Have you ever experienced the disappointment of trying on clothes while shopping, only to find that the design details meant to be cute were completely off? Perhaps you've encountered the frustration of ripped jeans that had knee holes ending up at your shins when you looked in the mirror! Or maybe you have encountered that elbow patches landed on your forearms instead of on your elbow?
There are numerous misconceptions about what petite is. People often think that petite refers to someone who is skinny. However, there is not only a misconception about what petite means, but also regarding what the difference is between petite and regular clothing. The difference is definitely not that all clothes are made just a few centimeters shorter.
If brands were to just shorten hems and sleeve lengths, the clothing would still not fit petite women. There are several other things that you need to take into account while designing petite clothing. In this blog we will tell you more about what needs attention while designing petite clothing. All the areas mentioned in this blog need to be altered to ensure the perfect fit for petite women.
Inseam
The inseam represents the measured length from the crotch to the hemline of garments such as pants and jumpsuits. For petite individuals, the right inseam is crucial as it’s the biggest challenge in finding pants that fit. Often, we attempt to cuff or fold the excess fabric to improve the fit of regular clothing, but this usually results in a bulky appearance at the hem, which draws attention the length of the legs.
While designing petite pants it is important to pay attention to a shorter inseam, but also to the crotch, higher the knee placement and to rescale the pockets.
When you wear items with the appropriate inseam, the whole look changes. Suddenly, you appear taller with a more sleek look. Wearing well-fitted clothing transforms your overall appearance, making you feel more put-together and confident.
Hems
The standard height for someone considered petite is 1.60m (5'3") or shorter, while regular-sized clothing is typically designed for women between 1.65m (5'5)" and 1.70m (5'7"). This often results in petite women constantly dealing with issues like tripping over long pants, rolling up sleeves, and tucking in regular tops.
In petite clothing the base of armholes on tops and blouses is raised to ensure a better fit around the bicep and shoulder areas. Additionally, the hemline on tops is raised, hitting just at or above the hips.
Sleeves
When it comes to petite women, getting the right sleeve length is as challenging as finding the perfect inseam. While some petite women may have varying arm proportions, long-sleeved garments designed for average sizes often feel too long.
Petite sizing typically results in sleeve lengths that are 1.3 cm (0.5 inch) to 6.3 cm (2.5 inches) shorter than regular sizing, although this can slightly vary depending on the specific clothing item.
Petite blazers and jackets, are designed to have a fitted body, shoulders proportioned for petite women, and sleeves that hit at or slightly below the wrists.
In conclusion, it is a fact that petite clothing should be thoughtfully designed and crafted with careful attention to detail. It goes beyond simply shortening hems and sleeve lengths, as there are various aspects that need to be considered as well. From inseams to hems and sleeves, each element plays a important role in ensuring a well-fitted and flattering look for petite women.
Like everyone else, petite women like us adore wearing clothes that provide the perfect fit!