Exactly why we are having issues...

I posted a message on the wall of someone related to the fashion industry about petites and body image. I've received a few replies including comments about how we aren't ostricized like women of size, etc and even going as far as saying that being short isn't a "body image" issue and that we don't "suffer" for being short. What do you think? Would you agree with that person? Do you think that's the reason why no one takes us seriously?

Alterations Needed Gilt Groupe UPDATE

So I got the same generic reply from Gilt Groupe that Alterations Needed and Jezebel got (I was the one who notified Jezebel about this, by the way). Basically, the Gilt Groupe rep (who is petite, by the way, at 5'1") said that it was all about the money. This is what I said in response to her e-mail:

The issue both Alterations Needed and I have is that the "look" isn't right - when you put a petite pant on a standard size model, you don't get the same look and feel as you would on a petite model. As a shopper, I want to see what an outfit might look in a more realistic light. If I see cropped pants, I expect to get cropped pants (or something in between, since I'm also petite), not a pair of pants that is full length. Most petite women aren't open about this, but then again, they're usually silenced by the so-called "fashion industry." Imagine if we were size 16 or larger women. Most plus lines actually use full-figured models.

Gilt Groupe's response? A generic "we appreciate your feedback" reply. Yeah. WTF, right?

Attractiveness, Petite Celebs and Non-Petite Celebs

Readers (guys and girls; straight, gay or bi),

I would love to see your views on petite celebs vs. non-petite celebs and their attractiveness. Below is a list of female celebrities (some are petite, some are not). What do you think of them? Are they pretty? Sexy? Beautiful? Glamourous? Elegant? Can a petite celebrity be elegant? Please email me your answers by the DECEMBER 31, 2009. Shorty Stories will post results in January 2010.


Celebrity List:

Reese Witherspoon
Lady Gaga
Nicole Kidman
Eva Longoria
Sarah Jessica Parker
Jada Pinkett Smith
Heidi Klum
Jennifer Aniston
Angelina Jolie

America's next top PETITE model?

I can't believe I found this so late!

Interesting they're doing a petite season before a plus one.

What do you think?

Petites now at Old Navy

Old Navy has joined its Gap Inc sisters by offering petite sizes. Unlike Banana Republic, Old Navy's petite line is available via web only, which means that Canadians and anyone outside of the US are out of luck should they want to make purchases. The line includes dresses, sweaters, t-shirts, skirts and pants. The pants have an inseam of 29 1/2" and come in sizes 0-20, a larger selection than Banana Republic (up to size 12) and Gap (up to size 16). In addition, marketing for their petite line isn't that great. Unlike plus, there isn't a separate tab for petites. Perhaps Old Navy isn't as interested in marketing their petite line as their big sisters Gap and Banana Republic (Banana is very good about marketing to petites. They've had a separate tab for us since the line launched!)

One down side of Old Navy petites, like other petite lines, is the lack of more vanity-esque pieces and less choice. For example, the main Old Navy line includes graphic t-shirts, not available in petites. There are three pages of dresses in missy sizes, while there are only two pages for petites. The pant length is also bothersome for many petites. While 29 1/2" seems to be industry standard, many petite women complain that 29 1/2" is still too long.

Petite, regular and tall sizes

Does anyone find this interesting:

At J.Crew:

Petite sizes range from 0P-12P

Regular sizes: o-14

Tall: 2T-14T


At Banana Republic:

Petite sizes: 00P-12P

Regular sizes: 00-16

Tall: 2-16


Why is it that petite sizes and regular sizes start with the same number (though I realize that the actual CUT is different), while tall sizes start at a 2? Wouldn't it make more sense for petite sizes to range from 00P-12P, regulars 0-14 and talls 2-16?

Video: Comparing Petites with Regular Sizes

OK guys, the video that compares petite sizes with regular sizes is now up. I know it's a little choppy, but it's the first time I've edited a video on my computer! :-) I promise that there'll be more videos to come in the future.

Please feel free to make comments and also, let me know what kind of videos you'd like to see!

Potential Video

Hi guys!

To those of you who've suggested that I post a video of a petite person trying on clothes, comparing regular missy to petites, yes, this is something that I intend to do. But how should I do it? I mean, filming at a store is next-to-impossible, unless they let me in before it opens or after it closes. Since I don't know anyone who works in such stores, it wouldn't happen. I could also buy a few outfits, both in petite and regular, and then film it in another location, but what would the stores think when I return most of the clothes? Please let me know if you have any suggestions/ideas.

Thanks

C

Plus sizes get much more attention than us petites-WHY?

I came across an article in the LA Times the other day about a video called "Fat Rant" made by a girl in California who wanted to tell the world that she's happy being who she is. Her You Tube video has had several thousand viewers and comments. She has even been featured on Entertainment Tonight! I don't know why, but it seems that much more attention is paid to people who are plus sized. Body image acceptance websites cater more to plus sizes, regardless of height than to short people in general. (They often say that they accept all sizes, but at the same time label people under size four "anorexic," regardless of height, and would say that anyone under size fourteen is "normal." (I am a short woman. "Big" for me is probably something much smaller than "big" on a six foot woman.)) There are also many more websites catering to plus-sized women, for them to vent about their issues (I will talk about media issues and petites in more detail at the end of the month, when June poll results, which asks whether the media purposely pay less attention to petites, are tabulated).

I did post a video in response to Ms. Nash's video, which you can see here