If your sleeves are constantly falling into your dinner or your pant hems double as floor dusters (and perhaps your alterations place knows you on a first name basis), chances are you've dealt with the fashion challenges of being on the shorter side.
I'm 164cm (roughly 5'4), right on the cusp of what's considered petite, and even I've lost count of how many things I've had taken up.
Image: @emeliamorrisstylist Instagram.
And look, tailors are great. We all use them for different reasons.
But if you're the person constantly getting waists lifted and pant legs chopped off, it's probably not a coincidence.
A lot of brands design with heights in mind; you only have to look at the model dimensions on fashion brands' websites to know that, which means shopping off the rack can often feel impossible.
Watch: Making the shoe the centre of your outfit. Post continues below.
I really don't envy the work of fashion brands, by the way.
Designing for a range of different bodies isn't easy — we all have unique shapes and proportions.
But the good news? Things are shifting. More labels are starting to niche down and design with actual intention, solving real fit problems rather than sticking to a one-size fits-most formula.
One of the most exciting areas of growth? Petite fashion.
When brands do this properly, I genuinely applaud. Because not only can constant tailoring be expensive, it's also time-consuming.
Most women already have enough going on to add one more thing to their to do list.
Let's break it down. Petite fashion isn't about being a smaller size. It's specifically for women who are approximately 5'4" (164cm) and under.
You can be a size 6 or a size 16 and still face the same fit challenges if you're on the shorter side.
The difference is all in the proportions. Proper petite pieces are designed to suit a shorter frame, so things like inseams, sleeve lengths, rises, and even shoulder widths are all adjusted.
These are the subtle details that make clothes sit where they're actually meant to, without looking unintentionally oversized.
Image: @emeliamorrisstylist Instagram.
It's not about shrinking down regular styles and hoping for the best, it's about designing from the start with petite proportions in mind.
And while you might not spot these differences on a hanger, you definitely feel them once you put the pieces on.
Here are 9 brands offering petite collections or specific petite pieces that I think are worth knowing about.
Forever New has been ahead of the curve, literally and figuratively, when it comes to understanding the different needs of women in fashion.
Not only do they offer an extended size range (from 4 to 18), and a Curve range (16 to 24), but they also have a dedicated petite line, specifically designed for women 161cm and under.
Their petite offering includes dresses, pants, tops, coats and more, thoughtfully tailored with shorter proportions in mind.
It's one of the few Aussie brands that's consistently invested in petite fashion.
Image: Forever New.
VIV the Label is a dedicated Australian petite brand that's doing what so many others aren't: designing exclusively for women 5'4" and under.
It's still a newer label, but one I'm genuinely excited to watch grow. If I had to pick a favourite from the current collection, it's the Emily Lightweight Knit Top in chocolate brown. Simple, elevated, and so easy to style.
Image: VIV The Label.
What I really admire about Henne is how they responded to what their community is asking for.
Their Valentina Jean, a straight-leg, high-rise style that's become a firm fave (you only have to head over to Tik-Tok to see this), was often mentioned by shorter customers who loved the fit but needed a better length option.
So, they introduced a petite version.
It's designed with 5'3" as the base height and was so well received that it sold out quickly.
The good news? Pre-orders are open for the next release. It's a great example of a brand making thoughtful adjustments to better serve a wider range of women, without compromising on style or fit.
Image: Henne.
Please stand up and take a bow. Target were true pioneers in the Australian petite space and honestly deserve more credit for it.
Way back in 2014, they teamed up with fellow petite powerhouse Dannii Minogue to launch a dedicated line and it ran for years.
These days, they've continued the momentum with their own Target Petite range. The collection is full of wearable wardrobe staples, all thoughtfully proportioned for shorter women and still at accessible price points.
Image: Target.
One of my go-to online shopping destinations, The Iconic offers a small but growing curation of petite-friendly pieces.
While it doesn't have its own dedicated petite line, it does stock a range of brands that offer options such as Forever New and Abrand denim, which makes it a great spot if you like to browse across multiple labels in one place.
If I were a betting woman, I'd say their petite offering is only going to get stronger as demand keeps growing.
Image: The Iconic.
It's not just your everyday wardrobe where petite options are starting to take off, activewear is getting some love too.
And it makes sense, because let's be honest — athleisure is no longer just about sport, exercise and performance. It's become part of how we dress day to day.
AIM'N is one brand that's paying attention, offering their best-selling tights in a range of colours and styles with both regular and petite lengths.
That shorter inseam makes a real difference in terms of comfort in the petite range, especially when you're moving (or lounging) around all day.
No bunching, no constant adjusting, just a better fit.
Image: AIM'N.
While Reformation isn't an Australian brand (they're based in the U.S.), they've built a genuinely impressive petite collection combining sustainability with fashion-forward design.
You can now shop a small range of Reformation pieces through David Jones, although their petite range hasn't hit Australia just yet.
In the meantime, their online store ships here and it's well worth a browse.
This polka dot dress is my pick for spring racing or brunch with the girls: it strikes that perfect balance between playful and polished.
Image: Reformation.
ASOS Petite is like a goldmine for petite women, with nearly 2,000 pieces to scroll through covering everything from event wear, casual, outerwear to jeans, pyjamas, and even activewear.
It's definitely one of the biggest and most directional petite offerings online — they really understood the assignment.
With plaid trending hard this spring-summer, I've got my eye on these check trousers from Noisy May.
Tailored, wide-leg, and actually a decent length for short women? Yes, please!
Image: ASOS.
A brand I love introducing to my personal styling clients and sharing with my followers is Gold Coast-based Leina & Fleur.
Not only are they size inclusive (everything comes in size 8 to 24), many of their pieces are also made here in Australia.
What really stands out is their thoughtful approach to fit. Their pants come in short, regular, and tall lengths, so they've truly covered all bases.
For petite women, this means you can find pants in a variety of silhouettes and colours that actually work for your inseam and proportions. No more guessing or endless tailoring.
If you're after workwear and event wear options that don't compromise on fit, Leina & Fleur should definitely be on your radar.
Image: Leina & Fleur.
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Feature Image: @emeliamorrisstylist Instagram.
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