Ann Taylor is really dialed in when it comes to making the sort of petite styled clothing I want to wear. As a 5’3 woman, I’m sensitive to the petites pants, jeans and trends that are going to make me feel my best, and while I think of Ann Taylor as more classic than edgy, there’s definitely enough normcore fashion—spiced up with bits of animal print and machine-wash satin—to gain my admiration. And the prices! Camel coats for less than $200. Work dresses you can machine wash. And yes, even the dresses are affordable, including an elegant long-sleeve frock that is giving quiet elegance along with a peep of leg. Scroll on to see my 18 selects from the recent collection, I’m sure like me you’ll find pieces to rotate into your petite capsule wardrobe.
I’m Petite & I’m Loving Ann Taylor Fall Fashion—Here Are 18 Items for Women 5’3” and Under
Including an all-event dress for under $90
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Senior Director, Special Projects and Royals, Rachel Bowie, says, “Former Ann Taylor ‘wardrobing specialist’ speaking (seriously, it was my college job and that's the title for their in-store associates ha!): I really love the burgundy hue of this silk shirtdress and can picture wearing it to the office, but also to after-work drinks/a holiday gathering. Also, dreaming about pairing it with this pretty coat ($228; $178) for a monochromatic look.” Bonus: The dress is machine-washable. Finally, since it has a 29-inch drop from the wearer’s natural waist, the dress is going to look fierce over knee-high boots.
Size range: 00 to 16x
“I've got my eye on these corduroy flares,” says Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint. “It's so hard to find a wide-leg trouser that doesn't swallow me up—and in one of fall's trendiest materials to boot.” says editor-in-chief Jillian Quint. Petite but leggy, Quint can wear the 28-and-a-half inch inseam pants without heels, while I’ll be rocking them with some heeled boots. Either way, these are cozy and chic, especially in winter white corduroy with monochrome or neutral layering pieces.
Size range: 00 to 16
“I love the style of this faux-leather skirt! I think it'll make a perfect transitional piece because I can pair it with pretty much anything from a fitted tank to a slouchy sweater,” says Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera. This camel-colored skirt has a self-tie buckle best and is machine-washable, so there’s no worries with finding an expensive leather cleaning service. And the perfect A-line shape is flattering without being too bulky.
Size range: 00 to 16
Animal prints are a fall 2024 trend, and this hot little all-cotton stretch number checks that box. It’s 23-and-a-half inches long, so there’s not going to be overmuch fabric when you tuck it into your high-waist jeans or trousers, or wear it untucked with your figure-hugging slip skirt.
Size range: XXS to XL
Finally, a denim maxi that’s lightweight enough to wear all year (thank you, cotton-lyocell blend) and just long enough for petites (31 inches long). The belt loops let you dress the look up or down, depending on whatever belt or scarf you use to cinch your waist, and the waist sits high enough that you’re not at risk of exposing any skin if you have to stretch. Finally, the classic, non-distressed denim fabrication goes with everything you already own.
Size range: 00 to 16
There’s a long shoulder season of cool-but-not-cold-yet weather in fall and spring, when you want a coat that’s not going to read Michelin Man or weigh you down with felted wool. This lined coat is 90/10 poly/wool, so it’s not going to make you too hot—and the 41-inch length is going to hit petites right where coats look best at the mid-leg. We’re seeing this coat tossed over a white tissue turtleneck and snowy cords for a sophisticated casual look.
Size range: XXS to XL
7. Ann Taylor Petite Cable Sweater Tee
Ann Taylor
Strange but true: Pale pink is flying out of store doors as we’re all rolling into fall. Is it a hangover from the now-classic millennial pink? A correction from the fire-engine red that’s been fashionable for a while now? I’m not sure, but I am here to say this cotton-poly blend elbow-length number looks fresh right now, and a welcome bit of complexion-flattering color when worn amid the drab colors of the workaday fall world.
Size range: XXS to XL
This is the unicorn of high-waist trousers for petites: The cuff comes on a 29-inch inseam, so it’s just the right length to wear with a walkable heel without hemming. Not only that, but the trouser shape has a touch of flare to make legs look longer. And finally, the trouser is available in regular and curvy fits. I’m seeing this as the classic trouser I’ll opt to wear for a quiet luxury in perpetuity.
Size range: 00 to 16
Faux suede is the new vinyl, and this textural top is fitted but with a bit of drape to really show off the fabric. It’s 23-and-a-half inches long, so it works tucked or untucked, and the 96 percent poly/4 percent spandex material is machine washable.
Size range: XXS to XL
The bomber jacket is the grown-up version of the varsity jacket trend, and it needs to fit correctly to not look sloppy. This camel number hits right at the top of the hip and is the perfect transitional piece that’s good to be thrown on over a T-shirt in transitional weather and layered over a tissue turtleneck and nubby sweater in chillier temperatures.
Size range: XXS to XL
I love this dress since its 27-inch skirt length (measured in the drop from the natural waist) makes it the perfect length on my 5’3 frame. Machine washable, this is the rare shirtdress that will hit exactly the right place on my upper calf. And the slight puff sleeve is a flattering shoulder detail that doesn’t come off as too sweet. This is the one-and-done dress you’ll reach for first when you need to look profesh without trying too hard.
Size range: 00 to 16
A version of the classic French chore coat, this straight-cut jacket has front flap pockets and a jaunty little pointed collar. It’s 26-and-a-half inches long, so it’s got a slouchy unisex vibe. I love this with a striped T-shirt and a neckerchief—just maybe skip the beret unless you’re going full-on Emily in Paris. In which case, stuff a baguette in your backpack and climb on a moped, French girl chic.
Size range: XXS to XL
13. Ann Taylor Petite Weekend Collared Sweater
Ann Taylor
At 21-and-a-half inches long, this cute white machine washable rayon blend sweater is going to look like a cropped sweater on long-waisted petites, and can be tucked into pants for high-waisted petites. Either way, it is an easy preppy style with a cuffed hem and wrists.
Size range: XXS to XL
When I asked petite fashion advisor Lwany for her stylist tips for petites, she told me that a pet peeve of hers is when small-frame women wear ill-fitting suits. The fit of the shoulders, the length of the jacket and sleeves…the possibilities to wind up with an unintentionally oversize look are endless. That’s why she endorses shopping the petite section for specially tailored suiting, such as this 25 ½-inch long blazer that has two buttons that nip it in at just the right waist spot, and elbow patches that are in precisely where your elbows are. And in a lightweight (and machine washable!) poly blend, it’s going to look cute with jeans as well as the matching sheath dress ($159; $109).
Size range: 00 to 16
It’s giving “office siren,” but in a stretch fabrication that lets you stride without hiking the skirt up. The 29-inch length hits mid-calf—most off-the-rack non-petite pencil skirts hit way closer to the ankle, which looks just wrong. The back vent is generous, extending up to the knee so you can sit down without feeling restricted.
Size range: 00 to 16
A long-sleeve tailored dress isn’t easy to find, but it’s what you need for dressy and respectful occasions like the office or memorial services. This is that dress. Specially sized for petites, it measures 19 inches long from the natural waist and has a back zipper. It’s lined, so it’s going to hang perfectly and keep you warm. This dress with black tights and a pair of tall boots? Classic, attractive and very demure. Oh, and did I forget to mention this is in claret, one of the colors of the season?
Size range: 00 to 16
The front patch pockets on these wide-leg jeans are so flattering, and they don’t add any visual heft to your hips, which helps petites since our shorter legs can read more stumpy than willowy. The high-rise waist is flattering on a petite, but know that the inseam on these trousers is 28-and-a-half inches, so shorter petites might want to wear these with flatform shoes or just cut the bottom inch off with scissors for a cool raw-edge denim look.
Size range: 00 to 16
18. Ann Taylor Petite Chesterfield Coat
Ann Taylor
In lightweight camel-toned fabric with a simple one-button closure and a flattering above-the-knee length, this winter coat is a suitable transition or layering coat that won’t weigh down a petite’s look. Lined, and with flap pockets, this little coat is going to elevate your every day fall and winter looks.
Size range: XXS to XL
