Small Sizes and Petite – A Guide
Short answer: If you are short or slim, petite sizing is mostly about lengths and proportions. Choose the smallest size your measurements allow, and go for stretchy fabrics like bamboo viscose, which shape themselves to your body instead of bagging.
What does petite sizing mean in practice?
Petite is not only about being slim but about shorter sleeves, leg lengths and torso lengths. Most brands in the shop use standard sizes, so always check the chart's centimetre measurements, for example in the Boody size guide for women, rather than just the letter on the label.
Why bamboo is an advantage in small sizes
Bamboo viscose is soft and stretchy and settles against the body without bagging, even when the cut is slightly roomy. Close-fitting basics like bamboo underwear for women and bamboo tops for women are therefore easier to get right than items in stiff fabrics that hold their own shape.
Always measure first
Do not pick the smallest size automatically. Measure chest, waist and hips and check the chart, because small sizes vary just as much between brands as large ones. Use the size guide for bamboo clothing if you want to be sure you are measuring in the right places.
Watch the lengths
Long styles can end up too long when you are short. A top meant to end at the hip may reach over your thighs, and trousers may bunch at the ankle. Check the length in the chart and compare it with an item you already own. Then you know whether the style suits your height.
Sleeves and straps
Sleeves that are too long can be pushed up, but they quickly look baggy. Short-sleeved and sleeveless tops are therefore often easier when you are petite. In underwear and tops with straps, adjustable straps are an advantage, so they do not slip off your shoulders during the day.
Underwear that sits close
In underwear it is mainly the hip measurement that decides the size. If you are slim, choose the size that sits close without squeezing, and avoid styles with a lot of fabric that can fold. Stretchy bamboo shapes itself to your body and gives a smooth line under clothes, even in the smallest size.
When you are between two sizes
If you are between two sizes, the smaller one is often right for close-fitting items, because bamboo gives a little. For tops where you want some room, the larger size can work, but watch the length. A size too big quickly becomes too long on a small frame and loses its shape.
Browse the full range
Once you know your measurements, you can filter by size across the whole range of bamboo clothing for women. Read the product description for each item, as it often says whether the style is fitted or relaxed and whether it runs long or short. That detail is especially useful when you are petite.
Washing that keeps the fit
Bamboo viscose can shrink if washed too hot or tumble dried, and then a small size quickly becomes too small. Wash at 30 degrees with a mild detergent and let your clothes air dry. Lay tops flat to dry so the length is kept. That way your clothes fit the same from the first wash to the last.
Frequently asked questions
What does petite mean in clothing?
Petite refers to shorter lengths and proportions in sleeves, legs and torso. It is not the same as a small size but describes how clothing fits a shorter height.
Which size should I choose if I am petite?
Choose the smallest size your measurements allow and check the chart's centimetre measurements. Always measure chest, waist and hips rather than choosing the smallest size automatically.
Is bamboo good for small sizes?
Yes, bamboo viscose is soft and stretchy and shapes itself to your body without bagging. That makes close-fitting items like underwear and tops easier to get right.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
