If you’re petite like me, you likely find that clothes simply just don’t fit like they’re supposed to. The fit is usually off in more ways than one. For instance, the length of garments is usually too long (often way too long), the waistline tends to hit too low on the body, shoulder seams fall below the shoulders, armpits hang too low and create sagging, etc.
Unfortunately, petites are limited on where they can shop for petite clothing, and the stores that do offer petites sizes typically carry a very limited selection. Below I share some styling tips for petite women to help you find the optimal fit, especially when petite-sized clothing isn’t readily available.
Tuck Your Shirt In
It sounds very simple (because it is), but tucking in your shirt is one of the easiest ways to drastically improve your outfit. Simply tucking in your shirt gives your body some shape. Leaving your shirt untucked can often times hide your curves and swallow your figure. This is especially true if you’re petite as most tops aren’t made to fit a petite frame and tend to be too long. Below you can easily see the difference between an outfit with a tucked in shirt and an untucked shirt.
Opt For High-Waisted Bottoms
One of the simplest ways to appear taller is to elongate your legs. This can be done simply by wearing high-waisted bottoms. High-waisted bottoms create the illusion that your legs begin at a much higher position on your body. As a result, this will make your legs appear longer and make you appear taller. In contrast, low-rise bottoms can make your legs appear shorter by chopping them off lower on the waistline.
Maintain Balance
Balance is so important when it comes to styling a petite body type. To achieve balance with your outfit, pair flowy or wide-leg bottoms with a fitted top. Or pair a flowy, less structured top with more fitted bottoms, like skinny leg pants or a pencil skirt. If you pair a flowy top with a flowy skirt or bottoms, it can swallow a petite figure and detract from your shape.
Take Measurements of Your Body
Taking measurements of your body is simple, yet extremely helpful when shopping for clothes. Specifically, it’s important to know your bust, waist, and inseam measurements. When shopping online, you can typically find a garment’s measurements in the product description section. This is a great way to determine whether something will fit you appropriately- because, unfortunately, clothes aren’t made to fit uniformly.
A size 4P in one brand may often fit differently than a 4P of another brand. Personally, I think it’s well-worth the (very minimal) investment and has helped me tremendously with finding clothes that fit my body type and size.
Pro Tip: Make note of your measurements to keep handy and accessible when shopping. I personally have them saved in my notes on my phone so that I can quickly reference them when needed.
Incorporate Vertical and Diagonal Stripes
Stripes and lines are a simple design element used in fashion that offer countless possibilities. Lines can be used in many different ways to achieve different results. For instance, lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or curved and can be used to divide areas to create shapes, provide direction, or create optical illusions.
Vertical lines carry the eyes upward and downward, giving the illusion of height, while horizontal lines carry the eyes side-to-side, creating a widening effect. Continuous, vertical lines that begin at the top of an outfit and continue all the way to the bottom of an outfit, without being interrupted by a horizontal line, are the most elongating.
For example, a vertically striped dress where the lines go up and down your entire silhouette would be more elongating than a vertically striped top with jeans, where the vertical stripes are only worn on a portion of your body, instead of the entire body.
Diagonal lines can be used to create illusions and movement of the eyes, disguising certain body imperfections. A skirt that features diagonal lines that begin at one side of the waist and end at the opposite knee can make a short torso appear longer. Also, a diagonal line or lines beginning at one shoulder and ending at the opposite hip can make a larger waist appear thinner.
Cropped Blazers and Jackets
Ideally, opt for a cropped jacket or blazer that hits near your belly button. The shorter length makes your legs appear longer. A longer jacket or blazer that hits past the hips, near the upper part of the thighs, can cut off your legs making them appear shorter.
Use Fashion Tape For a Quick Fix
Although it’s not a long-term solution, fashion tape can be a helpful resource when you’re in a pinch and need a quick fix. I personally use it if I need to temporarily hem a pair of pants but don’t have time to get them professionally hemmed. I use Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape, which holds up really well throughout the day and night, and costs less than $10 for at least 36 uses.
Belts
Belts are a simple accessory that can be used to give your body shape. Flowy dresses can often swallow a petite frame but adding a belt can cinch the waistline and give your body more shape.
Some argue that belts create a horizontal line across the body, which cause the eyes to move side-to-side and can make you appear shorter. A belt that highly contrasts with the color of your outfit creates a harsher horizontal line.
For example, pairing a white belt with a black dress creates a more obvious horizontal line. One way to lessen the break of your vertical line is to use a belt that’s the same color (or close to the same color) as your dress or bottoms. Try pairing a black belt with a black or dark dress so that the horizontal line that a belt creates is diminished.
Fitted Clothing
Opt for fitted clothes instead of oversized clothes when possible. Petites often aim to elongate the frame to appear taller and avoid styles that can widen the frame. Fitted clothes help accentuate your frame, give you shape, and make you look long and lean. In contrast, oversized clothes tend to swallow your frame and make you appear wider.
Give Rompers and Jumpsuits a Try
Jumpsuits and rompers are one continuous article of clothing (AKA a “one-piece”). Because of this, they perfectly create an unbroken vertical line that makes you appear taller. Jumpsuits and rompers are great closet staples, because they can be dressed up or down and can be worn for numerous occasions. Plus, they’re easy, and who doesn’t love anything that makes getting ready easier?!
Shopping for clothes is tough for most people, but especially tough for those who don’t fit the standard size and shape that most clothes are designed for. It’s not always convenient, and often feels like way more work than should be required to simply find an outfit that you like and fits properly.
It’s amazing how much what we wear effects how we feel. Personally, I find that I feel significantly better overall if I’m wearing an outfit that I actually like, am comfortable wearing, and is flattering on my figure. If my outfit doesn’t quite fit right, is unflattering and/or uncomfortable, I’m much more self-conscious and tend to catch myself envying the great outfits others’ are wearing around me. It can be very distracting. Hopefully the tips above help you achieve that wonderful feeling of confidence and happiness that a great outfit can provide- and so you can spend more time enjoying the moment and less time worrying about what you’re wearing.