Non-negotiable: Returns❣️
Why returning clothes is part of the process—not a failure.🗞️
Lwany from Petite Fashion Weekly™
May 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
Hey Shortie,
What's your preferred way to shop?
Is flipping through racks more your thing? Or do you prefer to browse from the comfort of home?
I like to mix it up. Each method has its pros and cons. Shopping IRL leaves room for magic and surprise—but truthfully, I rarely step into stores that sell new clothes. Secondhand spots like thrift stores, vintage markets, and trade-in retailers are more my speed.
When I shop in person, I’m a flip-through-every-hanger kind of Shortie. Sizing and labels don’t limit me—I search every section with an open mind. Some of my closet MVPs have come from the menswear section.
Lately, I’ve been loving Crossroads. Their trade-in credit pays off when shopping at one of their treasure-rich locations like Sunset Blvd., Echo Park Ave., or Griffith Park Blvd.. Just last week, I traded in an IKEA-sized bag of clothes and walked out with a handful of gems—two of which are technically XL tops I’ll be wearing as tunics or mini dresses.
One of the said XLs, styled as a mini.
Online shopping, on the other hand, can feel like a setup. Most brands show their clothes on tall, curve-free models, so buying online often feels like a gamble. It’s only natural to hope things will look the same on us, but more often than not, they don’t.
I've learned to order things I like, knowing I might just be scratching an itch. I don't see returns as failure—they’re lessons in what works and what doesn’t. I always try to pinpoint what’s off: is it the cut? The color? The details?
Hands down, the best part of online shopping is trying things on at home. Good lighting, no pressure, your own wardrobe on hand—it’s the most honest test drive you can get.
Still, returns are a hassle and raise ethical questions. Some brands discard rather than reshelve returns, citing costs and logistics. It's frustrating, especially when our stature is hardly ever represented, and petite lines are rare in stores.
Regardless of how you shop, returns are non-negotiable in my book. They give you the clarity to reassess pieces after the shopping high fades.
I’ve brought home plenty of duds in the thrill of thrifting—caught between FOMO and bargain bliss. I even fell for a Ganni label on my last Crossroads trip, only to regret it immediately at home. Thankfully, they accept returns.
Some swear by the "three ways to wear it" rule. I get it—it's a guardrail. However, if you subscribe to the belief that personal style is ever-evolving because we're ever-evolving, I think this rule could stunt your growth.
I think back to when my wardrobe was almost entirely black—and how it’s now full of color. That shift wasn’t planned; it happened naturally as I evolved.
As long as I’m being financially responsible, if something flatters my figure and either complements my current wardrobe or points toward where my style is heading, I’ll keep it. Sometimes, it only works with one outfit—and that’s enough.
Let your closet reflect who you are today—and leave room for who you're becoming.
Sincerely short,
Lwany
P.S. Want fewer returns? Get early access to the Petite Brand Directory by hitting reply or shoot me an email me [email protected]❣️
Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are.
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