Jen Wooster-McBride is owner and CEO of J. Lauren Events in Columbus, Ohio.  If you haven’t already, check out her featured planner style profile and get to know her a little better.  Jen is a regular contributor to The Stylish Planner on the topic of Petite fashion, you will definitely enjoy her posts!

I found something that I am dying to share with everyone! A recent quest for a new cocktail dress brought me to a website called My Shape (www.myshape.com).  They said “We match your measurements to a wardrobe of possibilities”.  I was immediately intrigued.

You mean you can tell me what looks good, and I only have to order one size because you will match my measurements to the ACTUAL size of the garment… no, no, it can’t be.  Too good to be true.

But I gave it a whirl, because frankly I am sick of the shopping and returning pattern that plagues petite women.  I answered questions about personal style, fabric and fit preferences.  Then I entered my measurements.  A lot of measurements.  Now when I log in I can go to my own personal shop.  They recommend clothes, from a variety of designers, based on my preferences and that match my body type.  They even tell me what size to order!

They anxiety of needing to find something specific and that actually fits has been quelled. I am in shopping heaven.

Jen Wooster-McBride is owner and CEO of J. Lauren Events in Columbus, Ohio.  You may remember her as one of our featured stylish planners from a couple of weeks ago.  Last Wednesday, Jen authored a wonderful post on Petite Body Types.  If you haven’t yet read about Jen, please check out her style profile now and get to know her a little better.  Jen will be a regular contributor on The Stylish Planner on the topic of Petite fashion, we are so excited to have her on board!

From Jen:

I am so excited to start talking fashion!  Today we are going to discuss the challenges and rules of petite shopping regardless of size or shape.  First off, the thing many don’t get about shopping petite is that it doesn’t make sense.  For example, I wear a size 2 but I buy all my knee high boots in plus or ‘extended calf’ sizes.  And for the record, no I don’t have freakishly disproportionate calves.  It is just a tough shopping world for us little ladies.

Now we all know you need to have just about everything tailored but what else? Here are my top ten tips and tricks:

1. Start with a good foundation. They make petite bras, at least up to a C-cup. For those lucky buxom ladies, a bra with fully adjustable straps is a must. A standard bra will almost always be too long in the shoulder area. Don’t forget, you can have straps altered.

Source: Both Wacoal, bra on left from Fresh Pair, bra on right from Bare Necessities

2. Buy petite sizes when you can, the construction isn’t just about the length.

3. Avoid anything labeled as ‘short’ it will be boxy, add weight and generally scream “I am a frumpy lady who wants to look 10 years older”.  And who wants that?

4. When you switch between petite to regular fits you need to go up/down a size. Yes they should be the same but they’re not so there you go.

5. When buying regular sizes three quarter length sleeves are your friends. Especially important when buying knits as they can be difficult to alter.

Source: Scalloped cardigan, J. Crew

6. Knee high boots need to be scaled down. Try slouchy styles, which can be pushed or folded down to the right height, or mid-calf boots for a more proportional look.  When shopping online the listed boot circumference is usually for a size 8, it scales down ½-1 inch for every full size.  So small feet may need an extended calf boot.  However, the shaft length doesn’t usually change.  Strange, I know.

Source: Klub Nico boots from Endless, Fitzwell Wide Calf boots from Zappos 

7. Don’t dress just to look taller.  Everyone wants to look longer and leaner.  I love 4 inch heels, but it’s not like I am going to fool anyone into thinking I am 5’10”.

8. Invest in colorful accessories. Retailers typically only sell the basics in petite sizes.  How much black can one girl own?  So show your personality in colorful jewels and bags.

Source: Marc Jacobs quilted bag from Bluefly and Cashmere Scarf from Banana Republic

9. Shop online and make good use of the customer service hotline or instant chat.  Ask about measurements of specific garments, then measure a similar item in your closet.  If it’s close you can probably make it work.

10. Give up.  There are just some things you probably won’t be able to wear.  So don’t feel bad and don’t stress over it.  My nemesis? Corsets and corset styled dresses.  They can’t be altered and are just too long.  So I am officially giving up.  Ahhh, I feel better already!

What are your petite shopping tricks? Do tell!

Jen Wooster-McBride is owner and CEO of J.Lauren Events in Columbus, Ohio.  You may remember her from our featured planner of the week spot last week.  If not, please check out her style profile now and get to know her a little better.  Jen will be a regular contributor on The Stylish Planner on the topic of Petite fashion, we are so excited to have her on board!

I am so excited to start talking fashion!

They say wedding planners fill many roles, accountant, designer, advisor and mediator just to name a few. And when it comes to my life I am also many things; wife, dog mom, small business owner, avid hiker, wanna-be foodie, gardener. So why is it that when it comes to being short we just say ‘oh if you are less than 5’3” you’re petite’. I am 4’10” and let me assure you, I am many things other than petite. You know us shorties, we come in all sorts of shapes and sizes too.

While I love fashion magazines, I have noticed they all say if you are petite you should dress a certain way. Dressing for your stature is only half of it. What about your body features? Um hello! I am petite and, well something else. Curvy, maybe? OK my little petite bombshells, we are going to figure out our exact body types. Get out your measuring tape and calculators we are getting scientific.

1. Measure the narrowest part of your waist, which is your zero point.

2. Then the largest part of your chest, take the +/- difference between your waist and chest.

3. Last the largest part of your hips, again take the +/- difference between your waist and hips. Then the difference between your chest and hips.

The figures above are adjusted for petite women. The same rules do not apply for us. We are lovely little scaled down versions so 4 inches on 5’11“supermodel is like 6 or 8 inches on us. Don’t worry if you don’t fall exactly into a category, it is just a guide.

You need to factor in things such as body frame and weight, or a longer or shorter torso or legs. In future posts, we will talk about how to scout for fabulous fashions that combine the petite “rules” with the body shape “rules”. Because we are so much more than our height.

So ladies tell me. You are petite and…what?