Suggestion for winter clothing from petite ladies?

[Phoenix]

So I'm finding myself in a bit of a bind. i'm 5'2" (barely, maybe 5' 1 3/4"), I weigh approx 106lbs and even in Shanghai where I now live I find the clothes rather too long and too big (not to mention that they're not to my taste

). I've still got summer clothes from Singapore which will last me for a while but winter is approaching and I don't want to look like a midget wearing my mom's clothes!!

I've never looked good in MOST adults' clothes but I *hate* buying kids' clothes. I'd like to buy some decent clothes for winter but don't want to pay through the nose for them. I haven't shopped for winter clothing for the last 15 years and am really at a loss. I don't want to wait until winter is actually here and then start to panic!

Oh, I normally wear a size 2 btw.

If you "petite" ladies have any suggestions for me RE internet purchases, I'd be very grateful.

 

[brightlight]

Date: 9/7/2009 10:55:57 AM
Author:Phoenix
So I''m finding myself in a bit of a bind. i''m 5''2'' (barely, maybe 5'' 1 3/4''), I weigh approx 106lbs and even in Shanghai where I now live I find the clothes rather too long and too big (not to mention that they''re not to my taste

). I''ve still got summer clothes from Singapore which will last me for a while but winter is approaching and I don''t want to look like a midget wearing my mom''s clothes!!

I''ve never looked good in MOST adults'' clothes but I *hate* buying kids'' clothes. I''d like to buy some decent clothes for winter but don''t want to pay through the nose for them. I haven''t shopped for winter clothing for the last 15 years and am really at a loss. I don''t want to wait until winter is actually here and then start to panic!

Oh, I normally wear a size 2 btw.

If you ''petite'' ladies have any suggestions for me RE internet purchases, I''d be very grateful.

Have you tried shopping in the petite sections of stores like Gap, Ann Taylor, and J Crew? My mom also likes Petite Sophisticate.

 

[cellentani]

Hi Phoenix! I''m only an inch above you - 5'' 1 3/4", so I know how difficult it is to find clothes! What''s your style like? I''ve found that J Crew fits pretty well, and while their clothes aren''t matronly, they''re not too young either (well, most of it, anyway). Banana Republic also has non-boring classics in petite sizes.

 

[Sabine]

If money is an object, I swear by New York and Company petite/short sized pants. They are very affordable, although the quality isn''t great, but they always fit me and my 5'' short self. And most of my jeans are from Old Navy because they also come in short sizes that are just about short enough for me.

 

[gemgirl]

I wear a 2P in Jones New York, Kate Hill (through Lord & Taylor), and Charter Club and Alfani (through Macy''s). I have Ann Klein and Calvin Klein suit separates from both stores. I''ve also bought some things through Ann Taylor that were very nice. Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft starts at a size O in fact. Some of my things from there are a O. I think Ann Taylor tends to run a little full. My jeans usually come from the Gap. They have "ankle" length instead of short but it''s better to try jeans on in person, I think.

For winter jackets and coats, you can find Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gallery in petite sizes. I just bought a new leather jacket and two washable suede jackets from the Territory Ahead website. They make some garment! It''s rare to find such fine finishing in any garment these days. I think washable suede is the greatest thing since sliced bread! They''re very practical.

I hope this helped. I wish I needed to go shopping!

 

[MagsyMay]

Another shorty here (about 5''1.5", although I swear I used to be 5''2" and am already shrinking!) with votes for Banana Republic Petites, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft petites, and Jcrew! I''m usually a 2P or 0P, and Ann Taylor Loft (and I think normal Ann Taylor) also have 00P and XXSP too! And when all else fails, find yourself a good tailor! Shortening pants isn''t usually very pricey, same with sleeves! Good luck!

 

[gemgirl]

The funny thing is, I''m not short. I''m 5''5" tall and a Jones 2P fits me perfectly with no alterations. I just need a smaller size. I always thought that some of the petites would still be long on shorter women.

 

[D&T]

Date: 9/7/2009 11:20:29 AM
Author: cellentani
Hi Phoenix! I''m only an inch above you - 5'' 1 3/4'', so I know how difficult it is to find clothes! What''s your style like? I''ve found that J Crew fits pretty well, and while their clothes aren''t matronly, they''re not too young either (well, most of it, anyway). Banana Republic also has non-boring classics in petite sizes.

ditto,
I also like ann taylor, and ann taylor loft as well as J Crew. Banana Republic also has the petite sizes but I found out that if I wore XS in normal shirt size (because sometimes I like the extra length) since my arms are somewhat longer

I find that I have to go up to a Small Petite (I don''t know if all of them are like that)

 

[Octavia]

At least half of my wardrobe is from Ann Taylor Loft. I''m a little taller and a few pounds heavier than you, and I usually wear a 0 in dresses and a 2/XS in everything else, so you might want to go a size smaller if you shop there...the petite length will probably fit you pretty well, though.

 

[chiapet]

I''m 5''2" as well, size 0. J Crew petites usually fit me well, especially their peacoats. Have you tried MANGO and Zara? When I go to Asia I always find myself buying hoards of stuff from them.

 

[Phoenix]

Thank you so much for everyone who replied and provided such helpful comments - Brightlight, Cellentani, Sabine, Gemgirl, MagsyMay, D&T, Octavia and Chiapet.

I will def check these out. I'm familiar with some of these but not the others. I think I may have worn Ann Taylor before but for some reason stopped wearing them, I'll look into them again. Her label must be good, practically everyone of you has recommended her.

They all sound so great though! I'm quite excited and relieved too!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 9/7/2009 12:47:20 PM
Author: gemgirl
I wear a 2P in Jones New York, Kate Hill (through Lord & Taylor), and Charter Club and Alfani (through Macy''s). I have Ann Klein and Calvin Klein suit separates from both stores. I''ve also bought some things through Ann Taylor that were very nice. Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft starts at a size O in fact. Some of my things from there are a O. I think Ann Taylor tends to run a little full. My jeans usually come from the Gap. They have ''ankle'' length instead of short but it''s better to try jeans on in person, I think.

For winter jackets and coats, you can find Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gallery in petite sizes. I just bought a new leather jacket and two washable suede jackets from the Territory Ahead website. They make some garment! It''s rare to find such fine finishing in any garment these days. I think washable suede is the greatest thing since sliced bread! They''re very practical.

I hope this helped. I wish I needed to go shopping!

OMG!! I LOVE suede!!

I didn''t know you could get washable suede!! That''d be too good. I''m definitely checking them out.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 9/7/2009 11:20:29 AM
Author: cellentani
Hi Phoenix! I'm only an inch above you - 5' 1 3/4', so I know how difficult it is to find clothes! What's your style like? I've found that J Crew fits pretty well, and while their clothes aren't matronly, they're not too young either (well, most of it, anyway). Banana Republic also has non-boring classics in petite sizes.

It's funny, I wrote another post about my style not too long ago, in a thread about having my gemstones set!

I think my style - clothes wise - has not changed significantly during the last 10-15 years. Basically, it's casual for running around in to undertated elegance when I dress up (or at least that's what I think it is!

), although my jewellery has started to become a bit more flashy

.

I think day-to-day, Ann Taylor, J Crew or Banana Republic or even Tommy HillFiger would suit me fine, even the non-branded stuff, which I have a lot of. When I dress up, I like Gucci (but only if they offer 70-80% discount

) - for some reason, I find that Gucci clothes size 38 fit me fine, mostly. Their trousers and sleeves (I don't have long arms, D&T

) are a bit long but I can easily have them altered. The only thing is Gucci winter clothes will cost an arm and a leg in Shanghai!

I'm intrigued with the other labels that you ladies have suggested and can't wait to start buying them! YAY!!

 

[litebrite]

For coats, I recommend the jacket line Tulle. I adore them and I think I have 4 coats by Tulle. They come in fantastic colors and really great patterns.