A Petite Style Blogger's Honest Review of Petite Studio

Alyssa wears a white blouse and khakis from Petite Studio NYC

Sharing my honest thoughts on Petite Studio, a brand designed by and for petites

I’ve always been on the shorter side.

At age 16, I remember crying for hours when my doctor told me I’d be 5’3″ forever. As an already awkward teen, the idea of being both short and curvy for life felt unfair. Out of sheer defiance, I managed to grow another inch in college—but at 5’4″, I still find myself straddling the line between petite and standard sizing.

Some brands work for me; others leave me swimming in comically long sleeves. Regular pants in a shorter inseam sometimes fit, but high-rise pants often feel like they come up to my neck. Still, I know I have it far easier than many of my petite friends, especially those under 5’2″, who often have to alter just about everything.

This post is sponsored by Petite Studio, but as always, all opinions are my own.

That’s why I’m always on the lookout for brands that truly get petite proportions—beyond just offering a shorter inseam. Enter Petite Studio, a brand designed by and for petites. I first came across them years ago, and their pieces have been on my radar ever since (I even included their Lexi Sweater in my 2021 gift guide—how was that more than three years ago?).

So, how do their clothes actually measure up? Let’s dive into my Petite Studio review:

ABOUT PETITE STUDIO

Petite Studio was founded in 2016 by Jenny Wang-Howell with one clear mission: to create stylish, high-quality clothing designed specifically for petite women like herself. Frustrated by the lack of fashionable options for smaller frames, she set out to build a brand that would create pieces with petite proportions in mind.

Psst… now through April 2, save an extra 25% at Petite Studio sitewide (no code necessary)

Each collection is designed by a team of petite designers in New York and produced in small batches. Rather than making petite clothing that feels like an afterthought, the brand’s goal is to offer petite women the stylish, well-fitting wardrobe they deserve, without compromising on quality or ethics.

MY REVIEW OF PETITE STUDIO

Buvette Pearl Blouse

Alyssa wears the Petite Studio Buvette Pearl Blouse with khaki pants and black heels, and she holds a black tote

The Buvette Pearl Blouse kept catching my eye with its thoughtful and creative details. The most obvious, of course, is the dual-ended pearl pin studding the collar—it’s like having a built-in necklace. Beyond that, the set-in sleeves have the sweetest hint of a puff, adding just enough volume without making it difficult to layer a jacket over. But my favorite detail? The cuff. Not only does it fit perfectly without needing to be folded, but it tapers to a shapely point in such a unique way.

I took a small in this, and that was the right call. It’s loose enough to billow slightly when tucked but not so oversized that it feels sloppy. Personally, I feel more comfortable layering a nude-to-me cami underneath for added coverage, but depending on your preferences, you may find the fabric perfectly fine on its own.

One thing I noticed after shooting these photos is that the fabric does wrinkle a bit. I steamed it before heading out, but after some time in the car, a few creases stuck around. For what it’s worth, they’re much less noticeable in person, and it certainly wouldn’t stop me from wearing it.

This kind of blousy top hasn’t been my go-to lately, mostly because my wardrobe leans more casual at the moment. But I’m glad to have this one in my closet—my calendar is filling up with events where a polished top like this is exactly what I’ll want to reach for.

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Buvette Pearl Pants

Alyssa carries a purse and wears the Buvette Pearl Pants and Top with flats

They may be called the Buvette Pearl Pants, but if you ask me, I’d call them the cool girl pants instead. With an easy elastic waistband, a playful side slit, and a charming pearl and metallic stud on each side, they’re about as interesting as pants can get while still feeling incredibly approachable.

Unfortunately, these weren’t quite the right fit for me. They fit perfectly through the hips, but the waistband is simply too loose. Translation: they’d likely work better for someone with a straighter figure (i.e., a smaller waist-to-hip ratio) than mine.

My only other note? I would have loved a slightly thicker fabric or even faux pockets to help smooth things out a bit. Otherwise, they’d be the perfect travel pant—as stretchy as your favorite leggings but far more polished.

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Paisley Mohair Sweater

Alyssa wears the blue Paisley Mohair Sweater with brown wool pants and leaves it untucked

While I’ve come a long way in my knitting journey, lacy sweaters in a fine yarn weight like this one are still a bit out of reach for me. Luckily, the Paisley Mohair Sweater is just an add-to-cart away.

This cozy knit features a delicate lace pattern, a half-placket with pearlescent buttons, and a slight balloon sleeve. For comfort, coverage, and extending time between washes, I always layer a white tee underneath. However, if you have an intense sensitivity to wool, you may want to steer clear—this one is two-thirds animal fiber.

Trends are shifting toward looser, untucked silhouettes (see the bottom right photo for an untucked look), but for now, I’m still enjoying the waist definition of a French tuck when wearing a bulkier top with wide-leg pants like this.

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Romi Pants

A close up of a heeled foot walking with the pant leg button closed

Alyssa wears the Romi Pants with sandals, a vest, and a basket bag

These are not your mom’s khakis! The Romi Pants walk the line between professional and casual, and I’m here for it. With an adjustable button-tab closure at the waist (bonus points for being elasticated!) and the ankle, they score high in both comfort and style.

They’re just as easy to pair with a structured blazer as they are with a classic white tee (seen here). And in a lightweight fabric, I can see myself wearing these well into early summer.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the pleat tends to kick wide open and stick whenever I walk or sit. With wider hips and thighs, I may need to try to iron it a bit so it lays more smoothly along my leg. Still, I love being able to throw these on and roll out the door, deciding on the fly whether or not I want to button the ankle while I’m sliding into my shoes. I have a feeling these are going to be a closet staple!

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Carly Dress

A close up of Alyssa in the red Carly dress

A dreamy dress made for romantic tropical getaways, the Carly Dress is truly a stunner. Unfortunately, the fit just wasn’t quite right for my frame, so this beauty is on its way back to Petite Studio.

I don’t consider myself particularly busty, but I still don’t feel… contained in this dress (if you know what I mean) when worn with the seam under my bust as designed. While I could probably get away with pulling it a bit higher, the seams cutting across my chest aren’t the most comfortable.

Though this dress didn’t work for me, it has plenty of rave reviews—and it’s easy to see why. With its timeless and twirl-ready cut, perfect length, and built-in slip, it’s a knockout.

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Reign Wool Pants

Alyssa walks away from the camera wearing the Reign Wool Pants and mohair sweater

Alyssa tucks her hands into the pockets of the Reign Wool Pants

When jeans are no match for the biting wind, the Reign Wool Pants keep me toasty. These full-length trousers (which, to my delight, don’t require hemming!) are made from a wool and carbon fiber blend and are fully lined for itch-free wear.

(If you did a double take at the fabric composition, I did too—carbon fiber was new to me as well.)

Fit-wise, they’d probably sit a little better on someone less curvy than I am, or perhaps they’d benefit from a flat front rather than pleats in such a heavy fabric. Rather than sizing up—since that would make them too large in the waist—I’m mostly embracing the relaxed fit when I can and reaching for these pants on days when I’m feeling less bloated. They’ve been a great match for the last few cold snaps here in Charlotte, and I look forward to reuniting with them come fall.

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Bridgett Vest

Alyssa wears the Bridgett Vest with khaki pants and sandals and walks away from the camera

I saved my favorite for last!

Vests have been big over the past season or two, but most of the ones I’ve tried have either been far too long or made from synthetic fabrics—less than ideal for my, shall we say, overactive upper half. The Bridgett Vest, on the other hand, is made from 100% cotton and is impeccably tailored.

Based on the website photos, I expected a soft, natural linen color, but what arrived was a bright, classic white. Thankfully, this piece is fully lined, completely opaque, and ready to pair with my mostly neutral wardrobe.

As for sizing, a medium would have yielded a fit closer to the version on the model, but I prefer the slightly closer cut and slimmer underarm holes of the small. This is such a fun alternative to a tank top or muscle tee—I hope you don’t get sick of seeing it around here!

TIPS FOR SHOPPING PETITE STUDIO

Alyssa wears an outfit from Petite Studio

Figuring out your size at a new-to-you brand can be tricky, but I found the sizing recommendations on the product pages, as well as customer reviews, to be helpful. Personally, I’ve found that most items fit true to size—just not vanity-sized like those from some other retailers.

As always, I recommend checking a retailer’s return policy before ordering. You can find Petite Studio’s return policy here.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON PETITE-FRIENDLY CLOTHING FROM PETITE STUDIO

Alyssa wears clothing from Petite Studio

Something I heard recently really stuck with me: our frame is determined by our bones, not our body fat. In other words, we shouldn’t fight our frames—because we simply can’t change them. What a lightbulb moment.

Clothing designed for petites is one step toward making fashion truly inclusive. While some argue that it’s easier to hem garments than it is to lengthen them (a struggle my tall friends know all too well), designing for petites involves more than just making things shorter. Proper petite sizing requires adjustments to proportions—like the rise of pants or the width of shoulders—to ensure a better overall fit.

Rather than just offering short inseams, it’s refreshing to find clothing that’s tailored to my frame as a whole. This is a brand whose New Arrivals section I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on as the seasons change (this vest and this trench both caught my eye!). But for now, you can save 25% off sitewide, no code needed (ends 4/2/25).

If you found this post helpful, please consider shopping through the included links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra but helps me continue bringing you reviews, guides, and more—completely ad-free. Not to mention, it truly makes my day, so thank you!

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Questions for you

What’s been your biggest struggle when shopping for petite-friendly clothing?

Do you have any go-to brands that consistently fit you well?

Are there specific pieces you’d love to see me review next?

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Is Petite Studio Worth It? A Petite-Friendly Clothing Brand Review