Granted I'm only down 20-something-lb, it's getting warmer out and I'm a 21 year old female- I want to look nice. Presentable, at the very least. I've NEVER had a pair of pants that fit me right- take my stomach and waist line completely out of the equation- I'm 4'9'' and I've never found a decent pair that don't swallow my legs whole. I have a great pair now, but the legs are simply way too long, and I can roll them up and wear them with a pair of boots- but it isn't the look I want.*I* want a pair of pants that hug MY nice (albeit fat) legs and show them off, while I'm transitioning. I still have 20-something more lb to lose, but while I'm in-between, I don't want to feel unattractive.

I was recently feeling so good about myself. We went out shopping, and I was looking at bathing suits. I'm nowhere near being able to wear a bikini yet (severe wishful thinking on my part), and I decided to skip out on a bathing suit entirely. I left feeling defeated and depressed, but the next day found this adorable shirt. It says it's my size- but apparently I need to stretch it out a bit first. I HATE the new material companies are making shirts out of, that thin, easily-stretched-beyond-repair material that shows every lump on your entire torso. Alas, I put the shirt away. Maybe in the next 20ls, I told myself.

Is there anyone else that is short (and you don't even have to be overweight, or maybe you've already lost the weight; it doesn't even matter) that has found a decent place to shop at? I was thinking of saving my money and getting my measurments done, and then ordering online from special companies (If I can find any, anyway.) Clothes are impossible to find! I find tons of cute shirts or swaters and coats and jackets that are just TOO long. Long is good, it hides my stomach, but MOST of them come down to my knees.

I'm at the point in my life where I want to look like a young WOMAN, not a teenager, and I'm just so frustrated of buying things, or thinking of buying them, with the intense hope that just MAYBE they'll fit, only to have my mother sadly shake her head and tell me "not yet."

I'm about 6" taller than you, but I really like Delia's and American Eagle. They're always the right length for me, and the jeans and pants fit me so well. I believe they sell 28" inseams at Delia's. They're online order, but if you order in store you get free s&h. I've also had a lot of luck with Old Navy. One of my friends is about 5'0 and mostly torso with shorter arms and legs. She will only shop at old navy.

I personally love Old Navy! I have very short legs, so I have always had a problem finding pants that fit me. Their "short" fits me very nicely.

My sister says the best solution is a good tailor.

There's also petite sections in most department stores that I've found clothes that don't need tailoring. Style is all about confidence though. Everything is belted nowadays so a big flowy shirt can easily be belted and worn with leggings to go for the effortless look.

I think of Tim Gunn's catch phrase "make it work" when I read this post.
Skirts and shorts normally look fine regardless of what height you are at since they come in all lengths.

I'm 5' 1/2" tall- I've found that Gap capris are the perfect (regular length) inseam for me. If you find a pair of pants that fit really nicely, just get them hemmed. The upside of being short? A few times, I've found a nice pair of pants on deep discount because they have a large flare or bell bottom cut. But- when you need to hem a pair of pants by 6-8", suddenly that changes the cut of the jean!

I look for pants, jeans, etc that come in petite lengths so I don't have to spend money for alteration. I know my inseam so carry a tape measure with me and measure them before I try them on. Lee's. and Levis carry petites as well as Gloria Vanderbilt and you can get petites at Talbot's as well. I am talking strictly about pants. I am not as successful with jackets and other clothes with long sleeves , they are always too long in the sleeve.

I'll keep all these in mind- I only have one pair of nice jeans right now, but in the next 20lb would like to have something nice to wear. I just feel so frumpy!!

I personally look for jeans that fit really well in the waist, hips, and butt and then I hem them to the proper inseam! It is so easy to hem a pair of jeans. or you can take them to a tailor and get them done for pretty cheap. Off the rack, I've had luck with Old Navy short length. The petite length is too short for me, so that might work for you. Also, Macy's sells petites in store.

My TJ Maxx and Marshalls have a large petite section, maybe you have these stores by you. Even so, I still find myself having to take most of my pants and dresses to a tailor. I highly suggest you do the same. Even some of my tops, blazers, tanks, I have taken in for a proper fit. If you purchase neutral colors and classic styles you can get a lot of life out of the pieces you pay to have altered. I bought a petite sized Burberry raincoat about 6 years ago and it still looks brand new. Yes, it cost a lot of money. But it fits perfectly for my short frame (even the sleeves are the correct length) and it is such good quality, I have gotten years out of it. For the most part, I prefer to spend a bit more for quality rather than quantity.

Also, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom's, and Saks all have petite sizes. At the Saks by me, I buy my track suits and they hem the pants for free. Nordstrom's and Bloomingdale's does the same, I believe. Occasionally, I find a few things in Sears - they do sell petites. And Land's End petite bathing suits are very good. You can mix and match the tops and bottoms. I like a bikini top with a skirted bottom for my body type. Even the home shopping channels often sell pants in petite sizes and in my experience, the quality has been very good. Good luck - I am only 4'11" and I understand the frustration!