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At 5ft 1in, I have a hard time finding pants that are the right length and tops and dresses that aren’t too big in the shoulders. Every online order I place can be hit or miss, so I never know what I’m going to get. Because of that, and it’s our Spring Fashion Week, I interviewed three experts to find out how to make shopping for your unique body shape easier. I did it with advice Madeleine Cohenfounder of the petite clothing brand In the studios, Ari Rosemarya wardrobe stylist located in New York City, and Cathy Sturinofounder of the body care brand Megababe.
They’ll share their tips and tricks, and later we’ll share some of their popular products and brands that make both shopping and wearing more fun.
Looking for more affordable yet stylish ways to update your wardrobe this spring? Here How to shop at Abercrombie & Fitch, spring denim for every occasionand the best finds at Uniqlo now.
Kathy, for those struggling with the emotional side of shopping, what should they know? How can they build confidence or prepare?
The struggle to buy is very real, and I want people to know first and foremost: you’re not alone. Whether it’s body image anxiety, shopping too much, or emotional exhaustion from trying on things that don’t fit the way you want, it’s a deeply human experience. A few things I want readers to know and try:
Do the groundwork before you go. Know your measurements, not just you "size" Sizes are a myth invented by clothing manufacturers and they have almost nothing. Clothes are meant to fit us, and often clothes are sized and scaled to unrealistic body proportions, so it’s really hard to get the right fit. You have to separate your emotions from whatever size the company made your shirt in. When you’re armed with your real numbers, you’ll shop with real data instead of chasing a label.
Dress for your body today. Not the body you had five years ago, not the body you’re working on. Clothes that fit well now will always make you feel better than clothes that you’re squeezing or swimming in.
Pull yourself together. You don’t need to buy anything. Enter with a mindset "I’m just learning" it takes the pressure off and often makes the whole experience more enjoyable (and, surprisingly, more productive).
Notice what lights you up. Pay attention to your first reaction. Not the one you’re talking to. That unguarded moment when you look in the mirror, you are honest with yourself. Believe in it.
Ari, as a wardrobe stylist, what details and factors do you look for to find the perfect fit?
For shirts, focus on the shoulders and chest first. The sleeves can be altered and sometimes the length of the shirt can be adjusted. For shirts, make sure the shoulders and chest fit properly. For pants, look at where the waist hits your body. Ideally, it should sit at the smallest part of your waist. Be sure to think about the shoes you want to wear. Wide-leg pants usually work best with heels, slim-leg pants can go either way, and straight-leg pants require a little more attention, as the wrong shoes can quickly dull the look.
Madeleine, as a denim designer, what are the biggest misconceptions readers should know about dressing for their frame?
The first is that if you are short, your pants should hit your ankles. This is actually not the case. Longer pants give the impression that the wearer is taller. At Nelle Atelier, we base our decision on how to style jeans to make our customer last longer. The second is measurement; everyone thinks they know their size, but in reality most people look one to two sizes better than they really are "size" If you’ve ever wondered why the model in the photo looks cooler than you in the dress, it’s because she’s wearing several sizes larger than her natural size.
What’s one life-changing hack that makes shopping for clothes easier for readers?
Know your measurements. Write them down in your phone log. Most brands and retailers have size charts. You can use your measurements to compare them, usually leaving 1 inch of buffer should ensure a perfect fit.
And now, some products and brands that our experts love:
Product duos that will make an instant difference…
“The steamer and a lint roller for the most important things are related. Both make the biggest and most immediate difference. I can’t live without a either sweater comb. You don’t need to use it every time you wear a sweater, but once or twice a season will improve them exponentially.” — Ari
“Fashion ribbon is always a good place to start. I don’t go anywhere without it either anti-static spray.” – Madeleine
Tried and true products for polish and shoes…
“A lot of people worry about wearing dresses or skirts in the summer because they don’t want to deal with those sore thighs. Save the thighwhich comes in both gel and stick form, allowing you to wear dresses, skirts and shorts without any painful chafing. Shopping is so much more fun when you know you can wear any outfit comfortably.” — Katie
A few brands Katie loves for plus size…
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J. The crew It has done an excellent job with its large size. They’ve perfected their fit and actually offer a wide range of sizes in most of their styles, which is a gold star in my book.
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If you want to feel put together, look no further Tuckernuck. They’re expanding their season-long plus size offerings with stylish options for event wear and everyday essentials.
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I discovered this recently Body also offers a wide range of sizes. Even though I was skeptical about my first order, I was excited to see that the size was great, so I have a new place to shop for bright, colorful, and dopamine clothing.
Some bra strapping is just not in the cards…
“I recently tried NOOD shaped tape for a back dress, and I’m hooked. When you have larger breasts, it’s always scary trying on clothes that don’t have support. I love this look because it lifts me up, but I can still be comfortable wearing backless dresses.” – Katie
A luxury brand for tall and wide sizes…
Ari recommended Veronica Beard to us for both tall and wide sizes. The brand carries sizes up to size 20, and our editors personally love its pieces for special occasions and key work events. Our selection includes these flaming rocks, this asymmetric button downand this striped maxi dress.
The clothing brand we all swear by…
We’ve written about our love for Universal Standard many times. In addition to being extremely affordable and affordable, the retailer has sizes up to 40. Our editors mostly love the sexiness of itthat comes in tons of silhouettes and is washable while still being stretchy and comfortable to wear.
Another luxury brand that even the little ones can resist wearing…
According to Arie, when it comes to downsizing, alterations are your best bet. But if you don’t want to miss anything, our shorter editors prefer cropped and boxy styles that cinch in at your waist. These Experimental teeth from AYR it has a very silhouette, so you don’t have to worry about them being too big on the shoulders. We also love the brand’s best seller Early morning shotwhich is the long sleeve of the box.
And finally, a few brands for smaller sizes…
“Of course, Nelle Atelier for denim. My favorite style is for spring Claire Vintageit is very CBK coded. I also think J.Crew has done an amazing job with petites recently. They even put small plate on your website. They are for me to wear casual clothes and small shirts. – Madeleine
