Shortypantz.com Blog

The UK’s newest and exciting petite label is continuing to make a big noise about being short, and by popular demand has finally opened its doors to the US and Canada.

Shortbred is the UK’s first label that celebrates the smaller frame and is especially for women under 5ft 3. Our cheeky little t-shirts are available now at www.shortbred.co.uk for all you shorties across the pond.

Created for petite women, Shortbred is the brainchild of fellow shortie Faye Clements who, at a tiny 5ft tall, had become so frustrated at the lack of fun and exciting petite fashion on the UK High Street that she decided to do something about it. So, she channelled her frustrations into designing her own humorous t-shirts that celebrate and poke fun at the petite frame. “Being only 5ft tall, clothes shopping has always been a nightmare and quite depressing because all the clothes I really like are always be too big for me. Even though some shops do have a petite section, often the clothes are really boring and bland and you’re really limited for choice. Most of the time petite trousers are too long for me, even though they’re made for short women. “We are now taking international orders on the website, and we have developed a free monthly newsletter that people can sign up to and keep up to date with what we’re getting up to. I’m also creating my own design ideas using the Shortbred brand name which I hope will become a respected and recognised name in it’s own right.”

“The slogans I have come up with are a mixture of old British clichés and affectionate sayings such as ‘pixie’, ‘short arse’ and ‘I wish my legs were longer.’”

But Faye has no plans to stop at t-shirts. She has set her sights on making Shortbred into a larger casual clothing line offering jackets, hooded tops and specialising in different lengths of trousers.

Faye believes she has found a niche for her product and being only 5ft herself gives her a competitive edge: “Shortbred is a brand for petite women, by a petite woman, therefore I know how customers feel and what they want. Shortbred is about making clothing fun and exciting. There’s a huge lack of excitement about petite brands in the UK, but know one seems to be doing anything about it.

“I have been wanting to open up the brand to the US and Canadian market for some time as there seems to be more awareness of petite issues and there’s a huge support network out there, more so than the UK. I have been contacted regularly by customers in the US and Canada since Shortbred launched asking when Shortbred will be available to customers outside the UK, so I’m very pleased to be finally be able to open up to my petite pals across the Atlantic.”

The t-shirts are available now at www.shortbred.co.uk and retail between $40 - $50 USD/CAD. Available in US size 2-4 to 8-10, all customers receive 10 per cent off their first order by quoting the discount code SBNC01.

Shortypantz.com Summer 2008 is Online!

Check it out: shortypantz.com

Dear Shorties,

Welcome to the Summer 2008 edition of Shortypantz.com.  This season, we want you to have your “prettiest” summer ever! Our Summer issue is full of summer health, beauty & style tips including how to choose a formal dress, how to give yourself the perfect pedicure, how to wear this season’s hottest style - the maxi dress,  how to acheive your most beautiful summer makeup look and much more! This season, we’re also introducing “Shirley the Shorty” - check her out in our Lifestyle section. We hope you’ll spend some time this summer to take care of and beautify yourself. You deserve it, shorty!

Christina Marie Dennis
Editor-in-Chief
Shortypantz.com

Dear Shorties,

Summer is here and it’s time for a new summer fling. You may choose that cute office guy or the waiter during lunch, but what I suggest ladies might be a new fling for you – a fling for yourself.

We get so busy with work, friends and family that we sometimes forget the most important person that puts our summers all together – that’s YOU!

Want something new this summer? Start with yourself. This issue is full of personal tips and stories to pump up your summer and keep that sun inspired glow long into the fall.

So whether it’s getting a pedicure or just enjoying the evening sunset, take these summer moments to enjoy yourself because at the end of the day and at the end of the summer, you’re worth it!

Elaine Walton,
Executive Editor
Shortypantz.com

We had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Dutra, the founder of an amazing new fashion line for petites: Sweet Petites Apparel…

Shortypantz:

How would you describe yourself?

Elizabeth:

Energetic, creative, and slightly nutty. You kind of have
to be to be in this business. In all seriousness though, I
absolutely love creating and designing clothes for petite
women. I’ve truly found my passion and am excited about
sharing it with the world of petites.

Shortypantz:

What inspired you to start mysweetpetites.com?

Elizabeth:

Essentially the void in the marketplace for flattering and
fashionable petite activewear and sportswear. Petites are
often overlooked in the marketplace and I wanted to do
something about it. Thus, Sweet Petites Apparel was born.
I also wanted to give petite women a voice in the design
process which I believe is often overlooked by most apparel
companies. Sweet Petites Apparel was founded by a petite
for petites.

Shortypantz:

Are you actively involved in sports and fitness?

Elizabeth:

Yes, yes, yes!!! It’s an integral part of my life and I’m
very excited about designing a petite fitness wear line
that compliments an active lifestyle. The active wear line
is very comfortable and provides an amazingly flattering
fit that works with all different body types.

Shortypantz:

What are you looking to help shorties achieve from
mysweetpetites.com?

Elizabeth:

Simplicity first and foremost. I created the company–
created the website–so all petites (shorties) could easily
access my clothing. I had such a hard time finding stylish
and flattering active wear that I just decided to create it
myself and share it with fellow petites. I wanted to give
petites a voice in the design process and truly value the
opinions and comments of all our customers. Sweet Petites
is a client-driven company that encourages feedback and
responses from all our customers in order to bring the
customer what they’ve been looking for in a petite fit.

Shortypantz:

Do you have any tips and experiences that you’d like to
offer shortypantz.com readers?

Elizabeth:

If you’re going to wear clothes, make sure they’re figure
flattering. There’s nothing worse than spending money on
clothing that doesn’t fit well or enhance your assets.

Check out PetiteFashionista.com’s first ever fashion event for petite fashionistas in Toronto! The event will include shopping, fashion shows, free hemming and more! See all the details on petitefashionista.com!

Dear Shorties,Welcome to the Spring 2008 edition of Shortypantz.com. I’m really excited about this quarter’s e-zine! We’re paying a special tribute to petite women that have made an impact in our lives (check out our interview with Elaine’s grandmother, my mother, and our mutual petite friend). We also want to extend the invitation to pay tribute to your own petite inspirations with our Petite MOM of the Year Contest. Enter your mom or grandma & win a gift certificate and a spot on our e-zine!

This season, we’re also focusing a lot on Spring cleaning ideas - not for your home, but for your body! Check out our detox tips and article on the goodness of water. Be good to yourself this spring and think about what you can do to improve your healthy lifestyle!

Finally, we have some great fashion tips to share with you on what’s in store for spring and some our fave fashion picks including our picks for petite dresses. Spring is a time to feel lighter and brighter inside and out - match the warmer weather and greener grass with lighter fabrics and juicier colours!

We hope you will enjoy this issue of Shortypantz.com! Don’t forget to join our new community and meet other petite women around the world. As always, we welcome your feedback and LOVE to hear from our readers. If you would like to send us a comment, suggestion, or are interested in contributing to Shortypantz.com, don’t hesitate to contact us via our contact page.

Happy Spring!

Christina Marie Dennis
Editor-in-Chief
Shortypantz.com

Here’s the latest poll from the Shortypantz.com Community. Tell us what YOU think! (Not a member of our community yet? Join!)

How do you think being petite affects your romantic relationships? It doesnt. I think its harder for me to find love. I think its easier for me to find love. cast my vote! Created Feb 18, 2008 by christinamarie82 Get The Code! Create New Poll

Check out Petitefashionista.com - the every day fashion destination for women 5′4″ and under. Petite stylist Christa Jean offers great daily fashion tips & inspiration shortypantz’s!

Thanks, Petitefashionista.com, for featuring Shortypantz.com in today’s post! Check it out here.

Dear Shortypantz.com Readers,

Within the next couple of days, we are dramatically changing the shortypantz.com community section of our site. The new community will be an ‘all-in-one’ and feature a forum, blog, chat, groups and more. Keep your eyes open for this new community coming this week!
Christina Marie, Shortypantz.com Editor-in-Chief

Thanks, serafina, for featuring shortypantz.com on your blog!

serafina is a one-of-a-kind shopping reference blog dedicated to locating and compiling the designers and shops that cater to petite women.

As a petite woman with a love for funky fashion, I was excited to see that Sarah Jessica Parker of “Sex and the City” fame had introduced a fashion line last year - “Bitten“. From what I had seen of her on the show and even in real life, she has always shown a sense of whimsy & creativity with her fashion choices. She’s also a petite!

In a frenzy, I searched the web for SJP’s website to view the collection and see what I could purchase online. I was disappointed to find that her clothing line was only featured in Steve & Barry’s stores in the US, and there were no online store options.

Last weekend I had the chance to go on a little roadtrip to the States. I stopped at Steve & Barry’s and was anticipating buying some interesting pieces from the Bitten line. Sadly, I was disappointed with the selection and the style. Yes, the items were ALL on sale for $8.66 each (yes, $8.66!), but nothing appealed to me. Jeans. T-shirts. Sweats.

LS TRIBECA YD CREW T SHIRT SWTR black and grey
Available in 4 colors $19.98

I tried on a pair of Bitten jeans (they are available in SHORT lengths), but they did not accomodate a curvy hip. I’d recommend them if you’re a thin-framed petite, but not if you’re curvy. The length was good, but the waist-to-hip ratio was disappointing.

Overall, the Bitten line was a let-down for me. If you’re into funky fashion, this is NOT the line to look to. If you love all-American staple sportswear pieces, this may be the line for you.

Does anyone have a different opinion of “Bitten“? Can anyone share their experience with this line? We’d love to hear from you!