Petite

Petite workwear for shorter frames

The Forcast petite collection is an edit of pants, tops, knits, jackets and skirts that suit a shorter frame: pieces where the waist sits high, the hem stops in the right place and the proportions stay neat. Rather than a separate range, it draws the right styles from across the collection, so you can shop the pieces that fit without trying everything. Sizes run from 4 to 18.

Pants

Pants are where length matters most. The Emily High-Waisted Skinny Pant sits high on the waist, which lengthens the leg, and finishes narrow at the ankle. The Thea Bootleg Pants open a little at the hem, which does the same job with a heel. The Ash Adjustable Waist Pants, Merid Tailored Pants and Nevada Herringbone Pants are the tailored office trousers in the edit. A high waist and a tucked top are the two easiest ways to add height in a pant.

Tops and knits

On a smaller frame, a top that ends at the hip rather than the thigh keeps the proportions balanced. The Catherine Short Sleeve Knit, Tania Crew Neck Knit and Vicky V-Neck Knit are neat knits that tuck or sit at the waistband. The Courtney Satin Spot Shirt tucks into a high waist, and the Zafina Pleated Draped Top gives a softer line. For layering, the Joyce Knit Cardigan and Clarisse Turtleneck Sweater are in the edit too. More is under knit tops and tops.

Jackets and skirts

The Safira Suit Jacket is the tailored jacket in the edit, and there are Safira trousers in the pants range to wear it with. Keep the jacket buttoned and the shoulders sharp and it does most of the work. The Caris Flared Maxi Skirt shows that a long skirt works on a shorter frame when the waist sits high and the top is kept short.

Getting the fit right

Petite is about proportion, not just size, so measure rather than guess. The size guide lists the measurements for each size, and anything that does not fit can be returned or exchanged within 30 days, online or in any store across New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. Standard delivery is free on Australian orders over $100. For the rest of the tailored range, see workwear and work pants.