As a 4ft11" Fashion Editor, These are the Best Petite Clothing Brands I Turn to Time and Time Again

As a 4ft11" fashion editor, I know first-hand how hard finding great petite fashion can be. Particularly because, historically, petite clothing brands and petite-friendly ranges have felt very few and far between. By contrast, 50% of the world's female population is under 5'4"—and according to data,the mean height of women in the UK is actually around 5'3". Sadly, what that means is, I'm sure I've not been alone in my struggle to find stylish, on-trend pieces that don't overwhelm petite proportions.

Luckily however, in recent years more and more brands have heard the call and begun launching collections created specifically with women 5'4" and under in mind. From Reformation to Reiss as well as Rixo's recently launched range, petite women now have more choice than ever when it comes to their wardrobes. And it's not just everyday styles, either. You can now also find great petite workwear, activewear and swimwear too, all designed with shorter statures in mind.

Yet with so many more petite clothing brands on offer, you may be wondering which ones truly deliver on great petite buys. Well, as someone who shops pretty much exclusively from petite collections, over the years I've had the chance to put many of the them to the test, and so, I've compiled an edit of the 9 petite clothing brands which come out on top.

Alongside where you shop however, it's also worth noting that when it comes to petite dressing, there is so much more to think about than simply the clothes you buy. How you style a look also needs to be taken into consideration. So, we spoke to designer and petite fashion expert, Liza Belmonte, to understand the tips and tricks petite women need to know to get the most from their wardrobes.

Keep scrolling for my favourite petite clothing brands, then head to the bottom of the page for all of Liza's petite styling tips—as well as a few of my own, too.

The best petite clothing brands, chosen by a fashion editor

1. Rixo

Let's start with the newest petite clothing line I've come across: Rixo. Launched in 2024, rather than creating new petite specific designs, Rixo has redesigned some of its best-selling dresses and skirts to be better fitted for petite proportions. I'm a big fan of this approach to petite dressing as it means you won't simply find a collection of mini skirts and crop tops. Instead, these are pieces that still embody Rixo's signature DNA—just on a slightly smaller scale.

2. Reformation

With one of the most comprehensive petite collections out there, Reformation is a great stop for both everyday petite buys, and event- and occasion-wear. I highly recommend the LA brand's silk and satin options for any upcoming summer weddings and events—they can even double as bridesmaid dresses if you're looking for petite-friendly options for your bridal party.

3. ASOS

If you're looking for great affordable petite fashion, ASOS is the ultimate one-stop shop. Alongside its petite own brand offering, you'll also find a whole host of incredible petite brands including Topshop, 4th & Reckless and activewear brand, 4505.

4. Whistles

Whistles' petite offering is small but mighty, covering everything from denim to dresses and jumpsuits. Each are available in sizes 4-20, meaning they cover all body shapes—a big plus as petite frames aren't just limited to smaller sizes.

5. ME+EM

Rather than a specific petite section, ME+EM has an edit of pieces which it describes as 'Petite Flattering'. This means you'll find mainline designs which feature cropped lengths, tailored fits and figure hugging details which won't overwhelm petite heights.

6. Nobody’s Child

Looking for update your summer wardrobe? The Nobody's Child petite offering has you covered. While best known for floral dresses and bold prints, the brand also does some great basics that can form the basis of your spring and summer looks.

7. Reiss

For elevated everyday wear and chic workwear all designed for petite proportions, head to Reiss' petite section. Their tailoring is some of the best around and the shorter lengths mean you can avoid a costly trip to the tailors and still get a great fit.

8. Paige

Paige is known for creating great denim, yet what you may not know is that it also offers many cuts in petite length. Keep an eye out for styles with a 29" inseam for full length, or a 25" inseam for cropped fits.

9. M&S

Lastly, one of my favourite high street brands for petite clothing is of course M&S. Whether you're on the lookout for wardrobe staples or more trend-led styles, there's something to suit all tastes—at an incredibly affordable price point, too.

Petite Dressing Tips You Need To Know

We tapped petite fashion expert, Liza Belmonte, for her top tips for styling and dressing as a petite woman. Here's what she had to say...

1. Prioritise Fit

"The most powerful thing you can do for your wardrobe is prioritise a good fit," Belmonte explains. "Invest in clothes that fit well or get clothes altered to fit you," she adds.

"Slim and tailored fits will always be easier to style if you are petite but that does not mean you always have to wear fitted clothes. If you want an oversized look, don’t just go for a size up, choose clothes that have been engineered to be oversized on your petite proportions," Liza recommends. "I always recommend getting your oversized clothes from a petite brand to avoid that frumpy look."

2. Accessorise strategically

"Your accessories have the power to really transform how tall you appear so make sure you use them in your favour," Liza explains, suggesting that a large handbag can shink your frame, while smaller handbags will work to make you appear taller.

She continued, "A belt, depending on where it is placed, can dramatically affect your proportions. I use belts on pretty much everything (dresses, blazers, etc.) to mark my waist higher than it is and give the illusion of longer legs."

In addition to this, Liza also said that jewellery, hair accessories and even scarves, have the ability to draw the eye upwards, while in the footwear department, nude tones and pointy-toe court heels can work to elongate your legs.

3. Show some skin

While many say that ankle-length trousers will work to elongate your frame, Liza argues that it is actually more valuable to show off your wrists and neck. "Show skin around your wrists and forearms by rolling up your sleeves, and your neck by styling your hair up. They are the daintiest parts of anyone’s body and help create a balance of proportion," she explains. "This is especially key when you are wearing oversized clothing. The Olsen Twins who are very petite use this styling trick regularly. As part of their signature minimalist style, they wear a lot of oversized clothing, yet their sleeves are almost always rolled up or pulled up."

4. Go for monochrome or a colour gradient looks

"A tried and proven way to use colour to give the illusion of height is to wear a monochromatic look," Liza says. "It creates vertical lines and elongates the silhouette."

Liza continues that adding accessories is a great way to ensure your outfit still looks interesting. "If you are petite and love combining multiple colours or neutrals in your outfits, it is a good idea to create a colour gradient—for example, beige, to taupe, to brown—rather than wearing “blocks” of highly contrasting colours (like a white top and black trousers). The gradient will streamline the whole look and avoid creating harsh lines and blocks that cut across the silhouette."