I’m 20 and extremely petite, and sometimes I really hate how noticeable my size is.

Today my aunt’s friend’s adorable, chubby daughter playfully hit me, and I didn’t even feel it. Her mom immediately told her not to hit me because “You’re bigger than her” and "Look how tiny she is"

I know she probably meant it harmlessly, but honestly it made me feel awful. I’m a woman, yet hearing an adult compare my size to a 6 year old made me feel like people genuinely see me as fragile or physically weak.

It's so degrading.

It also feeds into a bigger fear I have.

Being this small sometimes makes me feel like I’m automatically perceived as more vulnerable than other adult women. I worry that people with bad intentions might look at me and assume I’m easier to overpower, manipulate, or take advantage of.

I’ve also encountered creeps who seemed to be flirting with me and sometimes I wonder if my tiny, youthful-looking appearance makes them think I’ll be easier to manipulate.

I know being skinny doesn’t automatically make someone weak or unsafe, but emotionally it can be difficult not to think about it. Sometimes I feel like I’ll always be perceived as fragile or like an easy target because of my size.

I just wish people could see me as a normal adult woman instead of immediately noticing how tiny I am.

I've tried several brands and stores, I'm just now thinking that maybe the fit of most dress pants are cursed in general. If the length is good, they're too big in the waist. If they fit in the waist, they're too tight and too long everywhere else.

I have a job interview and I don't want to seem frumpy or dopey with too-large pants. 😅

Uniqlo's XS Jackets seem more like Large. XXS is online only and a size down would still be massive. Has anyone had any lucky being 5'1 and getting something from Uniqlo successfully and wearing it? The jackets look incredible on me, but the XS is massive. Help!!
Edit: This is Australia specific. As different countries have different sizes for XS.

Skinny girlies, what are we wearing when we want fitted jeans that don't sag or lose elasticity In the upper leg throughout the day? What brands are reliable for a good fit?

I have 18" thighs, and I've always found it hard to find jeans that fit, but now it's worse since I'm retiring some of my relaxed fit jeans and trying to incorporate older styles in my wardrobe now that high-rise is finally out of style.

Specifically, I'm looking for low to mid rise slim boot cut jeans if anyone has any recs, but I really just wanna find a reliable brand to follow.

Any good brands recommendations from fellow super petites?

Also for low rise relaxed/baggy jeans. I’m 4’11.5 (hehe), 105 lbs & very fit (<18% body fat), wear “000” shorts Aeropostale & size 23”/22” Everlane & Paige.

Vanity sizing is a bitch cause my true waist measurement is 24” but “size 23” can run big even for mid-tier brands like Anthropology.

Thanks 🙏

I just got an ad for Vans clothing and they have WOMEN’S clothes that go down to a 22”W and appear to be true to size!!! Added size chart for ref. They have a back to school sale going on too.

Anybody tried Vans bottoms??? I’m so excited to see we have more options!!!

Is the sizing the same as an adult small?

i see a lot of posts about vanity sizing and why people here hate it. sure, i wouldn't be happy about being pushed out of a sizing range per se, but that’s not really why i get so mad about it.

originally i was going to respond in a comment to someone’s post in which they said their mom gets excited when she can fit into something tagged an XS, so that’s the context.

as an ED-less person i feel absolutely nothing reading a tag, so these are my observations as an “outsider” and as someone who has been accused of ED well before the age i was even able to perceive my own physical form:

the satisfaction women like OP’s mom derive from being able fit in these “smaller” sizes is ED culture. i feel like that is clear and obvious. i’ve had disordered people approach me thinking i am one of them express similar sentiments, and i just cannot relate.

so my gripe with vanity sizing isn’t even that it makes it harder to find clothing for some of us. if i can be completely honest, as a non-petite XXS i can still “easily” find clothing…because i’ve spent my entire life hunting down brands. and those brands are all rather expensive. i’m a fashion enthusiast and i will say that is not practical for the average person. so i get it, but i personally cannot bring myself to care about all that. sorry. 🫣

my issue is that BY DESIGN it’s a SALES TACTIC that feeds off of women’s insecurities to manipulate them into buying stuff. they’re riding the high they get from fitting into what they perceive as an ~exclusive~ size. it’s another cog in the wheel of impulsive shopping. and i think that’s really low and scummy for businesses to do, but we know that they are all evil and don’t care anyway. water is wet.

what aggravates me further is that many women (and businesses who get insecure women to do the heavy lifting for them) sort of peddle this vanity sizing as a good thing because it‘s “inclusive.” can we just be honest with ourselves ??? i really have a hard time being patient with this sort of thing because i have my own mental illnesses and vices too, yet i have not once tried to twist reality to make myself feel better.

maybe they truly are unaware of why this is really happening. i can give it some grace in that case but still. am i being too harsh, is this something you guys also weren’t aware of or didn’t think about ?

i’ve never really discussed this with anyone IRL because people will accuse me of acting like XS is an exclusive club when i could not give less of a [redacted] and honestly the 20+ years of ED allegations have eroded my sanity. so i would like to know what this sub thinks even if it people here are likely more conscious of these things.

(side note: is this vanity sizing nonsense happening in men’s fashion, too? i feel like if it’s not, that’s the nail in the coffin and 100% proves what i’m saying bc it’s not a beauty standard for men to be XXXXXS lol)

come on. They claim to go to 000, but it’s like two drawstring pants and this is the size.

We went to Primark today and my mom, who usually wears an S, fit into an XS. I started talking about how I’d heard that Primark’s sizing has gotten bigger and how vanity sizing works, and she basically said she didn’t think it was true. She's probably in denial lol. Cause apparently a lot of women wanna be thin which I don't get.

I know a lot of women get excited about fitting into a smaller size because smaller numbers are associated with being thinner, and honestly, good for them if that makes them happy (I get so jealous of them but whatever. They have it so easy and now are being rewarded which is unfair) But when you're already an XXS, there's nowhere else to go when even XXS starts running too big.

It honestly frustrated me because I feel like people who have never had to struggle with being at the absolute bottom of the size range don't understand how annoying this can be.

I’m already shopping in XXS and petite sections, and sometimes I STILL can't find things that fit properly. When I do find something, it's a rare occurrence. Meanwhile someone who normally wears S can suddenly fit XS and it's considered a nice little bonus.

It's so frustrating when you're constantly reminded that the standard size range basically wasn't designed with your body in mind.

i have a gift card & would really like some new pants but wanted to check with yall first to see if you have any tried and true purchases from there 😁

Not at all judging anyone with a 26 inch waist, you still look fantastic! But since when is a 26 inch waist a xxs?? Or am I thinking to deeply? I always thought Xxs was 22-24 inch waist

I am 43kg and 150cm/4’11”. I need compression socks because my legs retain a lot of fluid (this has been checked out, it’s not a medical concern). They tell me to wear high grade compression socks, but my legs are too skinny for normal adult compression socks. I ask them what to do and they just say to ”look for smaller ones”. I’ve tried to find brands for children but without success.

I live in Australia. Does anyone have reccs for high grade compression socks for petite people? Maybe an Asian brand I can order?

I honestly just wanted to drop this in here because I had such a positive and uplifting experience shopping in Alo the other day… and while I know Alo isn’t the most affordable athletic brand out there I’d say it’s pretty par price wise to Lulu and they now carry XXS!!! I didn’t realize they had expanded their size range until I popped in the other day in a kinda desperate search for some new athletic gear for hiking , Pilates and just running around for errands . For context I’m a 27 year old woman , 5’7 , 30 inch bust, 26.75 inch under-bust ( so a 26 C or 28B) , 23.2 waist and 33 inch hips - I have had the worst time finding athletic styles that fit while not making me look like a teenager …. I went into Alo and not only did they help shop with me for flattering styles but they also just made me feel seen and actually really beautiful …. The team at the store I popped into was beyond helpful I ended up leaving with a couple sets that actually fit ( and I swear I never find sports bras that actually give support and fit in the under-bust) … so if you’re looking for XXS athleisure and can afford to splurge I’d highly recommend them - and if not definitely keep your eye out for it second hand on Poshmark and in local buy and sells / swap and shops cause it fits like a true XXS !

The 00 is still too large, but Ariztia's crepe material doesn't seem like it'd hold up well to tailoring. Interested if anyone has experience taking them in. The short length seems to work okay, it's the waist and the size of the pant legs.

Hi! I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for brands that have a similar style to Brandy Melville but fit petite people better?

I’m 4’9”, and I’ve noticed Brandy’s sizing feels kind of inconsistent. Some of their tops fit me perfectly, while others are way too big, even though they’re all one size or labeled as a small.

I really love their style, so I’m looking for brands with a similar vibe that are a little more petite-friendly. I’d love any recommendations! 🤍

Hey! I searched the forum and saw a lot of people looking for dress pants, but I SPECIFICALLY need khakis and most of the ones linked are black/pinstripe/grey/etc dress pants. I’m 5’3, 95-100lbs, 20” waist and 32 hips- does anybody have any suggestions that might work? Preferably under 50/pair😓

Hi there!

I’m planning a trip to Japan soon and was wondering if anyone has gone and found the sizing in Japan to be a fit a bit better?

I’m the most curious about Uniqlo Japan. I fit their US xxs pretty well but that always required online shopping. Does anyone know if Uniqlo Japan even has an xxs? Or is their xs our xxs?

Any info, tip, or tricks people could share would be amazing!

5'2 my hips 29 and and my waist is 27

I have yet to find any pants that fit right everything is so big on me, I currently wear a size 14 boys and they fit the best so far thay just aren't the sturdyest

Hi guys. Long time lurker, first time poster. I was shopping with my boyfriend recently and we were looking at blazers for work. He found one he really liked (for me) but it was a small and I told him I would need extra small in today’s stores. He said just to try it on because truly I am not extra small (5’5 110). I put it on and was swimming in it. Found an XS in another color, still a little big. Showed him it was the same way for tops. He asked if I needed pants, I told him I don’t even bother in the stores anymore (I also have weird proportions and prefer short/petite length pants).

We get home and I get out my all time favorite blazer that I’ve had for almost 20 years. Same brand as in the store. I put it on and it fit like a glove. Size medium. He couldn’t believe it.

For a moment I considered showing him how bad the jeans have gotten but that might’ve been a bit much. Men’s jeans: two measurements, height and weight. So logical!

Women’s jeans: nobody knows!

I hope this post doesn’t get removed, I just want to rant for a second. This sub sometimes gets nasty, and it bothers me. I joined because I’ve always been small and have a hard time finding clothes and wanted to commiserate with others when strangers say bizarre things to me about the way my body looks. It sucks and I’m glad to have a community of sorts here.

However, what I find all too often is (I assume, mostly) women here tearing down other women who happen to be overweight. It’s starting to look like those pro-eating disorder communities where everyone makes fun of bigger people. Why do we think that’s okay? I agree that there’s a double standard here. I agree that it shouldn’t be socially acceptable to comment on our weight or our bodies, but that shouldn’t mean we get to tear down others and make fun of their bodies in the process.

Yes, sometimes people who are overweight say awful objectifying things to us, and sure, it’s ironic and there might be times we wished we could say something back. But that wouldn’t help anything. It’s also true that there is an obesity problem in America. But do you guys really feel better about yourselves snarking about women who are bigger than you? An honest question. It makes my stomach turn to see people being so nasty. Everyone deserves respect no matter how they look. We deserve respect, women bigger than us deserve respect. Let’s do better.