In a 4-foot, 11-inch capacity as a Fashion Editor, these consistently stellar petite clothing brands are my go-to choices
In a world where fashion is for everyone, petite women have a growing number of options to choose from. Here's a roundup of the most highly regarded petite clothing brands that deliver great fit and style across various categories.
Workwear
For polished, tailored pieces like coats and dresses that fit well on petites, look no further than Reiss Petites. Hobbs London offers sophisticated wool-blend coats and refined workwear styles designed for petite frames. Calvin Klein Petite, available at Macy's, delivers classic and versatile dresses and pants suitable for work environments. Affordable workwear staples like sheath and midi dresses tailored for petites can be found at Style & Co (Macy's exclusive), while Loft Petite and J.Crew Petite are recommended for professional, flattering cuts that accommodate shorter proportions.
Activewear
While specific petites-focused activewear brands were not listed directly in the search results, brands known for petite activewear include PAIGE Petites, which offers sweatpants and casual wear that could be suitable for active or lounge wear, and Uniqlo Petite, known for basics and performance pieces with cut options for smaller frames. You may also look for general activewear brands that offer petite sizing or alterations.
Swimwear
Petite swimwear is often found at retailers with dedicated petite sections such as Macy’s and Bloomingdale's. Brands like Aritzia and Revolve, which carry petite swimwear collections, are also worth exploring.
Overall Fashion
Abercrombie Petite is known for modern casual and stylish fits for petites, while Quince is popular for affordable, well-fitting basics. BR Factory, Loft, J.Crew, Revolve, Mango, Uniqlo, and Aritzia offer trendy, fashionable options catering to petites. Sezane is another chic, petite-friendly fashion brand.
Summary by Category
| Category | Recommended Petite Brands | Notable for | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Workwear | Reiss, Hobbs London, Calvin Klein, Style & Co, Loft, J.Crew | Tailored pieces, professional dresses, pants | | Activewear | Paige, Uniqlo | Sweatpants, basics, accessible performance styles | | Swimwear | Aritzia, Revolve, Macy's/Bloomingdale’s petite sections | Petite swimwear cuts, trendy selections | | Overall Fashion | Abercrombie, Quince, BR Factory, Mango, Sezane | Casual, trendy, and versatile fits |
These brands are highly regarded for flattering cuts and style options specifically designed for women under 5’4”. If you want the best fit, look for brands with a dedicated petite line rather than just “short” sizes, as petite sizing adjusts proportions beyond length, including sleeve length, inseam, and torso length. Macy’s and Bloomingdale's offer a large selection to try various brands in different categories.
For more personalized or niche recommendations for petite activewear or swimwear, feel free to ask!
Sources: 1, 2, 3
Data indicates that the mean height of women in the UK is around 5'3"
Liza Belmonte, a petite fashion expert, recommends prioritizing fit in a wardrobe.
- Reiss Petites, Hobbs London, Calvin Klein Petite, and Loft Petite offer tailored workwear pieces for petites that ensure a great fit and polished style.
- PAIGE Petites and Uniqlo Petite are popular Activewear brands known for providing sweatpants and basics suitable for active or lounge wear, as well as performance pieces for smaller frames.
- Petite swimwear can be found at Macy’s, Bloomingdale's, Aritzia, and Revolve, offering trendy selections and petite swimwear cuts.
- For overall fashion, Abercrombie Petite, Quince, BR Factory, Mango, Sezane, and various brands available at Macy’s and Bloomingdale's offer modern, casual, and stylish fits specifically designed for petite women.
