How to Style Petite Women

How to Style the Vertically Challenged

We aren’t built like supermodels with amazing amazonian bodies and legs or days. The fashion industry loves tall and slender models and that reflects on the sizing of certain clothing. And it can be difficult to shop because the size of clothing is expected to fit someone on the taller size. So for my ladies who are vertically challenged how can we find clothes for us?

With dressing for your body shape comes along as another challenge along with being petite. Once you have a solid grasp of what your body shape is you can go beyond dressing for your petite frame.

WHAT IS PETITE?

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So you’re unsure of what a petite size is and are you considered one? The petite frame is about proportion and height not about weight. A petite is considered someone who is under 5’3. Your regular sleeves and straps are too long for you. Pockets, shoulders, or knees on garments don’t fall into place properly. Also, if your inseam is 27 inches or less for non-cropped styles.

The goal with the petite frame is to elongate the figure. 

Styles such as high-waisted pants make you look taller than you actually are. 

TAILORING

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Tailoring maybe your best friend or learn to sew. I crop my jeans by folding the hem and using a backstitch to secure it. There are certain things that can’t be changed with tailoring which the moving armholes, shoulder seams. You can’t change the seat of your pants. Altercations can alter the silhouette of the garment which is something to keep in mind. Also, shop for the right pair of shoes. Heels are great because they elongate your figure. 

STYLE TIPS

Try light-colored shared to make of a statement piece. Three-quarter sleeve, off-the-shoulder are shirts flattering towards petite women. With jackets go for cropped, knee-length and wrap are great for this body frame. When shopping for jeans go for wide-leg, slim or skinny, mid or high-rise are great styles to choose from. High-waisted, slim or skinny, pleated, are amazing pants styles. The best dresses and skirts are circle, midi, high-low that give the illusion of elongating the figure. 

Oversized clothing can make you look smaller than you actually are. It is good to be intentional where you are going fro the oversized look. Cuff long shirts at the elbow to not make you look smaller. Pair shoes and bottoms that are similar in colors such as black heels and tights to elongate the legs. You can also try shrinking clothing depending on the fabric to properly fit you. Fabrics with natural fibers such as wool, cotton, linen can be shrunken. Synthetic fabrics like rayon can’t be shrunken.

For the bustier Petites, the empire waist is great since they go under the bust area. or a fitted top pair with a high-low skirt looks great on your body.

Stripe Poplin High-Low Skirt, $101

BRANDS

Some brands that have petite sizes are ASOS, Stature, Theory, Saint James Clothing Boutique, Donni., and Brunello Cucinelli. There are other brands out there that have sizes for petite and plus-sized such as Madewell, Lane Bryant, ASOS, Anthropologie, and Alfani.

Hopefully, these tips are helpful to you and help with the search for the perfect pieces.