Generally, petite-sized clothing runs smaller than regular-sized clothing. It is for individuals who are 5’3″ or 162 cm in height. Contradictory to what people assume, petite-sized clothing is cut to fit persons of shorter stature, so your weight is not an important factor of consideration.
Here’s a detailed comparison between petite sizing and regular sizing that I did a while ago.
But despite the general concept of petite sizing, different brands manufacture different clothing sizes mainly because of the cutting and tailoring. If you look at popular clothing brands that offer petite clothing, the same-sized dress will have slightly different measurements.
So, if you are petite or are shopping for someone who is petite, it is natural to wonder, do petite sizes run smaller in the waist, or do petite sizes run shorter than regular sizes?
Here’s the best answer for how much smaller petite sizes are and everything else you need to know about the waist measurements when it comes to petite clothing.
Are Petite Sizes Smaller Or Just Shorter?
Petite-sized clothing from most brands has shorter lengths and sleeves. Depending on the petite sizing chart, the clothing item can be several inches/cm shorter than a regular size.
However, dresses and clothing are sized based on three primary measurements – bust, waist, and hips. For most brands, the sleeves are not a primary concern while manufacturing the clothes, especially in bulk.
If you look at the petite vs. regular size chart on my blog, you will see that the bust, waist, and hips measurements vary greatly. The difference in measurements is not just between petite or regular sizes but even between two different petite sizes.
So the answer to “do petite sizes run smaller in the waist” is yes.
Petite-sized dresses do not just have shorter lengths and sizes but have a smaller waist. Depending on the type of dress or the top of the item of clothing, petite-sized clothes also have a higher waist in comparison to regular sizes. To keep the dress, top, or blazer in proportion, petite clothing also has less material across the shoulders, which translates to shorter sleeve lengths.
In addition, petite clothing also comes with smaller pockets and collars, so they do not look out of proportion. Embellishments such as belts are also relatively smaller in petite clothing to fit the smaller size of the dress or shirt. Clothing brands that are dedicated to petite clothing also take care to make the item from fabrics that have smaller prints and vertical stripes.
Other details that petite brands include in their clothing are elasticated waists, adjustable straps, and ruching/pleats to make the draping a perfect fit for petite women.
If you’re still unsure what waist size is petite, especially compared to regular clothing, take a careful look at the sizing chart on the brand’s site before buying the item. Online sizing charts may not be a lot of help since the sizing varies from one brand to the other.
Why Do Petite Clothes Fit Smaller Than Regular Clothes?
The simple reason that petite clothes fit smaller is that they are cut smaller to fit a person with smaller proportions.
For instance, an S-sized petite dress can have a waist measurement from 24-25 inches or 61-63.5 cm. On the other hand, an S-sized regular dress usually has a waist measurement of 25-26 inches or 64.8-67.3 cm. In addition, petite sizes start from XXXS from most brands, while in regular-sized clothing, S is usually the smallest available size.
So, petite clothing fits smaller than an article of regular-sized clothing, which is fantastic for petite women because wearing bigger-sized clothes can make you look shabby.
Do Petite Jeans Run Small, And How Different Is It From Regular Jeans?
Yes, petite jeans run small to suit the smaller body frame of petite individuals. Denim and other styles of trousers for smaller women run up to two inches shorter than a regular-sized pair of jeans.
If you’re not sure about inseam – it is the measurement of your legs starting from the end of your butt to your ankle while standing barefoot and straight. Petite jeans mean that the inseam is shorter than a regular is, so while you may think that a smaller-sized regular may fit you, they usually don’t.
When it comes to petite vs regular jeans, there are three main differences:
- The inseam: As mentioned above, petite jeans come with a smaller inseam, so you can actually wear them without having to take them to the tailor.
- Rise of the jeans: Unknown to many, petite jeans also has a different rise than regular ones. This is the measurement from the waist to the crotch and can make a huge difference in whether the pants are a great fit or not.
- Position of the kneecap: Along with the inseam, the kneecap in petite jeans is lower than in a regular pair of denim. This feature is not as noticeable in tight or skinny-fit jeans, but if you are talking about a flare leg or boot-cut jeans, the location of the kneecap can make a huge difference.
If you are petite with an inseam that is in proportion to your body and have been buying shorter, cropped, or smaller jeans but in regular sizes, the above reasons are why you cannot fit into them, or they don’t appear to be a perfect fit. This is even more apparent if your legs are shorter than your torso.
On the other hand, some petite ladies might have a higher inseam and high rise, in which case you might be able to get away with regular-sized shorter jeans, but it takes a lot of trying and buying to get the right fit.
Wrapping Up
Questions like, do petite sizes run smaller in the waist, are pretty common in the fashion and retail industry. And yes, petite clothing runs smaller since it is meant for smaller buyers.
The key to stylish dressing and buying the right clothing for your shape and size comes down to having a good idea about your body. In addition, having the right resources, such as this comprehensive post about petite sizing, will also help you in your fashion journey.
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