it's just not a fit
December 31, 2015 7:59 AM Subscribe
I'm a 29 year old female and *very* petite. I need to find a pair of pants that won't make me look like stick straight.
So I'm 5"4' and 120 lbs, but a size 0. However, I do have curves! I have a waist, and without clothes on I am basically a slender hourglass shape. I think because of being a size 0 (very slender), somehow most pants end up making me lose my shape and I end up looking like a boyish rectangle instead, which takes my confidence level down significantly. I already look much too young for my age and losing my shape in clothes just accents it. I have tried high-rise, mid-rise and low-rise fits. I'm running out of ideas. I'm wanting to find a flattering dark-wash pair of jeans and a pair of ankle-cropped black work pants. Anyone else found a solution to this? Store/brand/style recommendations?
So I'm 5"4' and 120 lbs, but a size 0. However, I do have curves! I have a waist, and without clothes on I am basically a slender hourglass shape. I think because of being a size 0 (very slender), somehow most pants end up making me lose my shape and I end up looking like a boyish rectangle instead, which takes my confidence level down significantly. I already look much too young for my age and losing my shape in clothes just accents it. I have tried high-rise, mid-rise and low-rise fits. I'm running out of ideas. I'm wanting to find a flattering dark-wash pair of jeans and a pair of ankle-cropped black work pants. Anyone else found a solution to this? Store/brand/style recommendations?
I have a similar body, though a tiny bit shorter and about 15 pounds lighter. When I wear regular (even slim fit) pants, I often end up looking much larger than I actually am - and totally shapeless.
I've found that pants and jeans that are skin tight are much more flattering on me. The ones that look best are often labelled "leggings jeans" or "leggings fit", although the material is much more substantial than leggings. I've found some good ones from RW&Co and Gap.
posted by barnoley at 8:11 AM on December 31, 2015
I've found that pants and jeans that are skin tight are much more flattering on me. The ones that look best are often labelled "leggings jeans" or "leggings fit", although the material is much more substantial than leggings. I've found some good ones from RW&Co and Gap.
posted by barnoley at 8:11 AM on December 31, 2015
Maybe try the blog Extra Petite? She seems to like Talbots, Theory, Loft, and Banana Republic. I have also tried to look into some vintage brands because it seems like 10-20 years ago, vanity sizing wasn't such a thing, and I seem to fit sizes 2-4 in vintage sizes. Nordstrom also has tailoring services, or you could buy something that is close but not perfect, and have it tailored. For what it's worth, I don't own a pair of pants from Theory, but their current size 00 fits me based on what I tried in the fitting room.
posted by gemutlichkeit at 8:48 AM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by gemutlichkeit at 8:48 AM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
You'll definitely want to look at the blog Extra Petite if you aren't familiar with it. It chronicles an extremely chic, very petite woman's clothing and style. She names the clothes she's wearing in every photo, and often lists where to get them on sale.
I can recommend, as a general rule, ponte pants and jean leggings (or jeggings, but that word makes me gag a bit), because they are a much slimmer fit that won't overwhelm your small frame.
Macy's, of all places, carries great ponte pants, both cropped and regular length- try INC brand. Both Express and American Eagle carry jean leggings in short lengths, down to size 0 and 00. Their sizing runs big, though, so try on for sure. I'm 5'3" ~130 lbs and I tend to fit into a 2 or 4 Short at Express, same at AE.
Above recs for the Banana Republic Sloan pant, I'm on board with. (The legging, not necessarily the 'straight' style.)The Pixie pant at J. Crew, as well as its knockoff at Old Navy, did not work for me, but I'm quite hourglassy and hippy (10 inch diff between bust and waist, waist and hip.)
Here are some actual links to things:
Sloan Petite Legging in Black
AE Dark Wash Jegging
Ponte Pant
posted by rachaelfaith at 8:51 AM on December 31, 2015
I can recommend, as a general rule, ponte pants and jean leggings (or jeggings, but that word makes me gag a bit), because they are a much slimmer fit that won't overwhelm your small frame.
Macy's, of all places, carries great ponte pants, both cropped and regular length- try INC brand. Both Express and American Eagle carry jean leggings in short lengths, down to size 0 and 00. Their sizing runs big, though, so try on for sure. I'm 5'3" ~130 lbs and I tend to fit into a 2 or 4 Short at Express, same at AE.
Above recs for the Banana Republic Sloan pant, I'm on board with. (The legging, not necessarily the 'straight' style.)The Pixie pant at J. Crew, as well as its knockoff at Old Navy, did not work for me, but I'm quite hourglassy and hippy (10 inch diff between bust and waist, waist and hip.)
Here are some actual links to things:
Sloan Petite Legging in Black
AE Dark Wash Jegging
Ponte Pant
posted by rachaelfaith at 8:51 AM on December 31, 2015
Best answer: If you are trying to look less rectangular and more hourglass, I'd suggest focusing on outfits instead of individual pieces of clothing. I'd pick up a copy of the British version (the original) of What Not To Wear. The edition I have is a few years old but I've found it invaluable. I'm definitely on the Susannah side but you sound like you have the same figure as Trinny. They also have a website. They call a rectangular figure a brick. They are pretty blunt but also have sound ideas on what's flattering and what isn't.
If you want to create the illusion of an hourglass so try clothing like this. Or this. And trousers here.
posted by Beti at 8:52 AM on December 31, 2015
If you want to create the illusion of an hourglass so try clothing like this. Or this. And trousers here.
posted by Beti at 8:52 AM on December 31, 2015
Try clothing stores oriented to the fashionable youth - smaller sizes but not weird proportions that can come with clothes defined as "petite". Basic plain pants in skinny cuts are universal right now. You should be able to find skinny darkwash jeans and other pants. Look for materials with some stretch, these hug curves best.
Don't worry about finding the right length so long as the fit is right. Most malls have tailors where you can get your pants hemmed, and they can hem it to the cropped length you want.
posted by lizbunny at 9:20 AM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Don't worry about finding the right length so long as the fit is right. Most malls have tailors where you can get your pants hemmed, and they can hem it to the cropped length you want.
posted by lizbunny at 9:20 AM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Similar body to yours. I do low rise boot cut petite pants and wear them with low boots. Make sure they are a snug fit.
I also think leggings would work nicely on you.
And consider some legging like thicker fitness pants like these at Title Nine.
posted by bearwife at 9:25 AM on December 31, 2015
I also think leggings would work nicely on you.
And consider some legging like thicker fitness pants like these at Title Nine.
posted by bearwife at 9:25 AM on December 31, 2015
Oh, and on the work pants front, I have really liked the ankle length petite black pants I've found at Talbots and Ann Taylor. Short dress boots work nicely with them.
posted by bearwife at 9:37 AM on December 31, 2015
posted by bearwife at 9:37 AM on December 31, 2015
Came here to recommend Kuhl for well-designed and constructed women's pants. I am a bit taller/skinnier than you but love the way these pants fit. They are low-ish rise, but the back of the waistband is cut very slightly higher to avoid the dreaded Pants Canyon. In case you are even more hourglassy, it also comes with an internal draw cord in the waist to close any gaps. I think the sizes run small, so a 4 is about perfect for me. I realize you weren't looking for cords, so you might also look into their Riot pant which is more of a jeans style, and comes with a dark wash.
posted by oxisos at 11:02 AM on December 31, 2015
posted by oxisos at 11:02 AM on December 31, 2015
I really like Uniqlo's legging pants. I have a few and I wear them every week. I am also 5 "4" and around 110lbs or so. I like my pants tight though. Uniqlo also has jeans that I find very flattering. The waist comes as small as 23 with a nice long inseam.
I haven't tried Express in a long time but I remember them having smaller cut clothing as well. They have a sale going on now. Oh and try H&M! a few of my favorite most booty flattering jeans have come from there.
posted by mokeydraws at 11:37 AM on December 31, 2015
I haven't tried Express in a long time but I remember them having smaller cut clothing as well. They have a sale going on now. Oh and try H&M! a few of my favorite most booty flattering jeans have come from there.
posted by mokeydraws at 11:37 AM on December 31, 2015
Ann Taylor has a curvy fit and a straight fit. They go down to size 00.
posted by desjardins at 1:07 PM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by desjardins at 1:07 PM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
FYI - please don't use "petite" to mean "slender", at least not in American English. Petite just means below average height.
Including this here, even though it's not strictly an answer to your question, both for the information of others (who might give non-slender women who are technically petite a hard time if they don't understand how the word is generally used) and to possibly help the asker use search terms more precisely.
posted by amtho at 1:45 PM on December 31, 2015
Including this here, even though it's not strictly an answer to your question, both for the information of others (who might give non-slender women who are technically petite a hard time if they don't understand how the word is generally used) and to possibly help the asker use search terms more precisely.
posted by amtho at 1:45 PM on December 31, 2015
Response by poster: Hey amtho, thanks for the heads up. I think I was referring to the dictionary and not the fashion sizing definition of petite when I used it in the intro and only applying it to myself, not as a general thing or in reference to other women. I made sure to use slender in the rest of the post :) Just quick-searched to check I wasn't imagining things and I am definitely every single word in the synonym list:
pe·tite
adjective: petite
(of a woman) having a small and attractively dainty build.
"she was petite and vivacious"
synonyms: small, dainty, diminutive, slight, little, tiny, elfin, delicate, small-boned
posted by a knot unknown at 5:20 PM on December 31, 2015
pe·tite
adjective: petite
(of a woman) having a small and attractively dainty build.
"she was petite and vivacious"
synonyms: small, dainty, diminutive, slight, little, tiny, elfin, delicate, small-boned
posted by a knot unknown at 5:20 PM on December 31, 2015
I think 5'-4" is the usual cut off for fashion "petite".
I'm that tall and maybe a hair lighter than you, and have the same problem. Theory works well and I find them a lot in thrift stores. Paper Denim Cloth is my current favorite for jeans. I lucked across a pair of Prada and a pair of Jil Sander pants and they are incredible. I also sometimes get the waist taken in, which isn't too difficult or expensive.
posted by sepviva at 5:41 PM on December 31, 2015
I'm that tall and maybe a hair lighter than you, and have the same problem. Theory works well and I find them a lot in thrift stores. Paper Denim Cloth is my current favorite for jeans. I lucked across a pair of Prada and a pair of Jil Sander pants and they are incredible. I also sometimes get the waist taken in, which isn't too difficult or expensive.
posted by sepviva at 5:41 PM on December 31, 2015
Yes, of course petite also means small/dainty/etc. in all ways. You are certainly not incorrect. I also misspoke in my comment. What I meant was "petite" in a fashion/clothing size context in American English. I promise I wasn't meaning to chide you at all!
I just wanted to make sure that people who were new to the term (they're all over - kids just growing up, non-native English speakers, both huge groups) got a clue. I phrased my comment in such a way that it did sound like I was faulting you or blaming you. Truly, that wasn't my intent; just setting the record straight.
posted by amtho at 8:01 PM on December 31, 2015
I just wanted to make sure that people who were new to the term (they're all over - kids just growing up, non-native English speakers, both huge groups) got a clue. I phrased my comment in such a way that it did sound like I was faulting you or blaming you. Truly, that wasn't my intent; just setting the record straight.
posted by amtho at 8:01 PM on December 31, 2015
I have had great luck with Theory's Treelca cropped pants for this and ended up buying them in every color.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 1:10 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Nimmie Amee at 1:10 PM on January 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Those Treeca pants seem like exactly what I'm looking for. Would have to try on obviously, but look amazing in photos. Thanks!!
posted by a knot unknown at 6:18 PM on January 1, 2016
posted by a knot unknown at 6:18 PM on January 1, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by hepta at 8:11 AM on December 31, 2015