I'm in my early 30s and about 5' tall, sz 0-2 depending on brand and variations in sizing.

I like Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic. But I usually only buy when on sale or at the outlets. Full price is a bit beyond my budget (grad student here). But I have plunked down the bucks for a suit I needed for an interview. I made sure it was a suit I can break up and use with other pieces, so it has gotten some good wear.

On occasion I can find something at my local Macys or Filenes Basement or Lord and Taylor. It's a bit hit or miss. The INC brand at Macys is nice for more contemporary styles. Jones & New York brand dresses, even in petites, is too big for me.

I've had luck with the XS at Gap and some of their short length or ankle length pants. But I've also found a supposedly "regular" length pant that actually fit me really well. I've also had some luck at Express. They have short lengths in pants. And I recently bought a little black dress there that was probably meant to be above the knee, but worked well for me as a knee length dress.

I find Talbots a bit too old for me. Though they do have nice stuff. And Chadwicks is really way too old for me (although I can very rarely find something basic that I would wear). Chadwicks does have a very limited petites tops/shirts/sweater section. And just so you know..I check them out from time to time (in hopes of finding something I like in petite sizes) and they have the same exact items for sale for *years*. So that should give you an idea of how fashion forward they are.

I've tried Sears petites recently, but unfortunately, the smallest petite size is still too big for me. The styles have improved though and are not as matronly as I had expected. The quality is also surprisingly not too bad considering it's from Sears.

When there is no petites section, I try my luck at juniors for very basic stuff (i.e. no wacky embellishments). Occasionally I can find something, but most of the time I come back empty handed.

I've just about given up on Target for any clothes---misses or juniors. Everything is way too big and weirdly proportioned for my small frame. I can only get away with wearing their stretchy workout clothes. *sigh* Oh, and most of their bras start at sz 34 band. I'm a 32. I have found a good fitting bra at the kids section. But only once and I have not seen it since. Speaking of bras...I've almost exclusively gotten mine online. Rarely do any stores carry my size. Stores I used to go to also have recently discontinued carrying my size. Don't even suggest VS for their "variety of sizes." They discontinued my size years ago and only recently reintroduced a limited selection from the PINK collection. For bras, I like figleaves.com and ebay.

Hope this helps some of the petite gals out there. It is *very* hard work to find good fitting contemporary clothes. And though S&C always says to get things altered, my real world budget does not allow me to do so on a regular (or even semi regular) basis.

"doreimi" is a frequent poster on the What Not To Wear board at TLC.