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5' 3" here and I have always found petite too short, and regular length to long (about an inch either way).
Now I'm fat (temporarily I hope!) so tops and bras have been a challenge since I now have a bust I don't know how people do it and look good. I have seen a lot of short women who look great on the plus size. I just can't seem to get the hang of it, I feel dumpy no matter what I do.
I have always liked loose clothes, but those now make me look huge. I still wear them for my comfort zone, but I don't feel at all attractive in anything. Stretch pants are great at home, and a huge tshirt and giant sports bras lol.
When I have to go out I have flowy tops (tunics/ dresses) over stretch pants, at least it is comfortable.
When I am not fat I prefer straight leg jeans, the tighter at the ankle the better so it doesn't matter how long they are, though relaxed fot otherwise.
Also, mid rise (I have a somewhat high waist, so mid rise is more comfortable - and I think looks better than high or low rise). Tops are usually anything I like,
But usually not too long, not past crotch length - oh my there has to be a better way to refer to that length! I just don't like mid thigh length.
Can't stand capris, I feel like they make me look stubby. I never wear, or buy them. If I have to have shorts I usually have them just above the knee. But I'd rather wear a tshirt dress than shorts.
I think pants in general have gotten more complicated since the style is to wear them cropped and rolled up above booties. I have no idea what my inseam is supposed to be anymore.
Petite sizes refers to how the clothes are cut, not how small a woman really is. The guidelines for this department have been up to 5'4" as long as I can remember, others' definitions of petite aside.
This article suggests you can be even taller and still have short enough legs or torso to prefer petite clothes.
I'm 5'1" and have had a lot of luck lately with Chico's. I can wear their regular pants because these days most pants seem to be ankle length and I have long legs and a short torso. When it comes to tops I buy petite so the arms, length and armholes aren't too big. I sometimes luck out at Talbot's but it's hard to find clothes in there that don't scream 80 year old woman.
There are a lot of hints for dressing well as a petite. Dress head to toe in the same color to look taller; match your shoes to your pants, if you're doing a loose top then wear something more fitted on the bottom and vice versa. You don't want a baggy top AND a baggy bottom, it will just make you look heavy & frumpy.
I prefer classic clothes. I might buy one piece each season that is something "trendy" but since I am 62 I want to look more put together than fashion forward. That doesn't mean I want to look matronly. I dress in clothes that suit my body type, age and lifestyle.
I'm 5'1" and petite pants are a must! Tops however are an entirely different story. I can only wear petite tops if they are a tunic type top. I have small to extra large tops in my closet and they all fit. It's all about where a top hits my bust. If it's too tight in the bust quite often the next size up is too large and low in the neckline plus the sleeves will go past my fingertips. If I find a top that fits well I often purchase multiple colors and prints.
I'm 5'1" and petite pants are a must! Tops however are an entirely different story. I can only wear petite tops if they are a tunic type top. I have small to extra large tops in my closet and they all fit. It's all about where a top hits my bust. If it's too tight in the bust quite often the next size up is too large and low in the neckline plus the sleeves will go past my fingertips. If I find a top that fits well I often purchase multiple colors and prints.
Ugh...I struggle with this too having huge boobs as well lol. all my tops shoulder seams hang down from my shoulders, not at my shoulders the way it should. they just don't design tops with narrow enough shoulders and enough room for boobs too.
As for the 5"4' being petite or not. I think it depends on the country. In America, 5'4" is petite...I'm at the upper end of petite and "petite" sizes still don't fit me properly..even when my weight is at the higher end (it fluctuates up to 20 lbs in any given year). Everyone is different though. I just have a very narrow waist and narrow shoulders and wide hips. Even at 105 lbs, my hips were 35 1/2 or so inches. Most women my height and that weight, would be at a 33-34 inch hip.
That said, in South America and Asia, I'm sure I would be tall lol. In Europe and middle east, I'm average height. it really depends where you go. Of course anywhere in the world, 5'0" and under is petite. that's just a no brainer.
5' 3" here and I have always found petite too short, and regular length to long (about an inch either way).
Now I'm fat (temporarily I hope!) so tops and bras have been a challenge since I now have a bust I don't know how people do it and look good. I have seen a lot of short women who look great on the plus size. I just can't seem to get the hang of it, I feel dumpy no matter what I do.
I have always liked loose clothes, but those now make me look huge. I still wear them for my comfort zone, but I don't feel at all attractive in anything. Stretch pants are great at home, and a huge tshirt and giant sports bras lol.
When I have to go out I have flowy tops (tunics/ dresses) over stretch pants, at least it is comfortable.
Do you have a well fitting bra? That's number one. The right bra makes you look slimmer and your waist loooks smaller (a sports bra is not it).
I'm 5'1" and I don't really think it causes too much of a problem aside from the fact that I have to buy petite pants. To be honest, I buy a lot of my clothes from the juniors department because it's cheaper.
I'm 5'1" and I don't really think it causes too much of a problem aside from the fact that I have to buy petite pants. To be honest, I buy a lot of my clothes from the juniors department because it's cheaper.
haha!! I do the same! I look super young for my age anyways so it doesn't matter.
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I never wear, or buy them. If I have to have shorts I usually have them just above the knee. But I'd rather wear a tshirt dress than shorts.
