I am also small and find the petite clothes so be a crazy mixture of prostitute or non-stylish granny. I also like Talbots!

I'm at the other end of the line. Try finding tall size pants and/or skirts!!!

I'm always amused at the "petite short" clothing which goes up to very large sizes. The definition of "petite" means small, not just short.

I wear a size 6 petite mostly but some things a size 4. I don't have access to large shopping centers close by but we do have Penney's, Cliks, Kohl's, and Maurice's. I find Maurice's is geared toward the younger shoppers and have cute styles in the smaller petite sizes.

Google defines "petite" as having a small and attractively dainty build.

I'm a petite. I believe it's usually 5'4" and under. But, it is also about proportion. I have the short legs and arms. Some woman can wear regular tops but need petite pants and visa versa.

i like Loft and Anne Taylor. I agree about Macy's

i order at Loft online for more choices.

Petite clothing is made for short people. My daughter wears a 4 petite and I wear a 10 or 12 petite. There's nothing attractively dainty about me. :)

Pants that are not petites are too long, both in the legs and the crotch. Tops are too long, including sleeve length. In some top styles it doesn't matter.

I am/was 5 ft. Tall but I am most likely a little shorter now. I shop online quite a lot. Nordstrom is good. I have ordered several dresses from them in the past 6 months and they all fit good. Burlington is another good one.

The word petite in terms of fashion sizing has a different meaning than the dictionary definition.

My daughter is 4' 10". We recently discovered Loft for her. She specifically needed black pants and a shirt. The pants fit was a very happy discovery.

We also sometimes find cute clothes at Ross.

Yes I must have petite for length in legs, arm and crotch lengths. I had a hard time finding black dress pants last week for the party Tuesday. Steinmart had lots of nice pants but not a single petite. It is expensive to have everything altered. I did finally find a good fit for me. I bought a few pairs that I will be taking to the seamstress. I ordered some pants online from home shopping network, they gave the inseam measurement which would have been perfect but they were no where near that actual length. I detest returning stuff so now I will be paying to get them shortened. Bummer. At least be accurate with the description and specifications so we have a chance!

There is women"s petite and then there is junior petite. Different departments in clothing stores.

I frequently wear petite depending on store and cut of their clothes. Loft, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic have been my go to shops for years

Since the cut off height is 5'4'', as someone 5'1", I still have to bring things to the tailor.

Even though I am a frequent Loft shopper, I still have trouble figuring out sizes when I order online. All stores seem to be into the vanity sizing. The idea that you can be an extra small in something! Silly as I know how much I weigh and it doesn't make me feel better to have a size 0 in something. it is frustrating that I have to return things.

Usually, I return to the store and sometimes I am lucky to find something there. I just bought a cute silver and black top in the regular size but I have to have the sleeves shortened.

The Gap has petite online but not in the store. I bought a few eans this way. But, for the most part, I can find things that fit because I stop in there often. It is across the way from my supermarket so I sometimes pop in there before going to the grocery store.

Something got mixed up in my genetics. I'm long-waisted, but have short legs. I can *almost* use a petite-size for pants as far as length, but the cut is still not quite right. So -- tailoring is necessary anyway, even though I've lost an inch of height. (Now 5'5"; 105 lbs.)

Could I shop the 'Girls' department -- just for a robe?

I'm 5'2" and finding pants/jeans is a chore; my waist is about 2 sizes smaller than my hips (hello my friend belt). I hate pants shopping and when I find a pair that fits, I'll usually buy two or three pairs. In tops/shirts I fit a regular cut, which is at least handy.

A few years ago I was pants shopping at Sears and found some labeled "short" instead of "petite." They were about 3 inches too short for me and hilarious. I had to go find DH to show him- not like that has ever happened to me before :)

I remember when DD became engaged. We had the whole family here for Christmas, as usual, and she was arriving here the 24th and flying to fiancee on the 26th for their splashy engagement party in Louisiana that night or the next. She needed a dress, and so I ran out to two Macy's on the 24th to find a cocktail dress that would fit her. I brought home every petite 0 and petite 2 that looked possible, maybe 8 dresses. I hoped we could keep 2 or 3. All of them were too big except one would work because it was cut on the bias and draped on her well, even though it was a tad big too. So as her dad took her to the airport the morning of the 26th, I returned the dresses. That red satin Jones New York dress still fits and is a lovely dress for fancy occasions 12 years later.

Seniorgal, Google doesn't sell clothes so who cares what their definition is?

For less formal things, you also might want to check Uniqlo on line. They are based in Japan but do have retail stores in the US, at least in California.

I'm having the opposite problem SheilaJoyce - I'm looking for a petite outfit for my 91 yr old mother and can't find the style she prefers. She likes outfits (matching tops/bottoms), pull on and no chilly zipper on the tops, easy wash and dry no-iron velour, no hood (!) no embellishments. All I can find this year are styled for juniors, not senior citizens. Trust me, my mother doesn't want Juicy Couture ;0)

I've tried Macy's online but not in the store, I'll try to get there this weekend because the matronly that didn't work for your shopping may work for mine.

And Sedona - I hope you didn't intend for that line to sound curt. No one here would speak that way to Seniorgal who we all love and admire.

morz8, have you tried JC Penney and their Alfred Dunner brand?

Our Penney's closed two years ago. Like Macy's, I've checked Penney's online and didn't see what I've been used to buying her. Macy's used to carry a couple of lines (think Karen Scott was one) and both had Liz Claiborne active/leisure wear for the mature woman. Macy's and Penney's are an hour from here. I'll go in person this weekend and look, and I'll be sure to look at Alfred Dunner - thanks!

morz8 -- Yes, what is it with *hoodies*? Is there a sudden population boom of teenie-boppers?

I'm not sure the Alfred Dunner brand will have specifically what you want. I do know they have coordinating clothes that are often favored by older ladies.