The Netherlands is famously known for its tall men and women, so one must empathise with women shorter than the ‘standard’ 170cm (or 5’7″ for Americans) – it’s a struggle to find our clothing size in stores!
As someone who has experienced this firsthand, I’ve created this quick and easy guide to help you navigate the fashion world as a petite woman and stay stylish in the big (flat) world that is Holland!
Just to clarify: petite is defined as a height under 5’4″ or 162cm. If you’re 5’4″ then you may find some petite clothing to be too small for you, in which case, consider taking regular-size clothing to a tailor for minor alterations (I’ve recommended a reliable English and Dutch-speaking tailor at the end of this guide).
E-marketplaces have the variety you need!
You are probably already buying most clothes online (I hope) since that opens a new realm entirely for your wardrobe. If not, then consider e-commerce retailers like ASOS, Zalando and ABOUT YOU as they work with a lot of niche brands that offer petite sizing through their platforms. Delivery and return costs are usually free over a certain basket total of 20 EUR so you can easily receive the goods.
Although I’m personally not a fan of H&M, the internationally renowned Swedish fashion giant, I can recommend their workwear clothing, which is available in petite sizes online. If you find yourself in a physical store and really like an item that’s too big for you, ask the shop assistant if it’s available in XXS. They carry a smart device that allows them to scan product labels and check sizing and availability online.
Some physical shops that are petite-friendly
The following is an American casual wear brand that sells petite-friendly clothing with an affordable price tag. Hollister & Co has 2 physical stores in Amsterdam, one in Leidschendam (Mall of the Netherlands, Westfield) and one in Maastricht. Petite sizing is known as ‘short’ fit and available online only but even their regular sizing can fit you, depending on the style.
Photo from Skyscrapercity.com
Their parent company Abercrombie and Fitch also has an online presence in the Netherlands with returns and delivery from the same warehouse as Hollister. Both brands cater to petite women with sizing ranging from XXS to XXL.
In Utrecht and Amsterdam, you can find another American company named Brandy Melville which sells similar casual wear to Hollister but unlike Hollister, it’s in one size only, although it is on the smaller side. You can roll up the sleeves or trousers of Brandy Melville fits, although the overall design will be on the smaller side anyhow.
If your clothing size is bigger than an EU size 34, this brand and the next one would not be for you 🙁
Similar to Brandy Melville, Subdued has physical stores in Amsterdam and Utrecht with online shipping. It’s the same one-size-only concept, with designs aimed at young women.
Studio no5 – an independent boutique store in The Hague located at Venestraat 5, 2511 AR Den Haag. Priced reasonably but has imported clothing which means its not available in other stores and once it’s gone, it’s gone! No website but the telephone number is – +31616511114.
If you prefer more high-end clothing, then The Hague has a few boutique stores in the centre which stock sizes for a smaller frame:
Zerba Italia – Noordeinde 56, 2514 GK Den Haag
MaxMara – Hoogstraat 41, 2513 AP Den Haag
Where can you buy lingerie for a petite frame in The Netherlands?
SuperBra Utrecht, located on Amsterdamsestraatweg 284, 3551 CS in Utrecht is an amazing physical store with plush fitting rooms and a diverse range of bra sizes for all body types! Their customer service in store is wonderful – they are so helpful and friendly and offer bra fittings by appointment. They also have an easy-to-use website if you don’t live close to Utrecht.
If you prefer to stick to online shopping, then e-commerce retailers already mentioned above (ASOS, Zalando, ABOUT YOU) stock some smaller band sizes (28, 30 UK size or 60 and 65 EU size).
Another American brand named Aerie, owned by American Eagle, has 5 physical stores in the West of the Netherlands. Check out their full list of locations here: https://storelocations.ae.com/nl/all. Aerie sells loungewear and underwear in a range of sizes. I can attest to the good quality and fit of their products, with a slightly expensive price tag. But you can catch a good deal during their regular sales or multi-buy offers.
The world-famous Victoria’s Secret also has 3 physical stores in the country: one in Amsterdam, one in the Schipol airport before entering security, and the final one, a new location in Utrecht. Their online collection features petite-friendly sizes.
Some ‘cheaper’ priced lingerie brands would be Tezenis, which has online shopping as well as physical stores in most major shopping malls or centres across the country, with most being concentrated in the Randstad/West of the country.
Primark is another very affordable brand, with physical stores across the country. They have increased their range of sizing by offering 2XS which would be a UK size 4-6 or EU size 30-32.
A reliable mobile app for second-hand petite clothes
Don’t dismiss second-hand clothing mobile apps—these are quite popular throughout Europe. By using these apps, you’ll have access to sellers from various countries like France and Belgium, where retailers cater to a larger demographic of petite-sized women.
Vinted is a reliable and well-liked platform. I’ve used it to sell some of my clothing and have noticed that many vintage styles are available there as well. When I say vintage, I’m referring to the 2010 era of fitted clothing—not the 1950s style (apologies to any older readers!)
You can always alter regular sized clothes!
Finally, if I haven’t assured you enough by now that you can be stylish in your petite frame whilst living in giant land Netherlands, then take this last recommendation for a superb tailor located in Utrecht: Oerania Garment Repair And Dry Steaming, located at Willemstraat 23, 3511 RG. Only a 15-minute walk from Utrecht Centraal train station, I can’t recommend them enough.
I visited Oerania Garment Repair many times in 2021 for alterations to my dresses and tops. This family-run business has been in the city for a good number of years; the humble and friendly environment puts you at ease immediately. The bright and airy space includes two clean, private changing rooms. Even in the depths of winter, a warmth can be felt in the air, thanks to the matriarch Oerania, after whom the tailor shop is named, who works diligently behind the glass counter on her sewing machine.
Alteration pricing is affordable and competitive – it helps that they are frank about the turnaround time too. They always check that you’re happy with the final adjustments before you leave, and if you have any questions, they are open to feedback.
For those in the Randstad (major cities in the West of the country: Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam), it is worth travelling the extra distance for this tailor. And if you’re in Utrecht, don’t hesitate to pop by for a consultation on your garments!
Leave a Reply