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!