A More Petite Friendly Fashion Industry

Many people can name at least one or two celebrity plus-sized models. On the other hand, how many truly petite celebrity models can one name (actresses and singers do not count. Truly petite means that she must be 5'4 or less). Over the past few years, plus sized women have gathered some attention in the fashion industry, resulting in a good number of lines creating stylish clothes for them. On the other hand, petite sizes (while "petite" is defined as 5'4 or under, taller people can have petite proportions--i.e. shorter torso or shorter legs) have achieved a regression in the industry, at least in department stores. While mid-range retailers have had relative success with petites, selling stylish petite clothes to women in their 20s and 30s, department stores continued to sell clothes aimed at more mature ladies. As a result, young petite women would rather buy stylish "misses" sized clothes and then alter them so that it would fit. Unfortunately, not only do these clothes not fit as well as petite sizes, it has also caused many petite sections to shutter (or at least cut back) in department stores all across North America. This cannot continue. Brands that sell or have sold petite sizes to department stores must realize that there are plenty of young petite women out there that would buy petite sizes if they exist. Brands that have not manufactured petites should do so. In other words, if you make it, we will buy. As for us petite women, this petition should be the genesis of our voice in the fashion industry. We need a voice, and so far, few have come up. Not even the entertainment industry, which is full of petite ladies, has said anything. If plus sized women have been successful in getting the fashion industry to open up, we, as petite women can too.