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There are a few things in life that are more challenging for those of us who are under 5’5 — reaching higher cabinets, turning off a fire alarm, and finding a pair of jeans that hit just right at the ankle.
Shopping as a petite is no easy feat. I’m 5’3, which I would say teeters between petite and regular, yet I still find myself frequently disappointed when I try on a dress that drapes across the floor, or the sleeves of a shirt fall past my fingers, or I succumb to rolling up the cuffs of a pair of jeans that would otherwise fit me perfectly fine. Such is the dilemma of many smaller people.
Hence, I have decided to scout out the best clothing brands for petites. Most of these brands have devoted an entire section to styling smaller-framed women, offering hemmed options of their best-selling pieces and some designed just for us. I’ve tested some popular styles from Reformation, Aritzia, Ann Taylor, and Good American, as well as some smaller brands that cater to the dainty ladies, like my new favorites, For Love and Lemons and Saylor.
For other specific fashion needs, be sure to take a look at our guide to shopping for the best plus-size brands, maternity clothes, and jeans for women of all sizes.
Click the links below to jump right to our top picks for each category:
When graduating from a mini dress to a longer dress, things get a bit complicated for shorter ladies. Finding a maxi dress that doesn’t drag on the ground, but also sits right at the waist, is a challenge. Boden has a solution. The petite section is full of fantastic, longer silhouettes with a bit of classy European flair, Anna Linen Tiered Midi Dress ($198), and polka-dotted Sara Jersey Shirt Dress ($135). You no longer need to worry about alterations — they’ve already been done.
Miska Salemann wearing Boden. Miska Salemann New York Post Review: For fashionable, quality, and professional clothing, we suggest you head right to Boden. The high-end brand offers an extensive petite section that’s brimming with dresses, pants, coats, and tops made custom to fit smaller frames. If you’re on the fence, you can take their simple ‘which size fits me’ test to discover whether you fall into petite or regular. Another thing I love about this brand is its styling advice; the ‘make an outfit out of it’ section shows you exactly how to tie together an entire look.
Shipping: $5 or free standard shipping when you spend over $49, $15 for expedited, and $25 for express | Returns: If you return an item in its original condition within 45 days of dispatch, Boden will give you back the amount you paid for the item | Price Range: $$
Ann Taylor’s petite section has everything you can think of — from sophisticated pantsuits to trench coats and bold blazers. The brand’s petite section hosts some of their best-selling items, transformed into pieces tailored just for you. Designers have simply brought up the hemlines, but all other design elements remain unchanged. That means no more rolled-up cuffs and awkward tucking.
New York Post Review: I adore Ann Taylor for high-end workwear, but the fact that they have an entire section dedicated to petites is really the selling point. Boxy blazers and trousers naturally look a bit awkward on petites. Fortunately, Ann Taylor’s slightly hemmed versions seem to hit every curve just perfectly. For first-time shoppers, I recommend looking at some of their staple pieces, like this Petite Stitches Sweater Tank ($49), which comes in three colors and is ideal for layering.
Shipping: Shipping and handling options include Standard Shipping, 3-Day Business Shipping and Next Day Business Shipping | Returns: Ann Taylor will credit you for returns, accompanied by proof of purchase, received within 30-days of the purchase | Price Range: $$
Enter my go-to destination for petite clothing over the years. Aritzia’s style has been described as “everyday luxury,” and that couldn’t be more accurate — their iconic sculpt knit tanks, relaxed work trousers, and trendy vegan leather pants never seem to go out of style. Both the Wilfred and Babaton brands at Aritzia carry limitless options for work and play, but my favorite part of the store is that many styles come in different lengths, with petites included.
Miska Salemann in an outfit from Aritzia. Miska Salemann New York Post Review: Some of my personal favorites include the Effortless Pants ($103) – If you’re looking for perfectly relaxed, tailored trousers that will become your everyday work pants. They come in multiple length options, including short, regular, and long. The same goes for their stunning, Melina Vegan Leather Pants, which are offered in 20 stunning colorways. The cropped length is ideal for women under 5’3. If you’re looking for a top to style these dressy bottoms with, I suggest one of their fitted crops, like the ultra-flattering Sculpt Knit Greek Tank (currently sold out — sign up for the waitlist).
Shipping: Free standard, $10 for express, $15 for priority | Returns: Full refund within 14 days from the shipping date | Price Range: $$$
We all need a good pair of jeans, and Good American’s Good Petite section was made just to help you find the pair that you never want to take off. It’s clear that Khloe Kardashian’s denim-focused brand has been committed to inclusivity from day one, offering styles in every size from 00-32 Plus. I also appreciate that Good American models represent various body shapes and sizes, and the petite section is modeled by true, petite women, so you can see exactly how it fits.
Miska Salemann in a Good American bodysuit. Good American New York Post Review: Full disclosure: Good American’s petite section is designed for the 5’4 and under squad. This is perfect for me (at 5’3) and automatically bumps the brand to the top of my personal list. But, I also love that there is a range of choices for those who like relaxed, skinny, straight, flared, and bootcut styles. I’m a huge fan of the architecture of the Good Petite Straight Jeans ($99). These pants feature a unique high-low ankle cut that creates an illusion of some added height.
Shipping: Offers Standard, Ground, and Expedited. Prices vary | Returns: Good American accepts returns and exchanges of items purchased on goodamerican.com if they are requested within 21 days of the date your order was shipped | Price Range: $$
lululemon has mastered the art of designing workout clothes for every size and shape, while also coming out with new styles to stay ahead of the trends. Petites have great options; leggings are offered in sizes 0 to 20, and a few different lengths to choose from for a perfect fit. And, the best part? The brand has been working to implement more sustainable practices — you can shop their ‘Reduced’ section for some gently used lululemon gear at lower prices.
Miska Salemann wearing lululemon. Miska Salemann New York Post Review: I’ve lived in lululemon since middle school, and I still have some quintessential early 2000s lululemon staples in the back of my closet. But when it comes to their iconic, best-sellers, there is no question — that would be the Align Bra ($58) and Align leggings ($98), which come in four different lengths: 23″, 25″, 28″, and 31″. Having the option to tailor these to your height makes a world of difference when it comes to working out — you’ll notice the difference.
Shipping: Standard, Express, and Priority are available | Returns: Shoppers can make a return online or in-store within 30 days of the delivery date | Price Range: $$
For luxury petite style, I recommend you browse some options at For Love and Lemons. While the brand doesn’t offer a strictly petite section, I would say that smaller women have plenty of exciting options, especially from the Little White Dress section. You’ll find an array of one-of-a-kind, cut-out dresses, intricate patchwork, and asymmetrical cuts that really represent the free-thinking, women-led team behind For Love and Lemons.
New York Post Review: I’ve always found For Love and Lemon pieces fit my small frame very well — many of the dresses accentuate leg and arm length, which is something so appreciated in the petite fashion space. One of my top picks is the hip Glitter Slip Dress ($169), which combines mixed fabrics that drape carefully around the body. It’s a tighter fit, but the tie at the center back allows you to adjust the length a tad. It can be tricky to find petite clothing that still has a punchy, wow factor, but you can surely find some at For Love and Lemons.
Shipping: $10 for FedEx Ground, $25 for FedEx 2-Day, $45 for FedEx overnight. Free standard ground shipping on all U.S. orders over $250 and free express shipping on all international orders over $300 | Returns: Orders may be returned up to 21 days after your order has shipped | Price Range: $$$
Get ready to go to work in style. Kasper’s devoted petite section is filled with an unmatched assortment of professional and business-casual-aligned You’ll find a range of trousers, blazers, twee skirts, and crepe jackets. These fabrics are thoughtfully selected to avoid wrinkling for a classy, polished work-ready look. Styles lean more mature and modest, but you’ll still find plenty of bright colors and creative prints.
For those of us under 5’3, finding suitable work clothing can be a struggle. The fact that Kasper has three size categories (regular, plus, and petite) is a major green flag to anybody who is looking for something that has a more ‘tailored look.’ The Harlow Pants (now sold-out), which cut off right above the ankle, might be among the comfiest work pants I’ve tried. The viscose is loose and breathable and falls elegantly for a slight slimming effect. Blazers usually look bulky and long on me (especially in the shoulders), but the Holly Jacket ($99) hit in all the right spots, and the button closure adds a touch of style that layers beautifully over any simple shirt.
Shipping: Free standard shipping on orders $99 or more, $6.95 flat-rate standard shipping on all other orders. Expedited two-day shipping is $19.95, and expedited one-day shipping is $29.95 | Returns: Returns must be received within 30 days of the original purchase date with a $7 shipping and processing fee | Price Range: $$
Abercrombie & Fitch has undergone a dramatic style makeover since the early 2000s. Perhaps, you remember the store’s slim-fitting tees and preppy linen items that seemed to be made for popular kids only (per, the ex-CEO). Well, just like us, Abercrombie & Fitch — known now as A&F — has grown up. In recent years, the brand has expanded its selection to fit a variety of body shapes and sizes, and extended with more on-trend styles. It’s now among the most inclusive brands on the market, with sizes and cuts made just for petites.
Miska Salemann wearing Abercrombie jeans. Miska Salemann There’s a sea of pieces to choose from at Abercrombie, but what stands out most is the denim collection. Two big draws: It’s not overpriced, and everything seems to fit like a glove. I’ve found that this is one of the few stores where the jeans fit true to size, which is incredibly important when ordering online. The best-selling High Rise 90s Relaxed Jean ($27) is among my favorites — offered in a whopping 38 shades and five different lengths (extra short, short, regular, long, and extra-long). It’s difficult to beat this level of customization without paying extra for tailoring. It’s also worth noting that many A&F denim pieces offer a touch of stretch without looking stretchy at all, which makes them all the more desirable.
Shipping: Standard shipping is $7. Two-day, next-day, and same-day shipping available | Returns: You have 30 days from the date we send your shipment confirmation email to return in-store or by mail | Price Range: $$
