J.Crew petite sizes are only available online, so I hadn’t had an opportunity to try anything out to see how their sizing runs. Curiosity finally got the better of me and I decided to order a few items of petite suiting in size 0. I ordered a pair of city-fit petite pants in size 0 that indicated they had “stretch”, in the hopes that meant they would fit smaller. The city-fit is the pant with the lowest rise available at J.Crew. I also ordered the matching jacket.
Here they are on me:
Petite city-fit stretch wool bistro pant, size p0, $138 and petite stretch wool two-button jacket, size p0, $23
Holy cow! Look at those pants!
As you can see, the suit is quite large, and so I did not consider taking it to my tailor. The jacket might be alterable as it is a nice length, and the sleeves fit well, but it would need to be taken in along the sides. On me, it would need to be taken in quite a bit, so I’m not sure if it could be done, because taking in the sides too much disrupts the sleeve and begins to become a costly alteration.
The pants are just all around too big. I would need to get the entire thing taken in from the waist, to the hip, to the thigh, and all the way down the leg. The rise is about 8 inches, which is a good measurement for dress pants, so at least that would not have to be altered and would keep the alterations price down. However, because the hip needs to be taken in, that would effect the pocket placement, and just wasn’t worth it to me.
This is unfortunate because J.Crew fabrics and styles are quite nice and I’ve always secretly wanted to be the kind of girl who runs around in J.Crew. Oh well…I guess it’s not meant to be.
J.Crew has since added size petite 00 to their suiting options, but by the way the petite 0 fit, I do not expect one size smaller to be much better.
If you need small fitting petite suiting, J.Crew is not the way to go.
Have you considered sending the post to J.Crew to let them know about the sizing issue?
the only suits i’ve found that don’t look ridiculous on me are the banana republic petite 00. pants are still too big, but the skirts are okay with some hemming.
Hi Cynthia,
That’s certainly a good idea. The J.Crew employee who helped me with my return said there was company rumblings that J.Crew suiting was going to be released in petite 00 in the near future. I certainly hope so, because size petite 0 just isn’t cutting it!
Hi Liane,
BR petite size 00 is definitely the best fit I’ve found so far. I’m patiently waiting for the “Ryan” fit pant to come back so I can do a post on it! In the meantime, the other fits are unfortunately too big.
wow, just came across your blog. Nice to know there are others that have similar problems. There used to be a day when I was a size 4, but now I'm lucky if a petite 0 fits. I'm not quite as small as you (I'm 100lbs, 5'1'') but I do have luck with Gap's petite 0 and the banana petite 00. I own a J Crew suit from about 10 year ago that is P 0, but a few years ago I ordered the same size and swam in it. I know you said you want quality, but I know that the little surf shops and boutique shops run rather small. Also, just happened to be in Walmart and saw Miley Cyrus's new line. Held up a pair of pants that were a 0 and would have been lucky to get my thigh through:) Kohls has smaller sizes too. I find luck when I travel to other countries as well. In any case, good luck and keep us updated!
I literally had to laugh out loud after seeing the first photo in this post. That's how ridiculous I usually look after trying on any brand other than AT/BR/Theory, and my mind immediately starts churning about the 101 alterations the pieces would need just to be "workable."
I can't imagine how it must feel to be able to wear stuff straight off the rack! Also, according to J.Crew size charts online there is a Petite 00 / XXS but I have certainly not seen anything come in that size.
Hi PetiteAsianGirl!
I'm insanely jealous of my friends who can walk into a store, try something on, have it fit perfectly, and wear it out that same night. I need at least a week before wearing most things, so I can take it to my tailor to get it nipped and tucked. Oh well…life's not fair I guess.
I've only seen the J.Crew 00p in their chinos. I don't want chinos…so I haven't given them a shot yet. Fingers crossed they make smaller sized suiting!
I'm 22, 4'10" and 90lbs. I'm starting my student teaching soon and cannot find work clothes for the life of me. I've tried J.Crew Petite 00. I got a Peacoat in that and it fit surprisingly, but when I ordered pants in the p00, they were still huge. And I'm at a loss where to look for shirts and considering hemming the pants. Does anyone have any suggestions for where I can find dress pants and tops for my size?? Abercrombie Kids isn't cutting it anymore and I'm desperate!!
Hi Lilacey143! For dress pants, I've had the best luck with Theory size 00 and Ann Taylor size P00. I've still had to get them all altered, but the fit was pretty close from the start.
For shirts…check out H&M in size 2. I just tried on a few dress shirts there yesterday, and the fit was really close. I have a short torso, so my problem with them is the shirts bunch around my shoulder blades (the waist of the shirt is too low, which makes the shirt bunch up top). If you have a longer torso than I do…H&M tops should work perfect for you! Also look for stretchy offerings from Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and Ann Taylor LOFT in size PXXS. I've found some nice fitting work tops there. If you have a Banana Republic Outlet near you…go look for items in PXXS…they'll be cheaper! Hope that helps…good luck!
I love your blog! It's such a great resource for us tiny petites ;)
I noticed that J.Crew suiting is now available in petite 00. Have you tried that size yet to see if it's a better fit? I'd be really interested to see how this compares to size petite 0.
Also, what do you think about their Carlin and lady day coats? Petite 0 is the smallest size offered, unfortunately, but I keep hearing that their jackets run small …
I had no idea J.Crew had started offering p00 suiting! I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip!
I've heard the Lady Day coats run small, but I haven't tried them yet. Maybe it's time to give them a try, since I just saw they're on sale for $199!
French Connection runs small too. I don't know if they do suits, but I have an FC sleeveless knit shell top in size 0 that fits perfectly. I wear it with suit jackets.
I'm just barely petite at 5'4… but I've got no boobs, narrow shoulders and a short torso.
Hi Lilacey143! For dress pants, I've had the best luck with Theory size 00 and Ann Taylor size P00. I've still had to get them all altered, but the fit was pretty close from the start.
For shirts…check out H&M in size 2. I just tried on a few dress shirts there yesterday, and the fit was really close. I have a short torso, so my problem with them is the shirts bunch around my shoulder blades (the waist of the shirt is too low, which makes the shirt bunch up top). If you have a longer torso than I do…H&M tops should work perfect for you! Also look for stretchy offerings from Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and Ann Taylor LOFT in size PXXS. I've found some nice fitting work tops there. If you have a Banana Republic Outlet near you…go look for items in PXXS…they'll be cheaper! Hope that helps…good luck!