Being both petite and plus size is a unique intersection in the fashion world, and while it might not always seem widely recognized, it’s far more common than many people realize. The journey to finding clothing that celebrates your curves and respects your height can often feel like a treasure hunt – a challenging, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding quest. The difficulty often lies in finding stores that offer plus size clothing in true petite variations, styles you genuinely love, and all at an accessible price point. The good news? You don’t have to do all the heavy lifting alone. We’ve done the work to help you discover places that truly cater to your specific fit needs.
Finding this dual fit can, at times, be hair-pulling frustrating. It’s about more than just a shorter hem; it’s about proportionate sleeves, thoughtfully placed waists, and knee breaks that actually hit your knee. But, there are shining stars in the retail landscape that understand this need, delivering fashionable options that are surprisingly accessible. It truly is all about finding that magical combination of style, fit, and convenience.
While it may require a little discerning search, we’ve wrangled up a few fantastic options for you to explore and, more importantly, to comfortably live in!
8 Places to Shop Petite and Plus Size Clothing
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While a bit more conservative and classic in its style offerings, Talbots offers a full lifestyle range of petite plus-size options, especially for your closet wardrobe staples, ranging from 12WP to 24WP.
Denim and trousers, Lane Bryant has a dedicated section on their site for your plus size petite offerings. I haven't seen dresses or jackets here, but while you are shopping, know that you have a few options available.
Torrid is one of the best-known brands for plus size fashion, and they have a dedicated petite section with shorter inseams and adjusted proportions for tops, dresses, and jeans.
ASOS has a huge plus size section (titled 'Curve') and a Petite line; sometimes these overlap in capsule collections. Look for “Curve Petite” filters.
If you are looking for a few great work essentials, then you will find great fit and classic silhouettes at Land’s End. I am really loving this herringbone blazer offered here!
Universal Standard’s inclusive sizing is fantastic, up to 40, and while they don’t have an official petite line, many pieces come in different inseams or have adjustable lengths.
Macy’s offers its private label brands, INC, Charter Club, and a few other brands in a variety of styles in petite plus size. From jackets, coats, denim, and trousers, Macy’s offers a range of options to get you started.
Old Navy’s Petite and Plus ranges sometimes overlap. They offer jeans, pants, and dresses with petite inseams up to 4X. Their petite jeans and activewear leggings are great for shorter legs.
Insider Tips for Mastering Petite and Plus Size Styling
Navigating the world of petite and plus size fashion doesn’t have to be a constant challenge. A few savvy tips can make all the difference in achieving that perfectly polished look:
- Become Best Friends with a Tailor: This isn’t just a tip for petite individuals; it’s essential for everyone seeking a truly custom fit. A skilled tailor can transform a ten-dollar dress into a piece that looks like a hundred, simply by ensuring it fits your unique body perfectly. For petite and plus size figures, tailoring can customize everything from sleeve length to shoulder width, making mass-produced garments feel bespoke.
- Rock Those Patterns and Prints (Wisely!): You might have heard the old adage that petite individuals shouldn’t wear bold prints. Dispel that myth! It’s not about avoiding patterns but understanding scale and placement. When choosing prints, consider where you want to draw the eye to or away from. A well-placed, appropriately scaled pattern can enhance your silhouette and add incredible visual interest without overwhelming your frame.
- Avoid Just Shortening Pants: This is a crucial distinction. Simply chopping length off a pair of standard-sized pants almost always alters the entire line of the leg. The “break” in the knee, the taper of the leg, and the overall silhouette are designed for a taller frame. If you do get pants tailored, ensure your tailor accounts for the original shape and proportions of the entire garment, not just the hem, to maintain a flattering fit for your petite and plus size figure.
- Dresses and Jackets Demand Attention: These categories can be particularly tricky for the petite and plus size shopper if a specific style or proportion is desired. Pay close attention to where the waist is emphasized on a dress – an ideal waistline hits at your natural waist or slightly higher to elongate your frame. For jackets, look at shoulder fit and sleeve length. If you are lucky enough to have an amazing tailor, they will be your greatest asset here, ensuring these pieces drape beautifully and enhance your proportions.
Are you a petite and plus size Curvy Fashionista? Where do you shop for your perfect fit? What styling tips or tricks can you share from your own experience? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below! you shop? What tips can you share? Leave a comment below!
I cannot thank you enough! This is great information.
Happy to help!!!!
Simply Be is new to me, so I’ll be checking it out! And Talbots I tend to forget about, although for me, their prices are a bit high but I’ve heard the quality is great. I’m right on the edge of petite and regular (5’3″ and change) so I go back and forth. I have more length in my legs so I’ve got a shorter torso. For me, Lane Bryant’s shirts tend to be too long and overall the proportions can be off on some of their shirts so I’ve stayed away, especially when I moved down from an 18/20 to a 14/16 range.
Great suggestions, thanks!
Happy to help!!! You will love SImply Be!
ok So I checked them all out. Price wise (which is the most important thing for me these days)
I am really liking Simply be. Just about everything I saw there I can afford without feeling Guilty. Lane Bryant Has some fab skirts. Im well below the standard petite (5″ not quite 1 but I’m claimming it!) Thanks Marie
🙂 You are welcome!!!!
Nice list and thank you for your work in helping women feel good about themselves.
My pleasure! 🙂 XOXOXOXO
Glad you did this! I’m 5’1 and on top a size Large but on bottoms size 16W. Being short is not easy to shop, specially since most of my weight is at my hips and thighs. I usually shop at Nordstrom for jeans and have them hem a little bit. I’ve also shopped at Talbots and Macy’s however those 2 last ones for tops only. When it’s a quick or basic top like a tee I’ll get it wherever I find one I like and it fits. My main issue is bottoms since I feel that companies don’t realize we come in all heights and when you are short your hips/thighs carry most of the weight and I don’t want to wear a mumu or large top to cover it since it makes me look like I’m wearing the wrong size. :/
HAPPY to share and help!! 🙂
Yaayyy!!! EShakit has a few dresses I fell in love with.. AND… they give out a $25 credit for first time buyers!!
AND.. AND… They CUSTOMIZE the Length and Sleeves TO MY Specifications!
I can’t thank you enough!!!!!
You are welcome!!!!!!!!!!
Marie, You pointed me to this link when I wrote you last night and I cannot thank you enough! You have introduced me to some AMAZING sites for petite plus sized women, and I am forever grateful! I just cannot believe the selection of STYLISH (not “Grandma-ish”) clothes. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
You are welcome darlin!!!!
I shop at Torrid quite a bit for trendy jeans and t-shirts.
they left several places out. Plussizefix.com, fashiontofigure.com, forever21.com (plus), wetseal.com (plus), loveculture.com, casual-plus.com. the ones listed either are pricey or the clothes arent very trendy. hope this helps!
But they do not have specific plus size PETITE ranges though. Those are great places for shopping but more specifically, petite options 🙂
I am on Talbots email list for all sales and their clothes I used to shop Lane Bryant and loved their jeans but now not at all even there bras are not the same…….Disappointed in them…….I am looking for a classic black dress. I want one that will look amazing for years and all I can find is wraps and they are not My favorite or sleeveless. I live in Michigan Brrrrr….any ideas….
make My square make more since……Talbots clothes last a long time……and are mostly timeless
What shapes of dresses do you like? Are you a fan of the Shift dress?
I’m 63 and 5 feet tall. Weighs about 145lb.
I mainly shop at Reitman’s (in Canada). They have regular size, petite, woman plus and petite plus.
I like the style they present to me which is upbeat, modern as well as in good taste.
I sometimes find great petites from designers Kate & Mallory on evine.com. Also, QVC’s Women With Control have petites in plus sizes. Every season, she offers a nice two-pack of knit pants, one pair slim leg, one flared; or one cropped and one pedalpusher. For about $50. I get a pack every year. Choice of colors, too! It’s the tops and coats I’m struggling to find. Woman Within used to have a much bigger selection than they have now. And some of their fabrics are crap. You really have to read the fine print.
I shop at Macy’s for some things in Women’s and also some in
misses sportswear.
I love Karen Scott skorts and find they are generous for size, don’t
Have wide hips and hit at or above
the knee.
Their XL tops also fit me when I was a 2x now a 1x.
We have always known that better stores’ sizes are more forgiving.
So try a few summer things in the Misses department. They are
Generally shorter.
Having gone from a fashion school, I have always loved the houndstooth print for its classic vibe and you know in one glance that it will never be out of style like the all-time classic Burberry trench coat. But did you know you do not have to spend a lot of moolah just to look classy? Yes, you don’t have to! The key to getting that classy look is to take notes of the classic pieces and try to mix in-with-the-season fashion pieces.
You forgot Dress Barn. I find lots of great plus size petite outfits. Thanks for the article!
I am going to be in Dallas for a few days for my daughter’s birthday and will be visiting the zoo and doing a lot of things outside and am looking for a maxi dress. I always have trouble finding a maxi short enough for me (I’m 5’2) and that’s lined (I’m scared of any bumps and lumps showing) – any suggestions?
Thanks so much for this article. Will be checking out Talbots for sure!
Laura,
Did you find anything? I too would like a lined maxi dress that is not too long!
Thanks for the tips for buying clothes. My wife is definitely petite, and it can be hard for her to find clothes that work for her. I’ll tell her to try and find a tailor to work with, like you said.
I never considered myself petite. I’m 5’6″ and wear a 16W. Work skirts and dresses were frumpy on me, with the hemline hitting me at the wrong place. I spent a fortune on tailoring. Until I found Talbots womens petite and JJill petite XL. Perfect.
Unfortunately, 5 years later and Simply Be no longer has Petite Plus. Talbot’s pants are always too narrow in the waist. Lane Bryant has few options. (We need tops too! And I think Lane Bryant is overpriced and their clothing is poor quality.) I’m 40 and dress like I’m 75 because I the options are so limited. If it fits around my tummy, it hangs to my knees.
Pretty color and dress. 🙂 I’m not sure what my color is but I think it’s geared towards earth tones.