One of the the many misconceptions about petite sizes is that you have to be some tiny little thing to qualify. It is almost a conspiracy if you think about it, just ask anyone in the department stores and you will find they aren't purvey as to what clothing petite size actually represents or means. So, if the young lady at the clothing store doesn't know then who does?In truth the designation petite size refers to height, not girth: so, with that said, women under 5' 4" are considered petite, n.