PETITE STYLING
What to wear, if you're petite...
Petite women, like all other body types, come in different sizes and shapes. The term Petites is used to describe a woman 5’4” or under in height. However, petite doesn’t necessarily mean small and slim. Most brands that stock Petite sizes range from size 4-16.When you are short in height you usually want to dress to appear longer, taller and leaner. This can be achieved by creating flattering silhouettes using some of our guidelines. Understanding your body type will help you achieve flattering outfits you will love.
FOUNDATION GARMENTS:
Start with your foundation garments. Wearing a good bra will create space between your waist and your bust line.
THE RIGHT FIT:
Getting clothes that are the right fit and size is imperative for short women because ill-fitting clothes can add unnecessary extra bulk. If you can’t find clothes that fit properly, buy less and invest more money in alterations.
DRESSES:
Dresses look great on short women. This is because the continuous fabric gives the illusion of a continuity, automatically creating a longer, taller and leaner line. Wearing a slim line silhouette will make you look even taller.
The Skater dress silhouette is a great option for petites as it is fitted in the upper body avoiding unwanted bulk creating a longer leaner line.
Wrap dresses hug your body in all the right places and creates a continuous line that elongates your body.
Empire waistline dresses sit just below the bust and this creates an elongated torso as it raises the waistline.
Belted dresses can improve the proportions of your body and help elongate your legs. Also it gives more definition to your waistline.
Maxi dresses can be very flattering on Petites. It can make shorter girls look taller because of the continuous fabric elongating your body.
TOPS:
Make sure that your tops stop at the hipline or above. Longer tops will cut you in half and will not elongate your line, making your legs appear shorter. If you're finding tops are a little long, then adapt the 'French tuck' method and eliminate the length.
BLAZERS:
Short blazer lengths are the most suitable styles for Petites. The upper torso is best fitted giving you a structured upper body and avoiding unwanted bulk creating a longer leaner line.
SKIRTS:
High waisted skirts elevate the waistline and improve the body's proportions. They are a great way to make your legs appear longer.
A-line skirts work really nicely for Petites. The slight flare makes your legs look longer and thinner.
Pencil skirts have the ability to make you look much narrower and taller.
Miniskirts are the easiest way to make Petite’s legs look longer instantly.
Maxi skirts create a long continuous vertical illusion that is very flatter for Petites.
PANTS:
High waisted pants elongate your legs. High waisted pants sit higher than your natural waist so it tricks the eye into thinking your legs are longer than they are.
Cigarette leg pants make your legs look longer because it creates a visual of a vertical line. The vertical line drawers your eyes up and down creating the illusion of length.
Pants with a vertical seam are a great way to make your legs look longer.
Flared leg pants are tight in the thigh and then flare out under your knee. This extends your legs making you look taller.
SHOES:
It is no surprise that adding a heel will add height and make you look longer, taller and leaner.
We suggest you avoid straps around the ankle and choose shoes that elongate your leg line.
Pointed toe shoes are a great way to make your legs look longer.
Nude colour shoes are extremely flattering for petites. They visually extend your legs making your legs look so much longer.
Knee-high and over the knee boots are also great on petites.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
Vertical patterns will always elongate your line.
Monochromatic dressing is very flattering for Petites.
Keep your handbag in proportion to your body.
There are many brands that cater specifically to Petite’s. Petite clothing is manufactured to different specifications. Sleeves, skirts, leg lengths, and tops are all shorter. We have compiled this list of Australian brands that stock Petite clothing.
PETITE CLOTHING IN AUSTRALIA AND ONLINE:
Marcs
Ted Baker
Witchery Cropped Denim Jeans
Forever New
French Connection
General Pants Co (multiple brands)
Tokito
Miss Shop
Regatta Petites
Jane Lamerton Petites
Basque Petites
Review
Uniqlo
Jigsaw
Veronika Maine
Simply Kate
Target Petites
Dotti
Topshop
7 For All Mankind
Ralph Lauren
J. Crew
PETITE CLOTHING LINE:
ASOS
THE ICONIC
Anthropologie
Miss Selfridge Petite
PrettyLittleThing
Misguided
NastyGal
