[Neelima]

Any petite people in the house? Where do you all shop frugally for work pants? I used to do JCP as it’s affordable but their sizing has been off as of late (ie too long).

I’m 5’0″. I just want a nice pair of trousers and it’s so frustrating to find ‘petite’ pants that fit great everywhere else but are too long.

A little tired of wearing leggings all the time. Shops that specialize in petite clothes tend to be very expensive. Please advise.

TIA

[Serah]

Sometimes it’s worth getting clothing that’s a little more expensive and it’ll last longer (also wash less often).

Some stores like Nordstrom Rack, Buckle, Lululemon, and others will tailor pants for free with purchase.

I’ve had great luck in second hand stores too and made a friend that likes to hem clothes … well do hemming parties, ill cook and they’ll sew!

[Deborah]

As a sewer myself, hemming isn’t the answer for petite pants. They were cut different so the widest part should be at the hips, the crotch length needs to be shorter and the shaping for the knees will be out of whack.

It’s not just our lower legs that are shorter – it’s our whole bodies that are proportionally smaller.

[Jackie]

I find that if I buy petite pants that are labeled “ankle pants” they don’t need hemming. I too am 5 ft but overweight.

I do sew but prefer not to.

[Lisa]

I’m 4’11 the old navy ankle pants fit me perfectly I usually shop their sales.

I have also had luck at discount stores like DD’s discount and Ross.

[Anni]

I legitimately switched almost completely to skirts and dresses. I hate pants anyway, but a skirt being 4 inches too long is easier to deal with than a pair of pants.

Granted all knee-length dresses on me are midi-length instead of knee, and midi/tea length are ankle length but THAT’S FINE.

[Amy]

I am petite and I learned to sew in high school. I have my own sewing machine and I hem anything that I buy that is too long for me.

It’s pretty easy to learn how! It’s saved me a lot of money.

[Jeri]

Hemming the pants length is great BUT usually the length of the crotch is the problem.

[Gail]

Learn to hem pants. Some fabrics are easier than others. Start with those and see. Buy a pair from a thrift store and try.

That way you are not out alot if you think it looks bad

[Shirley]

I was told 10-15 years ago that petite pants come in regular and short lengths. I don’t know if that was all manufacturers or just that store.

The explanation was not all petite pants are for short people.

A number of regular height people need petite pants hence the regular length.

[Renee]

The struggle is real. A lot of times you can find stuff in the regular sizes that are marked short.

[Beth]

Try hem tape! You usually just stick or iron in place and it’s meant to stick in the dryer.

[Sakina]

I am barely 5 feet so I rarely wear dress pants, as they are always too long.

The only place I have found something was LOFT and Banana Republic.

Sometimes you van find find a good deal when they are having a sale.

[Kim]

For many years my favorite source for work clothes was New York and Company.

They carry petite, average and tall sizes They have moved online but I still love their clothing I am 5’9″ I like their tall sizes.

You can also find New York and Company clothing for good prices on Poshmark, Mercari etc.

Also I would try thrift and consignment shops, Goodwill etc.

I have found wonderful clothes for great prices thrifting.

[Author]

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