What is petite sizing in clothes?

"Petite" refers to height, not weight, which means that everything from sleeves to inseam will be shorter in length. Other important adjustments—like higher armholes and waistlines, more narrow shoulders, and placement of details—are also made to ensure a proper fit.

What is the difference between short and petite in pants?

Short-pants just have a shorter inseam, while petite pants have a shorter inseam and a proportionate rise. "Also, the knee placement will be moved up to suit someone with shorter legs," says Youshaei.

The 17 Best Petite Clothing Stores of 2024

For those who are short (or under 5'5"), finding clothes that are proportional to the body can be a challenge. Often, sleeves, pants, and dress lengths are too long, and finding something that fits well and looks modern or trendy is considerably more difficult. Not all designers carry petite sizes, and those who do sometimes bear only a small sample of styles compared to regular sizing. Yet after speaking to petite style experts, we've learned you can find everything from petite jeans to petite blazers—you just have to know where to look.

In compiling this list of stores, we accounted for how large the selection of designs is and how stylish the pieces are, among other things. We also looked for quality materials, reasonable prices, and customer-friendly shipping and return policies. Scroll for the best petite clothing stores right now, as well as some expert insights on how to procure the best petite pieces.

Petite Studio

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Petite Studio

View on Petitestudionyc.com

Size Range: XXS-L | Shipping: Free standard shipping over $98 | Returns: $8 returns

New York-based Petite Studio considers itself an expert in petite clothing, as it caters to petite customers only who don't have to worry about oversized clothing. The brand offers a mix of trendy and timeless pieces with pretty fair pricing. (The most expensive pieces are priced at around $300). Everything is ethically made, with sustainability in mind, so you can feel all-around satisfied with your purchase.

Old Navy

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Old Navy

View on Gap.com

Size Range: XS-XXL | Shipping: Free shipping over $50 with membership | Returns: Free returns with 30 days of delivery

Old Navy (owned by Gap Inc., a parent company that has integrated petite and tall sizing into all of its subsidiaries) is the perfect destination for petites who are looking to shop at lower price points. With a wide selection of activewear and ready-to-wear pieces, the brand can satisfy most needs.

Ralph Lauren

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Bloomingdale's

View on Ralphlauren.com

Size Range: 0-14 | Shipping: Free shipping over $50 with membership | Returns: Free returns with 30 days of delivery

All-American fashion designer Ralph Lauren makes many of his effortlessly elegant ready-to-wear designs in petite sizes, in a collection called “Lauren Petite.” A size chart on the brand’s website outlines precise measurements for petite sizes 0 to 14.

ASOS

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ASOS

View on Asos

Size Range: 00-20 | Shipping: Free shipping over $50 | Returns: Free returns within 14 days of delivery

Over the years, ASOS has made a name for itself by carrying a long list of labels and catering to all body types. Here, you can find everything from athleisure to eveningwear when you filter for “Petite.”

Reformation

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Reformation

View on Nordstrom View on Reformation

Size Range: 0-31 | Shipping: Free shipping | Returns: $8 returns within 30 days of delivery

Los Angeles-based Reformation has curated a petite section with the brand’s signature pieces in proportions that work for smaller frames. While starting prices are higher than any other number on this list, we believe the supreme quality of its cashmere, tailoring, and evening wear account for their value.

Banana Republic

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Banana Republic

View on Gap.com

Size Range: XXS-L | Shipping: Free shipping over $50 with membership | Returns: Returns within 30 days of delivery

With seals of approval from A-listers such as Meghan Markle and Olivia Palermo, this ready-to-wear brand is your best source for timeless pieces that also have an effortlessly chic appeal. Shop from the several hundreds of items offered in petite sizing to freshen up your office attire, loungewear collection, and weekend wardrobe.

Universal Standard

PHOTO: Courtesy of Universal Standard

View on Universalstandard.com

Size Range: 4XS-4XL, 00-40 | Shipping: $15 shipping | Returns: Returns accepted within 30 days from ship date

Universal Standard is a brand that takes great pride in its inclusivity of regular, plus, and petite sizes. After all, it’s in the brand’s DNA. Universal Standard’s sizing spans from 4XS, or 0-00, to 4XL, or 38-40, in petite sizing, so many body types can wear its minimalist designs.

Boden

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Boden

View on Bodenusa.com

Size Range: 2-20/22 | Shipping: Free shipping over $49 | Returns: Returns accepted within 45 days from ship date

UK-based clothing retailer Boden values a perfect fit, which is why the brand offers sizes 2 to 22 in petite, regular, and long fits. We love its selection of dresses in particular, which includes an assortment of wrap, shirt, midi, and maxi dresses.

Outdoor Voices

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Nordstrom

View on Outdoorvoices.com

Size Range: 3/4, 7/8, and Full Length | Shipping: Free shipping over $75 | Returns: Returns accepted within 45 days from purchase

Instagram-famous activewear brand Outdoor Voices makes shopping for leggings simple by offering three lengths: seven-eighths, three-fourths, and full length. The latter wears best on under-5-foot, 5-inch frames, though you can decide for yourself by scanning the reviews, which include the wearers’ height, weight, and purchased size.

Anthropologie

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Anthropologie

View on Anthropologie

Size Range: XXS-XL | Shipping: Free shipping over $50 | Returns: Returns accepted within 30 days from purchase

Anthropologie’s petite section is full of effervescent designs that include everything from patterned dresses to bold, billowy blouses and trousers. As one of the top shopping destination for Vanessa Youshaei, petite fashion expert, the store’s selection runs the gamut, with many denim, knitwear, and cocktail dress options as well.

J.Crew

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J.Crew

View on Amazon View on Jcrew.com

Size Range: 00-12 | Shipping: $5 shipping | Returns: $8 returns within 30 days of purchase

J.Crew offers inclusive sizing for much of its no-frills prep wear. Filter for “Petite," then explore the site’s hyper-detailed product pages when you find what you like. On them, you can see the garments’ sizes and fit stats based on reviews by selecting a body type (there are seven) and height that most closely represent you.

Gap

Gap Linen-Blend Tie-Back Corset Midi Dress

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Gap

View on Amazon View on Gap.com

Size Range: XXS-XXL | Shipping: Free shipping over $50 for members | Returns: Returns within 30 days of delivery

Great basics are the cornerstones of all of the best outfits. For those great pieces, you need not look further than Gap. Browse through the array of T-shirts, sweatshirts, button-downs, and jeans, and if you stumble across one of the brand’s frequent promotions, consider stocking up, as you can never have too many of the essentials.

Ann Taylor

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Ann Taylor

View on Anntaylor.com

Size Range: XXS-XL | Shipping: Free shipping over $150 | Returns: Returns within 30 days of purchase

For classic, office-appropriate pieces, Ann Taylor has you covered. It offers structured items, such as blazers, trousers, and button-down shirts, as well as more relaxed and detailed garments, such as frilly blouses, printed dresses, and midi skirts that hit the legs just where they should.

Rent The Runway

View on Amazon View on Renttherunway.com

Size Range: Varies based on designer | Shipping: Free shipping with subscription | Returns: Free returns

Evening wear can get very expensive, very fast. If you find it difficult to commit to such an investment, or if you have a season full of special events ahead of you and want to keep things fresh, consider the subscription service Rent The Runway. Its selection of evening wear certainly fits the bill for petites. Just filter by body type to view its selection of petite formalwear. For even more insight, filter for your size, and build in the reviews section of any given product page.

Athleta

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Athleta

View on Gap.com

Size Range: 0-14, XXS-L | Shipping: Free shipping over $50 for members | Returns: Returns within 30 days delivery

Yes, you can get your activewear and athleisure in petites so that your leggings won’t scrunch at the bottom, and your flared pants won’t brush the floor—Athleta has made sure of it. Per Gap Inc., most styles from Athleta are offered in petite sizing. Just look for the “Petite” tab on the product page or filter for it when shopping for tops, bottoms, dresses, or jackets.

Lands’ End

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Land's End

View on Amazon View on Landsend.com

Size Range: XS-3X. 2-26 | Shipping: Free shipping over $99 | Returns: Returns within 90 days delivery

Find loungewear that fits in Lands’ End’s extensive petite section, which is chock-full of fleece pullovers, flannel button-downs, utility pants, and Supima cotton tees. Click “Petite” from the dropdown menu to scan the full selection, and note that there’s also a “Petite Plus” category, which goes up to size 26, should you need to size up.

Madewell

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Madewell

View on Madewell.com

Size Range: 23-33 | Shipping: Free shipping rewards memebership | Returns: Returns within 30 days of purchase

Considering its robust denim selection for petite figures, Madewell knows that ill-fitting denim isn’t a good look. Choose from a wide selection of this cool-girl brand’s cuts and rises to meet your every need, and rest assured that they’ll provide a perfect fit.

What to Look for When Shopping for Petite Clothing

Range of sizes: The best petite brands have a large range of sizes and a wide selection of clothing, and not just the basics. For the widest variety at any given retailer, Youshaei recommends shopping online. “The selection is much bigger than what you’d find in-store,” she says.
Reviews: For extra guidance on finding the perfectly fitting pieces, look for brutally honest reviewers who give plenty of details on their experience with a given garment. Some websites make tracking these stats easy by providing a filter for height, weight, and build, so be sure to look for that feature when shopping for petite clothes.

FAQ

What is petite sizing in clothes?

"Petite" refers to height, not weight, which means that everything from sleeves to inseam will be shorter in length. Other important adjustments—like higher armholes and waistlines, more narrow shoulders, and placement of details—are also made to ensure a proper fit.
What is the difference between short and petite in pants?

Short-pants just have a shorter inseam, while petite pants have a shorter inseam and a proportionate rise. "Also, the knee placement will be moved up to suit someone with shorter legs," says Youshaei.

Why Trust Byrdie

Hayley Prokos is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor focused on fashion and lifestyle. She contributes regularly to Byrdie’s commerce section and has a passion for sourcing chic, practical, and well-fitted pieces. After hours of researching and chatting with our below expert, she’s gathered enough insight to determine the best places to shop for petite clothing.

Vanessa Youshaei is the founder and CEO of Petite Ave.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough petite clothing brands from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.