Petite Fashion Fails: Avoid These Expensive Mistakes | Fashion Over 50

Marie-Anne LeCouer, a great French YT stylist, says something like “if there’s a doubt, it’s a no, it has to beca wow”! This has helped me a lot in deciding what clothes to keep, I have to really love a garment. I ignore having to hem them, this almost always has to be done anyway.

I liked the blue flowered dress on you better than the green.

And yes! The sustainable petite brands would be awesome!!

I think a list of sustainable brands for petites over 40 would be FANTASTIC!!!

Nordstrom used to be my go-to place for petites. I remember the day I walked into the store and went to where the big petite department was, and it was gone. Then the petite section was gone from their website. I am so over that store. I don’t need to dig and dig and dig to find something that fits me. Of course you presented the shopping dichotomy we all face - particularly when you’re short and struggling to find anything in a petite size. You had the fairly dependable quality of Nordstrom against the cheap fast fashion offered by Amazon. We want pieces we love that will last. We also want clothes that fit our unique body needs. The Venn diagram there doesn’t have much overlap.

I vote no on the green dress. Aside from the polyester fabric, it doesn’t have the structure you said you prefer. I also think that although it’s not as overwhelming as the pink one, it’s still too long. I think you can do better. If it’s the color you like, look for something else in that color. PS I agree with you about Nordstrom-their lack of petites and other “special” sizes is really awful. I buy mostly shoes and jeans there now.

I know what you mean about having a junior’s cut. Junior clothes are cut smaller in the bodice than women’s clothes. I never could wear junior’s after about age 14, my bust was too large. My Mom, with a completely opposite body shape, wore only juniors’ her whole life. Asian designed-and-made clothes are usually cut this way, because their models have smaller frames. I have a tiny frame, too, especially for a European, but not a flat bust!

Helpful video. I've learned to stay away from anything with elastic waists. Manufacturers sell them as a sort of one size fits all but of course they don't. I choose garments that are straight and add a belt, or those that use darts or flare designs to accentuate waist. Elastic hikes up with a shorter waist and flares out at high hip, both non-flattering for my figure.

You are correct in that you, like me, look best in more fitted and structured styles. I am 5’2” have trouble carrying off a more relaxed cut. Thanks for this video!

Return! Very Mehhh. I'm certain that you could locate that color in a breathable fabric. Thanks for the vids! We vertically challenged girls need direction!!

I'm 4'11" and can relate to all your above mentioned issues: the lack of petite affordable or even quality items, the juniors fit and style conundrum and the influencer recommendations traps. I too tried a number of items during both the Nordstrom sale and Amazon Prime days that were recommended by Petite or Petite friendly u-tubers. I figured..."Hey, they did the ground work for me. How Amazing!" Anyway, most were fails. I find I need to purchase only rayon items from Amazon and choose my size, planning for shrinkage. I get a Small and i wash and Dry it and ...voila'......It's a petite extra small. Sometimes!!! I have a short waist, so this can be very advantageous when It works. Other than that it is a non stop order online and return process. I might average about a 20% keep rate. I try to apply the rule...it is a 100% YES or it is a Hard NO, however it find i need to bend that rule for a color choice or slight personal style choice or I might end up naked. I am happy to be petite but it is a struggle to find my color, style, and budget friendly items.

I agree. If it's not a wow, it's a non! It is so frustrating shopping on line. So many returns. Trying to visualize yourself in something being modeled by someone 5' 10" in an XS, so frustrating.😅

I have noticed stores like Fox's in Florida have some cool looking clothes if you're very tall!! Maybe they haven't noticed that there are millions of petite women!!! Oddly enough, I rarely have trouble finding jeans and tops without a problem on Ross, TJ's and Marshalls. Sometimes even at Sachs Off. Be well everyone and enjoy the day🎉🎉

Definitely would like to see more picks that work for you. I have the same exact body shape and I am horrible dressing it. I’m having a hard time with the boxy shirts. I can’t seem to find anything that is not boxy

Staples you buy more expensive and keep longer , but trends buy cheaper and use for season or two

Being 5'2" I struggle with finding petite items, and I'm always surprised how little Amazon carries. Appreciate your channel and would love the list of brands you've found.

I live in southern Nevada, and it gets really hot here. I wear only cotton and linen in the summer. So I wouldn't have purchased the green dress, even though it's cute. Polyester is awful in the summer.

I agree with your take on Boden’s style, especially for t shirts and cardigans - they do tend to be boxy. The dresses can be different, though, and my favourite black dress is a beautiful fitted one from Boden.

Oh I think that peachy v-neck tank is darling on you. Looks very summery! The white T for me would become a sleeping shirt. I have done this SO much. The photos on websites make the items look perfect. So so many times I get things and even if I think it’s good at first, it shrinks, fades or totally wrinkles in the first wash. It is SO difficult to shop online, and yet it’s almost our only option anymore. Although that also happens with new items from stores even if I can try them on. That’s why I love shopping at thrift stores. (1) things are so much cheaper than regular stores and when it doesn’t fit or I get tired of it, I can just re-donate. (2) you pretty much know what it’s going to look like after washing. So thrift stores are my go-to, even though a lot of times it’s hit or miss on what you can find and it’s definitely a treasure hunt!

Oh my gosh, I am so glad I found your channel. I'm 5' and cannot find any clothes. I either look like a teenager or an elderly lady. Most stores don't even carry petite anymore. Help