She isn’t obscuring her face with a lot of hair — she’s got a cute, gaminesque haircut. Not everyone could carry that off, but Laura is beautiful and she can. As she gets older, I think it would work well for her to grow the hair down over her ears a bit.
She’s brightened her face with a pop of red lips– fabulous.
The shirt and skirt fit perfectly — the blousy top works very well with the more fitted skirt, which has a lovely flare detail at the bottom. There’s a definite femininity here but nothing overtly sexy, thanks to the muted colors.

Shoes are great — a classic slingback is always appropriate for work.

This was Sunday afternoon following a concert at church. Steal this look. It’s just perfect.

PeaceBang wistfully recalls the days she was a petite. Granted, she was always a petite size 12 or 14 or 16, but she’s short, and she wore petites. Now, PeaceBang finds that petites are often very cropped (blazers and shirts) and that isn’t flattering for her meatballosity, so she generally avoids them. But this isn’t about PEACEBANG, is it?? Please let me slap myself out of my reverie.

Petite Rev, have you checked out Anne Taylor Loft? Like these skirts, for instance?
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/atlShowCategory.process?RestartFlow=t&Section_Id=119

They’re a bit pricey, but with a challenging-to-fit body type, you’re better off investing in some really nice classics and sticking to a few garments.

I dig this jacket from Boscov’s, where I used to shop when I lived in upstate New York for about five minutes:
http://tinyurl.com/yldnv7

H&M is also a good place to look for petite sizes. They cut their clothing really slim, and while a lot of their garments could be described as “Hootchie Mama Officewear For Recent College Graduates Who Are Definitely Going Out Drinking After Work,” they also have some nifty and fashionable more classic pieces. Their tweedish suits are inexpensive and made like crap but they look GREAT!

I think the trick for petites — whether men or women — is to stick with classics that are impeccably fitted, and that aren’t too fusty lest you risk that “oh look! The little person is dressing like a GROWN UP” effect. Women should avoid cutesy details like Mary Jane shoes or flowery anything, or matchy-matchy ensembles or anything that even vaguely resembles what the kids are wearing in high school. No hoodies, no flippy short Old Navy skirts (shudder) — and in order to avoid looking like someone’s adorable little grandmama — no holiday themed shirts or lacey collars. Avoid childish jewelry. Find classic accessories and carry a killer bag. Avoid wearing schoolgirl headbands and hair accessories or styles that evoke extreme youth. No need to go around in a super conservative pageboy or a Nancy Reagan helmet head ‘do, but put some serious thought into your hairstyle. I often see very petite women in hairstyles that make me immediately think they’re auditioning for Peter Pan. All they need is the green tights.

Many very tiny women are quite slim and not very curvy. I encourage these gals to have fun finding garments that give them some shape, and not to be afraid of it. Layers are also wonderful on you, so take advantage of all the fun vests and jackets and nubby, textured sweaters out there — but FITTED, so you’re not lost in the fabrics. Do NOT cover yourself head to toe in fabric — you will get lost. That means if you wear a turtleneck, keep your skirt knee-length. Etc.

Hold out for good fit in everything. If you try on a skirt and can detect no derriere in the mirror, put it back on the rack (the skirt, not your derriere). Ask a salesperson to help you locate a well-cut, interestingly designed skirt that will give you some budunkadunk. There are all kinds of beautifully designed, affordable pieces out there for petites with curve factor. Don’t fear the curve. Having a body does not mean being overtly sexual. When we walk around in swathed head to toe in fabric, I really feel that we are subtly projecting the message, “Hello, I am a walking head. Let’s not be distracted by the rest of the story.”

Male petites, you should also avoid high school boy clothing, even if the fit is good and the garments conveniently available. On the other hand, if you’re really youthful looking, don’t feel you have to don a pair of suspenders and a cardigan to look older. You’re 40 and you look like you’re 22? Don’t worry about it! Do put some thought into your haircut, as that can be one way to help you look more mature (WHERE OH WHERE HAVE SUBTLE SIDEBURNS GONE?? PEACEBANG MOURNS THEIR ABSENCE).

Don’t wear bow ties, or you’ll look like it’s 1954 and you’re running for student council president. I don’t want you to get beaten up in the parking lot by the football team.

Hi PeaceBang!

First of all, a disclaimer: my wardrobe is not remotely as fabulous as Peace Bang’s. [Mrs. P, where are you getting the idea that my wardrobe is actually fabulous? I would characterize it more as “Hey, Not Bad For a Fat Chick.”
– P.B.] But I am honored to have been asked to share my petite shopping secrets for those other tiny ministers out there.

In terms of vestments: the great thing about albs and cassocks is that they come in children’s sizes. I think mine is a size 11 (as in age 11). Cinctures in the right length are very hard to find, for some strange reason. However, they really don’t make children’s stoles, chausables or clergy shirts (we’ve got more duds in Episcopalia than in UU World). One petite priest I know loves those dickie collars since then you don’t have to buy an expensive clergy shirt and they go with any outfit. Another friend of mine makes her own stoles, since the standard sizes are both too long and too wide.

While we’re on the vestments topic, I should mention that I always travel with a “preaching stool” from Ikea. I guest-preach a lot and you never know the height of the pulpit. Just be sure to put your preaching stool in the pulpit well before the service begins. Then your illusion of height will be complete!

Petite sections in stores have come a long way in recent years, but still generally stink. Clothing manufacturers don’t seem to get that there are young petite women as well as older petite women. Philocrites and I went shopping the other day, and he got to experience the Petite Ghetto. There we are in Filenes, with many nice skirts and tops in the Misses section. Are any of these in petite sizes? No- the petite section, right next to Misses, has none of the same outfits and has skipped forward thirty years in terms of style. Sigh. And the Juniors clothes, which would fit, are way too Hoochie Mama. Halter tops and jeans with holes in the butt do not exactly say Ministerial Presence. Thus the Goldilocks predicament of the petite young adult- we can either wear dowdy turquoise suits or baby tees with “I heart my boyfriend” in pink glitter.

Don’t get me started on so-called “Petite Sophisticate.” I think they are the high-powered syndicate behind the Dowdy Petite Conspiracy.The only store where I consistently find things that fit me and are suitable for church is Anne Taylor Loft. They have a really good petite section that looks young but still professional. And they have great party dresses too.My other favorite store is Second Time Around in Harvard Square, a consignment shop of designer clothes. People give away things that are too small, so they have a good selection for petites. And I’ve ended up with some items by makers I’d never have been able to afford otherwise. JCrew is great for petite coats. Many petites swear by Banana Republic, but I haven’t found too much there, and it’s so expensive.I also get a lot of shirts from children’s stores. A great one, especially for sweaters, is Land’s End Kids. Gap Kids and Talbots Kids are a good bet, because they’re clothes for yuppie children and so don’t often have cartoons and things on them. I get plain T shirts from the children’s section at Macy’s. And I have a close personal relationship with my tailor at the dry cleaner’s down the street.

Thanks for the invite, PeaceBang! You know I’m not usually one for blogging but your site is indeed a service to humanity.

~Mrs. P.

Thank you, Mrs. Philocrites. I feel your pain, as one who is actually a PLUS-SIZE PETITE. Talk about maddening!! May the Spirit of fabulousness be upon all of us in our efforts to de-frumpify the American Religious Leader. Amen.