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.