The petite clothing market has a reputation for being short on fashion, but a retail shift is underway. Back in 2006, American department chains, like Neiman Marcus, Saks and Bloomingdale’s, started to quietly downsize or eliminate their petite departments (sized for women 5 feet 4 inches and under) and switch to an online-only model. The move was bold and…
Best Clothing Brands for Petites 2015
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ASOS
ASOS is a favorite for the petite set on a budget. The high street retailer stocks everything you could think of, including hard-to-find items like swimwear, capes, crop tops and jumpsuits.
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Topshop
We love Topshop for the ultra trendy pieces that you won't get anywhere else. Think glitter bomber jackets, patchwork dresses and faux fur chubbies.
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J.Crew
J.Crew's petite section is legendary. Here you can find fashion-forward separates, outerwear, suiting and even (for the moment) wedding gowns for women 5 feet to 5 feet 4 inches.
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Anthropologie
Since Anthropologie was a pioneer in the modern petite market in the U.S., you'll find a wide-ranging selection of ready-to-wear with form-fitting arm holes, higher knee breaks and tailored sleeves.
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The Little Bra Company
Emily Lau, self-identified “late-bloomer” and former TV producer, created The Little Bra Company in 2007 after years of struggling to find the perfect bra for her petite frame. You’ll come for the hard-to-find band and cup sizes and stay for the comfortable fit, feminine details and, above all, natural-looking lift.
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Theory
In theory, all luxury brands would acknowledge the petite market. At Theory, they do. To those seeking cool sophistication and clean silhouettes, look no further. All of Theory's well-crafted, wearable designs come in petite sizes. Yes, even that coveted Coveteur and La Ligne collab.
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Express
If you haven't set foot inside an Express for years, give it a shot. You may be surprised to see a plethora of petite skirts, trousers and tops under $100.
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Boden
Boden, a pocket-friendly retailer hailing from the U.K., is a great resource for finding J.Crew-style clothes for half the price.
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Paige
If you're tired of faking it with cropped jeans and kiddie clothes, visit Paige. You can stock up on a variety of jeans here that were actually made for you.
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American Eagle Outfitters
Looking for distressed denim, boyfriend jeans or bell-bottoms? Head over to American Eagle Outfitters. Online, there are options with shorter inseams for under $50.
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Dorothy Perkins
Dorothy Perkins, the U.K.'s equivalent to Forever 21, offers cheap knitwear, jackets, dresses, jeans and more for women 5 feet 3 inches and under.
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Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor's petite line has been around for years. It's particularly useful when you need plus-size petite clothing since options go up to a size 16P.
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Eileen Fisher
Back in the day, Eileen Fisher used to skew toward an older clientele. Now if you're scrappy, you can buy La Garçonne-style silhouettes for petites who lean minimalist.
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Miss Selfridge
For petites who love to shop at ASOS and Topshop, check out Miss Selfridge. It's nice to mix it up every once in a while plus the site offers student discounts year-round.
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LOFT
LOFT isn't all work and no play. We shop here for faux leather leggings (that don't look cheap), oversized sweater dresses and even scuba pencil skirts.
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Citizens of Humanity
You can never have too many pairs of jeans! Check out Citizens of Humanity for a smaller collection of premium denim, from high-waisted skinny jeans to 70s flares.
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Gap
Gap isn't just for basic petite tees and denim. Dig a little deeper and you'll come across the occasional one-hit wonders, like tailored herringbone shorts.
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Banana Republic
Midi skirts, cocoon coats and denim shirtdresses? Trust us, this isn't your mother's Banana Republic.
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The Limited
When you need sheath dresses and suit blouses that won't let you down, The Limited is still a go-to. But don't overlook the outerwear. Often, an affordable moto jacket or swing coat is hanging just around the corner.
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Old Navy
Walk three feet in an Old Navy store and you'll likely bump into a petite plaid top or toggle coat. We're partial to the insanely cheap workout clothes.
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LAUREN Ralph Lauren
You can always count on LAUREN Ralph Lauren for three things in the petite department: Turtlenecks, black trousers and one solid statement piece.
