Project Runway Canada winner Sunny Fong is known for using a wider range of sizes for his line, VAWK, but once again, he is ignoring the shorter woman in his casting call for his upcoming Toronto Fashion Week show. While the call does allow for non-runway height women (5’6″ and above, without heels), I cannot consider this truly diverse unless there is a real wide range in height.  And this should include women who are very tall and very short (as in below five feet).

 Screenshot of the casting call

Though I’m glad to see that they’re open to “shorter” models, I would have liked to see the call look for all shapes and sizes, which is in the philosophy of VAWK.  I know that there are many people from the fashion industry who’ll disagree with me, but I don’t think it looks that weird to see a wide range of heights on the runway.  We’ve all seen it before, with celebrities participating in shows.  I don’t think it distracts any more than that “novel” size 14 girl who walks with 20 size 0 models.

A close look at the requirements

I know that it’s up to designers to decide what’s ideal and aesthetically pleasing for their shows, but I really wish that Sunny Fong, the Ben Barry Agency (model agency that is known for its non-traditional sized models) and wouldn’t call this “diverse,” since it’s not including a very large group of women.  Just a thought.

This post is a long time coming as some of the purchases came over two weeks ago!  Since I signed up for the flash sale site,  Peacock Parade back in the fall, I had mostly been buying dresses.  Lately, it has been tops – ones that I can wear into spring and even summer.  The first is the Twiggy top, by a resort line called Michelle Jonas Travelwear, is one of my favourites.  Her non-basic tops normally retail for over $200 or more, but I was able to get this one for much less (under $150).  While I’m wearing it as a regular top, pairing it with skinny jeans and tall boots, it being a resort piece can be a great bathing suit cover or even worn as a dress with a slip underneath.

• Top: Michelle Jonas Travelwear Longsleeve Twiggy Top, size Petite (i.e. extra small)
• Jeans: Seven for All Mankind skinny jeans, size 24
• Boots: Brown’s

This one is from Poleci.  I don’t normally bare my arms unless it’s super-dooper hot, but wearing a sweater or jacket over the t-shirt defeats the purpose of buying it.  It’s all about showing the detailing on the shoulders, after all.  I’d definitely pair them with wider leg jeans (boot cut, for example) since the shirt is so form-fitting.  Skinny jeans or leggings/jeggings/peggings would just make me look like I’m going to dance class!

• Top: Poleci Studded shoulder tee, XS
• Jeans: 7 for all Mankind Flip-flop jeans, size 24 (very old.  Probably 2007 or so)
• Shoes: Christian Louboutin Proratas, size 34

The Flippa K top below would probably look better with pants than the J.Crew No. 2 pencil skirt (purchased from Alterations Needed’s forum from ProudlyPetite), since it looks kind of boxy.  However, the colour combination of the two is very nice.  I also have an a-line skirt from Banana Republic that is a similar shade.  Maybe that’ll look better?  What do you think?

• Shirt: Flippa K Sheer Tencil Gather Top, XS
• Skirt: J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt, 00P
• Shoes: Cole Haan, size 5

There was another Flippa K top that came along with the one above, but I’m saving that for another post. Stay tuned.

I saw a Tweet from @hmusa recently about the fact that the plus department in the US is rebranding from Big & Beautiful to the more appropriate H&M+ name.  Sizes this department will carry will range between 14 and 24.  While I knew that H&M had plus sizes, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll ever carry petites.  H&M is, of course, a favourite of many petites (Extra Petite, Really Petite, Alterations Needed and I have all posted outfits on our sites), but it is still not a brand with a petite line.  My guess is no, since most of us seem to make do with what they have.  However, I think it’s something they should at least think about.

Think about it.  They already have a very loyal petite customer base.  If they just made some of their pieces (a mix of work-appropriate and “fun” looks, but not necessarily the designer collaborations, since they’re so limited in quantity and only at a small number of locations) proportionately shorter just slightly, then there’d be an even bigger loyalty base.  I know that a lot of people go on and on about alterations (especially those who are not petite), but it doesn’t always work.  And we shorter women want to look good just as much as those who are plus.  However, unlike them, it’s plus size women who get press every time there’s some sort of discussion of body image, while we, as petites, get the short end of the stick (no pun intended).

Do you think H&M should have a petite line?  Why or why not?

Note: I’d like to welcome some of our new readers who are  coming from DelectablyChic!.  Shorty Stories, though remaining its own site, will now be streaming posts over to DelectablyChic! via RSS.

With a theme of 1960s London, going into the disco era of the 1970s, Betsey Johnson’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection opens with a short video of girls screaming at who’s presumably The Beatles.  The collection was full of bright colours, miniskirts, floppy hats, chunky sweater dresses and po’boy caps we see a typical Betsey production of happy models strutting down the runway. Pink was, very dominant, as were patterns, not unlike past collections.  It was definitely a mix of 1960s fun with a bit of 70s disco glamour while sticking with the Betsey philosophy of being very playful.

Out of the two decades represented, 1960s London was definitely more of a favourite.  The Disco Chic looks, complete with large hats and furs, were a bit reminiscent of  collections by other designers, present at recent seasons.  Favourite pieces include the entire opening look (especially the red gloves, which give the outfit just that pop of colour) and the long floral dress at around the 1:12 mark.

As usual, Betsey’s show ended with her cartwheel, but not before walking down the runway with her daughter and granddaughter.  Models came out not in pieces from her collection, but as cheerleaders.

I like much of the collection, especially the pairing of the dresses with tall boots (this style is pretty much all I wear in the winter.  Glad to see that I won’t look out of place next year – lol).  Most of the skirt lengths are above the knee, which means that they’d be right about knee length for us petites – especially ones with smaller and/or thin frames.  I have one Hervé Léger dress, which I sized up to a small (from extra small) for.  I think I might actually get an XS if I ever make another purchase.  The small was just a little bit too big.  All one really needs to do to achieve the smooth look is to wear some sort of body shaper to smooth bulges out.

Have you ever worn Hervé Léger or similar bandage dresses (Max Azria makes some for his BCBG line as well.  They’re very similar looking, just not as elaborately decorated)?  Do you find them petite-friendly?

So New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week started yesterday, presenting collections for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2012 season.  As with previous seasons, many of the shows were streamed online, including BCBGMaxAzria.  Though I really like the colour blocking, palette and found the designs to be better than past seasons, the skirt lengths, as usual, were really more for showing than anything else (despite the line being available at some BCBG boutiques).  No one, other than these very tall, very slim models can pull them off. And while I’m a big fan of BCBG in general (I usually buy two jersey dresses from them each summer), I have, so far, never purchased anything from their runway collection.  Even the few shorter dresses they have don’t fit properly, thanks to drop waists or other non-petite friendly styling. Guess I’ll be sticking with the non-runway pieces!

What do you think of the collection?  Is it a no-go for you, too?

I’m shorter than my mother.  This is a rarity, especially for first generation Canadians with immigrant parents.  You’re pretty much expected to be taller than your mom.  When I was a little girl, I expected to be around 5’6″ or 5’7″ – one to two inches TALLER than mom.  Never happened.  I reached my current height of about 5’2″ when I was 16 years old.  As a girl who really wants to be stylish and at one point, wanted to model (commercial, not runway, since that’s where the money is), I was devastated.  Clothes didn’t fit right and as most short women and my regular readers know, the petite department was just too mature-looking for a teenager (with the exception of a few stores, it’s still too mature for me).  Sure, there are plenty of celebrities who’re my size (height and clothing), but they all have “people.”  On the other hand, I’m just a regular person.  Tailoring is an option, but it doesn’t always work (and people have to get that).  Besides, short women, famous or not, are never “beautiful” and “elegant.”  While they can most definitely be “sexy” or “pretty” the typical adjectives used to describe them include “cute” and “adorable.”  Cute is for babies and pets.

Then, in 2006, I started the first version of this site, which at that time, was not a blog (or anything close to one).  That year, which I consider my “beta year,” had some success.  I still felt like I was preaching to the choir because every body image activist I’ve come across doesn’t pay any REAL attention to height issues.  They might acknowledge it if I bring it up, but it usually feels like lip service because they quickly forget about it.  And the worst comes from some individuals in the fashion industry (especially those who happen to be short themselves).  I interviewed a menswear designer a few years ago who was probably no taller than 5’5″ or 5’6″ – short for a guy – I asked him if he’d ever produce clothing to fit smaller men and you know what his answer was?  No.  They can always get things fixed.  This is a guy who was very small framed and could probably get his shirts from the tween department.  And guys have it worse than us.  Except for a few niche shops, there isn’t a men’s equivalent to “petite.”  Anyway…

CynthiaC in a Traffic People dress. Image originally posted in a Petite Fashion Challenge

Real success for me came when I discovered other petite bloggers.  We have a nice community who share our issues, ideas, tips and sometimes, even even meet up.  We have found petite-exclusive designers and have profiled them.  Some of us have even held events, both live and online (such as Petite Fashion Challenges which are held several times a year).  It’s blogging buddies like these that have made me feel less isolated about my size issues because they share the same problems.  It’s actually funny how non-petites think we don’t have any issues because we’re size 0s and 2s (for the most part).  They, like anyone else who isn’t under 5’4″, have no idea what it’s like to be shorter than average and how, unlike plus size, our voices aren’t heard as often (but at least we have an avenue now to be heard).  Let’s just hope that media catch on and actually openly allow petite women, especially those of us who are smaller-framed to be open about our issues.  I’d be even happier if that happens.  Somehow, I think it’s going to take a long time.

Note: This post is part of August McLaughlin’s Beauty of a Woman BlogFest. You can find her original post about this event here.

Check out my post about overcoming my issue with small feet at DelectablyChic!

Cranberry Floral Dress & Black Floral Dress:

While it’s still a little chilly outside, take advantage of the floral dress and tights look, paired with boots.  With booties, you can give it an early 90s retro look.  The black dress, which comes in sizes XS to XL, is priced at $78 while the cranberry dress (XS-XL)  is $68.  Both are made out of polyester.  My personal favourite is the cranberry.  Brings back some memories of middle school.

Wide-legged jeans and lace

Wide-legged jeans, the perfect alternative to the skinny, has been back in the market since late 2010.  The two pieces go hand-in-hand with each other, worn either alone or, if you want to give it a more formal look, with a nice dark blazer – great for casual offices (I highly suggest that you wear a camisole underneath the lace top if you are going to wear it to work.  Much more professional and prevents “wardrobe malfunctions.”).  The lace top sells (XS to XL) for $45 and materials are 65% cotton, 32% nylon and 3% spandex, while the jeans are 65% cotton, 34% polyester and 1% spandex.  The jeans come in waist sizes of 25 to 32.

Flowy Tops!

Great paired with the above jeans or any kind of denim at all (my personal favourite are straight-legged, not-too-skinny jeans in a medium to dark wash.  But don’t go black with the tangerine top unless you want to look “Halloween”).  The pink flowy blouse, like the lace top above, could work very well for a casual office environment, while the tangerine top is more weekend.  Wear it with tall boots over the pants for some serious casual boho chic.

 Images courtesy of RW&Co.

They’re surprisingly ankleish on me, even though it’s not a petite size (Jacob does not do petites), especially when tucked into a lose-ish fitting top (as I’m wearing in the pictures).  What do you think of this?

• Pants: Jacob Houndstooth Ankle Pants, size 0 – $79 CDN
• Top: Lucian Matis, size XS
• Blazer: Femme de Carriere, size 30 (o)
• Shoes: Christian Louboutin Prorata, size 34

The pants still slip a little, so if I really want it at ankle length, I’ll need to belt it just below the waist.  To add a pop of colour, I’ve also paired it with a pink and salmon cardigan:

• Pants, top and shoes as above
• Sweater: Jacob V-neck cardigan, size XS, $39

What do you think?

Last month, we asked you whether you were members of any flash sale sites.  It was kind of surprising to find that more than 41% (41.2%, actually) of you didn’t know what they were, since so many people have been talking about them over the past few months.  Some of you, at 29.4% said that you like these sites, but find that your size disappears very quickly (totally agree with you here!!  In fact, sometimes, items are sold out within minutes – regardless of size!).  Others find the sites a waste of time and money (17.6%).  Only 5.9% said that they were totally addictive.  Another 5.9% chose other.

Do you agree with these results?  Which sites do you frequent most often (those of you who frequent this blog probably know that I’m kind of partial to Peacock Parade)