If you’re a lady that has a petite stature (a.k.a. 5’4” and shorter), you’ve probably experienced your fair share of problems with shopping off the rack. In fact, shopping at stores that have standard sizing options can be a downright anxiety-inducing experience. From gaping waistbands to low necklines that almost reach your bellybutton, to miniskirts that aren’t so mini, shopping as a petite woman is a real struggle.
Thankfully, tailors can fix pretty much any pesky clothing item problem and make your clothing custom made for your petite frame. Here’s a tailoring guide that every petite woman should abide by.
Get Your Pants Hemmed
Finding a perfect pair of pants is a near-impossible feat for petite women, especially when it comes to pant length. Its almost to be expected that once you finally find a pair of pants that fits just right in every area, they end up stopping somewhere along the soles of your feet. Luckily, this is a pretty easy fix that can oftentimes be done for under $20.
In general, pants should be hemmed one inch off the ground if you want to show off your shoe and a bit of your ankle. For floor-skimming styles, a quarter-inch off the floor works well. Keep in mind that if the pants you’re getting hemmed are meant to have a slim fit, the hem should be complementary to that slim fit. Tight-fitting clothes do make you look taller after all!
Don’t Settle for Gaping Waistbands
Having a gaping waistband can completely ruin the look of pants and skirts, not to mention it can be a major annoyance. Does having to constantly pull up your bottoms throughout the day ring a bell, anyone?
The rule of thumb for waistbands is that you should be able to fit two fingers inside them so that you have a little wiggle room. Any more than that and you should be heading to the tailors so that you don’t have to always rely on a belt to keep them up.
Make Sure Your Mini Skirts Are Mini
Every small-statured woman has gone through the dilemma of seeing a cute skirt on a mannequin or model, scouring the store to find it, and then trying it on only to realize it almost reaches your knees. Don’t settle for less and just let these skirts take on a form other than what they were intended to be.
By letting your skirt hemmed 4-5 inches, you’ll completely change the look of the mini skirt and make it, well, mini. Letting your legs finally see the light of day will make you feel fabulous!
Blazers Shouldn’t Be Bulky
Unless you’re trying to make a style statement with an oversized or boyfriend blazer, an ill-fitting blazer just looks wrong. For petite women, in particular, a telltale sign of a blazer that doesn’t fit right is the shoulder seam sitting too far over your shoulder.
While getting the shoulders of your blazer taken in is a little more costly than other tailoring services, it’s definitely worth it. You’ll feel like a million bucks and ready to take on the workforce with a well-fitted blazer in hand.
Dresses Should Fit You At The Waist
Dresses are supposed to be fun, flirty and, most importantly, flattering to your figure. This requires the waist to fit you where your waist actually is, which rarely happens for those of us with small statures.
Everyone’s waist is in a different place, and petite women often have to deal with the waist of a dress hitting them well below where their actual waist is. To fix this problem, get the shoulders of your dress taken up and the waist taken in a tad bit in accordance.
By putting this tailoring guide into action, you’ll get a wonderful wardrobe of clothes that look and feel just right. And if you’re searching for a tailor that can cater to your petite frame, look no further than Love Your Tailor. We offer a complete line of alterations services, and our experienced tailors have over 25 years of experience. With our alterations, you’ll never have to worry about pulling up your trousers, adjusting your straps, or looking like you’re drowning in your clothes again. Contact us today!
