Living Maintenance - The high price of being - small.....

They give you less and charge you MORE.

I was in Macys' department store today. I found a bunch of gorgeous stuff. I found this one beautiful multi-colored, ruffled blouse with a pinched waist. I fell in love with it and it's 40% off. I'm going through the sizes, L, L, L, M, L, L, XL, L, PS (pay dirt!!!) I found a PETITE small!!! Okay. I try it on along with all the other gorgeous stuff (wound up buying waay too much) and I LOVE it. I take it to the register and it only comes up as 25% off. I tell the lady at the register that it came off a rack clearly marked 40% off. She takes a look at it and sees it's a petite and tells me the petite one is only 25% off. It was placed on that rack by mistake. THE NERVE!!!!!!

They are in actuality giving me LESS, but charging me MORE. I couldn't believe it. I was MUCHO upset. I felt like I was back in the old days when I was being ripped off by the PLUS sized companies. But at least back then there WAS more material. And in my case, since I was wearing the largest size there was LOTS more material... well, maybe it all evened out. But not really. What a nerve. Taking advantage of the petite. ;)

But, I'll bet it looks great on you !!!

LOL - I agree - it is very frustrating to pay MORE for small sizes!

That being said, I have also found that the petite rack can have lower prices than the regular one on the same clothing in some stores.
I have found this to be true at:
JJill (online)
Kohl's (online and sometimes in the store)
Pendelton (Outlet Store)
JCPenneys (in store)
SierraTradingPost (online)
Burlington Coat Factory (in store)

And, bargoo is right - regardless of the price, I bet it looks GREAT!

Pillowcases often cost more than whole sheets. It's because the amount of work involved in sewing a small item like that is more than in sewing a big item. Tiny seams and detail work is harder than long straight seams. The fabric is cheap; labor is expensive.

I'm not sure that is what is going on with the petites, I suspect it's more a matter of supply and demand--50% of women in the United States are 5' 4" or under, which is a petite size, but there's a whole heckova lot more regular size clothing out there. As a former petite, I agree, it's very annoying. :mad:

oooh..love Macy's! Love the pinch waist things too..I know just the style you mean!

Every time I put on a petite I feel like a:

*Transvestite
*Gorilla

Pick either answer and it would be correct! LOL--my arms and legs are too dadgummed long for P section! I guess I will stick with the cheap racks. LOL

Not to mention the additional costs associated with trying things on, liking everything, and then buying everything!

Not to mention the additional costs associated with trying things on, liking everything, and then buying everything!

Okay now this is SO the truth. I came home with so much stuff. It's so hard to decide when quite frankly everything looks, ummm - great. And yes the prices were good too. I gave my daughters a fashion show last night of all my new stuff. They were oohing and ahhing. The two that were home called "dibs" on a couple of outfits for particular occasions they had in mind.

Barbara, yes the high cost of pillow cases always bothered me. It's like they know you're trapped and they've found a way to "get you".

The truth is, I have a hard time finding petites and am grateful when I do. . Even the section at Macy's is well, petite ;). Not enough of a selection. And that is the case with any petite section I've ever found in any stores. They really need to have a whole petite STORE. Now THAT would be heaven. Being 5 feet short, I mean tall, I've no problem with the legs or arms being too short. None. I'm a true petite.

Oh and thank you for that list CountingDown. I'll look into those places.

RockinRobin, I feel your pain!! When I lost weight, I had to find all new stores to shop in, seriously. The "regular" stores simply don't carry sizes small enough, unless I go to girls or the small juniors -- which aren't shaped right, nor are the styles age-appropriate. I can wear a size 14 girls! Now I know this is a high-class problem. (whine: everything is too big for me!!) But it is a problem that I didn't expect to have. :tantrum:

Sears, Penney's, Old Navy, Kohls and such have nothing for me. My new-favorite stores are: JJill, Coldwater Creek, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft and Talbots Petites. They all have a decent selection of smaller-size petites, although I am under-growing Coldwater Creek now as sizes creep ever larger. Of course these stores are more expensive! But, I watch the web outlet pages and holiday clearance sales and find some good bargains. There is also Petite Sophisticate, which used to be my favorite store. But it went out of business, the brand was bought out by Lane Bryant and reopened a couple of years ago. Since it's re-emergence, I haven't liked their styles as much and there isn't a store near me anyway. So, there are a few other options to check out!

So yes, I'm smaller but it costs me more! I do believe it's a supply and demand thing. It depends where you live too. Areas with a higher Asian population tend to stock more of the smaller sizes. In the areas where the obesity rates are highest -- good luck with that! It makes sense, the shop owners are going to stock what sells. On the other hand, sometimes I find the awesom-est bargains on the rack because the XSP sizes don't sell!

Petites of the world -- UNITE! :soap: ;)

I'm right on the line for petite/regular (5'4"). I find since I have muscular arms and shoulders I can't get them into most non-stretchy tops.

I guess they assume that petite people are also frail?

Dagmar

Robin, yes! I would LOVE a petites store. Even better would be a petite store that carries pants in three different "petite" lengths! I'm like Dagmar, I'm 5'4" so I'm right on the borderline, and it drives me nuts to buy pants. The regular sizes are almost always at least an inch too long (usually more), and the petite sizes are almost always at least an inch too short. The Ann Taylor Loft petite pants are close enough to the right length that I buy them and just never wear heels with them, and ONCE I found a pair of "regular" pants at Old Navy that was the perfect length, but really it's frustrating.

Then I think, if at 5'4" the petite pants are just about the right length, what about those ladies who are only 5'0"? I really wish we could do sizing like men's on pants. Just give me a variety of waist measurements and inseams and let me choose the right ones. I guess for women's we'd probably want waist, inseam, and also hip measurement. But the manufacturers are afraid that we wouldn't want anyone to know our measurements or something I guess, because that would just be too easy.

My other petite size rant -- actually I have two. One is that a size 8 regular and a size 8 petite are different sizes altogether, not just in the length. If a "petite" is just someone who is short, why should my size 8 petite pants have a smaller waist than the size 8 regular pants? That doesn't make any sense. Second rant is about the store Express. Express is in general designed for tall people. Their regular length pants are something like 2 inches longer than other stores, and their tall length are 2 inches longer than that. But their petite length? The same petite length as everywhere else. :?:

I should add that Gap's "ankle" length (what moron came up with that name?) is also about the right length for me.

Count me in as wanting a petite store!!! At 5'3" it is so hard to find a nice selection of jeans that don't look like "mommy jeans" or my teenagers throw aways. So far Gap comes close but the size 2 ankles are getting loose.

I decided to try on my 10 year old daughters size 14 girls pants.....they fit. I really don't want to shop at Limited Too!

I decided to try on my 10 year old daughters size 14 girls pants.....they fit. I really don't want to shop at Limited Too!

The problem with girls pants is usually the rise is extremely low, so it fits my size but not my womenly "shape". And pink with purple flowers looks a bit odd on a 50-year old with gray hair ...!

I still can't figure out whether you chicks are complaining or bragging! ;) :lol:

Jay

Then I think, if at 5'4" the petite pants are just about the right length, what about those ladies who are only 5'0"? I really wish we could do sizing like men's on pants. Just give me a variety of waist measurements and inseams and let me choose the right ones. I guess for women's we'd probably want waist, inseam, and also hip measurement. But the manufacturers are afraid that we wouldn't want anyone to know our measurements or something I guess, because that would just be too easy.

Land's End will hem some of their pants which has been a lifesaver for me. Like Jessica, I'm 5'4" so the standard petite lengths are iffy. But I do need the low rise that true petites have (and manufacturers don't seem to realize that I need the same low rise in shorts, and capris, and duh! pajama pants!). I also found a style of Dockers (Metro) that have the right rise and length in their petite size. Of course, the store had only one pair in my size, but I was then able to order other colors online (and on sale :) ).

I love JJill and Coldwater Creek and try to buy their stuff when it's on sale. You can have them send you emails with their specials. For instance today I got one from Dockers on a 1 day sale online only....

But I do need the low rise that true petites have (and manufacturers don't seem to realize that I need the same low rise in shorts, and capris, and duh! pajama pants!).

Ugh, PJ pants are the worst for a high high high rise, even when you're not petite! But ones that are meant to be low-rise show butt cleavage.

I recently bought a regular size jacket, cost me as much to have the sleeves shortened as the jacket cost in the first place, When you are short, you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. When I shop for pants I take a tape measure with me so I can measure the inseam, I try to avoid those alteration costs as they are so expensive.

I still can't figure out whether you chicks are complaining or bragging! ;) :lol:
Jay

Maybe a little of both! :o ;)

Even though finding petite little clothes is a challenge, I'd certainly rather have this challenge than OUTgrowing my wardrobe like I did a few years ago!

Ok, my problem. I wear uniforms to work (RN). They make uniform pants that are petite, but not tops. Don't know about the rest of you, but my top half is petite too. The v-neck is just too low, arm holes are too low! I've written the uniform companies to complain, but it hasn't changed. The sales people in the uniform places say they have many requests for petite tops too, so it's not just me. J.C. Penney used to carry petite tops but they don't any longer. I know that you can always wear something under the uniform tops, but i'm already too warm!

Ok, complaint time over!

I'm also amused when I STILL need to shorten petite pants! Thank goodness for Lands End "choose your inseam length" pants!

I can help slim me ....

http://www.scrubscanada.ca/html/petite.html

Ok, my problem. I wear uniforms to work (RN). They make uniform pants that are petite, but not tops. Don't know about the rest of you, but my top half is petite too.

Fortunately I wear regular sizes on top, sometimes talls - I'm very long waisted. I was in despair a couple years ago when the style was shorter shirts that just - barely - reached the waist of a normal person, and left my belly exposed any time I lifted my arms. I'm 64 and not into showing any midriff skin, thank you very much. :) I'm happier now that the styles are longer again. I can never wear dresses with a waist. They look okay, but they are sooo uncomfortable as they sit about 3-4" above my waistline. Grrrr.

Ok, my problem. I wear uniforms to work (RN). They make uniform pants that are petite, but not tops. Don't know about the rest of you, but my top half is petite too. The v-neck is just too low, arm holes are too low! I've written the uniform companies to complain, but it hasn't changed. The sales people in the uniform places say they have many requests for petite tops too, so it's not just me. J.C. Penney used to carry petite tops but they don't any longer. I know that you can always wear something under the uniform tops, but i'm already too warm!

Ok, complaint time over!

My mom wears tshirts under her scrubs for that reason! She is 5'2" and tiny, none of the scrub tops fit.

Susan - saw your link after I quoted, I'll have to send it to her!

The problem with girls pants is usually the rise is extremely low, so it fits my size but not my womenly "shape". And pink with purple flowers looks a bit odd on a 50-year old with gray hair ...!


;)I know exactly where you are coming from here, LOL I am almost 45 and really look cute in those......not.

I can't recall one single pair of pants, petites included, that I haven't had to hem. There's petite - and then there's me, all 5 foot nothing of me. Oh well.

But without a doubt petites are not just shorter, they are DEFINITELY narrower - which is why I was elated when I found that petite blouse. I'm not sure why they make them narrower, just like I wasn't sure why they made those size 26/28's with the longest arms in the world. Just because I was heavy didn't mean my arms were necessarily down to my calves.

I'll have to check out this JJill that you folks have mentioned.

I also see some of you mentioned the girls section, but juniors actually run narrower as well. Being 45 there's only so much junior clothing I can get away with, but I have gotten some very nice things at a fairly decent price.

And Jay, I was complaining. Now mind you it's a complaint I'm thrilled to be able to have ;). Although I wouldn't mind being a bit taller.

Susan, Thank you so much! petite tops and at a good price!!! If you were here you'd get a big hug!!!

Since work is what I dress for most often, it's got to be kind of a hobby for me to have nice, different uniforms. If you ever head south Sweetwater Scrubs in Tennessee is fabulous!

Haha, I never realized they charge you more for petite sizes!? That is insane. I guess at 5'9", I don't have to worry about that :lol: I bet the skirt was worth it though! :)

I thought I was the only one having problems finding good petite clothes at Macys or Penneys. I cannot find enough variety. Not to mention, I am small/medium in the breast area too. So, things don't fit properly. I am not at goal yet but still it is very hard. I do like NY&Co. There's a petite only store called Petite Sofisticate which is decent. A while back I found really nice pants there.

I didn't think anyone said petite clothes are priced higher (although maybe they are, I wouldn't know). They said they weren't on sale for as much of a discount. I think that it is just supply and demand. Some stores put only certain colors on sale, and it's just a matter of trying to clear out excess.