If you’re petite, you already know: fit is everything.

You can find the perfect color, the trendiest style, and the most luxurious fabric—but if the proportions are off, it won’t flatter you the way it should. And because most clothing is made for a taller “standard” frame, petites are constantly navigating sleeves that hang too long, pants that puddle, and blazers that swallow us whole.

That’s where tailoring comes in.

Tailoring isn’t just about fixing a hem—it’s about creating balance, highlighting your shape, and making fashion work for you.

So here’s your guide to what petites should always consider altering, why it matters, and how to make the most of it.

Why Tailoring Is a Petite Woman’s Power Move

Let’s start here: you don’t need a completely custom wardrobe.

But you do need a few strategic adjustments to make your clothes feel like they were made for you.

Tailoring helps:

• Create clean lines that elongate your body
• Define your shape (especially if you’re petite and curvy)
• Remove excess bulk that overwhelms smaller frames
• Draw attention to your best features instead of hiding them behind bad fit

This isn’t about changing your body—it’s about working with it, not against it.

Top 6 Alterations Every Petite Woman Should Consider

1. Pant and Jean Hems

Why: Most pants are made for women 5’6” and up. For petites, they almost always run too long.

What to do:

• Hem to ankle length or just above the ground depending on shoe height
• Ask for the original hem to be preserved (especially with denim) for a clean, factory-finished look

Pro tip: A properly hemmed pant creates instant leg-lengthening magic.

2. Sleeve Shortening

Why: Sleeves that fall past the wrist can make your entire frame look smaller and less polished.

What to do:

• Shorten to just below the wrist bone or go ¾ length for a chic, intentional look
• This is especially helpful on blazers and button-downs

Pro tip: Visible hands elongate your arms and make jackets look custom-fit.

3. Waist Tapering

Why: Petite women often experience gaping at the back waist, especially in pants, jeans, or dresses.

What to do:

• Have waistbands taken in for a snug, contour-following fit
• Dresses with undefined waists can be shaped to create curves

Pro tip: This one alteration can instantly turn “meh” into “made-for-you.”

4. Shoulder Adjustments on Blazers or Jackets

Why: Shoulders that are too wide make petite women look like they’re playing dress-up in someone else’s clothes.

What to do:

• Ideally, buy jackets that already fit well in the shoulders
• But if needed, a tailor can bring the shoulder seam in for better alignment

Note: This is one of the pricier alterations, so only do it on pieces you love.

5. Strap Shortening on Tops and Dresses

Why: Straps are almost always too long, especially on sleeveless tops or dresses.

What to do:

• Shorten straps to lift the bust, improve neckline placement, and prevent gaping under the arms

Pro tip: Even this small tweak can make a $30 dress look like it was made for you.

6. Skirt and Dress Hemlines

Why: The wrong hem length can visually shorten your legs.

What to do:

• Shorten dresses to hit just above the knee or at the narrowest part of your leg
• For midi styles, make sure they hit mid-calf—not lower

Pro tip: A flattering hemline = instant height illusion.

What’s Not Worth Altering?

Not everything needs (or deserves) tailoring.

Skip alterations on:

• Cheap fabrics that won’t hold structure
• Overly trendy pieces you might only wear once
• Items where the cost of tailoring exceeds the value

Rule of thumb: If the shoulders and hips are too far off, it’s probably not worth saving.

How to Find the Right Tailor

A good tailor is like a good hair stylist—life-changing.

What to look for:

• Experience working with petite clients
• Willingness to pin garments on your body, not just on a mannequin
• Clear pricing and turnaround times
• Respect for your shape and input

Pro tip: Ask if they can preserve original hems on jeans—this is a mark of a skilled tailor.

Need Help Finding One?

You can browse tailor listings by state at everpetite.com.

We’ve compiled a national directory of tailors across the U.S.—some we’ve worked with, some we haven’t. We included them as a resource to help you explore what’s near you. Several are trusted Ever Petite partners who are committed to better serving the petite community through their services.

We recommend browsing the listings, checking reviews, and reaching out to see who aligns with your needs. And if you find someone amazing, let us know—we’re always adding to the list to better support this community.

Let Tailoring Work for You—Not Against Your Budget

Start with the three-piece rule:

Pick three staples in your closet—maybe a blazer, a pair of jeans, and a dress—and have them tailored.

You’ll feel the difference in how you move, how you style them, and how you show up.

And remember—this isn’t about making your clothes perfect.

It’s about making them yours.

Final Takeaway: Tailoring Is Self-Respect, Not Perfectionism

You don’t need to change your body.

You don’t need to follow every trend.

But when you find something you love—and it almost fits?

Tailoring gives you the power to finish the sentence.

Because being petite isn’t about making things work.

It’s about making them work for you.