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san francisco: macy’s and nordstrom petite shopping

I received a comment from a San Francisco reader, Begonia, about Macy’s and Nordstrom stores sizing in Union Square. Begonia wrote:

“Wait. You’re a 00P who finds clothes at Nordstrom and Macy’s in my city!? Do share the details. I don’t even bother going in there cos I’ve been under the impression that all the so-called petite sizes are too large or too fuddy duddy.”

Well Ms. Begonia today is your lucky day.

You can find clothing that fits you at both locations. Think beyond the word petite and the tired petite department, and look for the designers that work for you.

Shopping in department stores is sometimes overwhelming for me because I know that my choices are limited. However I find the designers that work for me and ask the sales divas for sizing help!

At Macy’s the lines that work for me are Theory (00), DNG, Cavalli, Trina Turk (00), Yohanna, Mint, Twinkle and Cynthia Stesse and M Missoni– I fit into the size 00 and 0 in these lines. Theory and Trina Turk are highly recommended. Go to the Impulse department and you shouldn’t have a problem. Also try INC in the petite department.

Macy’s also has designer denim sizes that start between 24 and 25, but hemming will of course be needed. I recommend Citizens of Humanity, Paige Preminum Denim, Joes Jeans, Hudson and 7 For All Mankind. The overall Macy’s website is much more boring than what they have in stock in Union Square location.

You’ll of course need to try things on, but I’ve had excellent luck with these brands and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

For Nordstrom go to the Individualists department for Theory, BCBG Max Azaria and Nanette Lapore. Nordstrom carries Tahari, Alice & Olivia, Ella Moss, Trina Turk and Diane Von Furstenberg but the sizing begins in size 2. They have an excellent alterations department that will provide free tailoring. For designer denim, you’ll be pleased to find the same lines as Macy’s. Sizing generally starts between 24 and 25 here too.

For shoes, you should look for the ‘Overs and Unders’ events that take place once yearly if your foot is a size 4.5 or 5. This is at Nordstrom only. You need to call the shop to check details. I’ve been told that Nordstrom does carry a large selection of 4.5 and 5 sizing.

I’d stay the heck out of the so called petite departments. Occasionally I’ll find something interesting but it’s a lot of digging. Nordstrom does have BCBG however that was it. The petite departments are generally fuddy and duddy. I do, however find the petite department online shops to be a bit more interesting than what they all sell on their sales floors.

Furthermore, both chains will locate whatever size you are looking for within their universal inventory system. They only hit up the West Coast (including AZ, HI and TX) for deliveries. If you like a design and its not in your size they’ll order it and deliver it to your doorstep.

Feel free to comment if there are any other brands that work for you.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm and is filed under Shops. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 Responses to “san francisco: macy’s and nordstrom petite shopping”

Begonia Says:
August 10th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Wow. Thanks for all the details! Theory and Trina Turk 00 sometimes work, but they are not really petite cut (lengths, shoulders etc.) are they? How tall are you? I’m just barely 5ft 1, about 93-94lb. I’ve given up entirely on INC, their smallest petite sizes are entirely too big for me. Joe’s Jeans cuts for a much curvier body than mine, so the thighs are always too big for me. For jeans oddly enough I find that stores that cater to teenagers (Abercrombie/AE) are a much better fit for me — the diameter of the legs is much narrower for any given style than any of the makers you mention; the butt/crotch/length proportions also seem to work better.
serafina Says:
August 10th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hi there - a couple of things. My measurements are on the right of my navigation - I’m almost 5′4″ and I’m roughly 105 lbs. I have very good luck with both Trina and Theory however I do hem the pants; I don’t have to alter the shirts as they fit well in the shoulders and they fit everywhere else on me. Although not at Nordstrom or Macy’s, for denim try Ksubi or Korea’s Blue Notch. Also for pants I would encourage you to contact Sunny Suppa about her 5ft2in line. Her line is right up your alley. I think you will be happy with BCBG petites too!
I would also encourage you to speak with Atsui Tokyo in Seattle. They carry loads of Japanese designers at affordable prices — ask them for the serafina discount. American Apparel runs extremely small. If you haven’t already tried their xxs I would encourage you to do so.

As a super petite you won’t always find that every line will always fit you, but you will have choices within the line each season. Know where to start!
Begonia Says:
August 11th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Thank you so much for all the detailed recommendations! I laughed as I read the description “super petite” — btw the shocker has been that for basics, Banana Republic 00P works. Glad at least one mainstream retailer is sitting up and paying attention to the “super petites.”
Sunny Says:
August 12th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Hi Begonia,

This is Sunny from 5ft2in. At the risk of recommending my competitor, I’ve heard from a lot of petite women that NEXT is a good brand for super petites. They have a store in SF Shopping Center, so you might want to check them out. I also have a friend who is a local designer who design tops in small sizes and I myself design pants from size 24 waist and up. What’s your waist size? Maybe we can help you out.
Begonia Says:
August 13th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Hi Sunny,
Thank you so much for the tip and for offering to help! I’ve emailed you at the feedback email address given at 5ft2.com
Susan Milstein Says:
September 17th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I am 5′3″ 110 pounds and 51 years old. I’m headed to SF to shop for much-needed clothes. Where should I start? Can you recommend a personal shopper at Macy’s or Nordstrom’s who could help me build a wardrobe?

san francisco: macy’s and nordstrom petite shopping

6 Responses to “san francisco: macy’s and nordstrom petite shopping”

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