Here are my best fashion sources for petite women over 50. It’s not always easy to get a good fit if you are short (I’m 5’1″ and around 126, sometimes/should be less :). I wanted to share my go-to places that carry the right scale, inseams and sleeves along with some tips by brand.
Note: I will get regular sizes altered when necessary, and places like Nordstrom (if you have their credit card) will do it for free.
If I have a special occasion, like a wedding, I order regular sizes online from Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus (both are having 20-25% off sales right now) to try on various dresses. Not usually beaded dresses as they cannot be shortened easily. I return what doesn’t work, and then go to an expert tailor.
But here’s where I like to check first for petite fashion staples (and on sale is even better)! But sometimes you can’t wait for a sale as petite sizes usually sell out faster than regular sizes.
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Fashion Sources For Petite Women For Everyday Wear
J. Jill
J. Jill has great petite sweaters (30% off right now) in winter and linen dresses and tunics in summer (examples below). They have gotten more stylish and I can always find something fresh that I would like to have.
J. Jill Wish List
J. Crew
J. Crew has my favorite petite jeans right. They are a good source for tees, blouses and sweaters. These black jeans are from J. Crew. The shirt is old from Banana Republic, but J. Crew also has good chambray and denim tops.
I’m wearing the Madewell lug-soled loafers (marked down right now).
More J. Crew to love:
Ann Taylor
I often forget about Ann Taylor when shopping petites except everyone can use a perfect fit white shirt in their wardrobe. I have been ordering this classic for years. In fact I should order another as they are 40% off right now.
Eileen Fisher
Sure it’s pricey but Eileen Fisher petite clothing seems to last and is great for comfort and travel. They run large so I get PS or PXS.
Wool Cotton Check Mandarin Collar Long Shirt is on sale and mostly sold out except for a PS. It comes in a shirt dress too that would look good with tights and boots. The washable flex ponte pants are easy to pack.
The dark gray boiled wool vest is the perfect extra layer.
This is a great versatile blazer jacket on sale. It’s unstructured so more comfortable. I wear mine all the time (even on airplanes) and it feels polished. And the fabric is washable.
Shop Eileen Fisher
Anthropologie
Anthro is one of the stores where the petite lines sell out fast. They have a big petite section in the Century City Mall in Los Angeles but that is the only one I have seen that is that large.
So, I mostly order online and I am a Petite Medium. I like that the petite maxi dresses are the right length. The Maeve and Pilcro lines follow the trends and are cute.
Some examples of Anthropologie garments I have purchased:
I like the Bennett button-down shirts (I’m wearing a bright pink one above–no longer available–but other petite options are). It’s oversized but looks fine on petite frames. The black Somerset maxi comes in lots of colors and velvet too. The cashmere floral mockneck pullover is no longer available but there are other colors and patterns. Very comfortable.
Loft
Loft has some good petite pieces like the chino pants I purchased this summer in a soft cotton (sold out). But check out their other petite pants. I have my eye on the Petite Riviera Slim Pants in Velvet for the holidays. Especially since they are 50% off.
Gap
There are a couple of petite things I like to purchase at Gap. One are their modern crew neck petite Tees and the other is the Icon Denim jacket.
Boden
I like Boden for their petite dresses. Especially the cotton jersey.
Laura Jersey Zebra Print Midi Shirt Dress is back in stock and there are several other patterns from which to choose. I’m wearing a Petite 8. The tiered jersey wrap dress is on clearance and there are other patterns.
Madewell
I like Madewell’s petite jeans, too, especially their vintage canvas white straight denim (they have blue washes, too).
Those are my Fashion Sources For Petite Women.
Do you have any petite fashion retailers that you like that I might have missed?
Sydney Haskell says
Well, I am short but not tiny anymore at 5’2”, 142 lbs. I wear Chico jeans and JCP Liz Claiborne Sara style jeans, pants and shorts. I wear tees from LandsEnd. I started buying linen last year and love Quince. It is very hot and dry here in southern Colorado.
Johanna says
I am an 80 year old lady and look for petite wear for slacks and tops only. Your ideas are helpful. I like Talbots clothing but like to change to other styles.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I know, I shopped a lot at Talbots with my mom…great basics. I need to keep looking at what they have.
Cindy says
Thank you for putting this together. It was so helpful! It is hard to find stylish petite clothing and you always look so nice.
Eileen says
NYJD jeans have some petite sizes. Their jeans fit me well. And J Jill sweaters and tops work for me whenI find a style that I like.. I’ll be checking out some of your other suggestions.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I used to have a pair of NYDJ…and loved them.
Patty says
Hi ,
I appreciate your site , as I am 4ft 10 125 lbs .
I have been battling to find size 4p in stylish
clothing for years . I am now 67 , but not ready
for the elastic waist band polyester styles !!
Thanks
Patty
Mary Ann Pickett says
Ha!!! Me too Patty. We are the same age.
Tina says
I am 5’1″ and 103 pounds. I have been shopping at the places you mentioned for years. Recently, I discovered Quince. Quince XS sweaters fit me perfectly. The sleeves are not too long. They are beautifully made and have good prices.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I love Quince too, Tina!!
Karen says
Thanks for the shopping tips. I’m 5’2″ 122 lbs and dread shopping as it’s very hard to find clothes that fit well.
I shop in Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic ( they have a very small selection) White House Black Market but now only sell petites online only.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks for this!!
Karen Ziegler says
What about Talbots? They carry petites.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes…I need to look there again.
Diane E Ruebel says
Dear Mary Ann,
It was so exciting surveying your wonderful collection of petite fashion retailers. You wore them so beautifully which was encouraging because we are almost exactly the same size. Thank you for the variety of styles and price points.
It’s so difficult for a short waisted person to find a well fitted shirt dress. With the “Boden Zebra Print Midi Shirt Dress” back on the rack, I’m hoping my husband will do his Christmas shopping early tomorrow.
Hugs from Diney on Mercer Island
Nancy says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Posts for petites is great! I’m also 5’1″…but hate to say, I’d give anything to weigh 126! Can’t believe you think you should be less! You look great in everything and I so appreciate knowing your sources. That’s a huge help and I’ll be checking them all out! Keep doing petite posts!
Joan says
Thanks for this roundup, Mary Ann! I’m 5’1″ and my weight has creeped from 125 to 130 over the last 5 years — desperate to lose those #s… While I shop most of your favorites at least occasionally (when you recommend an item!), Talbot’s and Chico’s are my favorites because of their fit. Unfortunately, Chico’s dropped much of its petite line after the pandemic. But they consistently offer all of their pants in petites and the Juliet line of pants and their jeans lines are very well-fitting. Their Zenergy line is great for errands, travel and sitting on a plane or train. Of course, with Talbots, you might avoid their overly preppy styles, and with Chico’s, their overly-blingy items ;-}
Francesca B says
Thank you Mary Ann for all the research this is so useful. I managed to snag a pretty Tadashi Shoji dress on sale last month for my daughter’s wedding next year after following your posts, and it was such a find!
Happy Christmas!!
cindy says
GREAT ROUNDUP OF PETITE OFFERINGS MARY ANN! I can wear a petite on the bottom occassionally but never on top as I am too long waisted!
Mary Ann Pickett says
So nice not to have to hem.
Karen says
Thanks for your shopping tips. I’m 5’2″ 122 lbs and struggle to find well fitting clothes, it really makes me dread shopping.
Some other goods stores for petites are Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic (very tiny selection) and white house black market, however they now only sell petites online.
Laura Short says
Good article. I didn’t know Anthro had petite! Thanks. Talbots has lots of Petites too! Dillards & Macy’s seem to have more petites than any other major dept stores.
Barb says
Thanks for this extensive list of companies that carry petites! I’m a little over 5′ 2″ tall, with narrow shoulders and shorter arms, so I almost always need petite sizing for tops and dresses. Talbots carry almost all of their items in petite sizing, and I shop there a lot. LL Bean also carries petites for those who prefer a more casual wardrobe. They don’t run many sales (10% off occasionally), but I find their offerings to be consistently high quality.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks for this, Barb. My sister likes Talbots, too. I need to check there.
Sherry says
I love Talbots, too!
Judy says
For basic tees and sweaters I go to Lands End and L L Bean.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Judy. I wear a lot of tee shirts!
Jayne Wagner says
I’ve wound up purchasing many of your suggestions in tall sizes! Most of these companies kindly offer tall options too. Unfortunately, it’s tough for me to tailor for my 5’11” height as there isn’t any fabric with which to work! I’m grateful for your fashion suggestions as they often are suited to a more mature lifestyle. So, don’t hesitate to reframe your headline as petites and more! 🙌😘
Mary Ann Pickett says
Jayne…that is a good point that if these places offer petite sizing they probably have tall too!
Lillian D. Matthaei says
I am short also; I have bought a lot of my petite clothes at Talbots. They have sales all the time.
Check it out.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I used to shop the sales at Talbots with my tiny mom…I miss her. I will look there again!