Petite sizes
Encyclopedia
In fashion
and clothing
, a petite size is a standard clothing size
designed to fit women of shorter height, typically (5'3") or less.
is designed for a woman at least (5'5") tall (without shoes) and will not fit a woman of significantly shorter height well. Even if the bust, waist and hip circumferences are appropriate, the sleeve lengths, leg inseam lengths and vertical torso measurements (such as the back length and bust-waist length) must be altered significantly to fit well. Non-petite size dresses cannot be easily altered to produce the equivalent petite size, since, in general, these lengths (particularly the critical torso measurements) cannot be altered without introducing an unsightly seam. Significant errors in the torso measurements will make a well-fitted look impossible, e.g., if the bust-point darts are off by three inches.
In addition to its measurements, a petite-size garment may have a different design from those intended for taller women. For example, style elements may be added to give a longer, slimmer look, e.g., vertical stripes, princess seams, short skirts, large patterns or patterns arranged helically around the whole body. Unfortunately, many modern "petite" sizes are actually re-named half sizes
intended for large women and, as a result, tend to be boxy and unfashionable for small-framed women. Designs for taller women may also have style line
s that appear to shorten the figure, such as horizontal lines (e.g., clamdigger pants or midcalf skirts); hence, even if the measurements are adjusted correctly, a petite-size version of a regular-size garment may be unflattering.
) and roughly one-quarter (25%) are 5'1" (155 cm) or shorter (
). Different racial groups and age groups may also have a high population of shorter women.
In the UK and throughout much of Europe and Australasia the average height varies from 5' (152 cm) to 5'6" (168 cm). The old clothes sizes tended to correspond to the UK's 1951 size survey, which took 5'2" (157 cm) as average height, and also took a slim, hour glass figure as standard. In the 1990s the Size UK project examined 16,000 people and changed the measurements for the 'average' size. This was widely reported, but stores responded to the headline (people getting bigger) rather than the facts (height rising only slightly but many individuals fatter). The fashion industry provides most of its merchandise in "standard sizes", which encompasses women sizes 4-14, 5'4" to 5'8" in height (European sizes 34-44 and 1.6256-1.7272 m), because this is the most profitable ready-to-wear market.
in every standard size
. Instead, clothes are often made only for the sizes most common in the general population, presumably for a better profit margin
. As a result, women who wear petite sizes have significantly fewer options for fashionable clothing, mainly basic bottoms and tops.
One retailer, Talbot's, has long offered its catalog items in petite sizes, and now has separate retail stores which sell petite clothing located in many major cities. Eddie Bauer
, while having only limited petite selections available in their retail stores, offers all of their women's clothing in both petite and tall sizes, in addition to regular misses.
Online boutique, Petite Legs (petitelegs.co.uk ) offers jeans with petite inside leg lengths, as it is generally extremely difficult to buy short length jeans and trousers.
Compared to the plus-sizes industry, promotion of petite sizes in magazines and the fashion world is less prominent, even though many well-known celebrities are short. These include Mary Kate Olsen who is 5'0" (152 cm), Rachel Bilson
who is 5'1.5" (156 cm), Hayden Panettiere
who is 5'0.25" (153 cm), Nicole Richie
who is 5'1" (155 cm), Kristen Bell
who is 5'1" (155 cm), Shakira
who is 5'2" (155 cm), Eva Longoria
who is about 5'2" (153 cm), Fergie, who is 5'1.75" (157 cm) and Alyssa Milano
, who is about 5'1.5" (156 cm). The few "petite models" seen in fashion magazines, at 5'7" (170 cm), are in fact above the average height of American women (5'4").
Fashion
Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person...
and clothing
Clothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
, a petite size is a standard clothing size
US standard clothing size
US standard clothing sizes were developed from statistical data in the 1940s-1950s. They were similar in concept to the EN 13402 European clothing size standard....
designed to fit women of shorter height, typically (5'3") or less.
Changes in pattern measurements and design
Regular female sized clothingClothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
is designed for a woman at least (5'5") tall (without shoes) and will not fit a woman of significantly shorter height well. Even if the bust, waist and hip circumferences are appropriate, the sleeve lengths, leg inseam lengths and vertical torso measurements (such as the back length and bust-waist length) must be altered significantly to fit well. Non-petite size dresses cannot be easily altered to produce the equivalent petite size, since, in general, these lengths (particularly the critical torso measurements) cannot be altered without introducing an unsightly seam. Significant errors in the torso measurements will make a well-fitted look impossible, e.g., if the bust-point darts are off by three inches.
In addition to its measurements, a petite-size garment may have a different design from those intended for taller women. For example, style elements may be added to give a longer, slimmer look, e.g., vertical stripes, princess seams, short skirts, large patterns or patterns arranged helically around the whole body. Unfortunately, many modern "petite" sizes are actually re-named half sizes
US standard clothing size
US standard clothing sizes were developed from statistical data in the 1940s-1950s. They were similar in concept to the EN 13402 European clothing size standard....
intended for large women and, as a result, tend to be boxy and unfashionable for small-framed women. Designs for taller women may also have style line
Style line
A style line is a line or curve in a garment that has a visual effect, e.g., the seam between two fabrics of different colors or textures. For comparison, a nearly invisible seam, such as a dart or pleat, would not be considered a style line...
s that appear to shorten the figure, such as horizontal lines (e.g., clamdigger pants or midcalf skirts); hence, even if the measurements are adjusted correctly, a petite-size version of a regular-size garment may be unflattering.
Frequency
The average height of an American woman is roughly (5'4"), with a standard deviation of roughly 4" (10 cm). Thus, 40% of all American women are 5'3" (160 cm) or shorter () and roughly one-quarter (25%) are 5'1" (155 cm) or shorter (). Different racial groups and age groups may also have a high population of shorter women.In the UK and throughout much of Europe and Australasia the average height varies from 5' (152 cm) to 5'6" (168 cm). The old clothes sizes tended to correspond to the UK's 1951 size survey, which took 5'2" (157 cm) as average height, and also took a slim, hour glass figure as standard. In the 1990s the Size UK project examined 16,000 people and changed the measurements for the 'average' size. This was widely reported, but stores responded to the headline (people getting bigger) rather than the facts (height rising only slightly but many individuals fatter). The fashion industry provides most of its merchandise in "standard sizes", which encompasses women sizes 4-14, 5'4" to 5'8" in height (European sizes 34-44 and 1.6256-1.7272 m), because this is the most profitable ready-to-wear market.
Limited choice of styles
In general, manufacturers do not make their clothingClothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
in every standard size
US standard clothing size
US standard clothing sizes were developed from statistical data in the 1940s-1950s. They were similar in concept to the EN 13402 European clothing size standard....
. Instead, clothes are often made only for the sizes most common in the general population, presumably for a better profit margin
Profit margin
Profit margin, net margin, net profit margin or net profit ratio all refer to a measure of profitability. It is calculated by finding the net profit as a percentage of the revenue.Net profit Margin = x100...
. As a result, women who wear petite sizes have significantly fewer options for fashionable clothing, mainly basic bottoms and tops.
One retailer, Talbot's, has long offered its catalog items in petite sizes, and now has separate retail stores which sell petite clothing located in many major cities. Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. is a holding company that operates the Eddie Bauer clothing store chain, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, United States. EBH was formed after Eddie Bauer's former parent company, Spiegel, Inc., went bankrupt in 2003...
, while having only limited petite selections available in their retail stores, offers all of their women's clothing in both petite and tall sizes, in addition to regular misses.
Online boutique, Petite Legs (petitelegs.co.uk ) offers jeans with petite inside leg lengths, as it is generally extremely difficult to buy short length jeans and trousers.
Compared to the plus-sizes industry, promotion of petite sizes in magazines and the fashion world is less prominent, even though many well-known celebrities are short. These include Mary Kate Olsen who is 5'0" (152 cm), Rachel Bilson
Rachel Bilson
Rachel Sarah Bilson is an American actress. Bilson grew up in a California show business family, and made her television debut in 2003, subsequently becoming well known for playing Summer Roberts on the prime time drama series The O.C. Bilson made her film debut in the 2006 film The Last Kiss and...
who is 5'1.5" (156 cm), Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Leslie Panettiere is an American actress and singer, best known as cheerleader Claire Bennet on the NBC television series Heroes. She began her acting career by playing Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live , and Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light , before starring at age 10 as Sheryl Yoast in...
who is 5'0.25" (153 cm), Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie
Nicole Camille Richie is an American fashion designer, author, actress, singer and television personality. Her father was Peter Michael Escovedo, a musician who played for a brief time with Lionel Richie, and her mother Karen was the executive assistant for Sheila Escovedo...
who is 5'1" (155 cm), Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell
Kristen Anne Bell is an American actress. Although her first film role was an uncredited appearance in Polish Wedding, Bell previously acted in stage and musical productions. In 2001, she made her Broadway debut as Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer...
who is 5'1" (155 cm), Shakira
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
who is 5'2" (155 cm), Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria
Eva Jacqueline Longoria is an American actress, best known for portraying Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
who is about 5'2" (153 cm), Fergie, who is 5'1.75" (157 cm) and Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Jayne Milano is an American actress and former singer, known for her childhood role as Samantha Micelli in the sitcom Who's the Boss? and an eight-year stint as Phoebe Halliwell on the series Charmed. She was also a series regular on the original Melrose Place portraying the role of...
, who is about 5'1.5" (156 cm). The few "petite models" seen in fashion magazines, at 5'7" (170 cm), are in fact above the average height of American women (5'4").