Most little people don’t buy clothes at kid stores. We may stand at eye level with young children, but our dimensions differ drastically. At almost 30 years old, Katherine elaborated, “I am actually built like a woman. Kids’ clothing does not account for cleavage.”
Even if children’s clothes do fit, dwarf adults don’t want to wear them. We have enough trouble being accepted for our age without making it worse by wearing juvenile clothes. Besides, 31-inches tall Katherine observed, “for the most part, [children’s] fashion made for people my size is smothered in unicorns and puppies and Disney Princesses.” At age 31, Cat’s frustration spills over when she confesses “having to resist the urge for violence when people suggest the kids section like it’s no big deal.”
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So where do little people get their clothes? Although it’s possible to find clothes shopping in regular stores, it takes much longer. Sofiya described it well. “I usually look through almost every section of a store, try over 20 things on in the fitting room and come out with two pieces.” And, according to Katherine, “every once in a while there’s a diamond hidden amongst all the coal!”
And it’s not a case of one size fits all. The over 400 dwarfism types come with variations in length of limbs and torso, weight, and curves. Different types need different styles. As a dwarf with a very short trunk, I don’t wear clothes that cut me off in the middle, or use horizontal lines or large designs on the fabric. Little people with Achondroplasia have an average height torso and shorter arms and legs; their issues relate more to long pants and sleeves.
Because it’s so hard for Little People to find off-the-rack clothes that are affordable, comfortable, and stylish, our community shares shopping tips. Facebook groups are a great resource. For example, in the private group—LP Women Fashion, Shoes & Accessories—there were 40 comments answering a query about affordable places to shop for clothes that fit. Group members not only give store and brand names, but also share pics of themselves wearing particular items. The pictures help assess the usefulness of a tip, because we can see how close the buyer is to our body type and whether the tip will work for us.
Despite being able to buy many clothes off the rack, alterations are often needed to shorten sleeves, pant legs, and the crotch. Ideally people learn to do their own alterations or sew from scratch, but for those like me who lack this talent paying a seamstress is money well spent. Thankfully, I have been blessed with many excellent dressmakers through the years.
The ultimate wardrobe experience is being able to shop for clothes originally designed for little people. Although the price tag is higher, the expectation is that the product will be superior to clothes originally made for people two feet taller. Although I haven’t used any of the businesses listed below and cannot make recommendations, I’m delighted to share the following list of dwarfism clothing brands:
- It Actually Fits, https://itactuallyfits.com, a clothing brand catering to little women where they can go online and find something that fits perfectly without having to worry about alterations.
- Kathy D. Woods, https://www.kathydwoodsstore.com/, an online women’s clothing company showcasing fashions expressly designed for Little People with an impeccable fit for a variety of body types.
- Chamiah Dewey Fashion, https://chamiahdeweyfashion.com/, the UK’s first clothing brand for women with Achondroplasia dwarfism will relaunch in 2023 to serve all short stature people under 150 cm (three to five feet), irrespective of gender or specific condition.
- Auf Augenhoehe, https://www.aufaugenhoehe.design/. Explore Fashion for Little People. Find your perfect fit. No alterations needed. Made in Berlin, Germany.
- Aaya Al-Shamahi. “Egypt’s first fashion brand for women with dwarfism.” Breeze founded by Nesma Yehia. Middle East Eye. June 1, 2021. https://www.middleeasteye.net/video/egypts-first-fashion-brand-women-dwarfism
For additional reading:
- “Attack of the Giant Pants!” In Colorful You!, Fashion & Beauty by Our Readers. Audacity Magazine. November 05, 2006. https://www.audacitymagazine.com/attack-of-the-giant-pants/
- Katherine Klimitas. “Fashion For Little People With Great Taste.” Audacity Magazine. July 02, 2019. https://www.audacitymagazine.com/fashion-for-little-people-with-great-taste/
- Go to https://angelamuirvanetten.com where you can subscribe to my weekly blog and find information and buy links to my dwarfism trilogy memoir.
One reply on “Do You Get Your Clothes in the Children’s Department?”
You have clearly mastered the challenge of finding appropriate clothing since you always look put together. Those Home Ec sewing classes come in handy even for non-Little People, but while in the full time work force, a good professional tailor or seamstress is a necessity. Fewer clothes, but better quality and fit. Thanks for the references.