India, May 1 -- With summer just around the corner, I'm eagerly preparing for longer days and shorter hems. As a 5-foot 2-inch travel writer who is too impatient to visit a tailor, I've become obsessed with finding clothes that I can immediately toss into my carry-on to wear on my next trip.

I just upgraded my travel wardrobe ahead of a week in Paris with a few versatile pieces designed to flatter smaller frames, including mini dresses, matching sets, and cropped jackets. Lucky for my croissant budget, I was able to find 12 petite-friendly styles for under $50 each, making it possible to purchase a tightly-curated capsule wardrobe for summer. Skip the tailor and snag these wallet-friendly petite staples instead, starting at just $9 at A...