Weird question: What does "petite" mean to you?

Sharon21

I always thought the word petite (when in reference to a women's body) meant short AND skinny. I just saw on a tv show someone refer to a women as petite when she was short but not skinny. So now I am wondering if I am wrong. What do you think petite means? 

chicsub

I used to think the same thing, but have noticed that Petite in stores usually just means short.

eaglesfan700

I always took it to mean short, because someone could be heavier but still short, so they would need pants in a shorter length - even though the waist size is larger

Sizing in petite clothes is different from regular clothes in that things are shorter - inseams, arms etc.  You can still buy a Large shirt but the arm length will be cut for a shorter person

JaysonandKristin

I've seen a 16P in Macy's, so I'm assuming it just means short.

When I was younger, I too, thought it meant short and skinny. 

Dr.Loretta

Petite = 5'4" and under, no matter what the size. It took a while to figure that out, and my mom still has it in her head it also means skinny

sweetwalks

I've always known that petite=NOT me! lol.

To me it just meant short, because even in my "skinny" pre-baby days, this body wasn't fitting in anything petite no matter the size. Too tall and long! 

charlatti

If you're talking about buying clothing, it just means short. But if you're using it in conversation to describe someone, it most likely means short and thin -- a small person overall.

chicsub

Yeah I guess since I was basically 5'6" by the time I was 11 I never even ventured over there. 

shaunna&chad

charlatti:

If you're talking about buying clothing, it just means short. But if you're using it in conversation to describe someone, it most likely means short and thin -- a small person overall.

I agree with this, it can be both.  I consider myself petite since I'm only 5'2", but I wear a size 10/12.  I'm short waisted, and my arms and legs are short and I always have to roll up my sleeves and pantlegs.  I also have to have straps shortened quite frequently, like on dresses and tank tops. 

ariel06

As far as clothing, it means that the pieces are cut shorter.  Pants have a shorter inseam and rise.  Shirts are shorter and generally cut smaller in the bust.  I would never use the adjective "petite" to describe myself, but often petite pants fit me the best and I"m 5'6" (and very longwaisted). 

JessesGirl&MackenziesMom

bananabelle:

charlatti:

If you're talking about buying clothing, it just means short. But if you're using it in conversation to describe someone, it most likely means short and thin -- a small person overall.

Yes, this.

Another vote for this!

goldenleaves

When I think of someone being petite I think they're just generally small. Short, yes, but also just small in general. I'm what I consider to be petite and I'm 5'2 and my sister says I have 'bird bones'. I don't really mean skinny though... it's easier to explain in my head!

MrsBalletStar05

In college I worked in a department store.  To me, petite means short.

Dochas

It means short.  I'm as petite now as I was before I gained all of this weight.

 

nonoemily

ariel06:

As far as clothing, it means that the pieces are cut shorter.  Pants have a shorter inseam and rise.  Shirts are shorter and generally cut smaller in the bust.  I would never use the adjective "petite" to describe myself, but often petite pants fit me the best and I"m 5'6" (and very longwaisted). 

This is me. I am almost 5'7" but I just bought some petite maternity jeans last week. I have a pretty long torso.

My mom is 5'4" and often wears petite, but she has always been kind of heavy, so I used to assume petite meant short and not skinny. Cuz if you are short and skinny, isn't that what the juniors sizes are for?

2ktBride

I used to think it referred to short AND skinny but I'm realizing now it more frequently is associated with women who are short and heavy.

Sawyerplus1

charlatti:

If you're talking about buying clothing, it just means short. But if you're using it in conversation to describe someone, it most likely means short and thin -- a small person overall.

This is how I usually think of it too. 

Kristine Schilling

with regards to clothing sizes, petite is a short legged pant or short torso top. Any size from 0 to about 14?

With regards to body shape. I was Petite in high school... 5ft tall and maybe 100 pnds. Now i am just short. LOL

Most short women are considered petite, but an heavily overweight woman who is also short wont be called petite. KWIM?

ljanette85

I have always assumed that it meant short with a small bone structure