My Review of Short Story- A Petite Fashion Subscription Service
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*This post was created as a partnership with Short Story.
If you're a petite woman who has ever ventured into the world of clothing subscription services, you've likely encountered the frustrating reality of a limited selection in your size. I personally have never risked investing in such services for precisely this reason, and that’s a shame because I’ve always seen the value in subscription-based models. They make for an effective, more responsible path to online retail shopping that avoids major drawbacks to the standard process such as returns that end up in landfills. And most well-designed programs offer styling help, another major factor in building purchase confidence and reducing a post-purchase change of heart resulting in returns. Having recognized the value as a conscious consumer already, all I needed was the sizing problem to be solved. Enter Short Story- a subscription service exclusively curated for petite women. Finally!
Below, I share my firsthand experience with the service, including all of the pieces I received in my box. I hope it intrigues you to try it, it’s such a fun and effortless way to fill your closet needs!
Is Short Story Box Right for You?
Short Story caters to sizes 000P – 20P, acknowledging the diverse range within the petite category. That alone makes me misty-eyed… you’ve heard of size inclusion, but have you ever heard of petite size inclusion?? 🥲
The process begins with a Style Quiz, where you provide details about your budget, sizing, fit preferences, and style inclinations. Beyond basic measurements, the quiz delves into your height, fit issues, color preferences, and specific items you'd rather avoid. This personalized information acts as intel for a petite stylist at Short Story to curate items tailored specifically for you.
Every box has a $25 styling fee, which acts as credit towards the purchase of the pieces in your box that you end up keeping. The pieces you don’t end up loving can be sent back at no cost through a prepaid return service included in the box.
Another reason I loved Short Story is that it’s founded and led by women, in my own homebase of the San Francisco Bay Area, no less! If you’re looking to support a mission-oriented, problem-solving company run by and for strong women, look no further. ❤️
What to Expect in Your Short Story Box
A few days after the quiz is submitted, a beautifully branded soft pink box arrives at your doorstep, containing carefully folded and stacked clothing items wrapped in tissue. Each box includes 5-6 items curated based on your preferences, sourced from a collection of popular established brands (like Joe's Jeans, Vince Camuto, Vero Moda, Amour Vert and Good American, for example) as well as exclusive Short Story brands. The inclusion of a note from your stylist adds a personal touch, detailing the contents and providing an itemized price list. Even a tape measure was included- so thoughtful! As I mentioned earlier, the package also includes a prepaid return envelope, offering a hassle-free return process of un-bought items involving your local UPS.
My First Short Story Box
As some basic points of reference, I’m 5’2” and 105 pounds with a rectangular body shape i.e., no curves to speak of. 🫠 I typically wear an XS or S in regular sized clothing and fall between a 26-27 waist size. I’ve gotten away with non-petite clothing for a long time now because of styling tricks and more lately, an appreciation for oversized silhouettes and comfort. But then, there are some clothing categories I’ve struggled with, like pants, where a more exact fit is required but for me personally, hemming/alterations have just not been worth the hassle, and I’d rather shop petite sizing. Since I work from home, I favored athleisure and casual wear in my style quiz.
As a self-proclaimed picky customer, I was admittedly skeptical regarding the actual petite-sized offerings Short Story could deliver. But there was really no need to worry at all. All 7 pieces in my box were genuinely petite, evident from their impeccable fit and proportions. No ankle floods, no shoulder shrugs, just clothes that fit well!
Read on for a quick rundown of everything my stylist shopped for me.
First up, this sweater and denim. Right away, I gravitated to pairing them together as they’re precisely the style formula I would pull out of my California casual style book. The Inigo sweater is a SP, and the Baxter Straight Leg Denim is a 26P, and both fit in just the right relaxed way I like. Note the petite-friendly fit of the denim especially! Like most petites, I struggle to find the right crop/length in my denim, and this one is pretty much perfect.
Next, the Penn Knit Trouser that I LOVED (I’m in SP), which I paired with the Talia Top and the Classic Boyfriend Blazer as my stylist suggested. The reason the trouser was an immediate yes for me is the elastic waist at the back that flattens into a polished band at the front! It feels comfortable like sweatpants, but I could easily dress it up or down. The top, although I love the color, is one I will likely return, as I rarely have a need for dressy tops these days. A similar reason for returning the blazer, I already own a black blazer and don’t dress up often enough to justify a second one. I cannot fault the fit of either piece though, both are perfectly proportioned on my frame in SP.
Finally, the Quarter Zip Long Sleeve Pullover and the Junie Jogger. Both pieces are in my everyday OOTD wheelhouse, I can most often be found in a very similar look as this! In SP, both are well fitting on me, hitting at the right lengths. I love the medium weight of the pullover that allows for the option to layer under or over- key for cold season dog walks. And look, Brio agrees! 🥰
Final Verdict: You Should Try it!
Short Story surpassed my expectations, providing a significantly higher hit rate of actual petite-sized items compared to my previous shopping experiences. For true petites who relish the idea of personalized styling through a subscription box, Short Story is undoubtedly worth a try. The meticulous curation, attention to sizing, and the inclusion of free returns make the entire experience seamless and enjoyable.
If you’re convinced and would like to try Short Story, you can use this link to get your styling fee waived. Let me know how you like it if you do use it, I would love to hear. ☺️
Have a wonderful week and weekend ahead!
XO Sushmitha :)
