Is petite sized women's clothing (meaning clothes for women under 5'4") available in Italy? I will need some cold weather clothes for the last two weeks of my trip next year, and it won't be workable to bring them in my suitcase from home. If I were an average sized woman, I think I would plan to buy a few things, but I am 5'2" tall. I fit into a size 12P here in the states, off the rack without any alterations. Do you think I'd be able to find some things that wouldn't need alterations while on the road? I generally enjoy shopping for clothes, so it wouldn't be burdensome if things that fit were available. Alternately, would I be able to have a parcel shipped to be held at a hotel? Thanks.
Posted by
1412 posts
I'm also 5'2" i did not shop for clothes while in italy, but I can tell you that there are lots of Italian women our height, but perhaps more the gramma aged knit pantsuit variety..... surely someone else will weigh in with a resource for you
Posted by
Toronto
10 posts
Great question. I am also a member of the 5'2 club and was hoping to pick up a few things also.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16254 posts
I wandered into a shop in Venice but did not see any indication of petite sizes. (I am also 5'2"). The very kind saleswoman helped me find my size (Italian 36 = US 2) but I wasn't looking at pants so the question of length did not come up.
However, in a sports shop my husband found a pair of hiking pants he liked, on sale. They fit just right but were too long ( he has a 30" inseam). The store owner said they would shorten them at no charge, and they would be ready at 9:00 am the next morning. (They were). Maybe that is how they handle women's' alterations as well.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15165 posts
There is an abundance of small size women in Italy, who are both short and slim.
As a general rule it is the bigger size people (both men and women) who will have the hardest time finding clothes in Italy. Not much choice for big and tall Americans there.
Posted by
Firenze
500 posts
We live in Italy and my wife who is 5'7" always complains that Italian clothes shops seem to stock only things for slender and petite girls; to the point that she stocks clothes when we travel in Germany or Austria.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11315 posts
Also a petite, and I can tell you those sizes do not exist here despite the tiny Italian women. I can buy dresses no problem, but with sweaters I have to roll up the sleeves and pants I have to shorten. Luckily I like my skirts below the knee or I would have to shorten those too. You most likely can get your hotel to hold a package. Just ask before you ship. Use DHL or another carrier, not the post.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
First, make sure you need cold weather clothes, depending on where and when you are going. If you do, you could ship a package to the hotel where you will need to start wearing them.
Buying clothes in larger sizes (sorry, I'm in the same boat) isn't that easy in Italy. But if you are going in January, what you find will be on sale.