I know it might sound crazy, but try Ross/ Tj Maxx/ or whatever other discount store you’ve got around. Sometimes the discount stores, much like outlet malls, have off sizes (stuff that was hemmed too short, etc) and that can sometimes work to your benefit.
Also, if her pants are too long, just pin them under. She wont be wearing them too long, so there isn’t much of a concern of the pins poking her or anything.
Target does have some GREAT suit stuff in this season. I def suggest you go give Target a look.
Never rule out the amazing finds to be had at places like Goodwill and Value Village (Savers). Yes, you CAN find Petite items, from Petite Sophisticates, all the way up to Ralph Lauren crested blazers. The drawback is, you have to look at the size tags for everything in the approximate size range. Value Village sorts by size AND color. Goodwill only sorts by color. Check skirts, blazers AND 2-piece sets (3 different sections of the store). You might be absolutely delighted at what you can find. Also, just in case you feel repelled by 2nd hand clothes - most people donate items in clean, immediately-wearable condition. If they smell a bit musty, they can be hung in the sun for a few hours, Dryel’d, or of course, taken to a 1-hr dry cleaner.
You might also call some local consignment stores - the owners tend to know their stock intimately and will be able to tell you what they have without you having to go in person.
Failing that, JC Penney is said to have some very fine Petite clothes.
I’m 4’10". I know all about the challenge of finding petite clothes. I’ve never had to find a professional suit, but if I did, I’d make tracks for the nearest higher-quality thrift store. The selection in such places is really remarkable.
I’m 4’ 11.75" with a 26" inseam. I also have to wear suits on a regular basis. I feel your pain. The petite’s sections in most major department stores don’t fit, and the clothes in the juniors departments that fit aren’t mature enough. It’s a catch-22.
I’d say 75% of my formal work attire are skirt suits, precisely because I don’t have to hem them up. A couple places I’ve found that carry clothes that fit (mostly) right off the shelf are Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Express. They carry normal and petite sizes in both regular and short lengths. Target might work too, but I’ve never been able to find anything short enough there and they generally don’t have much that is professional enough to wear to work.
One thing to remember, though, is that you don’t have to buy a perfect matching set to ‘match’ or look put-together. A basic black or neutral-colored blazer will go well with a lot of things, though, so you could even buy the pants separately.
New York & Company has almost everything they sell in both regular sizes and petite sizes. I’m 5’3" so I either have to buy petite sizes or have regular sizes tailored, which is a royal pain in the rear because it’s not just the length that has to be adjusted.
I recently walked into New York & Company and walked out in a matter of 30 minutes with two pairs of jeans and two pairs of nice slacks that fit like they were made for me. They have suits, shirts, accessories, everything to put together a well-rounded professional wardrobe along with a few fun evening-worthy pieces.
The agency specifically said pants were okay. Dressy pants, not jeans, of course.
And she’ll be interviewing for an administrative assistant position, not for a “professional” job.
Given that her normal dress is a pair of cargo shorts and a black t-shirt, we’re going to have to work on this from top to bottom.
Thanks for the help. Most of the places mentioned have a store somewhere around here. We may have to go to four or five different areas to find something, but at least it looks like we can find something.
I’m 5’1" and have had pretty good luck at some of the discount places: TJ Maxx, Filene’s Basement, Marshalls, etc. Just how limited a budget are we talking?
Also seconded that a skirt suit is a safer bet for an interview, both because it is a tad more formal, and because it’s less likely to need hemming.
I was just at Sears and JCPenney recently and they have very nice, well-priced suits. I agree with another poster about the suit skirt - I much prefer a skirt with a women’s suit. It’ll also be easier to fit your petite daughter. And keep in mind the jacket and bottom don’t have to match; you could have a gray jacket and black skirt, or a pinstripe skirt and black jacket, etc. Mix-and-match is good.
I don’t understand. Is she applying to be a financial advisor or an administrative assistant?
Also, while this may not be of much help for next week, can you not simply have a tailor make some suits? Is that not where suits usually come from? I’m sorry, I don’t really know much about clothing.
Target doesn’t have much of a petite’s department – at least my local target doesn’t. I was going to recommend JC Penneys. They have nice suits and, usually, a pretty good petite selection. Also go to your nearest mall. Most of the mall department store ‘anchors’ will have a petite department. And many of the smaller boutique-style stores (Express, B Moss, etc.) will have petite sizes too.
Lots of dry-cleaning places that do alterations offer a “hem-while-u-wait” sort of service. And even if they don’t advertise it, you can always ask if they’d be kind enough to hem a pair of pants within a couple of hours. I’m sure lots of places would oblige.
If you are really pressed on time, a skirt is usually a better option, as long as it doesn’t make her feel too uncomfortable. I’m the same height, with an impossible inseam that only comes standard on pants that are size 00. A skirt can be cinched up under a suit jacket without being noticed, no hemming required.
I’d love to offer some store options, but I’m Canadian. I did find some nice suity stuff at the mall when I went looking for a dress a few weeks ago.
I am just under 5’ tall and formerly worked in a conservative profession.
I would not even consider pants for an interview for which I had short notice. As a practical matter, the pants are far less likely to fit than any other single item in a suit. As a matter of image, a skirt suit is more conservative.
Here’s an illustration. I was once in an elevator at the courthouse with a bunch of lawyers and other undesirables and a judge got on the elevator. She was wearing a pants suit, pinstripes and all.
One of the lawyers said, after greeting her and so on, that he liked her suit but had never seen a judge wearing pants. She turned to another judge who was also on the elevaor and said, “My god, Bill, are y’all wearing dresses under your robes? And I never knew.” Judge Bill said “Makes it easier to get to my .45, you know.”. *Exeunt judges * to some snorting gigles.
If I could only go to one store for a suit, I would have gone to Lord & Taylor, you’d be amazed what they have on sale in petites. JC Penny and Sears (believe it or not) often have good business wear. And if you go the secondhand route (which I agree can end in some amazingly good buys) find a Goodwill or consignment store close to a fancy neighborhood. More suits.
And just what makes a job a “skirt type job”? 'Cause I’m having a hard time trying to determine how whether or not my legs are showing makes a difference to the job at hand.
I’m also shaped like an Ewok, so I know your daughter’s pain. I don’t think skirt vs. pants is all that important; she should take whichever looks best on her. You always make a better impression in clothes that fit well and are flattering to your body type.
For suit-hunting, I’ve had the best luck at big department stores, but I’ve also had good fortune at Sears and TJ Maxx. Remember that the pants and jacket don’t have to be sold as a set, as long as they look good together. I bought my interview suit as separates, and I got the job.