Hi Shortie,

How’s it going? I have a confession—I don’t get dressed most days. It’s something I’ve wanted to change for years. Every morning, I convince myself that the 15 to 30 minutes it takes to style an outfit would be better spent working.

Part of it comes from not wanting to ruin my clothes. I grew up watching my mom save her nice outfits for when she went out, only to change into her comfies the moment she got home—usually an oversized tee, biker shorts, and a butterfly clip (a look she wore decades before it became trendy!).

I realize now that my tendency to “save” my best pieces might stem from a scarcity mindset—or even the idea that my everyday life, or even myself, aren’t worth dressing up for. Writing it out makes me see how ridiculous that sounds, but if I’m being honest, it rings true. Living in a small, remote town probably plays a role, too.

I’m less interested in why I do this and more interested in changing it. I want to get dressed daily, not just to elevate my interactions, but because I know it would make me feel better. Plus, I recently found studies showing that we tend to perform better when we feel presentable, so why not put that to the test?

The more personal style books I read, the more convinced I am that fashion is a form of self-care. A recurring tip is setting aside time on Sundays to plan weekly outfits. I already use Sundays to prep for the week ahead, so I might as well do that as well!

Now, I’d love to hear from you. Do you plan your outfits in advance, or do you freestyle them day by day? Do you get dressed every day? If not, would you be interested in some accountability to help make it a habit?

Sincerely short,

Lwany

P.S. Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts❣️

SHORT QUESTION

Q: What are the best stores for 20-year-old Shorties to shop at?

My mom is petite too, but she always goes to Talbots or Loft, which feel like they’re for middle-aged women—definitely not my style! I want something trendier that suits me.

I really like Japanese fashion, but it’s hard to find Japanese brands in the U.S. Besides Uniqlo and Muji, are there any stores similar to Lowrys Farm?

– Amanda

A: I couldn’t have gotten to your question at a better time!

I’m currently reviewing every retailer that offers petite styles. And you’re right—most petite clothing is geared toward a more conservative, mature audience.

I started sorting through inventories years ago. My goal was to figure out the best petite brands. The first time, I landed on a solid top 10. I had to cut back the second and third times.

Now that I’m doing it again, a few years later, I feel the number of petite SKUs has decreased—I'm getting through shopping pages much faster than before.

Beyond trendy styles, your question touches on a more significant issue: the lack of innovative, design-forward petite fashion. The apparel industry is challenging, and until production becomes less capital- and labor-intensive, your best bet for modern, stylish petite clothing will be from big retailers.

I may have an update once I finish sorting through the 230+ retailers on the list, but for now, these are my recommendations:

1 – Abercrombie & Fitch

2 – Gap

3 – Petite Studio

4 – Princess Polly

5 – Reformation

And you’re spot on about Japanese brands—they tend to cater to shorter frames! Just keep in mind that their sizing is also designed for slimmer figures, so if you’re both short and petite, you’ll likely find a great fit. My favorite source is W Concept, a Korean-based retailer with killer fashion.

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