This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
When you meet petite women and the subject gets on to fashion for older women, they’ll often tell you that they have to resort to buying clothes in children’s departments in order to get a small enough size. Last week we looked at size-inclusive brands, this week we’re going to see what’s on offer for all our readers who are 5′ 4″ and under who are in search of the other end of the scale, including Jean D. and Annie who wrote in to us last week. If you’d like to go through to any of the websites, just click on the brand name.
REFORMATION Petites Port Dress £218 
BANANA REPUBLIC Sweater hoodie £95 
HOBBS Jessica wool jacket £179 
WALLIS Navy tipped collar jumper £28
REFORMATION believes the perfect fit is the most important part of their clothes. Quality is the keyword of this American brand who ship to the UK.
BANANA REPUBLIC Stylish clothes on this website – trousers, tees, jackets and more. Definitely worth a browse.
HOBBS a good range of petite trousers on this site and, if you’re going back to work anytime soon, this could be the place to find a new outfit.
WALLIS Their collection is made up of pretty dresses and jumpsuits, tailored trousers, jeans, knitwear and off duty denim. They also have a Petite Guide with exclusive style tips.
SEASALT Vanessa cardigan from £22.50 
MARKS & SPENCER petite faux leather biker jacket 
RIVER ISLAND belted jumpsuit £65 
NEXT casual boyfriend shirt £30
SEASALT CORNWALL perfectly proportioned for women up to 5’3”. Flattering petite dresses, petite trousers and soft knitwear in colours and prints inspired by the Cornish landscape.
MARKS AND SPENCER Their petite clothing range offers affordable, dependable quality as well as choice. Most of their trousers and jeans come in shorter lengths and are well proportioned for petite women. Their zipped biker jacket, for example, is cut short on the waist to give the illusion of height.
RIVER ISLAND is just as good for petite as it is for standard sizing. Premium feel yet affordable. Finding jeans that fit properly and dresses that don’t drown doesn’t have to be a chore anymore.
NEXT their women’s petite clothing category has over 700 reasonably priced items from size 4 upwards.
DOROTHY PERKINS Knitted Midi dress £17 
BODEN silk shirt £130 
ME=EM soft poplin blouse £95 
WALLIS Leaf Paisley ruffle sleeve top £36
DOROTHY PERKINS Their Petite clothing has been specially designed to fit and flatter women 5’3″ and under. Worth a browse of their website to find key pieces in the perfect proportions to suit your shape.
BODEN A brand that really understands the petite figure. Find perfectly proportioned, excellent quality clothing here – whether tailored outerwear, sophisticated patterns or and pretty dresses.
ME+EM As any regular A&G reader knows, we love this brand (but I wish they would occasionally use some happier, older models!) These are investment pieces but the quality is excellent and the designs are timeless.
WALLIS has a gorgeous range of petite clothing in inclusive sizes and at great prices too. Whether you’re looking for petite skirts and dresses for summer or for great fitting petite workwear and occasionwear, they have something for everyone. They carry a range of styles that will fit different body types and ages and regularly have incredible sales which our wallets will thank us for!
Hopefully one or two of these brands will tick all your boxes and mean that you don’t have to resort to pushing up sleeves, avoiding maxi dresses or spending a fortune with a seamstress to make standard fashion fit.
More fashion posts for all shapes and sizes here