Difference between petite and regular sizes

NavajoGirl85

The jeans I was wearing before my weightloss journey was a 22w regular. I recently bought a size 20w petite and they fit pretty good. I have lost 35 pounds so far and the 22 are pretty big. They fall off if I don't have a belt. Thing is, since they were so big I figured I probably lost at least 2 pant sizes yet I've only gone down one size according to the fit. I know not all pants fit the same but I was sure I would be in a size lower than the 20w petite. Anybody know if petite size in a size is the same as the same size in a regular. I know the fit of course would be different but that's all I know about petite.

malibu927

Petite is shorter than regular. Which is funny, because at 5'6" I always had to get short jeans at Torrid.

SparklyBubblyBabe

Depends on the brand, but they'll always have a shorter inseam than the regular (and the knee and crotch area will always be tailored to fit a shorter inseam). Sometimes the waist and the hip are about a 1/2 inch smaller than the corresponding regular size. So if a size 10 is 39-30-40 a petite 10 might be 38 1/2-29 1/2-39 1/2.

zyxst

Petite in jeans/pants is about the length of your legs (inseam), not a size. I rarely buy petite because I usually have to hem up the legs anyway.

WickedPineapple

My experience has been that it depends on the brand. Some brands only shorten the length of the pants for the petite version of the same size, while others will have smaller measurements for waist and hip as well.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Are they different brands? Sizes on different brands can vary widely. I have some size 6 Levi's and some size 10 Old Navy jeans that both fit the same.

stealthq

Shorter inseam, always. Often a shorter rise. Sometimes smaller leg opening, waist, etc.

None of this holds if you're not staying in the same brand.

StaciMarie1974

Refers to length in general. They go in order from longest to shortest: Tall/Regular/Short/Petite

I think Petite is 2" shorter than Regular. Its only been in recent years I have seen 'Short' and it seems to be between Regular and Petite.

Of course, changes in your body weight could also result in changes in your shape and how clothes fit on your body. So that could impact the length you need as well.

L1zardQueen

I'm a tweener, pants are either too short or too long. I have to hem my pants and have gotten pretty good at it.

Lounmoun

Usually the difference is just shorter inseam on pants... about 2" shorter than regular. If you look at size charts for some brands though there may be 1/2" difference in waist/hip measurement for the same size in regular or petite.
If you are buying different clothing brands sizes can be pretty different so look at size charts and try things on. Don't get hung up on a number. Just get what fits you best.

I'm 5'4" and require petite length pants in some brands but not others.

WickedPineapple

StaciMarie1974 wrote: »

Refers to length in general. They go in order from longest to shortest: Tall/Regular/Short/Petite

I think Petite is 2" shorter than Regular. Its only been in recent years I have seen 'Short' and it seems to be between Regular and Petite.

Of course, changes in your body weight could also result in changes in your shape and how clothes fit on your body. So that could impact the length you need as well.

Huh... I always thought that petite = short. I've never seem them both offered for the same brand/clothing, it's always one or the other.

estherdragonbat

Petite is usually designed for women 5'4" or shorter. But some people have longer legs and shorter torsos and vice versa. Which means that long-legged women may need regular-sized pants even if they're short (and, I imagine some taller women with short legs may need petite sizes). I tend to need regular-sized tops, for example, because I'm busty and most petite button-downs gape open and sweaters hug me the wrong way. I usually have to get the sleeves shortened in the regular sizes, but I'm used to that.

earlnabby

NavajoGirl85 wrote: »

The jeans I was wearing before my weightloss journey was a 22w regular. I recently bought a size 20w petite and they fit pretty good. I have lost 35 pounds so far and the 22 are pretty big. They fall off if I don't have a belt. Thing is, since they were so big I figured I probably lost at least 2 pant sizes yet I've only gone down one size according to the fit. I know not all pants fit the same but I was sure I would be in a size lower than the 20w petite. Anybody know if petite size in a size is the same as the same size in a regular. I know the fit of course would be different but that's all I know about petite.

"Petite" is shorter but the measurements around should be the same.

Pants legs will generally be 2-3" shorter and the rise will be 1" shorter than the regular so they may fit differently around the hip, depending on how you carry your weight.

Blouses and dresses will be shorter in both the sleeves and the body. If there are darts, the darts will be set a little higher to accommodate the more compact torso.

NavajoGirl85

I'm 5 4 so if I buy regular I always get them hemmed. Yes they are different brands. I guess it's like different shoe brands. Thank you all. I'll go shopping and try on some of the brands I normally wear.

peleroja

Sometimes in petites, it's not just the inseam, but the rise will be shorter too (and in tops, sometimes the shoulders will be narrower as well as shorter arms/length.) And that can definitely affect the fit of jeans since if the rise is lower and it's sitting lower on your torso than the regular length did, then (for most women) that's a wider part of their bodies than where the regular rise sat and so the petite can definitely seem to be snugger since it's on a bigger part of you.

That said, at 5'4", I'm generally right on the border between petite and regular and if a brand offers both I'll always try both on. 95% of the time I'm the same size in regular vs. petite and don't have to go up a size in petite, but there is the occasional brand that does have 1/2 inch smaller measurements in the petite sizes.

tomteboda

@peleroja has it right ; not only is the inseam (ankle to crotch) shorter in petites, so is the rise (crotch to waist).

This happens with talls as well, and it's the main reason I can't get away with regular length pants.

crooked_left_hook

Petite isn't just about being shorter in length, it has to do with your entire frame. A 'short' and a 'petite' are also two different things. 'Short' sizes assume you have similar upper body proportions to a regular women's size but your inseam is shorter. A petite is for someone who's height, torso proportions, arms, and inseam are all smaller than average. Same applies to "long" (inseam only) vs "tall" (you're > 5'9") sizing. You also don't have to be the stereotype of petite to wear petite sizes. For example: I am 5'6", 134lb (as of today), and a small frame (or bone structure). I have a 32" inseam, which is about 1.5" longer than average, and my torso is about 1" shorter than average (I have a REALLY short waist). I can wear petite tops but I need regular sized, long length pants.

cheryldumais

I have found Petite is smaller than regular regardless of the length.