Wearing outfits that are not only stylish but also highlight our favourite features is a sure-shot way to exude confidence. As a petite body shape, along with dressing for your body shape, your height and proportions matter, too. To make sure you get outfits that work for your proportions, here are some tips to keep in mind.
What is a Petite body shape?
A petite body shape is a woman who is 5’2” and under, regardless of her weight or size (this can range from extra-small to plus-size). Regular sleeves and straps are often too long on you, and pockets, shoulders, or knees on garments fall in the wrong places.
While height may be the primary defining factor for petite sizes, the body shape and measurements help determine the right silhouette/style to ensure you look and feel your best. Keep in mind, that your overall height isn’t always an indicator — a person with a shorter inseam could fall into petite sizing on the bottom, but wear a regular size on top (or vice versa).
Basics for a Petite body shape
To get started:
1. Elongate your look:
Since a petite body shape has a small frame, certain styles will elongate the look and emphasize certain parts of the body more than others. More details are below.
2. Know your body shape and size:
Petite body shape can be of any size or weight. You can be an apple, hourglass, straight, pear, or inverted triangle. Knowing your body shape and size helps in getting flattering fits.
3. Alterations:
If you have a tailor, you are already ahead of one step. As a petite figure, you will often find styles you love that are too long for you. Having a reliable tailor helps in increasing your options.
A little more about tailoring
Once you have a tailor, it’s critical to know what you can and can’t change about garments. Here are a few examples:
• You can’t change the position of armholes or shoulder seams, but you can change the sleeve length.
• Altering a garment too much can compromise its style or silhouette. This is especially true for pants with flared legs or tops with statement sleeves.
• You can’t change the seat of your pants, but you can hem the legs and take in the waist.
• It’s easier to take away fabric than to add it, so buy items to fit the largest part of you and have the rest taken in.
What to wear for a petite body shape
Now that we’ve gone through the basics, let’s build you wardrobe styles that work for your petite body shape.
Best tops for a petite body shape
The best way to draw attention to your top half is with a more tailored fit. Open necks such as V-neck, scoop-neck, and off-shoulder tops open up the space between your chest and neck which leads to an elongating effect.
Play with light color shades tops to make more of a style statement. Go for three-quarter sleeves, it will make your arms look longer than long sleeves.
Best jackets for a petite body shape
Pick styles that don’t overwhelm your frame, and keep in mind that sleeve length can always be altered.
A cropped jacket that hits right at the waist will visually extend your legs, therefore creating an illusion of height, A wrap silhouette and a structured jacket draw attention to your top half. Also, wrap styles are universally flattering for everyone. You can also try a knee-length jacket, this style creates a long line from your shoulders to your knees.
Best jeans for a petite body shape
Denim is always an essential part of any wardrobe fashion style. The challenging part is deciding which style to wear. Well, we have a solution for you, Excited to know the styles?
You can opt for wide-leg jeans, especially in a cropped style, that will flatter you. Or, you can pair the skinny jeans with pointed shoes to elongate your legs. Opt for mid-rise or high-rise waists to ‘raise’ the height of your waistline.
Best dresses and skirts for a petite body shape
Dresses and skirts can create movement and height with the right styles.
Go for a midi dress rather than a maxi dress. The key to wearing this trend is choosing the right length for you. Take a look for a hem that hits just above or below the widest part of your calf. Bonus points if there are vertical lines such as pleats of color blocking.
Select a high-low dress that shows off a little bit of your leg to save you from drowning in fabric. You can also opt for a sweet and flirty skirt, that will look especially great in a bold print.
Best accessories for a petite body shape
Do you know the exclamation point of any outfit? If you think it’s accessories, well you are absolutely right. Petite women have options that flatter their shape beautifully.
You can incorporate heels into any ensemble to do the little trick of providing the illusion of height. For those who want to embrace their natural height, add pointy-toe shoes and mules over rounded-toe shoes. Your feet will appreciate the lower heel height without sacrificing style points.
Last but not the least, pair up your outfits with statement earrings. They are a small part of the outfits, but they have their own charm.
Wandering everywhere to find the perfect petite-size combination for your body that compliments you? We have expert stylists, who are experienced enough to help you with wonderful wardrobe work and do all the necessities. Take your style quiz with StyleNook and ask our stylist to include clothing that flatters your petite frame
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