Where to Shop for Petite and Midsize Clothing: The Best for Sizes 12-16 & 0X-12W
Did you know the average woman in the United States is petite and midsize? Yep, the CDC shares that on average, women in this country are around 5'3″ tall and based on averages for the weight and waist measurement averages, we're looking at petite women wearing between a size 12-16. (source) So if American women, in general, are petite and midsize… why is it so hard to find clothing that fits such a body?
Hi, my name is Alison Gary and I have been writing fashion advice for grown women for over 20 years. Prior to that, I was a personal stylist, personal shopper, apparel merchandiser, and fashion trainer for those who sold popular women's apparel brands.
I have also spent my entire adult life as a 5'3″ woman who fluctuates between a size 12 and a size 16. I personally understand the difficulty of trying to find clothing when you are petite and midsized and I have spent years researching the best places to shop for clothing that fits while also being good quality and offering great style.
What is Midsize?
The term midsize is often used incorrectly by social media influencers. Midsize is when you are on the cusp of Misses and Plus sizes. Some labels, especially the trendy and the high-end, don't offer larger than a 10, sometimes 12. And most plus size brands start at 14W or 16W, which can be too big. Midsize is being in the middle of the two most popular size ranges; hard enough to find but even harder when you're also petite.
In this post:
But I've got you, my sister in petite midsize limbo. I've done the work for you. This is the ultimate list of where to shop when you're petite and midsized: no ending at 12 petite; all these fashion retailers offer at a minimum 14 petite, but most go up to at least 16, with some offering a broader size range (even a few with plus size petites!).
My Top Picks
If you only have five minutes, start here. These are the retailers I'd text my friend if she was petite and wore a size 12-16. I've personally shopped them all repeatedly with great success.
Best Shops for Petite & Midsize:
- Talbots: Offering petites up to 16P but also petite plus starting at 0X. Suiting, dresses, athleisure, & stellar knitwear & denim.
- Lauren Ralph Lauren: While available at department stores, you'll find the most extensive selection & size range (hello 18P) on the brand site. From gowns to shorts, work to weekend, LRL has it.
- Lands' End: Known for swimsuits & outerwear, Lands' End is also great for jeans, day dresses, & quality knitwear and offers petites up to 18P.
- Ann Taylor: A personal favorite; you'll find suiting, dresses, & surprisingly cool looks for nights out up to 16P.
However, it's worth it to check out my list for all the places that offer midsize petite fashion. Suiting, occasionwear, activewear, and everything in between in a range of personal style aesthetics. I have the list in alphabetical order so it should be easier to scroll through, though each description shares size range and what I think the retailer does best for midsize petite fashion. Throughout this article are photos of me wearing the brands mentioned.
Best Places to Shop for Petite and Midsize Clothing
Ann Taylor: Ann Taylor is a personal favorite as the petite pants are the perfect length for my 5'3″ self to wear with flats or a low heel. Petites go up to 16 and Ann Taylor often has curvy fit options for pants and jeans also in petites. If you're looking for holiday occasionwear, day wedding guest dresses, suiting, or even a cute going out top, you'll likely find a great option in petites at Ann Taylor.
Banana Republic Factory: Banana Republic Factory has a more extensive size range than its big sister company, and I am not the only one in the Wardrobe Oxygen community who prefers the fit of Banana Republic Factory. Lots of natural fibers, this is a great destination for nicely-priced suiting, business casual or weekend separates, and the occasional dress perfect for a wedding or date night. Petite sizing extends to an 18P or XLP and runs pretty true to size to slightly generous.
Chico's: Don't sleep on Chico's; it's an unexpected hit for great fitting and great quality denim and work-friendly pants up to size 18 petite. Chico's often carries shirtdresses, maxi dresses, and jumpsuits in petites, and I find the fit accommodates soft curves.
Donna Karan New York: This is not DKNY, this is a diffusion brand that offers elegant pieces perfect for work and special occasions (hello wedding guest dresses). And Donna Karan New York is available up to XLP or 16P. You can find Donna Karan New York petite options at Macy's and Dillard's with a dedicated petites department on the Donna Karan New York website.
Eileen Fisher: Eileen Fisher only goes up to LP, but with Eileen Fisher, a Large Petite is 14/16. Occasionally, items also are available in 18P. A truly sustainable fashion brand, Eileen Fisher is a great destination for natural fibers, artistic minimalism, and separates to mix and match for vacation or everyday.
Gap: Gap used to offer far more midsize petites, but these days you can only find its tops and dresses up to 14 petite. However, Gap does offer a range of casual pants and denim up to 20 petite, which is equivalent to a 35 waistband.
JCPenney: JCPenney is often forgotten, but it has an extensive petite collection, with petites up to 18P and 20 plus petite clothing. It's a great place for petite tees and casual knit tops, jeans and casual shorts, and the occasional win when it comes to petite suiting and work separates.
J.Jill: J.Jill is one of the most inclusive brands out there, offering its whole collection in misses, petite, plus, and tall. And its petite offerings are available up to XLP, which is equivalent to an 18/20 petite.
L'Agence: While crafting this list, I received word that L'Agence extended its popular denim line to petites, and offering up to a 34 waist. Known for high quality jeans in both classic and on-trend silhouettes, this is an exciting addition, especially for us midsize petites often sized out of the premium denim brands.
Lands' End: Another surprisingly inclusive fashion brand, Lands' End offers petites up to size 18. While known for swimwear and outerwear, Lands' End is a sleeper hit for great dresses, jeans, and sweaters often in natural fibers and fabulous colors.
Lane Bryant: Did you know Lane Bryant starts at a size 10W? And that Lane Bryant has a dedicated petite department? I have been very impressed with the fit and quality of Lane Bryant petite jeans and pants; as someone who wears a 14 or 16 misses petite, I usually find the 10/12WP a good alternative and more curve-supportive.
Lauren Ralph Lauren: Classic, elegant, and well-made, Lauren Ralph Lauren offers petites up to 16P. A great option for blazers, tailored dresses, and even occasionwear. While this brand is sold at most major department stores, I find the most extensive petite selection on the Ralph Lauren site.
LOFT: LOFT has the majority of its clothing available in petites up to 16P. While LOFT in general has a more youthful and casual vibe, the VERSA collection is great for workwear or elevated separates, and also comes in the full petite size range.
Madewell: Madewell is a great denim destination, and has a whole collection of petite-cut jeans up to size 33P.
Marcella New York: A personal favorite for cool, unique, yet effortless dresses and great going out tops for grown women. Marcella's Petite Friendly Collection goes up to size XXLP which is equivalent to a 16/18P.
Old Navy: Petite sizing goes up to XXL or 20 and you will find a great mix of pants, jeans, sweaters, dresses, and even activewear.
Ruti: Another personal favorite, Ruti is a great destination for wardrobe classics with edge. Very “effortless cool girl” but also very wearable. Ruti has a dedicated Petite department offering styles in sizes 0P-18P.
Sanctuary: Casual clothing with a cool edge; a personal favorite for printed tees and knit tops that are a step above your basic t-shirt. Petite sizing goes up to a 34P or XXLP.
SPANX: Goes up to 3X with petite sizing, and it's a great source for pants and jeans that truly work with a shorter frame. Check out my Spanx clothing review as a petite midsize woman.
Talbots: One of the only retailers that carries not just petites up to a 16, but plus size petites starting at 0X. I am a fan of Talbots for jeans, sweaters shirt dresses, and really high quality Breton tops.
What is Midsize? Your Questions Answered
What size range is considered midsize?
Midsize generally means a 12-16 in Misses sizing, or 0X to 10W-12W in Plus sizing. It's not an official industry standard, it's a size range that a lot of shoppers land in but that most brands don't design specifically for.
What's the difference between midsize and plus size clothing?
Plus size clothing is designed on a plus size fit model, which usually means more room built in for curves and a longer torso and limb length. Midsize clothing is typically designed on a straight size fit model, around a size 8, then graded up. Two garments in the same number can fit completely differently depending on which fit model the brand started with.
Can you be petite and plus size at the same time?
Yes, and it's one of the hardest combinations to shop for. Petite plus size sizing accounts for both a shorter frame and a fuller figure, and very few brands offer it. Talbots and a handful of others on this list are the exceptions worth knowing about.
Do any retailers offer both petite and plus size petite?
Talbots is the standout, with petite sizing up to 16 and plus size petite starting at 0X. Some brands like Lands' End offer petites to size 18 and JCPenney goes up to 20 petite. My list above shares all the brands that offer extended size and plus size petite.
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