Ann Taylor is really dialed in when it comes to making the sort of petite styled clothing I want to wear. As a 5’3" woman, I’m sensitive to the petites pants, jeans and trends that are going to make me feel my best, and I turn to Ann Taylor to be a dependable maker of classic pieces that I can pull out of my closet and look and feel great in. This fall, plaids and sheath dresses are spiced up with bits of animal print and machine-wash satin. And the prices! A statement trench for less than $200. Work dresses you can machine wash. And yes, even the dresses are affordable, including an cool long-sleeve frock that is giving preppie along with a peep of leg. Scroll on to see my 15 selects from the recent collection, I’m sure like me you’ll find pieces to rotate into your petite capsule wardrobe.
I’m Petite & I’m Loving Ann Taylor Fall Fashion—Here Are 15 Items for Women 5’3” and Under
Including an all-event dress for under $130
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
1. Ann Taylor Petite Belted Midi Shirtdress
Ann Taylor
What's not to love about a lace dress that's maxi but still figure-flattering, in a delicate lace that's machine-washable? I'd wear this dress to fall weddings as well as drinks and dinner. And the length is perfect to tuck a pair of boots underneath.
Size range: 00 to 16x, classic and petite fits
2. Ann Taylor Petite Stand Collar Shift Dress
Ann Taylor
Petites know that blouson styles such as this one can easily overwhelm our figures, what with all that bunched-up fabric. But the details of this petite-sized iteration flatter rather than obscure the petite bod. Gentle gathers at the shoulder drape nicely, and the 19-and-a-half-inch drop from the waist hits above the knee, so the dress is leggy. And the sleeves are just a little bit puffy, and not too long. This is a great dress to wear with sandals and socks in early fall then boots and sweaters later.
Size range: XXS to XXL, classic and petite fits
Rock the corporate vixen microtrend with this strapless polyblend tweed maxi dress that's got a narrow silhouette and 29-and-a-half-inch drop maxi shape. I love this on its own, however I'm considering multiplying my options by pairing with the matching Petite Notched One Button Blazer ($209; $146).
Size range: 00 to 20/22, petite and classic fits
4. Ann Taylor Petite Ponte Sheath Dress
Ann Taylor
Everyone needs a perfectly flattering, figure-skimming LBD, and this one is designed especially for petites. The 19-and-a-half-inch length from the waist means it's going to fall just above the knee, and the short sleeves are longer than cap sleeves, so you're well covered. Best of all, this stretch rayon-nylon-poly blend dress has a lining for a smooth fit—and it's machine washable.
Size range: 00 to 16, classic and petite fits
5. Petite Geo Satin Shift Dress
Ann Taylor
Feminine and chic, this is the sort of dress you wear when you're going for comfort as well as style. The long sleeves are full and angled to fall elegantly, there are pockets (always a plus) and the 18-and-a-half-inch drop from the natural waist means this is going to have the proper proportions for a petite woman whether it's worn with flats or pointed-toe pumps.
Size range: XXS to XXL, classic and petite fits
6. Ann Taylor Petite Dotted V-Neck Popover
Ann Taylor
Polka dots were happening in a big way all spring, and the dotty craze shows no sign of easing for fall. This polyester blouse is in a neutral shade that will pair well with all the fall pieces already in your closet, and the 23-and-a-half-inch length is just the perfect silhouette to wear both tucked and loose.
Size range: XXS to XXL, classic and petite fits
7. Ann Taylor Petite Wide-Leg Trouser Pant
Ann Taylor
This is the unicorn of high-waist trousers for petites: The cuff comes on a 29-and-a-half-inch inseam, so it’s just the right length to wear with a walkable heel without hemming. Not only that, but the trouser shape has a wide leg to make legs look willowy. And finally, the trouser is available in lavender and blue as well as versatile black. I’m seeing this as the classic trouser I’ll opt to wear for a quiet luxury in perpetuity.
Size range: 00 to 18, classic and petite fits
8. Ann Taylor Petite Tweed Crew Neck Jacket
Ann Taylor
Finally, a little tweed jacket that doesn't make us petites look like the Michelin Man because it's so broad and wide! At 17 inches long, with a straight fit, this little number hits right at the waist on petites, and is useful to have to wear with everything from jeans to flouncy dresses, as the French do. The polyester/wool/acrylic blend is nice and lightweight, as well as machine washable.
Size range: 00 to 20/22, classic and petite fits
9. Ann Taylor Petite Ruffle Trimmed Sweater
Ann Taylor
The mock-neck with a bit of ruffle is a sleeper trend this fall, showing up across makers who presumably want to introduce a big of fun and femme energy into a pretty workaday item, the long-sleeve T-shirt. It's working in this acrylic/polyblend sweater, that has a trim but not choking fit and falls just under 23 inches long.
Size range: XXS to XXL, classic and petite fits
10. Ann Taylor Petite Removable Cape Trench Coat
Ann Taylor
Embrace Dark Academia with a splash of Prepster style every time you toss on this trench coat that comes with its own removable cape. This is the sort of dramatic coat that smaller women learn they can never pull off, but here sized to fit petites, it's a look we can rock all fall. It's two looks in one—when you remove the cape, the plain point collar is appealingly winsome.
Size range: XXS to XXL, classic and petite fits
11. Ann Taylor Petite Crosby Plaid Jacket
Ann Taylor
Wondering how to wear plaid as a petite? Don't sleep on this major fall trend, just stick to classic and neutral colorways and make sure the sizing is right. This blazer is boxy, as per the current style, however it's 26-and-a-half-inches long, so it won't make shorter people look overwhelmed. And consider making a suit of it, so don't sleep on the matching trousers ($129; $90)
Size range: 00 to 20/22, classic and petite fits
12. Ann Taylor Petite Striped Relaxed Shirt
Ann Taylor
In a crisp fabric that's 54 percent cotton and 46 percent viscose, this shirt is your basic button front Oxford shirt, but elevated. The shirt tails are long enough to stay tucked in, but not so long that they are going to bulk up the petite wearer. Finally, the collar is small and there's a back box pleat—just like the best tailored shirts of Savile Row.
Size range: XXS to XL, classic and petite fits
13. Ann Taylor Petite Weekend Collared Sweater
Ann Taylor
Now This. Is. Flattering. The pleated skirt flares attractively out from the jewel collar and short-sleeve top, and since the dress is rayon/nylon/spandex, it hugs your curves. The 30-inch skirt is exactly the right cami length, as the pleats in the skirt elongate the figure.
Size range: XXS to XL, classic and petite
14. Ann Taylor Petite Floral Twist Neck Midi Sheath Dress
Ann Taylor
I'm seeing Anna Wintour and second-tier Royals style in this dress—in a good way. The neckline has an clever twist and the large floral print somehow manages to be bold and neutral simultaneously. And with just a 26 inch-drop in the petite size, you're going to show a little leg in this dress.
Size range: 00 to 20/22, classic and petite fits
15. Ann Taylor Petite Satin Bias Slip Skirt
Ann Taylor
It’s giving “office siren,” but in a stretch fabrication that lets you stride without hiking the skirt up. The 29-inch length hits mid-calf—most off-the-rack non-petite pencil skirts hit way closer to the ankle, which looks just wrong. The back vent is generous, extending up to the knee so you can sit down without feeling restricted.
Size range: 00 to 16, classic and petite fits
