Finding clothes to fit any body size is always difficult, especially when one is vertically challenged.

Bethany Leininger, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production, measures in at 5-foot-11 and has a hard time finding any type of clothing that fits.

“It’s so frustrating when I shop because I usually end up empty-handed,” Leininger says. “Everything is too short in the legs or too big in the waist. Of all the pants I own, only a couple of pairs actually fit well.

“I have come to realize that I may never find pants or shirts that fit. I think I have the worst luck shopping.”

For people that stand below 5-3 and above 5-11, this is their predicament.

Having a smaller build is not a disadvantage, but it is a challenge.

A great advantage for shorter and smaller builds is shopping in the children’s or juniors departments, which mean lower prices and possibly better fitted garments.

Robin Cazavilan, former music major, shops regularly in the Target children’s department.

She says she loves the lower prices and better fitting clothing.

“It’s definitely a great, cheap way to be able to shop in the kids or juniors sections,” Cazavilan says.

Cazavilan says she has problems with sleeves hitting their intended lengths and getting clothes to fit in general.

“Short sleeves turn into three-quarter length while three-quarter shirts turn into long sleeves,” she says.

When long-legged creatures search for pants, they should be looking for a slight flare or botch to break up the straight lines that are created by slim and straight-cut pants.

Leininger says she thinks designers should tailor to tall sizes as well as short. Every time she shops for pants and jeans, all the talls are sold out.

There are not enough to go around.

In an ideal world, she says jokingly, short-legged girls should stick to their size.

“If you don’t really need the taller sizes, save them for people like me,” Leininger says.

“Pants that are too short look worse than pants that are too tight.”

Many styles work well for a tall frame. Make sure your true shape underneath is seen though the clothing.

If you have legs, show them off.

Smaller and shorter people, don’t give up. Try the opposite from above.

Straight-legged, slim cuts and higher-waisted pants will create an illusion of an elongated vertical line of your body. Avoid flares and low rise cuts, as they will break the line and will automatically shorten legs. Having a smaller shape may mean having a smaller waist and upper body. Use the best physical features to play up the ones that aren’t favorites.

Leininger says in today’s society, slender body types are portrayed as more attractive and sexy, as opposed to more realistic shorter and not-so slender body types.

“If everyone idealizes the tall and thin body types, then why don’t designers make more clothing for us with the actual bodies?” she asks.

“I’m sure high-end designers have more variety in seam lengths but most stores — especially local stores — have next to nothing.”