Posted by Agata Świtowska
on January 05, 2026
Petite doesn't mean "smaller S". It means completely different proportions that have been ignored by mainstream fashion for years. In this post, we return to the roots – literally. We'll delve into a time when clothes were sewn with a specific figure in mind, recall the designer who was the first to realize that women don't fit into one mold, and show how petite fashion has changed – up to the point where it started to really work again. If you've ever felt that "your body isn't the problem, but the pants that just won't fit" – then you're in the right place.
Why didn't your grandmother have to shorten her pants? The history of petite fashion before it was even called "petite"
It sounds absurd, but clothes used to be more fitted than they are today – and without the "petite" label. This is because custom tailoring was the norm, and clothes weren't mass-produced on assembly lines. Your grandmother could go to a seamstress or operate a sewing machine herself, because that's just how things were done. There was no problem of "pants 15 cm too long" because every pair of pants, every dress, every coat was created with a specific figure in mind – not an average statistical one.
A paradox? In times when fashion was less accessible, the fit was... better. This might sound a bit bitter, but in the 1930s or 40s, no one said, "I'm 153 cm tall, so everything hangs on me" – because nothing hung if it was made especially for you. The problem only arose when clothes started to be mass-produced, and designers had to "average" female proportions. And it was in this averaging that shorter women got lost. When the production standard became figures of 165–170 cm, everything below that started to be treated as an "anomaly". But before? A height of 158 cm was absolutely ordinary. The industry changed – not you.
Who really created clothes for short women? About Hannah Troy, the forgotten designer and a revolution that continues to this day
It wasn't supermarkets, chain stores, or algorithms that created petite fashion. A specific woman did – Hannah Troy, a designer who, during World War II, did something no one had thought of before. Instead of designing "by eye," she analyzed data. And not just any data – she took measurements of thousands of women serving in the American army and discovered something that should be obvious to this day: standard sizing fits only 8% of women. The rest? Had shorter torsos, shorter legs, higher waistlines. Exactly what we now call a petite figure.
Hannah Troy decided to change that – and designed the first ready-to-wear line for women with a smaller build. She called it "Troyfigure," not "petite," because – interestingly – she didn't like the word herself. She said it sounded too "delicate," too "insignificant." She preferred "perfect size." But marketing did its job, and over time, "petite" caught on for good. It all started with her. Today's petite pants, dresses designed for a height of 150 cm, shirts that end where they should – all these things have their roots in the decision of one woman who, instead of guessing, simply measured reality.
How the change in the average height of Polish women made us "non-standard" today? Petite sizing vs. reality
The height of Polish women is increasing. Literally. Over the last 100 years, we have grown by an average of over 13 centimeters – from about 153 cm to the current 165–166 cm. Sounds like an interesting fact? In practice, it means one thing: a woman who was once "average" today automatically falls into the "petite" category. The problem is that the market followed the average – and began to create clothing adapted to increasingly taller figures. Without paying attention to those who are still 150, 155, 158 cm tall. Remaining somewhat on the sidelines, petite women became "invisible" to production standards.
In practice, this means that when buying pants, you still have a choice: either too long legs and bunching at the ankles, or a visit to the tailor. And that's not the point. That's why at Petite Pants we design petite jeans, which have shorter legs, but also a properly placed knee and waist, which falls where it should – and not in the middle of the hip. The same applies to our petite shirts – for example, the Chic Cotton model. Classic cut? Yes. But the sleeve length, button placement, and shoulder line are designed from scratch – for you, not for the statistical 170-centimeter figure.
The Chic Cotton shirt collection was designed for women who are tired of adjusting, rolling up, and fitting clothes "by eye." Each model in this series was created specifically for petite figures – meaning the sleeve length, shoulder line, and overall cut have been adapted for heights up to 164 cm. These are shirts that simply fit right out of the box, without the need to go to a tailor or struggle in the morning before going out. The Chic Cotton Ocean Blue model delights with its shade of blue, which pairs perfectly with petite jeans and light-colored trousers. Chic Cotton White, on the other hand, is a classic that always works – minimalist but well-cut, with proportions tailored for a smaller figure. These are shirts you can wear with a blazer, a petite skirt, or classic high-waisted trousers. Each combines a simple form, natural material, and a construction that doesn't pretend to be "universal" – because it was created precisely with you in mind.
"Petite" isn't just a shorter inseam – discover the real differences in the construction of clothes for short women (and see if you need them too)
Surprisingly many people think that "petite" simply means "shorter pants." And nothing more. In reality, it's a much more complex issue. Shortening the inseam doesn't solve the problem if the torso is still too long, the waist is positioned incorrectly, or the sleeves cover the hands. That's why at Petite Pants, we design petite clothing from scratch with short figures in mind – we don't just modify standard designs. Our petite shirts don't just have shortened sleeves. The buttons are where they should be, the shoulder line fits perfectly, and the torso length doesn't disrupt proportions.
The same applies to petite skirts – designed to end in places that visually lengthen the legs, rather than shortening the entire figure. If you are 150–164 cm tall, you know how important details are. Sometimes it's only a 2–3 cm difference, but those centimeters determine whether you feel like yourself. In the same logic, petite tracksuits were also created – sweatshirts are not too long, sleeves do not go too far, and pants do not gather in folds. Just a perfect fit from beginning to end.
The tracksuit set is the answer to the needs of petite women who don't want to choose between comfort and fit. This set – designed from scratch with figures up to 164 cm in mind – doesn't look like a "shortened" version from a regular collection, but like something created with a full understanding of proportions. The Niva Gray sweatshirt has a shorter torso and sleeves with ribbed cuffs that end exactly where they should – you don't have to roll them up or tuck them in. The Calmo Gray pants have a fitted leg length that doesn't bunch at the ankles or wrinkle when you move. Importantly – the waist is higher, but not too high, so the whole maintains proportions and really fits as it should. Thanks to the neutral shade of dove gray, the tracksuit doesn't look like "loungewear," but like something you can comfortably wear for a walk, to a cafe, or even to work in a casual setting. There are no compromises here – it's a cut that fits immediately, requires no adjustments, and most importantly, doesn't overwhelm a smaller figure.
Why is it so hard to find well-fitted clothes for short women in Polish chain stores? And what do brands like Petite Pants change?
If you've ever bought something in a popular chain store and thought, "Okay, maybe I can shorten this somehow," then... you're not alone. Most "petite" lines in mass fashion are actually just a marketing shortcut – often shortened inseams, but without correcting the rest of the construction. In Polish brick-and-mortar stores, it's rare to find items truly designed for shorter individuals. When global brands entered our market, they brought sewing standards based on a height of 165–170 cm – and that means if you're shorter, you're essentially outside the "matrix."
That's why Petite Pants was created. Not to "fill" a gap. But to create things from scratch that truly fit. Our petite dresses or shirts – these are not "smaller versions," but fully-fledged designs that take into account real body proportions, not statistical assumptions.
The Selena dresses – in both Cherry and Brown – are designed to fit a smaller figure immediately. They don't need to be shortened, adjusted, or styled with high heels to "even out" proportions. Their length ends exactly where it should – to visually lengthen the legs and emphasize the waist, rather than shortening the figure in the middle. Selena Cherry is a version in a deep, cherry shade – great for more expressive styles, but still versatile. Selena Brown has a warmer, more subdued color – ideal for everyday looks with ballet flats or sneakers. Both versions share the same well-thought-out cut: a front slit adds lightness, the neckline falls naturally, and the waist is exactly where it should be – not too high, not too low.
At Petite Pants, we know that being short doesn't mean you have to give up well-fitting clothes. On the contrary – you deserve cuts that truly consider your proportions. That's why we create petite fashion for figures up to 164 cm – not just by shortening pant legs or sleeves, but by designing everything from scratch. Every model in our collection was created so that you no longer have to struggle, adjust, or compromise. Petite fashion is not an "option" for us – it's a starting point.
Frequently asked questions about the history of petite fashion
Is "petite" just a smaller size?
No – "petite" means clothes designed for shorter heights (up to 164 cm), with different proportions in torso length, sleeves, or inseams.
Why is it so hard to find petite clothes in Polish brick-and-mortar stores?
Because most chain stores use standardized, "European" sizing tailored for heights of 165–170 cm and do not account for shorter figures.
Is the difference between regular and petite clothing really noticeable?
Yes – petite clothing has different proportions, not just a shorter length. A well-designed model can completely change the way it fits on a figure.
What if I'm short but have a fuller figure?
Petite size doesn't mean XS – you can be 158 cm tall and wear L or XL. It's about height and construction, not measurements.
Will petite clothes also work for people around 165 cm tall?
If standard cuts are too long for you or disrupt your proportions – it's worth trying. Often, even a few centimeters make a huge difference.
Agata Świtowska
Founder of the Petite Pants brand
My name is Agata and I am 154 cm tall - that's why I know perfectly well how frustrating shopping can be when most clothes simply aren't for us. I completed a 9-year ballet school and that's where my love for classic style and sensitivity to details, which I now translate into clothing designs, was born. For years, I was frustrated by the lack of solutions for short figures, so I decided to change that. Today, I design petite clothing and work daily on the construction of styles created especially for women up to 164 cm. Everything I write about comes from real experiences, tests, and many years of trials, not from theory. I want short women to finally feel seen - and to find clothes that truly fit. If you're also tired of compromises, you're in a place created with you in mind.
