Department Stores Shutting Petite Section

[Taualumna]

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

[SoCalGirl]

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.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

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.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by SoCalGirl
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.

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

[SoCalGirl]

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.

[kddani]

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!

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by kddani
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.

[Sister Havana]

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.

[rhochi2002]

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.

[wrigley]

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.

[sairose]

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

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by sairose
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.

[SoCalGirl]

Originally posted by Taualumna
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.

[Tom Earp]

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

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!

[oceanphi01]

Originally posted by Sister Havana
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.

AMEN!!!!!!