Michelle

Popular shopping resources for petite clothing

Nearly everyone who responded suggested finding a tailor or seamstress. No matter what your size, most of what you buy off the rack will need altering to fit you properly.

Also, smaller sizes (0-4) tend to sell out early due to limited inventories and popular demand, which means you won't find them on the sale rack as readily as the larger sizes.

Here's where petite readers say they shop:

1. Talbots: Raves from several readers including Beth Johnston of Charlotte, who is 5-foot: "Guaranteed to fit and sort of stylish. The better stuff doesn't look too much like my mother. ...Somewhat erratic in cut of pants and skirts. ...Wonderful consistency with tops -- I couldn't live without their 3/4-sleeve knit shirts."

Reader Madelyn Rabb of Cornelius, who is 5 feet 2, also likes Talbots for professional wear: "...Great sales, return policies, and a catalog." She's a fan of the Talbots outlet at The Shoppes at University Place.

2. Sandy Goldsbury, who is 5 feet 3 and lives in Fort Mill, S.C., says "Talbots, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft have been my best finds for petites and size 2s."

Dr. Lennox McNeary, a Charlottean who is finishing her residency in Michigan, has found that Ann Taylor Petites are a perfect fit for her. "I'm 5 feet 1 and look younger than I am, so new patients often ask if I'm old enough to be their physician. My goal is to find professional, age-appropriate clothes, which is difficult to do when looking in most petite sections," says McNeary, who also doesn't have a lot of time for alterations.

"When I run into Ann Taylor, I know that I'll find clothes that are sophisticated but not stuffy. And the best part is that I can just grab what I need and know that it will fit."

3. A few readers suggested J. Crew. "I have found pants in shorter lengths at J. Crew," Goldsbury says. "You can try on the style you like in the store in SouthPark (or Northlake mall) and then order the same style in a shorter length either online or over the phone in the store."

4. Goldsbury also says that she's been searching for years for a lightweight, weatherproof jacket. "I found these online at L.L. Bean and Lands' End. They fit perfectly in the sleeve and length of torso."

5. Connie Massetti of Matthews, who is 5 feet, is a big fan of the I.N.C. (International Concepts) line, Macy's private label. It's only at SouthPark mall (for now) and [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register]. "You will not find the typical polyester, flowered `grandma' type styles," she says.

6. Betty Hollish, manager at Pendleton at Specialty Shops on the Park, says the store carries a large selection of petite sizes. "I have been a Pendleton customer for 30 years -- since I was old enough to buy my own clothes," says Hollish, who is 4 feet 11 1/2 inches.

Hollish points out that retailers such as Pendleton, along with Ann Taylor, Liz Claiborne and others, offer women the ability to mix and match pieces in speciality sizing (petites, plus) with regular sizes.

By the way, Beth Johnston also recommended:

7. Cinch (715 Providence Road): "No petite sizes to speak of, but the ladies are terrific at finding what works on the vertically challenged."

8. Banana Republic: "Cropped pants and capris hit at the ankle, which is a better look anyway. Tops are proportional and sizing is very accurate." 9.

J. Jill: "Same as Banana Republic, only not trendy. Noticeable difference in lengths, not just widths."

Johnston says she "would kill to find a shop that has great evening wear. The glamour shops just don't want to deal with short folks." (Got a suggestion? Let me know.)

Got more suggestions for petites? Let me know: [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register]; 704-358-5440.