Our clothes are designed for women between 4’11” and 5’3”. We know this will be disappointing for you if you’re shorter; this is the maximum range of heights we can realistically guarantee a good fit for.

However, some pieces are more flexible than others, depending on the length, style, and your body proportions.

To help you get a good idea how each piece will fit you, we’ve included lengths in our product descriptions, as well as the model’s height.

Still not sure? Drop us a line hello@shoptheshortlist.co.uk and we’ll give you our honest opinion.

Since women’s sizing is completely arbitrary (who’s brilliant idea was that? Our money’s on a bloke) we always recommend you check the size guide before ordering.

On each product page, we’ve included the model’s height and measurements, as well as sizing advice, so you can picture how it will look on you.

And if you’re still not sure, you can email us at hello@shoptheshortlist.co.uk  or drop us a message on Instagram with your measurements and we’ll give you bespoke sizing advice.

We use three measurements in our sizing: bust, waist and hip. You’ll need a tape measure, and our size guide is available in both centimetres and inches.

Bust: Measure round the fullest part of your bust, making sure the tape measure is level all the way around your body (i.e. it isn’t riding up or down across your back). Do this with or without a bra, depending on whether you’d wear one with the dress. The tape measure should be snug but not tight.

Waist: Bend from side to side to find your waist – the point where you crease is your natural waist. Like before, keep the tape measure snug but not tight, and level all the way around.

Hip: This time you’re measuring the fullest part of your hip (including your bum) – wherever that is on you. Make sure it’s level, and snug but not tight (are we repeating ourselves?)

All our pieces accommodate a size bigger on the bottom half (i.e. a size 6 piece will fit a size 8 hip), and you can contact us if you need bespoke advice.

A few reasons:

• It takes several months to design and create each piece and perfect the fit. This means it looks the same in the flesh as it does in the pictures.
• We don't cut corners. We use bias cuts, darts, tucks, gathers, and princess seams to really do your figure justice.
• All our prints are bespoke. We design them from scratch, making your piece even more original and exclusive.
• They're responsibly made by fairly paid seamstresses. Fast fashion has conned us - this is the real price of skilled labour.
• They're made in small quantities. Anything limited edition is more expensive, but doesn't it feel special to own a dress only a handful of other girls have, too?*

*Although admittedly eight times more annoying if one of them is wearing it at the same party as you.

You can pay by Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

No postal orders, cheques or banker’s drafts. It’s not 1990.

Best thing to do is contact us as soon as you can by emailing hello@shoptheshortlist.co.uk. Let us know your order number and we’ll see what we can do.

That doesn’t sound like us – we’re really sorry. Every piece is made, checked, and packed with care, but mistakes can still happen (we’re human, too).

Let’s get it fixed for you. Fill out the contact form here or email hello@shoptheshortlist.co.uk. Send us a picture of your item and tell us what’s wrong so we can put things right.

In a small, family-run factory in Poland.

We work with them from start to finish, and all of our pieces are brought to life over the course of several months.

We start with a meeting to discuss our designs, the finishes, and the fabrics we'd like to use. Our very talented pattern cutter then makes a 'toile' or initial sample of each piece in simple fabrics.

We tweak this over the course of several fittings, discussing and perfecting everything from the size of each button, to the angle of the bust, to the width or each strap. Once we're happy, we make each piece in the real fabrics and have another fitting to tweak to perfection.

It's a lot of work...but boy does it show.

All our clothing likes a 30 degree wash - make sure this is with similar colours.

Then hang your piece to air dry, and iron on a medium heat setting.

Please note that none of our pieces like tumble driers – you risk shrinking them (the irony).

'We' is just me, Laura, the one-woman-band behind The Shortlist. I single-handedly do almost everything behind the scenes (and massage my temples with the other one).

I’m helped by a brilliant little factory in Poland, and a designer who brings my ideas to life.*

I pick and pack, answer emails, plan collections, oversee production, direct design, source fabrics, edit the website, create all the marketing content, manage Instagram, write the copy, handle finances, attend fittings, deal with admin and, reluctantly for the time being, model the pieces too.

The Shortlist ‘voice’ came to me when wishing there was a smart, funny brand especially for petite 30-somethings. I use ‘we’ as part of this, but also because originally I set out to avoid being the poster girl for the brand.

(That lasted all of 2 ½ months, before I was shivering in a damp park wearing a mini dress for the second photoshoot).

The 'we' stuck though, because it's fun and it suits the brand, but you'll see me writing as myself and sharing in-person updates on Instagram every week.

*Talk about no vocational skills - think of me whenever you have any fleeting feelings of imposter syndrome.

Accept them graciously, don’t look too pleased with yourself, and then move the conversation on: “Oh, thank you – yes it’s a lovely colour, isn’t it. Shall we order another mimosa?”

No. Now she knows how we feel.