So how do you know...

[MauiRockHopper]

I have a long torso and short legs. I only shop in the petite section for pants and have never bothered with petite tops (except for long sleeves). Sometimes regular tops are too short in the torso, but then too long in the sleeves.

I've also noticed the a difference when I sit next to taller women. The height difference isn't there and I can talk with them eye to eye. However. once we stand up, the height difference is very evident. What's even stranger is when I sit next to my coworker who is of the same height. She has a short torso and long arms/legs. When we sit down, I'm taller!

I wonder if the amount of butt padding you have makes a difference. I think it does since I have a J-Lo bootie when I sit down all that meat will lift me up higher than someone with a boney built and longer torso?!?! That's why I read some fitters make you sit with your back against the wall, legs straight out and they measure from the floor to the head. But then you have the flexibility issue and length of arms. So many factors for a seemingly simple thing as a bike. I am still shopping around and good idea to take the tape measure with you because often times the bike isn't marked on their sizes and the salespeople are often times busy or clueless.

[Eden]

hmmm I think I have really weird proportions....

shortish torso with very short arms. Every long sleeve shirt, jacket I have, the arms are too long, but I think they tend to be OK in the torso 28.5/29ish inseam, 5'0" tall overall

Long femurs, but short tibia - my feet *never* touch the ground when I sit in a chair