Do you know or know of any designers who specialize in petites? What about petite bloggers? Shorty Stories is looking to add you to the list! Right now, the designers/labels I have include:
Balzac Clothing
Fernanda Carneiro
TLE Designs
House of Hsueh
Sweet Petites
Petite Blogs/Websites include:
Petite Fashionista
Serafina
Petite Personal Shopper
Isobella Jade's sites (she has several)
Please let Shorty Stories know about these people! It's important that we let the world know about petite issues! With designers, the preference is for designers that either SPECIALIZE in petites or are PETITE FRIENDLY, not brands with a petite line.
Thanks! :)
C
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts
Latest Petite Styles from Banana Republic
In Toronto, one of the only stores that carry non-granny petite sizes is Banana Republic. While I'm not too pleased that Banana's Canadian stores do not carry 00/00P, I do manage to find things in XS/XSP that fit me reasonably well. Also, the good thing about Banana Republic's petite sizes is that there is some diversity, unlike J.Crew. You could actually find fun pieces at Banana. It isn't the best, and the range isn't, of course, as big as the so-called "regular" sizes, but they are more accomodating and seem to understand the need of petite women.
Banana has a very nice collection of dresses this season and I like the following:
Petite silk floral print dress (this looks really different from dresses that Banana generally offers)
Petite twist front dress (a little plain, yes, but I think it could work well for work)
Petite textured belted dress (again, a great piece for work)
The following piece is not available in petite sizes, but I absolutely love:
BR Monogram jeweled shift dress (BR Monogram is not available in petites at the moment)
Banana has a very nice collection of dresses this season and I like the following:
Petite silk floral print dress (this looks really different from dresses that Banana generally offers)
Petite twist front dress (a little plain, yes, but I think it could work well for work)
Petite textured belted dress (again, a great piece for work)
The following piece is not available in petite sizes, but I absolutely love:
BR Monogram jeweled shift dress (BR Monogram is not available in petites at the moment)
Old Lady Brand Suggestions for Young Women?
I came across an old Budget Fashionista post while looking for blogging topics for Shorty Stories. In the post, a 5'1" twenty-something writes in for fashion advice and suggestions for office clothes, because there's so few options for petite women. While I liked the Budget Fashionista's suggestion of wearing French or Japanese brands, I'm not too sure if I feel the same way about her petite designer suggestions. Eileen Fisher? C'mon! It isn't exactly something that a 23 year old would want to touch unless she wants to look like her mother (or maybe even her GRANDMOTHER!). INC International Concepts, however, is a great petite brand if you're not too small framed.
What do you think? Would you agree, or do you think the Budget Fashionista was giving advice to petites in general?
What do you think? Would you agree, or do you think the Budget Fashionista was giving advice to petites in general?
March 2008 J.Crew Report: Faves, Mehs and Icks
I received the March 2008 J.Crew catalog in the mail on Friday, and immediately began to look for pieces available in petites. All of these items can be found in the New Arrivals link at J.Crew.
My faves are:
Island Eyelet Short dress
Summerweight Chino Mendocino Jacket (looks great with denim too!)
Ones that are meh:
Swiss-dot Dylan Tank (a little on the plain side, but at least it's in a petite! Not too many tops are available in petites)
Python-print Silk Twill Dress (not too sure about this one - the print might be big for a smaller, shorter frame)
Ones that are icky:
Python-print Lucia Jacket (looks like it can make a petite girl look really wide!)
Refined Canvas Fiona Jacket (big buttons + ruffly collar = Bad for Petite Gals)
Ones I like and *WISHED* came in petites:
The Corrine Sweater Jacket
My faves are:
Island Eyelet Short dress
Summerweight Chino Mendocino Jacket (looks great with denim too!)
Ones that are meh:
Swiss-dot Dylan Tank (a little on the plain side, but at least it's in a petite! Not too many tops are available in petites)
Python-print Silk Twill Dress (not too sure about this one - the print might be big for a smaller, shorter frame)
Ones that are icky:
Python-print Lucia Jacket (looks like it can make a petite girl look really wide!)
Refined Canvas Fiona Jacket (big buttons + ruffly collar = Bad for Petite Gals)
Ones I like and *WISHED* came in petites:
The Corrine Sweater Jacket
Dressing the Petite Body from Expert Village
Susan Jacobs gives great advice for petite women. There are fifteen videos in all, ranging from shoe tips, to skirts, cropped pants (according to Susan, the difference between cropped pants and capris is length. Cropped pants can be as short as just below the knee (which is a great length for petites, IMHO) while capris are just above the ankle)
Susan's videos from Expert Village:
What do you think of her videos? Did you learn anything new from these or is it just the same old you've heard from on other websites, magazines or television shows? Most of Susan's videos focus on the workplace, or more specifically, an office. What about other types of work? Some of her tips don't, for example, apply to an elementary school teacher (though it may for someone who teaches say, high school English). And what about a more casual wardrobe? Formal? What would YOU do?
The February 2008 J.Crew Report
Good news, petites! The selection in this month's J.Crew catalog is actually very decent! Sure, they still have their clown collars, but the selection is more than just work outfits and party dresses. Of course, there's still room for improvement. Sweaters and most tops are still not available in petites (they used to though...I actualy have a J.Crew cardigan in a petite XS), though it's no longer limited to button downs and jackets. I do kind of like this one. Other Shorty Stories Picks include:
Petite Portia Jacket (great with jeans, I think)
Petite Super 120s sleeveless dress (I know, it's a little suity, but the bright azul colour isn't exactly a traditional suit colour either!)
Petite trimmed taffeta Melinda dress (not your typical petite dress @ J.Crew!)
What would I like to see available in petite sizes at J.Crew (other than sweaters and tops)?
"Fun" skirts and dresses like the Soiree-printed Skirt from a past catalog. These "fun" looking skirts and dresses were once available in petite sizes (back in 2005 and before).
Anything that is way above the knee on someone taller (including mini skirts and dresses)
What about you?
Petite Portia Jacket (great with jeans, I think)
Petite Super 120s sleeveless dress (I know, it's a little suity, but the bright azul colour isn't exactly a traditional suit colour either!)
Petite trimmed taffeta Melinda dress (not your typical petite dress @ J.Crew!)
What would I like to see available in petite sizes at J.Crew (other than sweaters and tops)?
"Fun" skirts and dresses like the Soiree-printed Skirt from a past catalog. These "fun" looking skirts and dresses were once available in petite sizes (back in 2005 and before).
Anything that is way above the knee on someone taller (including mini skirts and dresses)
What about you?
Two Cute J.Crew dresses availalbe in petite sizes
Remember the post I entered in October about the clown-esque/little girl-esque dress J.Crew was selling in the fall? Well, the most recent 2008 patterned dresses are definitely NOT icky:
Zebra Print Linen Dress
Links-print Silk Tank Dress
However, J.Crew is still lacking in the petite category. Choice is still very low compared to Banana Republic and Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft (and to the J.Crew petite collection from pre-2005.) Petite sizes in tops, other than button down shirts is non-existent. I'm beginning to wonder if women who buy J.Crew's petite sizes are actually average-heighted women with shorter legs rather than proportioned petite women who're around 5'2" or 5'3". If that's the case, then it's really strange, since one would think that women who buy Banana and Ann Taylor would also buy J.Crew. J.Crew sizes are also hideously large for a brand that does not have size 00. The good thing, of course, is that J.Crew both accepts Canadian credit cards AND delivers up here while Banana and Ann Taylor do not (I actually recall a woman on a fashion message board who apparently once worked for AT saying that they (meaning AT) "don't want Canadian/non-US business." I highly doubt that. It's more of an issue with the security system they (and GAP Inc.) use. Why they don't use the same system as J.Crew is beyond me.)
Zebra Print Linen Dress
Links-print Silk Tank Dress
However, J.Crew is still lacking in the petite category. Choice is still very low compared to Banana Republic and Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft (and to the J.Crew petite collection from pre-2005.) Petite sizes in tops, other than button down shirts is non-existent. I'm beginning to wonder if women who buy J.Crew's petite sizes are actually average-heighted women with shorter legs rather than proportioned petite women who're around 5'2" or 5'3". If that's the case, then it's really strange, since one would think that women who buy Banana and Ann Taylor would also buy J.Crew. J.Crew sizes are also hideously large for a brand that does not have size 00. The good thing, of course, is that J.Crew both accepts Canadian credit cards AND delivers up here while Banana and Ann Taylor do not (I actually recall a woman on a fashion message board who apparently once worked for AT saying that they (meaning AT) "don't want Canadian/non-US business." I highly doubt that. It's more of an issue with the security system they (and GAP Inc.) use. Why they don't use the same system as J.Crew is beyond me.)
Two for the price of one....introducing Camileon Heels
We petite women don't want to be super-tall all the time. Especially when we're also small-framed, really high heels can make us look fake. Not to mention, it's not that great for you. But sometimes, we want both. Now you can have both. All in one shoe. Camileon Heels are shoes with an adjustable heel varying from 1 1/2" to 3 3/4"! Sizes range from 5 to 10 1/2. No more buying three pairs of the same style. However, if you're looking for very funky, stylish shoes, you're not going to find it here. All styles are very classical-looking, making it much more versatile with your closet. Another bad thing is that for many of us, the only way to order it is online, at Zappos (US)or Eneslow. The shoes are only available in 14 states and not available internationally. The Zappos Canada site does not carry this brand.
Surprise! Surprise! Decent Petite Stuff from Department Stores
The best place to get department stores seems to be Nordstorm in the US. I was checking out their online petite shop last night, and what wonderful items they have listed! BCBG, Nine West, Paige Premium Denim, MICHAEL Michael Kors and Laundry be Shelli Segal all seem to have at least some items there. Sure, there aren't as many products as their regular line, but there's enough and enough of it isn't granny-looking. They also have a very small selection of petite plus listed. I have actually never seen a department store that carries petite plus, so good for them (even if it's three items.) However, what I did find confusing was how some items were mixed in with regular sizes. The Nordies petite shop also lists French Connection stuff and we all know that French Connection does NOT carry petites.
Some of my favourites from the Nordstrom site:
BCBG Gown (BCBG doesn't "officially" make petite sizes, which means you won't be able to find this in a petite at your BCBG store.)
Another BCBG dress
Calvin Klein belted sweater dress
Tahari by Arthur S. Levine suit (the pants are a 28 1/2" inseam)
Caslon cabled shawl sweater
Bernardo Faux Shearling jacket
Both the Paige Premium Denim jeans listed on the site aren't too bad either.
The skirts, however, are a little plain, IMHO.
The semi-good news about Nordies is that though they don't deliver outside of the US, they DO take credit cards with non-US billing addresses, unlike Ann Taylor and the GAP Inc. stores (the lack of delivery/international e-commerce store for GAP Inc actually kind of bugs me. If Forever21 and Abercrombie have it, why not GAP?) This means you won't necessarily have to make a trip down to the US if you have a friend living there who can take the deliveries. It would be nice, though, if they did deliver.
In Canada, The Bay on Queen Street in Toronto isn't too bad either, especially if you're not too small-framed. The brands that appeal to younger women at The Bay are: INC International Concepts and Nine West. Other brands are your typical granny petites (though if you LOOK, DKNY can have some decent things. Just a note that the petite sizes are often much ickier and plainer than their regular line.)
Petite Nine West cardigan Cynthia C bought from The Bay
Some of my favourites from the Nordstrom site:
BCBG Gown (BCBG doesn't "officially" make petite sizes, which means you won't be able to find this in a petite at your BCBG store.)
Another BCBG dress
Calvin Klein belted sweater dress
Tahari by Arthur S. Levine suit (the pants are a 28 1/2" inseam)
Caslon cabled shawl sweater
Bernardo Faux Shearling jacket
Both the Paige Premium Denim jeans listed on the site aren't too bad either.
The skirts, however, are a little plain, IMHO.
The semi-good news about Nordies is that though they don't deliver outside of the US, they DO take credit cards with non-US billing addresses, unlike Ann Taylor and the GAP Inc. stores (the lack of delivery/international e-commerce store for GAP Inc actually kind of bugs me. If Forever21 and Abercrombie have it, why not GAP?) This means you won't necessarily have to make a trip down to the US if you have a friend living there who can take the deliveries. It would be nice, though, if they did deliver.
In Canada, The Bay on Queen Street in Toronto isn't too bad either, especially if you're not too small-framed. The brands that appeal to younger women at The Bay are: INC International Concepts and Nine West. Other brands are your typical granny petites (though if you LOOK, DKNY can have some decent things. Just a note that the petite sizes are often much ickier and plainer than their regular line.)
Petite Nine West cardigan Cynthia C bought from The Bay
Petite Sophisticate is BACK
Petite Sophisticate, which closed down a couple of years ago, and returned as an outlet shop after being acquired by Charming Shoppes, has recently opened regular stores in Dallas/Fortworth and Washington D.C. areas. More are set to open in the near future. This is a great alternative to Banana Republic and Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft when if you're looking for work clothes. There is a good selection of pants, skirts, suit dresses, jackets, etc, and do not necessarily give off the granny look. The pants come in two different lengths, short (27") and average (29"), which is good news for petites. So many petite brands only make pants in the 29" or 30" range.
Don't expect it to be like Ann Taylor or Banana Republic, where there is a decent selection of weekend wear. Sure, Petite Sophisticate has denim, but the selection looks very plain compared to those stores. They also have a good selection of special occasion dresses, though they tend to be on the shorter side and therefore not necessarily the best choice for something very formal (I don't believe that petite women have to stick to knee length dresses. The only length that is truly awful on shorter women is something that falls mid-calf. Very long dresses, those that go down to the ankles is not bad. After all, petite brides shouldn't have to stick to a knee length dress, should they? It's not a bridal gown unless it's long!) Of course, they aren't a bad choice for more formal office holiday party. Petite Sophisticate also as a limited collection of active wear.
Now for the bad news: Petite Sophisticate only accepts orders from the United States at this time. In other words, not only do they NOT deliver outside of the US, but they aren't going to accept non-US billing addresses either. Too bad.
Don't expect it to be like Ann Taylor or Banana Republic, where there is a decent selection of weekend wear. Sure, Petite Sophisticate has denim, but the selection looks very plain compared to those stores. They also have a good selection of special occasion dresses, though they tend to be on the shorter side and therefore not necessarily the best choice for something very formal (I don't believe that petite women have to stick to knee length dresses. The only length that is truly awful on shorter women is something that falls mid-calf. Very long dresses, those that go down to the ankles is not bad. After all, petite brides shouldn't have to stick to a knee length dress, should they? It's not a bridal gown unless it's long!) Of course, they aren't a bad choice for more formal office holiday party. Petite Sophisticate also as a limited collection of active wear.
Now for the bad news: Petite Sophisticate only accepts orders from the United States at this time. In other words, not only do they NOT deliver outside of the US, but they aren't going to accept non-US billing addresses either. Too bad.
Fashion Era
Fashion Era, based out of the UK, is a site that "looks at women's costume and fashion history and analyses the mood of an era" such as changes in culture, technology and values. The site traces fashion, cosmetics and costume back approximately 200 years, from the Regency period to today in detail, analyzing all types of clothes, from children to adult, every day to formal, social class, etc. Fashion Era also has a page especially for petites, which includes commentary on what "petite" is, why petite sizes are needed, plus-petite problems as well as examples of "on the edge of petite," which the writer, Pauline, uses her 5'9" niece and herself as examples. Her niece, who would normally shop at tall stores, has a very short arms (for her height, especially) and narrow shoulders. She buys petite tops. Pauline, who is borderline petite-average (just under 5'4") has super-long legs. She says she often shops for longer length pants (I guess pants in the UK are shorter? I define "long" as 36"...someone who is 5'4" with a 35"-36" inseam would be really out of proportion) because they fit better at the knees, even if she has to take an inch off of them. She also advises that one needs to understand her body and figure, and in order to do so, one needs to try on a wide variety of styles.
Fashion Era is a great site not only for advice on what's in and what's out, regardless of size, but also for those of us involved in theatre who're looking for costume advice as well as those in history or sociology, looking at how fashion impacted history and culture (or how history and culture impacted fashion...totally a chicken and egg situation here.)
Fashion Era is a great site not only for advice on what's in and what's out, regardless of size, but also for those of us involved in theatre who're looking for costume advice as well as those in history or sociology, looking at how fashion impacted history and culture (or how history and culture impacted fashion...totally a chicken and egg situation here.)
More on Plus Petites
Looks like I was wrong about the lack of communities/blogs/sites for plus petites. Well, sort of...Today, I found Grande Petites, a site that helps plus sized petites find clothes that fit and "empower them to feel their beauty no matter what size clothes they wear. " (mission statement) However, the site looks like it hadn't been updated in almost a year (last blog entry was December, 2006) and their message board is full of spam. Personally, I find that very sad. There are lots of women who'd like more information about clothes that fit them, so why would a site like Grande Petites fall into such neglect? Non-plus petites have a hard enough time finding sites for them, and this is the first site I've found that is anything remotely close to petite blogs like mine or Petite Fashionista outside of groups on Facebook or other social networking sites. The woman who created the site seems to be very ambitious, wanting to create a store or clothing line catering to petite plus women. But in a blog entry dated November 20, 2006, mentioned that she was having difficulty. It's sad to hear that the clothing industry has trouble understanding the need for non-standard sizes (or basically anyone who isn't tall, blonde and thin (I will be writing a post on fashion and ethnicity in the next few days, in light of the recent articles about the lack of non-white models in the industry...WAKE UP, FASHION INDUSTRY!!!), even if it's a very sizable minority. I mean, if many jurisdictions are willing to accomodate minority language services for driving tests, banking, etc, why not clothes? It's not like clothing is a "nice-to-have." It's a must have!
Shorty Stories needs your quotes and stories
Please send us your Shorty Stories and/or quotes about being petite by filling out the form on the Shorty Stories site!
Looking forward to reading them! :)
-Cynthia
Looking forward to reading them! :)
-Cynthia
Petite celebrity models
On the Wednesday entry, I posted a link from an interview I did with David Staples of the Edmonton Journal about Canada's Next Top Model and its height requirement of 5'7". In the blog entry/article, I indicated that petite celebs like Avril Lavigne and Sarah Jessica Parker have been used as "models" and no one blinks an eye, while a "regular" girl going into a modeling agency for an open call would be turned away if she was under the "required" height. So, a question I asked last year (which was actually the FIRST question of the month survey I ever did with my main Shorty Stories site) was "Do you think petite celebrities should be given fashion contracts when the fashion industry always says that only TALL people can become models?" You can see the results on the image above. Do you think petite celebs are awarded clothing contracts only because they're already famous and people are buying into their image (which doesn't make sense to me, since Avril was sooooooo not Chanel and SJP was sooooo not GAP.)? I don't recall anyone saying that they didn't look right or anything. What do you think? Do you agree with those who responded (click the image if you find it too small)?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
