Are you watching America’s Next Top Model?  This season was billed as the search for America’s next top petite model with the competition open only to contestants 5’7” or shorter.  I give Tyra Banks lots of credit for what she is trying to do which is open the doors of modeling agencies to shorter women.  However, I think she and her show are falling short. 

When the new season premiered, I was very hopeful that America’s Next Top Model would project a more positive image for petite women.  All I feel after watching the first 4 episodes is a total disconnect.  The modeling world’s concept of short and the real world’s concept of short are not the same.  Not even close.  I think that I speak for a majority of my petite counterparts when I say that I consider someone who stands 5’6” or 5’7” to be tall.  It may not seem tall to 5’10” Tyra, but it does to me and most petite women I know.  The show is certainly stretching the concept of petite.  Of the 14 semi-finalists, only two were 5’4” or shorter which is the fashion industry standard for petite, and 5’4” Courtney has already been cut.  Sundai at 5’3” is the only TRUE petite left in the competition.  She represents the Petite Sisterhood well but…  

 Once again, my theory is confirmed that Reality TV is totally out of touch with reality.

Congratulations to all of the 2009 Emmy Awards winners and nominees who proudly represented the “Petite Sisterhood” on the red carpet.  The Best Supporting Actress award winner Kristin Chenoweth dazzled in her short Zuhair Murad sequined dress.  The plunging V-neckline lengthened her 4′11″ petite frame. Tina Fey looked eternally elegant and much taller than 5′3″ in her black Gucci gown that kept the focal point high with a jeweled brooch on the back of the dress.  Drew Barrymore oozed Hollywood glamour and proved that monochromatic looks always flatter petite women in a strapless peach Monique Lhuillier.  One of last Sunday evening’s funniest moments came when 5′ Chandra Wilson stood next to 5′10″ Kate Walsh and chastised her for breaking a promise to wear flats.  Just like her TV character Dr. Miranda Bailey, she is short and spunky, petite but powerful.   

While out shopping recently, I encountered several salespeople who tried to convince me that petite sizes and extra small are one and the same.  Here is a typical conversation:

 Me:  Do you carry petite sizes?

Salesperson:  No, but we carry extra small and we have alterations. 

 Woe is me.  I am convinced more than ever that there exists a huge need for what I do – educate consumers and retailers about petite sizing and petite fashion.  Yes, SOME petite women are extra small.  Actually, only 8% of all petite customers weigh 100 pounds or less and would be considered tiny.  The rest of us have the same bust and hip measurements as a regular sized customer, but regular sizes don’t fit because we have a shorter body frame.  Petite refers to an all over proportioning of the body from head-to-toe, not left-to-right. 

 As for alterations, these services are generally not free.  Saks Fifth Avenue (who recently dropped petite sizes for the second time), was one of the stores offering alterations in lieu of a Petite Department.  Basic alterations at Saks are free on regular priced merchandise.  More complicated tasks like tapering pants legs are not, and alterations on sale items can cost anywhere from $10 to $30.  So if you are willing to pay the price for alterations, anything you buy can be turned into a petite garment.  At least that is what salespeople are being trained to tell petite customers.  If only I could get a copy of The Petite Handbook to every clothing salesperson in America (http://www.thepetitehandbook.com and teach them that petite sizing is based on height, not weight.  Some retailers get this.  Some don’t.  Some just don’t care.  I call out to the “Sisterhood of Petite Women” in all shapes and sizes to only support those stores who support us.