Where are petite women buying clothing in the UK?

Posted by Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 61 comments

Hi. I’m 23F 4’11 and weigh \~ 97-98lbs. I’m really struggling to find clothing that fits me, both from shops and second hand at charity shops or on Vinted. Size guides even for ASOS and PLT (who the internet says cater to petite women) are too large. I’ve also tried Uniqlo but they don’t carry XXS in store to try on and the XXS items I ordered online to try were too big. Children’s clothing is frequently so thin it is see-through or not professional enough and I’ve almost secured my first proper job so I need something more professional.

I was wondering if anyone here knows of any brands that I can buy from? Also I’m not sure what size I should be looking for. My measurements are Bust: 72-73 cm, Waist: 57-58 cm, Hips: 70-71 cm, Inseam: 60 cm.

Thank you!

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marmitelasagna@reddit

I am 4’11” and several years ago I was wearing a uk size 4 and struggling finding anything remotely professional.

I remember buying school uniform black trousers size 11-12 and they were fitting well 😅

(I now have other problems as I’m still short of course but larger and older and I can’t find much that isn’t aimed at teenagers or grandmothers)

Have a look at next too, as well as boden, you might find some good tops there too that aren’t too long

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

I think I’m a size 4 currently. It’s difficult to tell because a lot of places don’t carry it at all or it’s online only, but according to online size guides my waist is at the bottom measurements of a size 4 but my bust and especially my hips are below the smallest measurement for a 4. I would try a size 2 but we don’t seem to do those. I have bought some stuff from the kids section at sizes 9-10 years or 10-11 years (depending on the shop) but a lot of it is very thin which doesn’t feel professional.

You’re so right about everything being aimed at teenagers or grandmothers. The cropped shirt trend is useful for our height but so many things are now cropped AND boxy, and I end up looking like I’ve been squished or like a kid who raided their mother’s wardrobe.

I’ve seen some Boden stuff on Vinted that looks nice but I can’t find anything in person to try their sizes on. Do you know if Boden sells in any physical shops?

Also can I ask where you buy trousers that aren’t too long? I find so many petite ranges are still built for people 5’4 and are too long on me, and that’s a lot of material to hem.

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Vernsy666@reddit

Danni Minogue does a range

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zamoflo@reddit

Jeans/trousers wise Abercrombie are fab! They go down to extra short in length, and the same goes for their curve love range (as a 5’3 hourglass with short legs their curve love jeans in short have been a god send!). They are a bit on the pricier side but they have a few good deals through the year like buy one get 50% off, and 20 - 40% off everything. Quality is really good so deffo worth the investment.

For tops I find that Stradivarius come up slightly short and their heavyweight cotton tees are great quality for the price (around £9.99 usually), and topshop do a “shrunken” t-shirt style that is good quality and normally pretty cheap on asos (and you can use discount codes on them! Size wise Stradivarius run quite small - their large is more like a 10/12 and topshop go down to XS which is a 4-6.

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

I used to buy from Superdry occasionally because they often run small but my local one closed down a few months ago. The good news is they’re actually turning it into a Stradivarius. There isn’t another one near me so I’ve never been before but it’s a big shop they’ve bought. I’m excited now to go in when they open.

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Consistent_Height748@reddit

Maybe try some French brands..their sizing tends to be smaller

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girlsunderpressure@reddit

Cos is okay -- I'm 5'4 (164cm) and about 45kg and I can make their smallest size trousers work with a belt...

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No-Row-9994@reddit

Ooh we are measurement twins! Never tried Cos. What else do you like?

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girlsunderpressure@reddit

Honestly, most of my clothes are way too big. It's a constant struggle. Thank god baggy is fashionable at the moment...

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No-Row-9994@reddit

I relate. I've recently been wearing a lot of the following outfit: 'oversized' (even though they're size 6 or XS) jumpers with a skirt (which is too big at the waist but the jumper hides it), tights and boots. For summer I think it might be a little easier but there are still so many dresses/tops that just look shapeless on me. I'm sure you relate.

I've had some luck on the online store Cider recently. Yes it is fast fashion but the fit is tailored more to Asian petite bodies so it all comes up a little smaller than regular UK sizes.

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girlsunderpressure@reddit

I've been wearing leggings under jeans all winter, not quite ready to brave skirts and tights just yet -- too cold!

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No-Row-9994@reddit

Thermal tights are a gamechanger! I couldn't wear them before the last week or two either though. I find jeans too cold for winter. I usually wear leggings under knitted trousers.

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No-Row-9994@reddit

Hollister in XXS!

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bitesize10@reddit

I’m also 4’11” and recently discovered that M&S offers a lot of trousers in extra short length. I previously found that “petite” lengths were still too long, but the extra short length fits perfectly.

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Super_Club_4507@reddit

I’m 5ft and petite.

It’s getting harder and harder if I’m honest! Primark used to do a 4 which was great; but their current size 4s are bigger than their old sizes 6s (I know because I don’t really throw out clothes so comparing is easy!) and this is the case across most shops! The sizing is getting bigger.

Currently I use Next, M&S (especially for work trousers - their 6 is the closest to an old 6 I can find!), Nobody’s Child (pricy but fits) and occasionally (usually in the spring/summer) Tesco will bring out a 6 or an XXS in things like skirts and dresses which I can use for work.

The last 12 months though, I’ve taken to buying clothes abroad when I’m on holiday - Mango, Zara, Pull and Bear all do stores in Spain/Portugal and the sizing/cut of the items is much closer to what we had in the UK about 5-6 years ago.
Not an option for everyone I admit but could try ordering through their store with a different location? Most will ship abroad for a fee!

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Snoo-67164@reddit

I'm 5ft1 with a very slim upper body (though wide hips so not quite the same shape as OP) and agree on these! Except Next which for is usually much too big. The baggy, oversized, balloon arms/legs styles of recent years have NOT been kind to petites.

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Rox_-@reddit

I like a few Contrado shops and a lot of their clothes are available in XXS, but as far as elegant office clothes go, I feel like their silk camisoles are the only option:

https://www.contrado.com/stores/art-heart/products/3177

https://www.contrado.com/stores/alternative-mood/products/3177

If you want to get something for outside of work, I also recommend their tea dresses:

https://www.contrado.com/stores/art-heart/products/2842

https://www.contrado.com/stores/alternative-mood/products/2842

And midi dresses, which would be maxi on you:

https://www.contrado.com/stores/art-heart/products/3067

https://www.contrado.com/stores/alternative-mood/products/3067

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mtjseb@reddit

I’ve been finding that marks and Spencer works quite well! They carry both a short and extra short options for a lot of their own brand trouser or jeans which has been a game changer for me

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dreamymeowwave@reddit

All brands changed their size range, it has become impossible to find any petite clothes. I used to fit in XS, now even XXS can be big. Also, there’s not coherence between items in any given brand. Uniqlo’s XXS can sometimes be smaller especially for slim fit trousers and tshirts. Mango also has XXS. Mango and Zara’s Kids section can be good. I once bought petite jeans from Miss Selfridges and it was too short for me - I’m 5’1.

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GFoxtrot@reddit

What grumps me with M&S is my local store never has the short length / size 6 in.

Always have to order online to see if it fits / if it suits. Maybe not every colour etc in stores but a few options to try on wouldn’t hurt.

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randomguuid@reddit

Have you tried uni qlo?

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

Yes I mentioned them in the post. I couldn’t try in store because they don’t carry the smallest size in store so I ordered a few items home and they’re too big.

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AnxiousTerminator@reddit

Uniqlo will do free alterations in store.

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GFoxtrot@reddit

I live in a city and my nearest Uniqlo is hours away so it might be a pain for OP.

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Opposite_Radio9388@reddit

If I had a pound for every time someone commented without reading the post properly I'd have earned at least a fiver today.

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Grand_Equipment5292@reddit

Have you considered speaking to a tailor? She/he could help you with what to look for, that they could then take in and fit to you.

Choose some nice garments ftom UniClo or whoever and get them fitted.

If this is for work clothing, it nakes sense to get a couple of outfits altered and isn't actually expensive.

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GFoxtrot@reddit

Abercrombie do XXS although mostly online and they do a good amount of petite length trousers too.

Accidentally ordered an XXS top and it didn’t fit me across the bust and I’d typically wear a 6/30D.

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s7beckTM@reddit

Hi OP.

My wife is 4'9, she is miniature... She literally buys children's clothes size 10 to 11 (I'm not joking). She finds Zara really good quality and also Next, also Primark.

We also found her some great fitting and quality Joules.

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

The things I’m wearing now are actually about the same size, normally 9-10 or 10-11 depending on the shop. It’s fine for casual wear but I find the children’s section often uses very thin materials and is difficult to pass as professional. I’ve not heard of Joules before so I’ll look into them. Thank you!

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s7beckTM@reddit

She actually wears xs adults from Joules, they are a great fit.

Hope they suit you too.

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Affectionate-Owl9594@reddit

A lot of my workwear is from Zara Kids. I’ve never found it to be see-through

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candystoreheather@reddit

Find yourself a good tailor. For my first job I bought a load of stuff from French Connection and had it all tailored to fit. It was good quality and lasted me for years. Over the years I've made it a mission wherever I've moved to find a good tailor.

Lots of brands that I used to buy don't exist anymore - Tammy Girl, which was Etam's children's department used to do suits that fit me beautifully that again, I had for years, but kids clothing these days doesn't seem to be as good quality.

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Key_Plum_99a@reddit

I know you’re 23, but sometimes for petite women, selectively browsing older women’s ranges helps, because lots of older women are also petite. I’d be trawling the John Lewis website for size 6. If you’re buying basics nobody will know which brand your black trousers are from.

They might cost a little more though.

Here’s Phase eight’s size guide, for example: https://www.phase-eight.com/shopping-with-us/size-guide.html

Here is a smart roll neck black jumper in the sale in XS: (you may have different style of course, just an example. https://www.phase-eight.com/product/fran-fluted-sleeve-ribbed-roll-neck-404101050.html

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

I hadn’t thought of John Lewis. And you’re right that black trousers are just black trousers, it doesn’t matter what the brand is. Thank you!

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FloydEGag@reddit

M&S have some decent petite stuff and a lot of it comes in ‘extra short’ - I’m 5’1” and have a 27” inside leg so a lot of ‘regular petite’ trousers and skirts are still too long, but I’ve had a few good bits and pieces from there in the shortest size

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hypoxiafox@reddit

How do we feel about TK Maxx? I usually see a lot of cool things in XXS there. You may have some good luck.

Zara should also be easy to find something your size but I've found that the garments disintegrate after a year or two.

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Warm-Marsupial8912@reddit

La Redoute always used to do size 2, don't know about the petite bit

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KirrinD@reddit

Crew Clothing’s size 6 is true to size. I buy a lot in their sale, same with Beaufort and Blake

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

I’ll look into them, thank you. Do they do smaller than a 6?

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KirrinD@reddit

No they don’t but I’ve had some of their trousers and jackets altered to be brought down in size. Their tops fit quite nicely as being a little looser fitting anyway :)

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KirrinD@reddit

Both have good work stuff too!

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schemmenti@reddit

Children's section unfortunately. Sainsbury's short length trousers are a good length as are next petite, but everything else I have to buy in children's size 11 to 14 depending on the brand. Primark is unfortunately one of the few shops that goes down to a 4/6 in adult sizes.

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Lion-Resident@reddit

I am having the same problem for the last 2-3 years.

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ThickTadpole3742@reddit

New Look and Sainsbury's both have a petite range. Try Pixie Girl as well.

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

I had really bad luck with Sainsbury’s. Their smallest petite size is a 4 with a waist of 67 cm. I’ve not heard of Pixie Girl before so I’ll look into them, thank you :)

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FustyFossil@reddit

Im quite small, and my oldest child is tall so I've taken to making/altering our own!

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

Oh wow. I can barely sew a straight line 😂

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FustyFossil@reddit

I thought that! Then I watched some videos and got given a basic brother ls14s machine, and honestly its easier than youd think!

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Ornery-Wasabi-1018@reddit

Probably no good for work, but gap for some xxs (which is similar to size 2, I think). However, my tiny cousin buys most of her clothes in Hong Kong as she finds it really hard in the uk.

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Icy_Flan_7185@reddit

Most women I know that size buy tops from the kids section, then trousers in adults size 6 with a belt. Then nice clothes for special occasions they buy in adults size 6 and get altered at a tailor to fit them better

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Special-Audience-426@reddit

My ex got her stuff from vinted and the kids section...

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Ok_Cow5684@reddit

It's not great for professional clothing but I find Urban Outfitters stuff comes up very small. I'm usually a 6-8 and wear a 10 there.

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

Thank you!

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

Size 6 is unfortunately too big, especially the trousers. I can’t get them to stay up very well.

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thikatana@reddit

Next has a petite line

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Dry-Dragonfruit5216@reddit (OP)

Unfortunately still too big. The bust is the closest measurement but everything else is very off.

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TragicHeadcount_@reddit

I'd hazard a guess and say kids or teen sections of clothing stores, if the usual adult petite sections are still too big/long.

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