Monday Musings- Finding Your Size
Happy Monday, ladies! This week I’m musing about sizing and how women who do not fit the “average”, struggle to find clothes that fit. Lands End sent me a few tees to style on Instagram, (this is not a sponsored blog post), and the more I dug into their sizing, the more I realized how some retailers are letting women down.
It’s no secret, I’m a huge fan of stripes so I gravitated to this one. It’s a Pima cotton blend that also comes in solids with 42 options in sizes 2-26, in regular, petite, tall, and plus sizes here. That’s an impressive size range and the color options are pretty inclusive as well.
These straight-leg white jeans come in sizes 2- 26W, regular, petite, tall, and plus sizes here with an inseam of 28, 30, or 34″. Lands End petite is intended for women who are 4’11”-5’3″ but I’m 5’4″, and they work for me.
These jeans, on the other hand, are so long I had to hem them 2″ and wear my tallest espadrilles. They don’t come in tall, but the inseam is 28″ or 30″.
This tank (plus here) is long enough that I folded the bottom under 3-4″ rather than tucking it in. I’m wearing a small in regular and realize a petite would have been better for me but the website did not list garment length so I didn’t think of it.
Unless it’s a specialty store, most retailers focus on the average-sized woman. This makes sense for them from a financial standpoint but leaves many women struggling.
Nordstrom used to have a dedicated petite department in the store. Several years ago they removed it and the product was mixed in with everything else. They added little rings on the hanger so you could spot them on the rack, but honestly, it doesn’t help because the volume is just not there. Online has the best selection.
One of my local Chicos has also removed their petite section but it is available online. Loft carries petite, tall, and regular but decided to discontinue carrying plus sizes. Banana Republic carries regular, petite, and tall, in many things. Gap has regular, petite, and tall. Old Navy has regular, petite, tall, and plus in most things.
Talbots and J. Jill carry large selections of petite and regular in-store with more online. Coldwater Creek carries petite and plus but they have closed all their brick-and-mortar stores so everything is online.
Madewell carries petite, regular, tall, taller, and plus. Ann Taylor offers regular, petite, and some talls. J. Crew offers many things in regular, petite, tall, and plus.
Many of you have mentioned your increasing struggles to find garments for your size so I’ll be keeping more of an eye out for you.
What stores do you shop for your sizes?
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I shop mostly online and use Nordstrom because of free shipping. I do have Talbots and JJill where we live but petite size are always sold out quickly. Thank you for the info on the stores.
Thanks for addressing the sizing this week. It is a challenge for me. I am 4’ 10” and while sizes change, lengths stay the same usually Petite length is 5’4”. At best, depending on the fabric you can use up 2 inches in length, depending on the style and purpose of the clothing item. Tops are often 29 inches long, I can get by with a 26 inch length in some cases if it’s able to be hemmed without changing the shape or running into button holes. A few companies used to do a very limited number of pants in short, but I haven’t seen those in awhile. Simple alterations I can do, but making friends with a quality alterations shop helps. Those are becoming less available, so a shout out to those who do alterations. It’s an art in itself. It’s a gift to be able to take a finished garment and make adjustments for particular figure.
I live in a rural area and don’t have the option of shopping at Talbot’s, JJill, etc. I am 5’3” but cannot wear petite pants because they are cut too short in the rise to accommodate my middle-age tummy. If I can find a 14W in short the fit is perfect for me.
When it comes to tops, I’ve learned what to avoid when ordering on line and/or have always been able just to hold one up and know what is going to fit me whereas of late IMHO the same cannot be said about bottoms no matter their style which sizing/measurements appear to be ‘all over the board’ and often misleading. That being said; for certain gone are the days even when shopping in person when once you could scope out your garment size and use your neck circumference as a quick waistline guide saving yourself a trip to the dressing room and having to try ‘several’ pairs on regardless of their tag/brand which certainly isn’t the case now. To conclude; with much appreciation of your research Jennifer as definitely a step in the right direction with so many retailers closing their store fronts. -Brenda-
Lands End has been the go-to for basics in our house for years. I’m a Petite, my husband a Mens Tall, and both of us are still happy with the fit, durability and price. The styles are sometimes a bit boring, but for everyday, we’re not complaining.
Jennifer, this is a great column! Thank you so much for the store / brand summary. Well done!
My sizing peeve is the lack of garment measurements, like the tank that didn’t specify length. If they would include more measurements, returns for fit would be reduced. Especially important to me is leg opening of pants. That tells you what style of pants they are. To make matters worse, they don’t have that info available if you call or email to ask. Really puzzles me.
I wish more brands would give us garment measurements too!
Thank you so very much for this post about sizing. Many of us women have struggled with this issue most of our lives……and only in past several years, it seems, have begun to be able to find attractive clothes in plus-size also! Dressed well we most certainly fit in better, feel better about ourselves, and actually often look very attractive. Plus-size models have been and are a HUGE inspiration and encouragement for us!!! Again, many thanks for this….your awareness and sensitivity is Very Much Appreciated!!!!!!!
Thank you listing the stores that carry petite clothing. I struggle so to find petites. I would like to try Chico’s petite but no stores carry petite and I refuse to send for clothes when I have no idea what size to order. Love your dressing room try on !! Talbot is close to my home, so most of my shopping is done there. Thank you🥰
Such a helpful post! For years I shopped almost exclusively at Talbots. I’m 5’3” and 66 years old. I still like Talbots for pants and cardigans, but can’t wear their pullover sweaters, tees, or turtlenecks any longer. They are just too form fitting for someone with no waistline and a bit of a tummy. Jjill has some very nice tops that skim the mid section. I like Lands End for casual tees and coats.
I find that the quality of both J Jill and Talbots pieces have really declined over the past few years, and their trend toward boho? coastal grandmother? – I don’t know what – has left me without my usual sources. This season, Eileen Fisher has come through with both more petites and more sales, but newer styles are a bit floppy. Sometimes I feel I’m down to good jeans and a white shirt…as a pastor, that doesn’t work on Sundays in the pulpit😬. Thank you for your advice and commentary!
I HATE the armholes that are so big!!
Me too!
The struggle is real for us petite girls! Especially sleeve length, pants length, and overall length of tops, just as you have pointed out. And you are also right that a number of stores have removed or lessened their petite selections which makes shopping more difficult. That retailers are letting a number of women down is a statement you made that resonated clearly with me. I read your blog daily and will definitely keep coming back. I need this type of help! Thank you!
I hope to line up some more resources for us…for all women because it needs to be easier to find properly fitting clothes.
I’m glad you brought this up. I’m 5’9” and sometimes I fall in the tall range and sometimes regular. I buy most of my clothes from Eddie Bauer, Lands End and Old Navy. Lands End has the best sizing information because they usually have the actual dimensions for the garments. A big issue for pants is the rise needs to be longer not just the legs. Lands End usually gives this information. I search Eddie Bauer for clothes that work for a casual lifestyle but that don’t look like I’m about to hit the trail. Old Navy has Talls in many different styles of jeans. I will check out the other retailers you listed.
I need to be checking out Old Navy for sizing options for women
Thank you for sharing this info on sizing. Good to reference!
On where I shop – Talbots is primary for well made basics. My second choice is JCrew for cashmere sweaters and other basics//pants primarily .
I like Jill for certain pieces and do shop Anthropologie and local boutiques for pieces that are unique. I’m all over the place! Got my best sandals this year st Marshall’s! (Made in Italy and so comfy ).
This so-called average sizing has really made my shopping one big headache. I ordered the same size jeans (Sonoma) from Kohls that I have worn for years. All three were at least 2-3 sizes bigger. These jeans were my “knock-arounds.” I don’t want to ruin other jeans I have ($$$). I won’t wear pants with a handful of extra fabric at the hips and rear. Oh and guess what? The waist fits me. It is the same size as the old ones (I compared them). No change in my waist. Returned them.
So it’s not just Petites. Mall department stores like Macy’s and Pennys don’t even have a size 0-4 in my area. Online… sometimes. Or try the Junior department. What a mess sizing has become!
They offer what sells to the largest audience. I like JJill for jackets, etc. because I am a petite on top. I do a lot of online shopping (once I figured out what sizes worked for me in what brands.) It’s sad that traditional department stores have largely vanished. I used to enjoy a leisurely afternoon shopping in one with a tea room and valet parking.
Hi – That is so true about petite departments in stores. I noticed this happening in my mall and also
Marshall’s and TJ Max in Massachusetts. They no longer carry many petites. Talbot’s and the Loft seem to be the only stores I can shop. I definitely wear a petite. Very disappointing. Thank you for all your information.
Thanks for the info regarding sizing. I just do not like that most department stores have taken away their dedicated petite sizing departments, it is so difficult to wade through racks to find things in my size (petite small/extra small), online is great but I live in Canada, so not as much to choose from, so when I am visiting the US I spend a lot of time wading through the racks. I really do not understand why they make it so difficult especially when you used to be able to park yourself in your little area and shop!
I love Land’s End and get so many basics there for great prices as they always have sales. My sizing issue is with pants. So many brands are going with waist sizes and I just can’t figure it out. I am shortwaisted with a 33inch leg. I am also pretty straight with smallish hips. If I got my waist size the pants would be baggy on my thin legs.
Do you have any ideas about waist sizing for jeans?
That is a hassle. I’d suggest you buy for the waist and have the hips and legs taken in. Or look for brands that carry straight vs curvy. Talbots and Loft both have that. I struggle with that issue because my hips are straight.
Really enjoyed your pointing these sizing issues out! I have 2 pairs of capris from the same store, same style, same size. After gaining a few pounds, one pair still fits me but the other one doesn’t. Go figure. Also, I have found that the inseams on pants keeps getting longer. I wear a 30 inch inseam, and that used to be the average length. Now it’s 32 inches or even longer, so I end up ordering petite and maybe have ankle pants instead or go to the trouble of getting them hemmed. I’m not going to start wearing high heels just so my pants don’t drag on the ground!
I hear you. I look at some pants and know I’d lose all the shape if I hemmed them enough to fit me.
I am enjoying your blog on sizing today but also enjoying all the comments on here. I noticed one lady mentioned the petite sizing in Talbots. I tried some on in the store and the petites are sized smaller in the bust and waist than in the regular size. I don’t know if they are the only store that does that but you have to watch for it when ordering clothes. I am 5’4″ so almost a petite but not always especially because I have a long torso. I also buy ankle pants in the regular size which are then regular length for me. I live in a small town so whenever we travel I go to stores and try things on for size. That way I know what to order for sizes online. It is a never ending struggle for women to find clothes to fit.
When I wear petite, I always go up one numerical size because everything is scaled differently.
I am an Old Navy shopper because of their extended sizes. There are also some Canadian brands that still carry my size. I’m an XL mostly, but take an L or XXL in some items, depending on whether they’re relaxed or fitted.
I like Old Navy’s linen blend shirts and pants. The fit is better for me than their sister store Gap. However, I steer clear of most sleeveless items, which seem to have great gaping armholes. Cropped lengths never work for me because I have a long torso. Also, long sleeves from Old Navy can be too short at times.
The other issue I struggle with is strange hem lengths — cropped, ankle, etc. Some pant lengths jump from a 28″ inseam in regular to a 32″ inseam in tall. I have a 30″ inseam. This is the standard regular inseam, but there’s nothing standard any more. Cropped pants in tall often work as regular-length pants for me.
I’m on hiatus from online clothing shopping at the moment, as I’m tired of the shop-and- return drill. Finding the right fit is tricky.
Pant lengths are such a tricky subject for many women. Part of the issue is the “intended” length vs personal preference which is why it’s so critical for brands to supply that information in their online garment description.
I agree with the tiring shop-and-return drill. I was never an online clothing shopper until the pandemic. Although at the time I didn’t need very much, (who was going anywhere?) but I still needed a few items. So I plunged in and bought some tops and a pair of jeans. I’m a full-busted, short-waisted 5’7″ with curvy hips and long legs. After comparing my bust size with the size chart, I ordered 3 tops…what a mistake! I could have fit almost another “me” into all 3 of the tops, plus the fabric wasn’t at all soft. This only confirmed my need to actually go to the store and touch the clothing items.
I usually don’t have a hard time finding jeans that fit with a 30″ inseam. But the ones I ordered, again after consulting the size chart, were so long that they actually covered part of the bottom of my foot. Heels are not a shoe option for me anymore, let alone stilettos which may have brought the jeans up off the ground! I can’t imagine what someone slightly shorter than me would have been facing.
Sadly, all these items had to be sent back. What an exercise in wasted time and frustration! I just refuse to order clothing online again.
So glad to see you featuring Landsend clothing. I’ve been a loyal customer since the mid-80’s for myself, daughter and husband and in recent years grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their tee shirts, turtlenecks and tanks are comparable to much higher priced items. And they last forever. A note, they are always having a sale and sometime free shipping. Get on their mailing list for catalogs, many times they have free shipping in their catalogs that isn’t offered on the on line site,just change to the code from the catalogs.
At 5’ you would think petites would be perfect for me, no so. I have broad shoulders, long torso and very short arms and legs. Petite dresses with a waist hit at least 3”above my waist. Most petite pants are to short in the stride and still to long. I don’t think I own a long sleeved blouse that the cuffs aren’t turned up. Believe me I keep my seamstress busy.
As someone else commented Macys used to have a wonderful petite section and is down to almost nothing and getting very dowdy looking. Loved Coldwater Creek when I could try on things. Have discovered Talbots in recent years, I do pretty well with their sizing. Chicos just doesn’t work for me , feel like it overwhelms me.
As always thank you for all your hard work in letting us know what is out there and how it fits.
I too am a loyal lands End Customer. I have found that the sizing is generous in general but they do a great job of offering petites, longs, plus sizes, etc. To Jennifer and others I would just suggest trying a few sizes to find what fits best for you. The quality is great.
I’ve been a dedicated J Jill shopper the past seven years or so, but lately I’ve gravitated to Ann Taylor and Talbot’s because they don’t seem to lean toward vanity sizing (i.e. oversized) as often as J Jill. For the record, I’ve been pleased with customer service at all three stores and especially like the Live Chat at J Jill because you can ask for the measurements of specific garments.
I need petites in pants, dresses, and coats . I bought a knee length petite black dress from Land’s End on sale recently. I have bought jackets and coats in petites, and they are made well. I wait for the sales. I like pants in petites in Talbot’s, and our local department store Dillards. I never see petites in our local Chicos. I mostly buy in store for clothes, except Land’s End. The Land’s End store here has such a limited choice of clothes.
I hope there will always be petites . I sew , but do not want to pay money to buy something, and then have to take the time to alter things.
I’m 5’1″, 72 years old, and buy 90% of my clothes at Talbots because of their petite department. I am finding that their pants are still very long and require hemming. I am currently buying their ankle jeans and pants as they fit me as regular length petite pants would fit. As the other commenters found, Lands End and Talbots are my go -tos.
I’m 5′ 8″ but am short-waisted with long legs. I’ve been wearing petite tops for several years now. Most of my shopping is done on Talbots website, but I have to check the length. Anything longer than 25″ usually doesn’t work for me.
At 5’10” I have the opposite problem and love the stores that do Tall sizes, especially for tops. Athleta is another one that does it. I also love when websites put the height of the model in the picture information and what size they are wearing.
Me too, Kate. I’m tall all over…not just long legs…so I really appreciate stores that carry Tall size tops, blazers and jackets.
I find sizing is a real trip. Most of the time a brand of a particular size are different.
Can pick up two pairs of pants and they both fit different.
I use to pick tops or pants and not have to try them on. This really surprise me. Can not do that anymore.
On-line shopping is the same. Very tired of having to try everything on and send or take a portion of my order back.
I shop the stores you mentioned that carry petite. I am 5’1″ and 130 lb. 70 yrs old. I have usually found what fit me best at Macys for most things. Talbots and Christopher Banks seem best for pants. Also Belks is overall best for petite my size and the quality is good.
Good to know… thanks for letting us know about Belks
Love your blog, Jennifer! It’s my treat to myself each morning when I open my iPad. Your advice and rationale is so upbeat and I always learn something new!
I am 5’ 1 1/2” and even in my heyday of 5’3” I always have worn petite sized clothes. My go to stores are almost exclusively Talbots and JJill. I love Nordstroms but the closest is 90 minutes away. Before retirement I traveled frequently for work and shopped the Travelers line at Chicos because they often had a shorter length in the pants. Those close wore like iron. Now I love the Wearever line at JJill for clothing that travels well…now for leisure travel.
I love the Wearever line too! So comfy!
I often say that if Talbots quits carrying petites, I will have to go naked! Lol I have also shopped at Land’s End for many years for petites and own many of their supima tees. Their relaxed fit options work well for my “apple” middle. I have noticed, however, like many other retailers, Land’s End’s quality in other items has become more inconsistent. I almost always require petite sizing in tops due to my narrow shoulders and short arms and finding tops that aren’t tunics is becoming challenging. (I’m looking at you, Chicos!) Nordstrom carries very few petite tops beyond Nic and Zoe, and that brand often doesn’t suit my classic aesthetic. And the in-store petite department at Macy’s has also shrunk to a few racks in the back of our huge local store.
Thank you for seeking out the best options for all sizes and shapes for us!
I’ve been struggling to find things in my Macy’s as well.
Talbots petite pants are my go to in pants. They have a good selection and most items are available in petite. I wish Chicos offered more petite items. I really like the few pants I have bought there but selection is very limited.
I really enjoy reading your post every morning. Thank you for all the useful information you provide.
Talbots petite sizing works for me in general, but petite pants length has been just a bit too short–I am 5’3″with long legs, so at the top of their range. Sometimes I can wear the Regular size, but not always. So I play a lot of games: ankle pants, controlled shrinkage, etc. I don’t understand why but I’m a 4P in Talbots pants (except for the length), but the Regular 2 is too big all over, and they rarely have a 0 (the size range doesn’t go down that far, but it does in Petites. Why is that?) Chico’s is great when they have something (I still find some things over doo-dadded), but they offer less and less in Short length now, and my closest store also removed the petite section.
As for the Land’s End tank top: the website did list the length but it’s not so easy to find. On the web page, once you’ve opened the Size Charts, in the upper left corner there is another smaller print link that says “Item Dimensions”, which gives the actual measurements. I’ve made great use of this over the years. I think Land’s End does one of the best jobs of any retailer with this feature (except it’s not more prominently displayed). I wish more offered it, especially JJill–which routinely fields questions about item measurements. It would certainly save on returns!
I too love the predictability of Talbots sizing.
P.S. I recently bought a sewing machine to do my own alterations. Seamstress costs have gone up quite a bit here.
I usually purchase my clothes from Dillard’s they always have a good supply of petits
Thanks for letting us know about Dillards petites
Hi.
I find I have to return many items due to sizing issues. Talbots, Old Navy and Loft have predictable sizes. Nordstrom and other department stores vary by the brand of clothing. So few places to shop locally, so it’s great when you can find predictably in sizes.
Thanks for the blog on the very common issue for all of us.
My go to store for petites is Talbots as they have the best in store selection by far of any other retailer in my area. I have bought a piece or two at JJill and Loft on occasion as well. At least these two retailers still carry some petites in store.
I don’t want to order clothes online as I prefer to try items on and see fabrics when I am shopping.
I like Nordstrom but as you mentioned they do not carry petites in store any more. Same goes for Chicos and White House Black Market. I find this frustrating as well.
I rediscovered Lands End at Kohls. They carry petites in it too. They had some items in the store and more selection on line. I have that same t-shirt without the v-neck. I’ve wore it a lot this summer. I like the quality too. I ended up with several polos, t-shirts and cardigans.
I’m a pear shape who wears petite and junior sizes, I’m all over the place. I have more luck in European stores. For US stores I try Macy and Talbots. Talbots petite comes close, I alter everything i buy.
Most women could benefit from having a good person to do some basic alterations.
Or learning to do their own alterations, as noted by an earlier commenter!
I have been shopping almost exclusively at Talbots for over 20 years as they seem to be the perfect (PM, P8) fit for me. I will say that their sizes are becoming more generous as the years go by so I am sizing down every couple of seasons. Occasionally I find something at Loft, but not usually. I will say that the quality of Talbots clothing has trended downward. Pima tees only seem to last a season now, while I have others that are 10 years old and look better than the new ones. I have found the petite choices at Lands End for bathing suits to be great and the suits I have purchased have lasted.
I’ve heard fabulous reviews of the Lands End swim suits. You’re not the first person who has mentioned a quality decline at Talbots.
Tell me about it. I’m 6′ tall and have spent a lifetime searching out quality affordable clothes.
Talls are very tough!
I hear you! 5’10” with a 33-34″ inseam without heels, I’m having a harder time finding Talls- they are around, but not as much selection, and almost always online only. Long sleeve blouses-ugh, just ugh.
In line with your theme on size issues, I found it interesting that the Chico’s sale that began yesterday only had 52 petite sized clothing on sale…out of something like 850+; granted, not all sales items were clothing, but still, there was relatively little that would work for a petite. Most of the regular tunic tops were 30″ long and the maxi dresses would simply be trip worthy. Was frustrating as many items before the sale indicated both regular and petite sizes were available, but no petite sizes options were shown on the sale pages.
That makes me wonder if their petites sold out quickly or if they didn’t produce enough.
I think your explanations of how to get a good fit by sizing up or down are also helpful. Knowing what sizes we might wear in certain brands, while not being stuck on a particular number for our size, makes shopping and looking confident much easier. Thanks for this advice!!
Jennifer,
Thanks,for sharing this information. What I find interesting with your blog is that you explain why clothes work or don’t. You really are a fashion professor! I love your honesty and humor as well. One thing I struggle with is knowing if something fits. Would you give us pointers on knowing if a garment is too large or too small? Thanks again for my morning dose of fashion!
That’s a great idea for a post. I’ll work on it.
I buy all my T-shirts at Lands End (plus). Their fabrics are second to none as they wash and dry over and over without fading or shrinking. The fabric quality is excellent, especially the Supima cotton. Even darks like navy and black retain their colors well. I also find the cut of the plus shirts to be excellent as they are well proportioned and actually fit well. J Crew and J Jill are also stores I frequent most often.
Thank you for sharing Mira!
Two garment measurements That are important to me (but that I seldom see retailers provide) are the length of a top and the leg opening of pants.
Yes, yes yes! Very few give lengths of tops ( please, not so long!) and the lower width of pants is important too. Also, when measurements are given, they’re usually for the regular size not petite!
Those matter to me too!
Talbots includes all sizes. It’s been my go to store for years.
I agree re: Talbot. I think it’s important to stick with a store once you find one that matches your size
I agree but brands do occasionally change their fit model so don’t be alarmed if they do, just recalibrate what you know works for you.
I love their size inclusivity
Well, I’m generally sized out of land’s end, so i don’t even bother looking there any more. But Nordstrom’s is usually a good bet for me, and if its a smidge off, they have on site tailoring. Banana Republic, JCrew and Athleta are my other go to’s.