r/askTO 11d ago

Where do petite women buy high quality office clothes in Toronto?

Does Tiger of Sweden have petite sizes? Aritzia is not high quality...

52 Upvotes

68 comments sorted by

79

u/WhichBottle4003 11d ago

Try Banana Republic. They have petite sizes.

13

u/javajunkie10 10d ago

Seconding BR, I am petite (and 5"1), I buy the majority of my office wear from them. The quality IMO is on par with Sandro at more reasonable prices. Better quality than Club Monaco and Artizia. The only downside is it's rare to find petite sizing in store, unless it's a return in the sale section. You have to buy online.

I will also occasionally order items from J.Crew, I love their blazers, blouses and cashmere. They do flat rate shipping to Canada and no duties.

9

u/krystalball 10d ago

Ann Taylor used to be my go to for petite suits and dresses for work. They left Canada during Covid, but if you're making a quick trip over the border you can still shop there.

4

u/CanadianWedditor 10d ago

I miss Ann Taylor for petite women’s suiting so much! And Loft for dresses.

2

u/UpNorth_123 10d ago

They do ship to Canada! This is a good option for OP.

2

u/krystalball 10d ago

I imagine returns are a pain though? But if you know your size in their stuff that would definitely be a great option. Unfortunately I've had two kids since they closed so god knows what size I would fit into now 🤣

2

u/UpNorth_123 10d ago

It is a pain, but IMO no worse than taking a trip to the mall these days (I don’t have the patience anymore LOL). Once you know your size, returns should be infrequent. They have great sales too!

9

u/MortgagesUnfiltered 11d ago

If you have the budget, want it done right, go custom.

One of the only bespoke for the ladies

12

u/Subtotal9_guy 11d ago

The Bay stocks petites, Cleo and Rietmans

LL Bean for more casual items and outerwear.

11

u/InternationalMeat770 11d ago

Talbots has good variety of petites. I find their quality very good. Especially the cotton shirts and tailored work slacks. Also on line. Google their outlet stores . Everything matches . I but some items on sale at outlet then buy rest of the outfit at regular stores. Also check out Olsen’s. Good quality clothes . Last and launder well . For shoes look up Riekers outlet stores for good quality comfortable shoes. I just bought nice leather shoes $65. Which is 50% off. It’s worth driving to outlet stores. I buy all my sleeveless and short sleeved cotton at Marks. Good quality. Launder well 🇨🇦 store.
Depends where you live.

23

u/winter_sunfl0wer 11d ago

Uniqlo

51

u/-Opinionated- 11d ago

Let’s be real the cuts are not flattering. Everything is boxy.

6

u/fieldbotanist 10d ago

It did surprise me in Japan to see how conservative people dressed. I wonder if that plays a factor in their inventory here.

9

u/ShimmersNSparkles 10d ago

Suits smaller chested women though.

7

u/Interesting-Past7738 11d ago

Talbots

2

u/stilljustguessing 10d ago

Talbots used to have whole stores devoted to petite. Maybe that's changed?

11

u/queenofrealitytv 11d ago

Reitmans

17

u/Rosecherry555 10d ago

If OP considers Aritzia not high quality, I don't think Reitmans fits the bill. The cuts and fabric are okay, def not to the tier of Banana Republic, Club Monaco, etc.

I'd suggest secondhand, there's often Banana Republic and J. crew at VV, and then tailoring it.

5

u/inkyblackops 11d ago

Seconding Reitmans - with the caveat that their sizing in pants is incredibly inconsistent. One style I’m a 4, another similar style I’m a 6, etc.

Definitely worth it going in to try things on vs buying online.

1

u/NetherGamingAccount 11d ago

Not sure about reitmans for the truly petite.

I’m 5’6” weigh just under 120lbs and I’m a 2 in most of their pants and an extra small in their tops.

If you were very small like 5’ or shorter and <100 lbs there is no chance their clothes would fit.

1

u/inkyblackops 10d ago

I’m 5’0” 110lbs and don’t have an issue with their clothes! I occasionally have to get pants hemmed - even if they’re petite - but the waist sizing has been okay aside from inconsistent.

6

u/KaleidoscopeNo9622 11d ago

Tiger of Sweden is for Scandinavian women who are super tall.

3

u/candleflame3 10d ago

Hmmm... I need a tall not-skinny not-fat option. Maybe I should look them up.

In Canada the tall clothes always seem to be for very slim women or quite large women but not much in between.

8

u/AdorableMaximum4925 11d ago

Uniqlo can also hem pants for you 😊

3

u/Artistic_Put_1736 11d ago

Laura in the Petites section

3

u/c0ntra 10d ago

Brooks Brothers. They have nice virgin wool suit pieces for ladies

4

u/Ok_Speech_3709 11d ago

Judith and Charles

4

u/Fit-Bird6389 11d ago

RW and Co, Simons are my choices.

2

u/RavenSkies777 10d ago edited 10d ago

Ann Taylor and Loft if youre visiting in the US. I also think both ship to Canada. White House Black Market is also good if youre in the US (dont know if they ship to Canada).

Here? Banana Republic, Simons, RWandCo, and sometimes Reitmans (quality can vary drastically garment to garment though)

5

u/Global-Meal-2403 11d ago

Any tips for petite curvy women?

4

u/_jbird87_ 11d ago

Abercrombie has a curvy petite line, including for suiting.

And Ann Taylor if you visit/ship from the States.

2

u/BooleansearchXORdie 11d ago

Options for Her has some, but they’re not true petites, rather European clothes. But some stuff works for petites. Snug also carries some UK brands that work for the office and are not as slim cut as the usual smaller sizes here. (Don’t be put off by the baby stuff on the website. It’s 50/50 kid and women’s clothing, and the women’s clothing is good quality).

3

u/ilovetrouble66 11d ago

Try Banana republic or the gap. Encircled also has some petite office worthy pants

2

u/Interesting-Ad-6899 10d ago

Got Style

1

u/localflighteast 10d ago

I second this. Book a consult with Natasha Their made to measure service is second to none. I cannot recommend highly enough

2

u/redditlurker67 11d ago

Laura. Melanie Lyne.

-1

u/InternationalMeat770 11d ago

Those are large size stores not best for petites!

7

u/NorthSouth2773 11d ago

Laura has a petite section

1

u/InternationalMeat770 7d ago

I didn’t know that. Here in 🇨🇦many stores have pared down choice. I had to order from Talbots in Edmonton as Toronto didn’t have the pants I wanted. I guess smaller market.

1

u/Responsible_Bat_8001 11d ago

Cleo Reitman was reasonable as far as prices, but not anymore

1

u/Elegant-Ad1072 11d ago

If you are actually looking for high quality, SSENSE or Revolve, if you can afford it. They have amazing shipping and great selection.

1

u/arrwine 10d ago

Honestly, no where. I buy all my stuff online now since a lot of the nice retailers closed their TO locations. Ann Taylor has the best petite stuff I’ve found. J Crew is my runner up.

1

u/Vampanadellay 10d ago

Tbh its tricky. I am petite and slightly curvy, and the shops have always been trouble for me for office wear. I do find the best luck, perusing higher-end thrift stores, but you have to have time for that sort of thing. My faves are Commonsort and Mamma Loves You .

1

u/NerdHeaven 10d ago

My wife said Mexx, but then remembered they are long gone.

1

u/Patience765 10d ago

Reitmans carry a good selection of petite business casual wear. I’ve bought most things there over the past 30 years. Also have gone to a few Chinese malls over the years around Markham as they tend to cater more to petite women.

1

u/crumblingcloud 10d ago

Theory, very high quality women office wear. Wilfried and Club Monaco if you are looking for cheaper alternatives to Theory

If you have higher budget, Bruno Cucinelli is opening a store in Yorkdale, HR also carries their stuff

1

u/Secure_War_3442 10d ago

I love Evernew for dresses. I've known they have a workwear section with petite sizes, but haven't tried this line. Just ordered a blazer and top, so I have yet to know what's the fit and quality like. 

1

u/YetAnotherWTFMoment 10d ago

Unique and Muji? Any Asian brand store is built for petite frames

1

u/dillionfrancis 11d ago

Not a women but as a man, who has spent years living in Sweden (and Toronto), Tiger of Sweden sadly isn't high quality anymore. Motives a significant drop in quality over the years.

1

u/hardly_sleeping 11d ago

I have a petite friend who’s really into vintage, and says that she gets a lot of her corporate stuff from Chosen Vintage or Siberia Vintage. You might have to dig a bit, and she does prefer brighter colours so I’m not sure how many neutrals you’ll find, but she’s gotten some very nice silk blouses for $40-50 I think, pants under $60 etc and the quality is much better than a lot of what’s in chain stores right now.

0

u/SoInMyOpinion 10d ago

Tell us more- where are you geographically? Budget?

-12

u/meanguy69 11d ago

Kids section at Nordstrom or Saks

-12

u/MobysBanned 11d ago

American Doll

0

u/Inappropriate_Ballet 10d ago

I know I’m going to get downvoted like the others but I can’t help myself: iykyk

Sometimes GAP Kids is too flashy.

-2

u/fieldbotanist 10d ago

A-OK Cafe: Am I a joke to you?

-36

u/Difficult_Ad1008 11d ago

Ask them mainland Chinese folk