Petite sizes

In fashion and clothing, petite sizes are standard clothing sizes designed to fit women of shorter height, typically 5'3" (160 cm) or less.

Changes in pattern measurements and design

Regular female sized clothing is designed for a woman at least 5'5" (165 cm) 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 mature women and, as a result, tend to be boxy and unfashionable for younger women. Designs for taller women may also have style lines 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" (163 cm), 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 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, which made sense in countries which had post-World War II rationing in place. 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).

Limited choice of styles

In general, manufacturers do not make their clothing 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.

There are stores that offer a full range or larger of petite clothes online or via catalog. These lines include Banana Republic and J.Crew, the latter of which only sells petites online and through its catalog. Banana Republic recently opened some petite-only stores, which sell a wider range of garments than larger stores which have only one petite department.

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. A new boutique in Seattle called Atsui Tokyo carries exclusively Japanese sizes which has a wide range of petite sizes for women including leg wear and hosiery. Atsui's men collection also runs small as the average Japanese large is considered a US medium and sometimes a US small depending upon the designer. They sell online at www.atsuitokyo.com.

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), Kristin Bell who is 5'1" (155 cm), Shakira who is 4'11", and Eva Longoria who is about 5'2" (157 cm). The few "petite models" seen in fashion magazines are actually slightly above average height (5'7" or 170 cm).The average height For Women In Britain is now 5'6" and To Be Classed As Petite Is 5'4" Or Less.

ee also

* Dress size
* US standard clothing size
* EN 13402

References

* [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm NHANES survey]