I am vertically challenged. I would never try to deny it or argue the fact. I am a strong 5’2″ with shoes on. So, does this make me short? Or, the newest phrase coined to us “petite” people, Fun Size?

I actually had someone say to me the other day, when I asked for assistance getting something off a shelf I couldn’t reach, “do you realize that your life is full of things you can’t reach?” I hadn’t really thought about it, but it’s true.  I’m constantly having to get a stool or chair to reach things in the upper cabinets in my kitchen, although most of the time I use the “crawl on the counter” approach.  It’s either that or I’m asking people to get things down for me.  I can’t change a lightbulb without having to stand on a chair.  I can’t paint trim around the cieling…even with a ladder in most cases. But, on the flip side, I never have to duck going through a doorway, I dont’ have to worry about if my knees are going to be smashed in a car or airplane and I think I’ve only met 2 or 3 guys in my lifetime that are shorter than me (even 12 year olds are taller than me). 

It’s funny when you talk to people about your size too, they tend to be strongly one sided.  Either they envy the petiteness or they think it’s funny and call you an elf!  I was at a meeting the other night where I overheard 2 ladies talking about clothing for our company and how they have to order men’s larges in order to get them to fit properly.  I, on the other hand, can’t even order a small in some of our clothing because the shirt will still hang halfway to my knees.  There have been several clothing trends throughout my lifetime that I just haven’t been able to wear because they look don’t look proportional on me.  Being so short, one has to be very conscious of the lenth of shirts and skirts or they make you look even squattier than you already do!  Leggings & tunics (currently a hot look) aren’t good for us vertically challenged folk either because the tunics come to our knees, instead of mid-thigh like they are supposed to!  I’ve always had a hard time finding dress pants that fit me correctly.  Most manufacturers don’t create “short” versions of dress pants.  Have them hemmed, I hear you say.  It’s amazing how heming a dress pant can change it’s shape.  Frequently when I have had pants hemmed, it’s so far up the leg, that you lose the shape of the leg…then the pant just looks funny! 

Recently, I’ve discovered the petite section at JC Penney.  They have 2 different brands that I have fallen in love with.  The Worthington company produces GREAT, MODERN petite pants.  Previously, my experience with the petite section tended to be articles of clothing that looked like they came from great aunt’s closet.  Not that they don’t look great on her, but not on a 28 year old!  The other item I’ve discovered are ANA jeans.  They are also available in petite sizing, but have a modern flair to them.  They offer them in a variety of style from boot cut to the skinny jean.  Even though I’m short, I have long legs and have a very short inseam.  Both of these companies tend to have a shorter inseam, which is ideal for me. 

While I can’t imagine looking for clothes and not finding them long enough or big enough, there are similar headaches to being so small.  No matter how you look at it, I’m short, I’m Fun Size….I’m just ME!