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As someone who barely scrapes five-feet-two, I know how difficult it is to find well-tailored clothes off the rack. I’ve covered petite jeans before (a challenge on its own), but I think jackets and coats are some of the most frustrating pieces to shop for. On top of the typical things to consider (budget, materials, style), there’s hem length, sleeve length, and overall bulkiness to take into account. To find a range of options that aren’t just a simple cropped jacket, I spoke to six petites with good taste, including founders, content creators, and stylists, about the trench coats, peacoats, and even some oversize options that they reach for themselves.
Under $150
Petite Studio NYC came up multiple times with my sources, which didn’t come as a surprise, since the shop offers petite-tailored clothing. This specific reversible coat was recommended by fashion writer Alyssa Coscarelli and stylist Charline Zeroual, who both like that it’s perfectly proportioned to be oversize but not overwhelming. Zeroual says this is especially hard to do with shearling coats, but this one isn’t bulky or boxy. And Coscarelli paid it a high compliment, saying it “really gives Toteme vibes.”
Anna Lazzarini, a petite content creator, often turns to the Gap for petite pieces. Her most recent purchase is this cinched denim jacket with pleats in the front. She’s especially excited about this item because its more tailored design means it can function as both a jacket and shirt. “As a self-proclaimed outfit repeater, versatility is important to me,” she says, adding that she likes the jacket’s refined silhouette.
While Madewell doesn’t offer petite-specific sizing in its coats, Zeroual likes this jacket’s flattering cropped silhouette for her petite clients. She likes that the lines on the sleeves add the illusion of length and says the hem hits right around the waist. Plus, it’s made of 65 percent wool, meaning it’s durable and provides lots of warmth.
When shopping for longer coats, folks I spoke to recommend always going for petite-specific sizing. A go-to petite section for stylist Vanessa Valiente’s clients is Ann Taylor. “People forget about them, but they’re doing the work,” she says, adding that the brand’s pieces feel timeless but refreshed year after year. On top of that, its prices are “phenomenal” for budget-conscious buyers. She specifically calls out this quilted puffer coat, which has a modern collar and has a “utilitarian femininity” to it. Another favorite of Valiente’s from the brand is this wool-blend peacoat in what she calls the perfect shade of red.
Under $250
For a 100 percent wool coat that’s under $200, Zeroual recommended Quince’s cocoon coat. Like the Madewell jacket she picked above, this has vertical lines (this time around the shoulders and neck) for a lengthening effect. This hits right at mid-thigh, which Zeroual says is an ideal length for petites to elongate their figure.
“Oversized” is typically a descriptor petites shy away from, but Lazzarini says this Petite Studio coat nails the silhouette. It has a little more room in the shoulders and nowhere else, so it has a boyfriend look without adding too much bulk. She bought it at the beginning of the winter, and it has quickly become her everyday jacket for temps ranging from 20 to 50 degrees. Its material composition — 90 percent wool and 10 percent camel hair — is impressive too. “My fiancé actually got a coat from Golden Goose, and we were comparing the feel of each of our jackets,” she says. “Mine felt so much better and was a fraction of the cost.”
If you’re looking for a trench coat that you’re not completely swimming in, Coscarelli says Peachy Den’s Mac coat suits her five-foot-one frame perfectly. The U.K.-based brand doesn’t offer petite-specific sizing, but it is a shop she has repeatedly shopped for outerwear. While she owns the jacket in the beige colorway, sizing is limited. You can also shop all sizes of the black version here.
Two jackets from the London-based company Aligne were brought up, including this checkered quilted number. Creative consultant Vivid Wu says it hits her right above the hips, “creating the illusion of longer legs while keeping proportions in check.” The checked pattern adds sophistication, and she often wears hers with high-waisted trousers or dresses.
Madeleine Cohen, founder of petite denim brand Nelle Atelier, prefers the brand’s scoop-neck blazer. She picked it up recently ahead of appearing on TV, because she was a fan of the cinched waist, low neckline, and fitted silhouette. “It’s very flattering on a petite frame,” she says. The one thing to note, though, is that she did have to tailor the sleeves to make them hit right at her wrists.
I’ve personally had little luck with finding a fitted leather jacket, which is why I was very surprised when I put on Quince’s motorcycle jacket. It has a slightly bold shoulder, but isn’t so boxy that it feels dated. The hem hits right at my waist, and the sleeves right at my wrists. I usually wear it over a fitted tee or dresses, but I’ve managed to wear medium-weight sweaters underneath this on days when the temps drop below 50 degrees.
$250 and over
J.Crew was brought up by both Zeroual and Valiente because the brand offers an extensive line of petite-specific coats. It checks all of the boxes: correctly proportioned silhouettes, high-quality materials, and reasonable prices. The specific trench coats and topcoats that were recommended are either low in stock or on back order (likely due to the brand’s current sale), so I’ve provided a couple of similar alternatives. Since Zeroual and Valiente praised the brand’s petite section, I’m confident that these are right in line in terms of fit and sizing.
Another brand with petite-specific sizing is Boden. Zeroual recommends its Windsor Heritage Mac coat. She likes that it’s slightly boxy without adding too much bulk for an effortlessly chic French look. It’s also the perfect transitional piece into spring, since it’s made entirely of cotton. Zeroual adds that the sleeves tend to be slightly long, but her clients fold them up to show off the gingham lining.
If you prefer a full gingham look, Wu recommends Sézane’s Clyde trench coat. She says it marries both a tailored and relaxed fit with its structured shoulders and classic lapels. She prefers wearing hers with jeans and loafers for a casual look or a miniskirt and knee-high boots for something a bit dressed up. And if you aren’t a fan of the all-gingham pattern, it also comes in six other solid color options.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
