slim/petite women - where do you find nice clothes?

[NewJeffCT]

My wife is naturally very slim and has real trouble finding business/professional clothes for herself. She's about 5'4" and is usually a size 0 or 2, and even stores like Petite Sophisticate don't carry a lot that small (or else, they sell out quickly when around) She is trying in vain to put on weight, but can put away 5-6 full plates of food at the local Chinese buffet and still not gain.

She has tried many places - Macy's, Filene's, Ann Taylor, Nordstrom, etc - and can rarely find anything small enough for her, even in the petite sections. Even in the brand stores in the local "outlet" malls, they don't carry much that small.

[Mutley]

1. A friend of mine is a 2-4

and she shops mostly at Aeropastal (however you spell that), Gap, and Old Navy. She says those are some of the few stores that carry sizes that small on a regular basis.

[Spinzonner]

2. Has she had her thyroid checked ?

Not that it's a fashion solution.

[NewJeffCT]

4. I'm pretty sure she is fine

she's always been thin, but she's of Asian descent.

[NewJeffCT]

11. afternoon kick

thanks

[liontamer]

3. I'm not that small

but express has stuff for a wide variety of sizes and even my size 0 friends can find clothes there.

[Sannum]

5. Banana Republic Petite

Online and in major cities.

Also, J. Crew and Anthropologie. Find a GREAT seamstress to alter whatever doesn't fit correctly. That is the best thing.

I have this issue as well. I am just naturally thin.

[liberalitch]

6. your wife has the metabolism of a rat......

BUT.... She, like I may have good luck in JC Penney's petite dept.

Also, Hell, hit the vitage clothing stores! The really tiny stuff is the least picked over and cheaper than whole sale

AND.... Last spring I got a Liz Clairborne suit for $20 at a consignment store

[lukasahero]

7. JJill, Bloomingdale,

She can also try the major dept stores since they all have petite sections now (although I find they have more petite size 10's than 2's...)

I have found better luck shopping by brand than by store - Ann Klein, Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborn, Jones New York have clothes that actually fit in a size 2/4 rather than the just cut a size 10 down to a 2 (trust me, there's a difference). JJill is still my favorite though - they've recently started carrying sizes 0 and 2 (they used to start at 4).

The fact is though that she's not going to find a huge selection in those sizes anywhere she goes. I've decided the problem is two-fold. 1) There aren't a lot of people shopping in those sizes so the stores don't carry many of them when they do carry them at all (they carry 15 size 10 suits for 1 or 2 size 2's) and 2) those of us who have trouble finding the size we need are always on the lookout, so the 2 size 2 suits they had sell out really quickly.

The good part about shopping by "brand" is that it lets me catalog shop. Eddie Bauer doesn't carry a size 2 in their stores but they do carry them in their catalog so now that I know that's the size I take with them, I can confidently shop from their catalog and get the clothes I need.

(Edited to add words that make sense... :))

[NewJeffCT]

8. thanks for the info

We've gone to the "outlet" malls here in Connecticut for stores like Ann Klein, Liz Claiborne, Jones New York, etc, but still don't have a lot of luck there.

I guess she can also wait for her next business trip to China to do some shopping there.

[northzax]

9. oh, she's going to China?

bespoke, baby, get 'em made. I have a fabulous suit I picked up in Hong Kong a couple years back, fits me like it was made for me, which is was. for $200.

The best part is once you find a tailor and they have your sizes, they can make stuff from a distance, she can send them fabric or details of what she wants and they'll ship it to her. It's really the only way to go.

[NewJeffCT]

10. yes, probably before the end of the year

I'm sure she will do some shopping there, but you can't always rely on going there.

[lukasahero]

26. Yeah, like I said, it's kind of relative

If I find a store that has 1 size 2 suit in it, I consider that a store to keep an eye on. I never have any luck at the "outlet" stores though. I have to watch the "real" stores for sales and then cross my fingers.

[lukasahero]

31. Shopping in China is probably her best bet

Unfortunately, it's not a particularly convenient solution for the rest of us! :7

[Left Is Write]

17. Size 2s are now in stores at Eddie Bauer!

They've added size 2 in-store starting with this year's fall line. Go check it out!

[lukasahero]

25. Cool. Thanks for the info.

I was there a month ago looking for shorts and they didn't have them. Guess they're tired of hearing folks like me whine. :)

[Avalux]

12. Most major department stores; Macy's

and Foley's (here in Texas) are my favorites. Good luck - I know how she feels. :hi:

[Old_Fart]

13. What's a size O?

Either buy her a sewing machine or tell her to look on the sale rack in every large department store they have plenty of them.

[NewJeffCT]

21. which department stores?

We've checked places like Macy's, Filene's, JC Penney, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, etc and her finding anything decent in a size 0 or a size 2 is a rare exception... like maybe 1 or 2 times per year.

[Shell Beau]

14. Maybe she should shop in the junior section.

I am fairly petite and I shop in juniors.

[Left Is Write]

18. It's hard to find professional wear in juniors sections, though.

[Shell Beau]

19. Not at the right stores (but it varies). But I shop at Gap, Limited,

Express, Ann Taylor Loft. For sporty I shop at Wet Seal and American Eagle. Most of those stores carry 0-2 and short, regular, and long lengths in pants. And you can usually always find X-smalls.

[Left Is Write]

20. I shop at Gap, Express, and Ann Taylor too, but

I don't consider them "juniors" stores. I have clothes from both Wet Seal and American Eagle, but none of them are what I would consider "professional" wear.

[Shell Beau]

23. No, Wet Seal and American Eagle are very sporty.

But I don't consider those junior stores either. But in McRae's or Dillard's in the Junior Dept., they have some very dressy clothes. But I always try them on b/c the sizes are so screwy.

[youthere]

15. Believe it or not, try thrift stores in your area

Like Goodwill or St. Vincent's.

[Left Is Write]

16. I'm also a 0-2, but don't have a big requirement for professional clothes.

I do, however, have several nice things from Ann Taylor in sizes 0, 2, and extra small for sweaters/tops. (Like your wife, I am also 5'4").

I also have a few pairs of dress pants and blouses from Express, and some nice-looking shirts, sweaters, and jackets from Express and the Gap. Department stores are iffy, for finding the right sizes in adult, professional clothes.

The best luck I have with dressy items is Ann Taylor. Petites are usually too short for me in arm length and inseam, so I don't shop at Petite Sophisticate.

[miss_kitty]

22. I am surprised Nordstrom was a wash

It must be that people are getting larger all over. My size 7 feet used to be 'average' now they're 'so small!'

maybe she can get a personal shopper at a Nordstrom or large department store that can keep an eye out for her style in her size.

[NewJeffCT]

24. that's an idea

My wife tends to think of Nordstrom as a bit too expensive, as well, so she doesn't spend as much time there as other places. I'm fine with her buying some nice clothes for a little extra money... but, she is hesitant.

[miss_kitty]

27. i think that's a problem with not being the average size

She probably will have to pay a bit extra to get nice looking professional clothes.

I did like the consignment shop idea-she can get really nice stuff there for an excellent price and have enough to have it tailored to fit. Then go to lunch!

[Kathleen04]

30. Macy's has personal shoppers also

they call it "Macy's By Appointment". I think it's a free service too. I bet alot of the major dept. stores have these types of services; they may have better luck hunting down her size.

[samplegirl]

28. Oh god.............i can relate to this question

Im 5'1 and a size 0 or size 2 Ive been going through this my whole
life. They think everyone is Karen Hughs!!!!!!
I have to go into the teen department which sometimes is way to young
so i guess i just look like and older woman in teeniebobber clothes
at times.
If I usually like something a whole lot.........i tailor it myself.
Ive never had the problem of putting jeans on and saying........honey
does this make my butt look to big.
Anything to big or baggy just makes you look plain sloppy.
In some stores........a size 2 is like a 4 ect. ect.
Once in a while im lucky at the Outlets. Being petite does have
its downside. Tell her to look through the mail order companies
alot of them are carrying smaller sizes now. Anthropologie and
Victorias Secrets.

[Taverner]

29. Forever 21

It seems like their stuff never goes above a size 1

[NewJeffCT]

32. she bought a dress there before

but, it's more trendy stuff for teens & college students rather than a professional woman who, while looking much younger than her age, is in her mid 30s...

[ScreamingMeemie]

33. Has she tried Dress Barn? A friend of mine always seems to have

very good luck with business and casual attire there. :hi: