Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Definition of petite size?
LDT2011 Advanced Beginner UNITED KINGDOM Member since 11/18/11 Posts: 451	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/11 5:28 AM Bit of an obvious question but...what is the definition of petite size? I thought it meant you were under 5ft3"? But in shops it seems to mean if you are short and don't take a size bigger than a 10(UK). ------ 'The purpose of most fashion is to be ostentatiously non-functional.'
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 5/11/08 Posts: 3604	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/11 10:07 AM Well, I think petite encompasses all ranges of size within that very general height definition. And, to further complicate matters, there are proportioned petite, and not. Shops may be focusing on a narrow range of sizes within the category to save money. ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-125 completed.
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6148	Login to reply to this post In reply to LDT2011 Like this post Date: 11/29/11 10:22 AM The term petite size has two meanings, both of which are used, so it's easy to become confused. Petite size can refer to height below a certain point, usually 5'4" and under in the US. But petite can also mean height 5'4"and under and dress size below a certain number. Note that some clothing manufacturers use both Petite and Petite Plus sizes. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
lakaribane Beginner HAITI Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 1785	Login to reply to this post In reply to LDT2011 Like this post Date: 11/29/11 10:39 AM Quote: LDT2011 But in shops it seems to mean if you are short and don't take a size bigger than a 10(UK). I agree with you that this seems to be the policy in RTW. Before I started sewing, I used to feel "non-Petite" because of the size thing. And I notice that a lot of people mean "tiny, slim" when they use the word Petite. Since I sew, and I am 1m53 (5'05"), in my mind, it means that your length measurements are shorter than average. ------ Fashion Maté, where I blog about what I (eventually) sew : http://fashionmate.blogspot.com Addicted to Pinterest? Me too! : http://pinterest.com/lakaribane/
LDT2011 Advanced Beginner UNITED KINGDOM Member since 11/18/11 Posts: 451	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/11 10:45 AM As I'm 5ft1" and in between a size 12 and 14(UK) I'm never quite sure if I should go for petite patterns. ------ 'The purpose of most fashion is to be ostentatiously non-functional.'
SunnyAlta Intermediate Member since 7/11/10 Posts: 261	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/11 11:45 AM I'm 5' 4 1/2" tall. Being short-waisted, a petite RTW dress fits me better than a reg. size through the main body. With short sleeves, the fit is good. Long sleeves tend to be a little short. And length simply depends. Sometimes okay & other times not. Feel like I fall between a petite & reg. size in RTW. I don't bother with a petite pattern when sewing. -- Edited on 11/29/11 11:47 AM --
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2532	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/11 5:34 PM Sunny, I'm with you (5'4"). I can take a petite top sometimes (if there's enough room in the bust; frex, my ideal size at Coldwater Creek is a petite medium, but often RTW petites are too snug in the bust), and I'm at my most petite from shoulders to bustline. I can't do petite pants *at all;* the rise is always too low/tight and the legs aren't long enough for my 31" inseam (this baffles my 5'2" very petite mom!). *** LTD, to determine whether you need a petite (or petite adjustment), you'll need to determine where certain points on the pattern fall on you--bustline, waist, etc--and whether they match up to you or the garment is too large. You may not need everything to be petite. -- Edited on 11/29/11 5:35 PM -- ------ ~Gem in the prairie
Cerisa Beginner AUSTRALIA Member since 8/26/08 Posts: 188	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/11 5:47 PM I am 5'3 + 1/2" tall and a size 8 to 10 Australian sizes. I wear RTW Petites for tops ( for long sleeve tops) but petite pants are always too short. I guess I am a non proportioned petite. I use normal sewing patterns but always shorten the length of long sleeves.
marykpfist   Intermediate TX USA Member since 7/16/08 Posts: 154	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/11 7:39 PM I'm 5'0" and wear a (US) size 10. I can wear a Petite top (arm length) but not pants, as they are very short-waisted, which I am not. For sewing, and RTW- I find I'm only Petite in NAME. (I have short legs.) Even when I was a size 2, I couldn't wear petite pants, due to the short waist. ------ Donated my fabric stash, now starting with a much smaller pile!
halleyscomet   Intermediate PA USA Member since 3/27/07 Posts: 1392	Login to reply to this post In reply to marykpfist Like this post Date: 12/2/11 1:20 PM Marykpfist, I'm 5 foot too and I find that petite pants are too short waisted for me too but fit in length. I always have to buy a misses size 10 and then shorten them. I guess with gravity I don't have to shorten between the shoulders and apex. A size 10 for the shoulders and 12 with a FBA fits me perfectly.

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.