Petite Maternity Clothes

[13Sandals]

Why are these so hard to find? I keep seeing places that advertise 'petite maternity', but when you get to the webpage or store they send you to the xsmalls. this is so infuriating - I am 'small' - but to me petite means SHORT, which I am. I can't wear pants with a 32" inseam even if its XXSMALL. Any ideas??

[Fujiko]

I KNOW how you FEEL!!
I'm 4'10.5" and about a jeans size 7, so yeah, I'm pretty short but I'm not skinny, too! Even buying normal (non-maternity) clothes is frustrating, and probably the reason I'm so not hip and stylish. Who wants to shop for clothes when nothing will fit you anyway?
What I have always done is just buy in the right fit and hem. It sucks, and I usually don't even get around to hemming, they just kinda wear off at the bottom (for jeans). For shirts, IDK, I've always hated the super-short shirt fad (like you can't bend over without the top of your pants coming out and showing part of your back, mostly because I couldn't wear those things to work) so having shirts that were longer on me wasn't so much of a problem.

[AccidentaLactivist]

I had NO luck finding "real" maternity clothes (4'11", 95 lb. before PG), but I survived my entire pregnancy in clothes from Chico's. Cropped pants and skirts in the two smallest sizes took me from 2 months to PP, and the smallest size in tops was fine the whole time. I buy their "travelers" line--great, drapey fabric, doesn't wrinkle, machine washable, and very comfortable.

Marie

[levar]

I have to hem everything. Drives me nutty. Recently a friend hooked me on "Hem Tape" though.

If you don't know what this is... Go to a fabric shop and ask for Hem Tape. Then: wash your pants, put them on inside out, have someone else pin them up to the length you want (or guess your best), take them off, iron the seem, cut the existing hem off (or remove the stiching if there isnt much fabric left), cut the hem tape to length, and iron on the hem tape. Tip: wash in cold or warm water only and line dry instead of dryer, I've noticed over time in hot water or hot dryer that the tape will start to come loose and it's a pain to re-apply etc.

[Hippie Mom]

I hear you...I'm 5'3", and 100 lbs soaking wet (PP). Since I've gotten pregnant, the rest of me remains completely skinny - except for the large belly, and the burgeoning breasts. I managed to find 1 pair of pants in this entire pregnancy so far (I'm 28 weeks) that fit - Old Navy size Small, and I still have to roll them up. I simply look like a bit of a frump because I cant find a single shirt that is long enough to conceal the belly without having billowing sleeves or HUGE arm holes. I know most women dont remain petite during pregnancy, but what about those who really do?

[lynnie2183]

on old navy.com and gap.com you can buy many of thier pants and jeans in short, regular and tall lengths. I think Motherhood even has some things in multiple lengths

[TulikaEma]

I too have to hem my maternity pants (and often 'short' length pants in normal clothes)--and would take my maternity pants to a tailor if I could afford it (looks better than doing it myself). I have to wear tank tops under my maternity tops because the sleave and neck openings are soooo big--infuriating!
I bought some maternity tops by devi on ebay (they are fair trade, so if you search fair trade + maternity you will find them)--they fit really nicely. The tops are guazy and have fit me well since I started showing to now--and my belly is huge.
Also, I just saw an ad for AnnTaylor Loft maternity--AT does a good job sizing tops for petite size ladies, so their maternity stuff may fit nicely as well.--If you buy from them, I'd love to hear how they fit.

[katiebell5]

I'm in love with the Belly Hugger. It allows you to make your pre-pregnancy clothes into maternity clothes and is still fashionable. I am still using mine so my tummy doesn't show during nursing. You can look into it more at http://www.woollybugs.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=TheBellyHugger.

Happy pregnancy!
Katie

[SeekingSerenity]

I've usually just had to survive with jeans that were rolled up multiple times or lots of dresses. And shirts with sleeves that came down to my fingertips. Last time, I got some stuff at Old Navy that fit pretty well, and looked nice, too, but I'm really financially strapped this time, so I don't know what I'll end up with. I'm working through this pregnancy, so my clothes have to be a bit nicer than just whatever I can make fit.

Oh, and I'm one of those that is 4'10" and 92lbs. pre-pregnant, and I stay tiny through the whole thing. It's all in the belly toward the end. I could not afford Ann Taylor, and even Motherhood will be stretching my budget somewhat (unless I can catch them having a really good sale), but I really don't want to go with those generically-sized Target or Walmart maternity "fashions" that look awful on me because they're so huge.

Maybe I should start looking into resale shops now, before I start showing (which actually will be pretty soon - after 5 babies, my muscles have gone on strike!).

[joyfuldoula]

I had luck finding petite at Kohl's or even JcPenney.