Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

According to this NYTimes article, many department stores are getting rid of/scaling back their petite section because people aren't shopping there. And they did this all very quietly. How could this have happened? Do retailers really think that petites don't buy petite sizes (if that's the case, then Banana Republic would not have opened petite-only stores. It's the STYLE, everyone!) Something like this would never have happened if this was the plus-sized department.

I have created a petition (this can also be found in my sig) and a !)rant , but I really doubt that The Powers That Be really care. I'm sure they'd rather petite women just disappear (but we're NOT

Plenty of department stores have quietly shrunk or eliminated womens sizes. Banana Republic and other such stores don't even carry plus sizes but they do carry petites. Stores don't design the clothes. Don't blame the stores for the styles.

I saw that and I was happy to see that (my store) Nordstrom isn't doing it. But then, they changed their style a few years ago for women's clothes and lost a LOT of customers over it. They have since changed back but I think they learned their lesson.

You didn't read the article did you?

If you had, you would know that they interviewed designers who commented that they were GOING TO HAVE TO (as in future tense) change what they designed if there were fewer stores selling petites. It's the stores who are stopping selling the sizes, not the designers who are stopping designing them.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm..._petite28.html

No, I didn't read the article. I was responding to TauAlumna's post. I understood, from her post, that it was the stores decisions to cut back what they carry. She inferred (sp?) that the stores have more control over the styles than I believe they actually do. I was also simply pointing out that this has been happening to women's sizes and is not unique to petites.

I really wish women's clothes were sized more like men's. As someone who has longer legs, a lot of pants are too short for me.

If we had sizes like mens, things would fit so much better and we could all be happy!

Don't be so sure. Depending on your inseam length, you might still have problems finding pants. Very likely, pants will be the following sizes:

waist x 29 (petite)
waist x 31 (short)
waist x 33 (regular)
waist x 35 (long)

And chances are, for many brands, the first two sizes on the list won't exist.

And it's even worse if you're petite AND plus size - nearly impossible to find clothing!

The petite sections in most stores only carry up to a size 14 - if that. Anything over that, forget it.

I have noticed that the clothes are disappearing. I had have to go to speciality stores or get everything tailored. lets just say it sucks.

It's annoying to be told by a salesclerk that 'yes we only had one of that size arrive,etc..'. It shouldn't be that hard to shop. That's why certain department stores have lost my business.

The big three could easily change their tune if enough dollars and customers are lost. Good luck Taualumna.

Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft have a pretty decent Petites section.

Yes they do, and as does Banana Republic (I think, anyway). But petite women still have fewer choices than average heighted women.

The irony is that the average sized woman, 5'3", is considered petite. :(

Actually they dont make clothes for anyone off of the damn rack!:mad:

Thank goodness for haband for Mens clothing!:)

If short, length wont fit, if tall, the waist wont fit!

Kind of Like Dr. Charts for Height and weight charts!:rolleyes:

AMEN!!!!!!

There used to be something called "half sizes" and I think that's basically what they were - plus sizes for shorter women.

I think the last paragraph is what the problem is...the petite departments have a "dowdy" image in the stores they mentioned. Although in Kaufmann's and Macy's I've never seen evidence of this - Macy's especially - the petite stuff is the same as the regular size stuff.

The stores that I visit usually have cute clothes in the petite sizes. For the plus sizes, it's like the designers forgot what cute was..they all look the same boring solid or plaids and have a foot of extra material on the bottom.

I always have problems finding pants and skirts in Department stores. I see something cute in the regular sizes and then find out they don't make (or sell) it in petites. BR, Ann Taylor, and AT Loft are great, but what about the rest of the stores with cute clothes?

By the way, tailoring does not really work on pants and jeans. You can have them hemmed, but then the break is in the wrong place.

I'm 4'11 so most of the things in petite sections still don't fit me. The shortest height that most petite clothing fits is like 5'2.

It's even worse when you are not only REALLY short, but also skinny (think 12 year old girl). Shopping in the children's department is horrendous. It's impossble to find a sexy club top at a store like Limited Too. And forget finding a normal pair of jeans (without some sort of horrid flowery design).

I've decided that I will just have to alter everything I buy for the rest of my life. :)

I'm 5'2'', and on me, most petite jeans/pants look like I'm getting ready for flood season.:)

I am to short for petite clothing as well, but it is supposed to be proportioned better for short women. I stick to dresses and skirts as long as it is warm enough because it is less of an issue

Sometimes I HATE being short! AND short+fat=not good, lol. I've gotten to the point that I only buy jeans from Lane Bryant, and even their petite stuff is long on me, but It's something I can live with. One question though...do any of yall wear the L.B. flares? I have like 4 pairs of them, and for whatever reason the lighter pairs aren't as ...snug, I guess is the word I'm looking for...as the darker wash ones, at least that's the case with me. Does anyone else find that as well?

I don't know. I've seen some things at Limited Too that made me go :eek: at the idea of a child wearing it but would probably be okay for an adult. Have you tried Ambercrombie? As opposed to A&F. Everytime I walk pass I forget that it's the kids store because it's the exact same stuff. I'm sure sexy and/or professional stuff is difficult to find. Casual clothes is probably easier for you to get your hands on.

Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

Actually, it would. Limited Brands stopped making size 14 (not even plus-size) pants.

I like to wear petite shorts or skirts, because I'm short waisted, but can't wear pants unless I call them capris.

For the life of me, I will never understand why women can't buy pants like men - waist & length!

Another complaint: stores such as J.Jill's or Coldwater Creek who say they carry petite and plus sizes, but when you get there, you have to order them. They're not kept in stock!

Dude, people of all sizes have trouble finding clothes. Pants are always too short on me (and at 5'8 I'm not exactly a towering giant). Shirts are either too small in the chest or too large around the midsection.

I think it's about time that stores realize that short/tall/heavy/skinny/flat/busty women have money too, and we'd like to buy some damn pants that fit without alterations, for the love of Pete.

Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

But the Limited isn't a big department store like Bloomies or Neiman.

Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

However...pretty much everyone has a Limited and Express in their mall. Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's are small, comparatively speaking.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

True, when you compare it to the mall, since department stores are really just minature versions of the mall as a whole. But in terms of larger sizes, you can say the same thing about many other mall stores too. Banana Republic, for example, only makes petite sizes up to a 12P, but the average woman is a 14P or 16P.

To ADqtPiMel: Do you have long legs? Many stores (at least the ones I go to), sell pants with a 32 or even 33" inseam, which usually fit people your height.

Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

It wasn't just Limited - it was Limited Brands. In many many parts of the US, Limited and Express are about all a certain demographic of women have for "fashionable" clothes in their mall.

Bloomies and Neiman are not prevalent, at least anywhere I've lived. Neither of them are in the state where I grew up. There are two Neiman's here. Neither of them have ever had any clothing in a 14 that wasn't meant to be worn by somebody twice my age. A 14 isn't even plus-size.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

Those aren't long. I'm 5'6" on a good day and I wear a 31" or 32", depending on where the pants sit.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

Me too.

Ann Taylor Loft has a big petite section. They only sell tall sizes online, however. I HAVE to try any pants that I want to buy on.

I'm also in the lovely group of women of whom regular sizes are a smidge too short but long sizes in some stores drag on the ground. I'm 5'7, fairly long legs, but not THAT long.

All of us have issues finding clothing that fits, no matter what our body type or size.

Also ditto in not having any Bloomies or Neimanns around here.

Macys has a very large petite section.

ETA: do ANY department stores have tall sections?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

Long to me is long for one's height. For someone my height (5'2), 30", even 29 1/2" is "long." At stores that sell short, regular and long lengths, 31" is often the "short" length! While 32" seems to be standard at most stores, there are stores that only sell pants at 33"!!! This is my observation, though.

There aren't that many stores that sell "tall" sizes because most people are not tall enough to have the need to buy tall sizes. I have heard that many average-heighted women up to 5'6 can wear petite sizes because they either have short torsos or legs.

There are probably just as many plus-sized women as there are petites (with many being plus-petites), yet it is short women that get the short end of the stick (no pun intended).

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

As a few other people have said, almost ALL of us get the "short end of the stick" in one way or another. Try having large breasts and no hips -- entire categories of clothing are pretty much a no-go -- sheath dresses (in fact, MANY dresses don't work -- nothing's better than hanging out in the Anthropologie dressing room where you try on a cute little dress only to find that the bottom is too big and the top can't even zip), empire waists, any top or jacket that isn't fitted, strappy things that don't hide bra straps unless you enjoy the torture of strapless bras, Ann Taylor pants, etc. etc. etc.

I guess rather than being bitter about it, I find designers/stores/items that work and go with them. Nobody can wear everything out there. Oh well. Find what works and buy it. If you're teeny tiny, try vintage, which was designed for smaller bodies.

I have one. You go to buy a cute pair of capris and every one you try on looks like jeans but 2 inches too short. I cant find capris anywhere that look nice. I am losing weight but I am in the 12 butt and hips and I am 5'0 so its horrible. I too cant find much I like. I look at petite places, but so many clothes I see are so ugly in style. The stuff I like is in juniors but those dont fit good at all...

I actually gave up shoppign for a while. One I want to be a 7/8 if that is even possible lol for me and two I cant find anything anymore. It gets so frustrating that I almost cry whenver I shop and my hubby ends up having to listen to me.

I bought a cute pair of shorts not too long ago and they looked like capris instead lol. I cant win. Id wear skirts if my legs werent so white, the dogs white on his fur looks darker than my legs ha ha...

Its a mess clothes shopping anymore. If I had to buy mens sizes Id be doomed because those dont fit anywhere at all.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

Average heighted people who are a little bigger on top and/or bottom have it MUCH EASIER than us shorties. All you have to do is look. For us shorties, pants still don't fit properly if we buy the best brands and hem them up (which often cost $$$) because the rise is too long and they look baggy on us. People have suggested that shorties buy capris, but if you're 5'2, regular capris would look half way between capris and regular pants. And the rise will still be too long. Suit jackets are a problem too...

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

Everyone has problems with clothes. And if you want to be so traditional and return to traditional, old-fashioned values, why are you wearing pants?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

Bullshit. "Much easier"? All we have to do is look?

I can't get a dress shirt long enough to tuck in under my suit and stay in. I'm only 5'7. The rise on pants is way too low on me in nearly every single pair of pants and particularly jeans, so much so that if I wore them i'd hear the phrase "just say no to crack". And I don't shop in juniors anymore, so it's not like i'm trying to dress too young.

I don't think petite people have the corner on the difficult-to-find-clothes-that-fit-market and you really have no basis to say that.

So many stores have petite sections. Very few have tall sections or even tall sizes that you can order.

But don't say average height people have is MUCH EASIER.

Wait, I just thought of a solution... let's all go find rich hubbies to pay to have all of our clothes custom made!!! THat's the solution for everyone!

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Department Stores Shutting Petite Section
 

Because sometimes, my mother makes me.

ETA:

As for average heighted people of all sizes, yes, you do have it easier, because you don't have to worry about length as short people do.

I like my skirts and dresses below the knee. At certain lengths, petite sizes fit better because they are cut for shorter women. I'd like to see clothes that are cut at lengths meant for people my size. I'd rather do that than pay money to get things hemmed and sometimes, even made narrower (more difficult)