Fall BCBG Line Not too Petite Friendly

Reported earlier at DelectablyChic!, petite favourite BCBG's Fall 2011 line is disappointingly not petite-friendly with its drop waists, low belts and longish hemlines (hemlines are getting longer, while pants are getting shorter. Fall 2011 is getting to be one of the most petite-unfriendly seasons yet. Oh well, we'll try to make things work)

LOONNNNNNNNNNG Wedding Gowns Rule!

I wasn't surprised when over 40% of you said that you wouldn't wear a short wedding gown!  However, there were some of you who want to go short, either because you can't pull off long (8%) or think that it would depend on the venue (16%).  There were also those who thought that like long dresses, some shorter dresses aren't petite friendly at all (13%). 5% of you chose "other" (I assume that those of you did not wear a traditional western wedding gown).

What do you think of these results?

Banana Republic Fall/Holiday 2010 Collection

Note: The entire show is over 10 minutes long!! Out of what's already available, I know that the leggings (well, most of them, anyway) are available in petite as are some of the cardigans. However, I'd like to know what YOU think of the collection!

What do you think of Tavi's outfit?

(picture from a Style Rookie post dated July 7, 2010.  Copyright Tavi/Style Rookie)

Fourteen-year-old blogger, Tavi  (Style Rookie), posted a picture of herself in a Miu Miu sweater and blue skirt.  What do you think of it?  Is it flattering or not?  She is not a tall girl at all - I think she's like 5 feet tall or so.  Personally, I think she should have nixed the dress/skirt and wear leggings with the sweater instead.  What do you think?

Petite J.Crew Skirts?

Where did they go? The January catalog is up, and petite skirts are NOWHERE to be found! I hope it hasn't gone the way of the petite sweater! I'll hold off calling them until I see what they're offering in February though.

J.Crew, as much as I love them, hasn't been too nice to really small people lately. Similar brands (Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, etc...) offer a wider range of petite choices AND size 00. J.Crew's sizes are just as large, yet they offer a teeny selection of petites (mostly in business and party clothes) and NO size 00!

Something is WRONG here!

Bad shopping day

Today's Boxing Day in Canada, which means shopping, shopping, shopping. However, I wasn't able to find A THING. Banana Republic may be taking 20% off everyone's total purchases today only, but practically everything was GONE. Over the Rainbow was a zoo, and of course, the only petite line they have there was Paige. And I'm sorry, but the staff wasn't all that knowledgeable about which brands come in petite sizes in general. I asked whether they plan on carrying Joe's Provocateur, but even the manager didn't really seem to know what I was talking about. But maybe it just wasn't a good time to ask - the entire store was a completely crazy.

I'm actually really upset that many stores which DO carry any sort of petite brand or petite version seem to hide them. Unless it's a major chain like Banana Republic or Talbots, you have to ASK. If you DON'T then you'll never find it. Availability of petite lengths should be very much out there and part of a store's marketing strategy. People won't know unless you tell them. Not everyone knows people nor do they check up on websites to find out about petite availability. You shouldn't have to rely on alterations if you don't need it. And many petite peopld don't need it - as long as petite lengths are available.

Thanks.

A Casual Office Outfit

Casual Officewear by shortystories

J.Crew: Skirt & Coat; TopShop: T-shirt; Anthropologie: Sweater; La Garçonne: Boots; Coach: Bag

I realize that not everything here is in petite sizes, but this outfit would be amazing on many petite gals!

Petites from Anthropologie

Sure, Anthropologie doesn't have a big selection of petites - in fact many of their petite clothes aren't all that petite at all - the pants are generally 31" long, about an inch longer than pants at Banana Republic or Ann Taylor (though standard for denim). However, I've been around their website and have found a two interesting outfits.

The first is the Margery Meanwell Jumper. Normally, I'm not an advocate of schoolgirlesque outfits for petites - it makes us look even more child-like- but with the right shoes - knee-length boots in this case, and perhaps a long cardigan, you're on the go!

Another outfit I like is the Abbott Coat, great for the upcoming cooler season. The coat is also very versatile - can be worn for work with a suit or twinset and skirt/pants or with jeans on the weekend!

Moi-Même's Fall 2008 Collection

Moi-Même, a New York based, very petite-friendly custom-tailoring company recently announced its fall line. They include new dresses, pants, skirts and jackets, all which are custom fitted to your specific size! The new intros include:

The Calgary Jacket - This two-buttoned jacket has an embroidered design at the waist and open-slit sleeves. Pair it with a skirt, a pair of pants or a suit dress and you're ready for that big meeting with the clients. The jacket is $360 in Tissu and $480 in Luxe

Tokyo Sheath: This beautiful short sleeved sheath reminds me of the dresses in period dramas...think Maggie Cheung's character in In the Mood for Love or Mad Men's Joan Holloway. The dress is very versatile. Add a jacket or cardigan and you're ready for the office. Without the jacket and you're read

Publish Post

y for a dinner party at a nice restaurant. The dress is $320 in Tissu and $440 in Luxe.

Two other pieces in the fall collection are the Tangiers pant, a Kate Hepburn-inspired trouser pant and the Buenos Aires skirt (pocketed pencil skirt).

All Moi-Même suits are custom fitted and tailored. Measurements are taken via appointment in their Manhattan studio. You can find more information on ordering or booking an appointment on this page.

Please help Tammy!

Tammy recently sent me this:

Hi, I was wondering if you knew of any hosiery/tights/stockings that were a better fit for a petite girl. I've been looking for a nice pair of thigh highs and they're just too long but people only sell them one size fits all and having the lace top bunching at the top is not sexy or practical.

I would suggest looking at Atsui Tokyo, an online store based out of Seattle. The sizes are cut to fit women in the typical woman in Japan, so we're looking at between 4'11" and 5'5". Readers, do you have any other suggestions?

Great Petite Pieces from ASOS

While petite sizes a from ASOS are only available in house brands, there are a few pieces that would be of interest to younger petites. These include:

PETITE High Waist Tab Front Pencil Skirt

PETITE Zip Front Tweed Pencil Skirt

PETITE Twill Kick Flare

PETITE Quilt Section Leather Jacket

PETITE V Backless Pencil Dress

ASOS delivers outside of the UK and the cost is not that bad.

For UK readers: Interesting pieces from Next

I lived in the UK for a couple of months back in 2001 when I was studying abroad. During that time, I discovered that the UK had more to choose from when it came to petite clothes - 2001 was just before Banana Republic launched its petite line, which would remain unavailable in Canadian stores until 2004. As I've said in earlier posts, the UK seems to have more choice when it comes to younger petites - many more stores seem to sell ungrandmotherly clothes. Next, like Banana and Ann Taylor Loft, seem to be the most appropriate for a twentysomething woman who has an office job.

Here are a few of outfits that I like from their latest collection:

Ponte Dress

Green Mac

Blouse and pencil skirt

Origami blouse and grey stripe trousers

Watercolour print occasion dress

Cotton belted printed tunic (this looks a tad bit like something from BCBG though)

Next is also good news for petites looking for pants at a shorter length. Typical petite Next pants (ummm, I mean trousers) have an inseam of 27 1/2". This means that many petites may be looking at regular length pants if they are wearing heels. As for sizing, don't forget to subtract four numbers to get North American sizes.

Pretty Pieces from Anthropologie

Fall has arrived at Anthropologie, with beautiful coats, tops and skirts. As usual, Anthropologie does not have a big selection, but the following are pieces that I liked and are available in petites:

Street Poet Trench

Sunless Skies Shift

Sufi Skirt

There are a few pants in the selection too, but Anthropologie pants, with the exception of Joe's Jeans, are NOT truly petite. They are merely regular pants cut shorter. In some cases, the "short" lengths aren't all that short at all, at 32"!

Pieces I like that are NOT available in petite sizes:

Hullabaloo Sweater Dress

Hanging Garden Dress

Tammany Tweed Jacket

County Kerry Trench

Fair Weather Pullover


The good news about Anthropologie is that they deliver internationally. However, we must pay an arm and a leg for tarrifs. :(

Petite Premium Denim Designer Allison Izu

Like many petite women, Allison Izu Song, 5'2" was frustrated at how clothes fit her. However, as a fashion designer, Allison was able to not only hem her clothes, but also alter it in a way that it would resemble her silhouette. She also realized that other petite women were having similar issues with fit as well as fashionable clothes. After all, selection for petites, especially stylish petites for those who are fashion-forward, is very minimal. This led to Allison's premium denim line, Allisonizu. Currently, Allisonizu is available in Hawaii only, but it will arrive in the US mainland for spring 2009. She also would love to go to Canada.

Allisonizu is different from other premium denim lines, even those with petites. First, the proportion fits a smaller frame - the knee break, distance from the waist to the hips, knee to ankle distance and so forth are made to fit a shorter height. In addition, she offers different fits, including a skinny (Kolohe), a dressy jean (Honolulu), a boot cut (Paniolo) and a relaxed fit (Luana). In addition, the fall line includes a denim pencil skirt. Finally, unlike other premium petite denim lines, Allisonizu comes in two different lengths, at 27" and the standard 31". These lengths, according to Allison, are "a common inseam length when researching petite women and asking how much people have to cut off of their jeans." The jeans retail at around $168.

Allison on marketing her line and whether it's easier in Hawaii:

I am still marketing my petite line. I think it is difficult to convince petite people (who have been "making do" with fashion) to try something new and to understand what clothing is supposed to look like for their petite frame.

For me, it is easier in Hawaii because I am from here and I understand the people here. But every city, state or country has petite women who are struggling with what fashion has to offer them.

Allison on why she thinks it's difficult to market petite clothing:

I think the difficulty is in the idea that companies are trying to "market" a product to a consumer. For me, it isn't about "marketing," it's about education, especially about one's body type. This is the best way to make women feel beautiful and empowered. People need to understand their shape and their bodies so that they can dress it well and flatter their assets.

On how she' like to change things about petites:

I try to educate myself and other people about different body types and proportion. Being petite isn't only about being shorter than 5'4"! I also want to help petite women to feel special and beautiful, it is as if we have given into the fashion industry and put up with the fact that they are not designing for us. We have to spend an extra $10 - $20 to alter or hem our clothing, but why? We deserve to buy a pair of jeans and wear it right away, without the hemming. I think once we realize that we deserve clothing that fits, we will embrace our petiteness and accept ourselves!

On her models:

Generally, my petite fit models range from 5'0 to 5'4". They all have different body issues - some have hips, some don't, some have long legs, some have short legs - so I am able to see what the style looks like on different bodies and I can understand what works and what doesn't.

On what celebrities she'd like to have a spokesmodels:

I would love any petite celebrity to wear my denim! All different people, from different age groups and body types - Hayden Panettiere, Lucy Liu, Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria, Mila Kunis, Chrstina Ricci, anyone really!

On whether she'll be selling online:

Yes, I am currently working to offer my denim online and working to make it an easy experience with great return policies so that people can try on several styles and sizes at home to find their perfect fit and then send the rest back! I know how hard the denim shopping process is and I want to offer the denim to petite women everywhere!

On her influences:

Personally, I am in love with Marc Jacobs (but who isn't) but I love so many designers for so many reasons, I admire Diane Von Furstenberg for her timeless beauty and style, also being a women figure head of a huge corporation!

Advice to other designers:

Understand who your customer is and be confident in what you are doing. I think sometimes we have too much information at our fingertips and too much "market research" is one and we begin to doubt ourselves and the existence of a niche market. But if you believe in what you are doing and do it with passion - all is well!

On where she sees herself in five-10 years:

In my business life, I see Allisonizu expanding to design a complete line of petite clothing. My concept is to begin with what I think are the "basic building blocks" for a petite wardrobe and then expanding to design complete collections for the petite woman.

I hope to be able to do this for as long as possible, five, ten, fifty more years!

This article is cross-posted at Prospere Magazine

Cynthia's August J.Crew Picks

While August has just arrived, the new arrivals at J.Crew scream fall, with their school-like jackets and coats. However, there are a few pieces that one can still wear in the heat of August. Here are a few picks:

Ones with petite sizes:

Petite silk taffeta Gracie dress

Petite Julianne dress

Ones that don't have petite sizes:

Polka-dot airy knotted blouse

Antiqued-gold sequin dress

Paintbrush floral Belle skirt

Jackets (still a little too warm to wear around here):

Velvet école jacket (available in petite)

Double-cloth lady day coat (available in petite) - this one will take you through the winter!

Metallic giraffe day coat

The Peruvian Connection

I found out about this line from Luxe Petites, another petite blog. According to the site, Peruvian Connection has actually been around for more than 30 years, founded by a mother/daughter team and the brand's contact address is in Kansas. They also have a few brick-and-mortar stores, including one in England! However, the rest of the world will have to rely on delivery - one good thing about Peruvian Connection is that they deliver outside of the US! However, for Canadians, there's a $25 shipping cost (plus duty).

Their clothes are a little on the pricier range, higher than Banana Republic, but they do have a small petite collection. Clothing ranges from a size 2 to 24W and petite measurements seem to be the same as missy, only shorter.

Peruvian Connection's fall line is now live on their site. Here are a couple of pieces which have caught my attention:

Fine Gauge Pima Cotton Henley Dress (petite)

Biddy's Pure Alpaca Petite Sweater Coat

Interestingly enough, there are no pants available in petite sizes at all.

The entire site kind of gives me an Anthropologie meets (mid 90s) J.Crew meets Talbots feel. A little New England artsy, a little preppy. The clothes look okay for people in my age range to wear, but you never know. I've seen Talbots pieces that looked interesting online, but completely grandmotherish live at the store. Blech on that.

Banana Republic Fall/Holiday 2008 Collection

What do you think of the collection? There seems to be a lack of colour for this collection. I'm also not sure if all of it is their Monogram collection or if there's a mix. Some of the pieces are petite-friendly, though. Let's hope that they'll actually come in petite sizes!

New Petite Line: Balzac

I found Balzac through the Serafina site. Balzac, whose slogan is "petite wear with a genuine flair," was founded by Lynn Colclough of Irvine, California. Balzac's clothes are cut to fit all petite figures, not the skinny, size 00P woman. According to the website, the clothes are tailored to fit a missy petite body and ranges from 0P to 10P. The waist measurements are a little more generous than many other petite lines, so those of us who are really tiny may actually be too small for Balzac's line. 0P, for example, is cut to fit someone with a 27" natural waist and 30" low waist.

Balzac carries dresses, tops, dresses and pants. The pants have an inseam of 30" and are meant to be worn with a mid-height heel. The Spring 2008 collection is very vibrant, with light blue, pink and green. One of my favourites is the shorter version of the Vintage Joanny Dress ($189). The longer dress costs $225. In general, pieces range from $125 to $249. Not too bad.

Cynthia's J.Crew Picks for June

Not a lot of selection this month in the petites category, but here are a few that I like:

Solid Jessie Blouse

Crystal-button Starlet Jacket


That's actually it! There ONLY THREE items in the "new arrivals" section that are available in petite sizes as of June 5, 2008. Sucks, I know. The fall stuff'll roll in pretty soon, so maybe more selections will be available in the next couple of months.

Oh well.

As Seen on Screen

I found this online store via Serafina when they interviewed Vikki Taylor of Yo-Shorty. As Seen on Screen (aka ASOS) is an online store similar to YOOX or eLuxury. Unlike YOOX and eLuxury, ASOS actually has a petite line. The petite sizes are for women 5'3" or shorter and long pants (or as they say in the UK, trousers) have an inseam (inside leg) of 29". Sizes range from a UK 6 to UK 16. It seems that the sizes are cut quite small, too, as a size 6 according to their size chart has a 30 1/4 chest, 23 1/4 waist and 33 1/4 hips. The 6 is therefore closer to a 0 or 00 US than a size 2. Clothes are also based on celebrity styles. In the left hand side of the screen, you have a list of celebs to choose from. Celebs include Kate Moss, the Olsens, Nicole Richie, Posh and many more. The petite selection is pretty big if you look at it from a house brand perspective (ASOS also sells other brands, brands that don't make petite sizes) and include dresses (evening and day), work clothes and coats.

Other items ASOS sells:

Shoes (some shoes come as small as a US 4!)
Lingerie
Accessories
Sunglasses
Beauty products
Jewellery
Swimwear
Loungewear



The good news is that ASOS delivers internationally and prices for their own brand name are quite reasonable, averaging around £ 25 (approximately $50) for clothes. Of course, luxury brands like Rock and Republic, dVb by Victoria Beckham and so forth cost more.

The Laden Showroom sells clothes by independent designers.