Vintage Post: Petite is a size

This post originally appeared on the site on Sept. 17, 2009. And as I get my September issues in the mail, I think it appropriate to get on my soap box again and tell the glossies that PETITE IS A SIZE, NOT A SHAPE!!!! the same thing holds true for “Plus SIZE.” Being petite (Under 5’4) I get very frustrated that huge magazines don’t get this right. While they do offer great tips for petites and plus sizes, it is misleading. Body shape is the key influences in choosing the most flattering fit and style of clothing. To help you identify your body shape check out this post.

On another note, seeing as I have a vintage post that is almost a year old, that means I missed the blogs Bday!!! I know, shame on me, but after launch, domain change and relaunch I’m not exactly sure I know when TheStyleAficionado.com came into existance. With that being said I’m going to change the blogs anniversary to coinside with Fashion Week and plan a fabulous giveaway to celebrate, so be sure to “like” our facebook fan page 

Anyways, here’s the post, and one of my very first twitpics:

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I’m flipping through this magazine and there’s a pretty good article about body shapes and how to dress for them. I get to the end of the article and it lists petite as a body shape. Ummmm…. What? While it would be nice if stores merchandised items by body shape, that is not how it works. Petite is NOT a shape, it is a size. Petite by definition is a person with a small frame, typically short in stature (5’4 and under). Petite people frequently have to have RTW (ready to wear) items tailored to fit them or shop in the petite section. They still fall into the traditional body shapes and need to dress accordingly. For example, you can have a petite person that has an hour glass shape or be an inverted triangle. 

So, keep in mind when you are shopping what your body shape is and be sure to shop in the right size.

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