t within my means.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Always on the hunt for petite wear and this brand seems VERY reasonably priced. You look amazing.
Another request please for info on your beautiful bag! I’d love to buy it for a friend 🙂
Pretty please, a link to the bag? Thanks!