The petite editorial Slack channel at PureWow is always busy at the beginning of a new season, with staffers 5’3” and below comparing notes on which retailers have the best selection of petite sizing, as well as tips on how to make a particular trend work for smaller-stature women. “Never swear off an article of clothing just because you think it’s not right for your body type,” says 5’1” senior commerce editor Stephanie Maida (who is living proof that barrel jeans are actually great on short women). I agree with Steph, only sometimes I really need my fellow petites to walk me through which dresses, sets and jeans work best for them, and tell me just what to buy. Here’s a look at the best petite clothing pieces for sale right now, all perfect to add to your petite capsule wardrobe.
10 Pieces Our Petite Editors Swear By, with Original Pictures and Styling Tips
Under 5’3”? Check out these shoes, shorts, dresses and pants
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. Quince Linen Smocked Midi Dress
Quince
“Quince's petite-friendly offerings are a staff favorite, and this tiered dress so light and airy, I know I'll be throwing it on to get through the most sweltering days,” says senior commerce editor Stephanie Maida. “I’m 5’1”, so it’s more of a maxi than a midi on my frame, but falls at the perfect spot at my ankle, allowing me to wear it with everything from flats to platform sandals without tripping. The smocked bust and thick, ruffled straps are both sturdy and supportive enough to go braless, but also offer plenty of coverage to wear a standard one without it peeking through (as I actually am in this photo!).” Added bonus: the dress comes in 10 colorways.
Fast Facts
- Material: 100 percent European linen
- Sizes: XS to XL
2. NYDJ Marilyn Straight Jeans
NYDJ
I’m a bit of a white jeans collector. These jeans are the most flattering fit I’ve ever worn, since I can wear the lightweight cotton-blend denim with a bit of a wedge heel if I want the 30-inch-inseam full length, or sometimes I roll them up (the 15 1/2 -inch leg opening makes this easy) and wear them with sneakers or flat sandals. The 9 ½ inch front rise is leg-lengthening, while the 14 ½ inch back rise lets me, a 5’3” person, comfortably stretch and bend without muffin top exposure or T-shirt untucking. Order your regular size, and you’ll enjoy wearing these non-restrictive jeans and marvel at how slimming white pants can be.
Fast Facts
- Sizes: 2P to 18P, regular and tall
- Material: 88% cotton, 10% polyester, 2% elastane
3. The Tobie Shirt Dress by Exquise
Exquise
"I love this Anthro number because it seems like the type of structured, dramatic dress you'd have to be 5'9" to pull off,” says 5’1” Jillian Quint, PureWow editor-in-chief. “But since it comes in petite sizing, it doesn't overwhelm my small frame and actually hits where it's supposed to—at the ankle. I rely on it as a professional (but never stodgy) staple that I can dress up with heels or down with sneakers or moto boots. Plus...pockets!" Don’t sleep on the mini-dress version of this figure-flattering dress too.
Fast Facts
- Material: cotton, polyester, elastane
- Sizes: XXS Petite to XL Petite, standard and plus
Sam Edelman
“Pointed-toe kitten heels in every form!” exclaims Stephanie Maida. “The sharp point works wonders to elongate the look of my legs and they never fail to make me feel sleek and chic.” Get Steph’s look with the Sam Edelman Bianka Sling, a walkable 2.25-inch heel that comes in 19 colors, including Maida’s signature shiny silver numbers.
Fast Facts
- Material: polyurethane upper, foam footbed
- Sizes: 5 to 11, including half sizes
Prettygarden
Coming in as the best affordable summer outfit—and arguably the most versatile ‘fit—is what Maida calls “the perfect one-and-done outfit for summer, especially travel.” The matching vest and shorts set, available on Amazon, comes in 25 colors and can be dressed up or down. “The shorts hit at such a great spot on my short legs—not too short but not too long as to seem dowdy—and the vest is relaxed, but super flattering,” the commerce editor says. And hello, this is machine washable.
Fast Facts
- Material: Shell: 51 percent polyester, 46 percent viscose, 3 percent elastane; Lining: 100 percent polyester
- Sizes: X-Small to XX-Large
Cartolina
"There are many things to love about this dress — the lemon yellow hue, the flounced sleeves, the tiered style — but I am obsessed with the length," says Senior Director, Special Projects and Royals Rachel Bowie. "Cartolina dresses fit petite figures so well. For example, this one hits just above my ankles and looks lovely with a heeled sandal or flats. The lace detailing at the bottom somehow makes me stand a bit taller; additionally, the cotton-linen fabric comes with a crispness that helps this silhouette maintain its shape. It all adds up to a petite-friendly style that I can throw on and go."
Fast Facts
- Material: 52 percent linen, 48 percent cotton
- Sizes: XXS to XL
Reef
LaBarbera also appreciates a little lift—but wants it walkable.“Platform sandals are *perfect* for adding some high while still saying comfy, and I'm obsessed with my Reef Cushion Rem Hi pair that offer the perfect amount of arch support,” she says. The 1.75-inch platform shoes come in 16 material and color combinations; they are designed with arch support and heel cupping for maximum comfort.
Fast Facts
- Material: Rubber/Plastic sole, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
- Sizes: 5 to 11
Reformation
I’m 5’3” and thought I couldn’t make trouser shorts, with their front pleats, fittest waist and relaxed leg openings, work on my short legs. But these babies from Reformation work well on my figure because they only have a 3 ½ inch inseam, and the lightweight, machine-washable suiting fabric has great movement, meaning they never look too bulky. Additionally, the 11-5/8-inch front rise makes my legs look longer, always a plus in a pair of shorts.
Fast Facts
- Material: 100 percent non-stretch tencel lyocell
- Sizes: 0 to 12
9. Universal Standard Joni Curve Jeans 27
Universal Standard
A lightweight pair of jeans is everything—and if the fit and comfort level aren’t there, they are a dependable wardrobe staple. That’s the story with these jeans for PureWow Beauty and Cultures Editor Chelsea Candelario, who says she hated wearing jeans before she discovered these, which fit well right away. “I'm 5’0” and the slim leg cut falls right by my ankles without any fabric bunching up, which is the worst for petite gals, she says, admiring the 27-inch inseam. “They're also high-waist and fit comfortably all day long. And they have deep pockets!” The curve fit is ideal for those who have over a 10-inch waist-to-hip difference. By accounting for that, it means you can have a tailored fit without sacrificing flexibility and comfort.
Fast Facts
- Material: 90 percent cotton, 8 percent polyester, 2 percent elastane
- Size: 00 to 40
Everlane
“For summer, I'm always looking for shorts that fall in that category of ‘short, but not too short,” says 5’2” associate commerce editor Natalie LaBarbera. “As in, I want them to be short enough to not make my legs look even shorter, but long enough that I'm comfortable in them no matter where I wear them. Everlane's Easy shorts and Abercrombie's linen-blend have been some of the best I've found!”
Fast Facts:
- Material: 98 percent organic cotton, 2 percent elastane (Everlane); Body: 55 percent linen, 45 percent viscose / Lining: 100 percent viscose (Abercrombie & Fitch)
- Sizes: XXS to XXL (Everlane); XXS to XL (Abercrombie & Fitch)
