Hello! It’s great to see you today. For petites, coats and jackets are the hardest thing to shop for. Why? Well, mostly because so many great coat styles are not available in petite sizes! And, unlike pants, it’s not just an easy hem to make a coat or jacket fit properly when you go with a regular size.
That said, I have had some good luck with regular-sized jacket styles from a few brands. Typically these are cropped, short jacket styles that end up fitting me perfectly.
Today I want to share a few tips for online-shopping regular-sized jackets for petites, and some petite offerings from my favorite brands.
The Summary
Today Kelly shares tips for online-shopping regular-sized jackets for petites
Plus Kelly’s favorite brands for petite jackets and top picks
Check out the Gift Guide for Stocking Stuffers from Nordstrom at the end of the post
Jackets and Coats for Petites
1. Short style jackets
I often have pretty good luck with regular-sized short style jackets from Madewell. The reason why is that typical Madewell style for jackets is slightly boxy, with shorter, or cropped sleeves. One recent example of this is the Washed Leather Moto Jacket from Madewell. Another is the Quilted Lightweight Lady Jacket from J.Crew. I wore both of these jackets (which are perfect for layering) during our trip in Paris.
Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket (Madewell) | Cropped Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (J.Crew) | Griff Tapered Cargo Pants (similar, Madewell) | Hidden Heart High Top Sneaker Special Edition (Converse)
To get the gist of what a jacket will fit like, look at the model. Despite size inclusive models, we still never see short girls modeling clothes. Alas, if the sleeves are coming up short on her, the style will have shorter sleeve lengths and should fit a petite at the just the right spot on the wrist. I have had good luck judging how something will fit by making this observation.
My favorite regular-sized jackets from Madwell are their denim jackets. Of which I have a few. I wore their slightly boxy Denim Jacket in Lunar Wash recently.
High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans (Gap) | Tissue Turtleneck (J.Crew) | Similar Cardigan (Madewell) | Similar Style Bomber Jacket (Banana Republic Factory) | Similar Print Cardigan (J.Crew) | Corinne Lugsole Loafer (Madewell) | Denim Jacket in Lunar Wash | Sydney Crossbody Bag (Madewell)
Madewell is a good go-to for workwear denim jackets, like their Chore Jackets. I recently wore a Madewell Chore Jacket with a sweater dress. The overall length of the jacket should hit at my waist. It doesn’t but look how the sleeves hit just right. I am ok with a slightly longer length in a loose-fitting denim jacket style like this.
Similar Madewell Chore Jacket | Similar Long Sleeve Sweater Dress | Frye Veronica Harness Tall Boot | The Transport Tote
2. Long Jacket Styles
Long jacket styles like trench coats, overcoats and stadium coats really do (or should) be purchased in petite sizes. It’s just too expensive and difficult to alter a regular long jacket into a petite long jacket.
I took my Classic Trench Coat from J.Crew on our trip to Paris. I have had many Petite J.Crew jackets over the years and I have always been very happy with their reliable coat sizing.
Petite Houndstooth Knit Pencil Skirt (Ann Taylor) | Ticino Puff-Sleeve Sweater (Banana Republic) | Whitney Weejun Color Block Leather Loafers (GH Bass) | New Icon Trench (J.Crew)
More great petite coats can be found at Talbots and Ann Taylor. Personally I haven’t had the best luck with Banana Republic’s Petite sizing lately. But they might be worth a try too, depending on the style.
Loose-fitting sweater coats or boiled wool coats are very forgiving when it comes to wearing a regular size as a petite. One example I love this year is the Ella Open-Front Long Sweater-Blazer from J.Crew. I have a similar light coat that is great for layering.
Ella Open-Front Long Sweater-Blazer (J.Crew) | Similar Midi Sweater Skirt (J.Crew) | Similar Pointed Toe Bootie (Nordstrom) | Similar Clutch (Nordstrom)
3. Petite Blazers
When it comes to playing it safe with petite sizing, blazers are worth seeking out in your petite size, just like longer coat styles. Especially if you’re looking for a fitted style. The shoulders, sleeves and length will be adjusted to a petite frame. While it may be easy for a tailor to hem a sleeve; shrinking shoulders and length will be tricky and expensive.
Over the years, I have had the best luck with J.Crew Blazers. I recently purchased the Petite Going Out Blazer in Stretch Twill. I really love this blazer; it fits well and is so easy to throw on over anything for an instantly elevated look.
I am a big fan of sweater blazers because they look polished and can elevate a casual outfit with ease; yet they are comfortable and not too fussy-feeling.
Petite Schoolboy Blazer (J.Crew) | Petite Vintage Wide Leg Crop Jean (Madewell) | Corinne Lugsole Loafer (Madewell) | Similar Peanuts Graphic Tee | Rothy’s Belt Bag
kelly’s top petite jacket picks
1.
Petite Faux Leather Cropped Jacket
[shop more Ann Taylor Petite jackets and blazers]
Shop Now
2.
Petite Faux Shearling Teddy Coat
[shop more Talbots petite outerwear]
Shop Now3.
Fireplace Plaid Jacket
[shop more Talbots petite outerwear]
Shop Now
4.
Brushed Plaid Coat
[shop more Talbots petite outerwear]
Shop Now5.
Stripe Draped Collar Wrap Coat
[shop more Ann Taylor petite coats]
Shop Now
6.
Double Breasted Cable Coatigan
[shop more Ann Taylor Petite jackets and blazers]
Shop Now7.
Petite Parke Blazer in Bi-Stretch Cotton
[shop more petite J.Crew blazers]
Shop Now
8.
Petite Hutton Blazer in Herringbone Knit
[shop more Ann Taylor petite jackets and blazers]
Shop Now9.
Ribbon Tweed Blazer
[Shop more petite Talbots blazers and jackets]
Shop Now
stocking stuffers from nordstrom
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Set | Fresh Sugar and Color Lip Balm Set | Initial Pendant Necklace | Slip Silk Skinny Scrunchy Set | NEST Holiday Scented Candle | Cashmere Fingerless Gloves | CozyChic Barefoot in the Wild Socks | Kiehl’s Men’s Energizing Essentials Set | L’Occitane Hand Cream Indulgences Set | Initial Catchall Jewelry Tray
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About The Author
Oh Kelly- you might think of yourself as more tomboyish, but you are truly French chic. They are all about the art of ‘looking’ as if they aren’t trying too hard. I can’t describe it accurately, but that look with the skirt and trench, says it all. Minimal makeup,/jewelry. Europe in general is all about a very curated closet of well made items. Slow fashion might be a new craze over here, but it has always been a way of life for many European countries. 🎁. I am, also, very happy to have a petite person to follow, who has the same style, even though I’m much older. Style is ageless. Thanks for being here 🥂
Thank you for such a lovely compliment, Andrea. You are so right about style being ageless. Thank you so much for stopping by to read my post and leave a comment, I am glad you’re here! xo Kelly
Bonjour Kelly,
Très bon article et très complet. Les remarques et les conseils sont bien pensés et très utiles.
Dommage que nous n’ayons pas de magasins ou de sites pour habiller les “petites” en France.
Et pourtant la mode à la française se veut chic. Elle est regardée par beaucoup de femmes dans le monde entier.
J’ai longtemps cherché un manteau pour ma petite taille (150 cm), je n’ai pas trouvé alors j’ai acheté un très beau tissu italien et je l’ai cousu moi même. Je l’adore !
Bon week-end
Bonjour Evelyne,
merci d’avoir lu mon article. Comme c’est merveilleux que vous ayez fait votre propre manteau ! Bon week-end, Kelly
Kelly,
Thanks so much for providing tips for petite jackets when there is only a regular size option! Also, including many current clothing manufacturers and examples is greatly appreciated. Thank you and bonne weekend!
Mary