The Best Style Advice for Shorter Women
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Know Where to Shop
If you have a petite frame, chances are that most “straight-size” clothing doesn’t always fit you as well as it could. And for practical reasons, we can’t always run to our tailor for every new item we come across (though we probably would if we could).
To score the best pieces that flatter a petite frame, bookmark your favorite brands that carry clothing designed specifically for smaller silhouettes. Whether you’re looking for trend pieces or wardrobe basics, there’s something for everyone.
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Have Your Tailor on Speed Dial
Take it from us: The key to taking your clothes from so-so to so flattering is finding a great tailor. From tweaking hemlines to adjusting the sleeves, every petite lady should have a go-to tailor. Bring in all of your favorite pieces or have your tailor work on a few really special pieces that you want to fit like a glove. We promise that working with a tailor is almost always well worth the extra cost and time you put into it.
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Embrace the Right Trends
From avoiding a particularly tricky print to knowing the right silhouettes to stock up on, dressing for your height comes down to a simple set of fashion guidelines. To guide you in the right direction, we’ve gathered 14 trends that were made for short women. It all comes down to knowing what works for you and what doesn’t. For example, we recommend opting for straight-leg denim over looser fits.
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Steer Clear of Certain Trends
Unfortunately for us, these tops (and 15 other trends) were not made for short women. While we always encourage you to wear what makes you feel the best, sometimes we all could use a little guidance, and for shorter figures, that includes trends like tunic tops, oversize or shapeless pieces, and horizontal stripes.
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Shop for the Right Shoes
It pretty much goes without saying, but investing in key shoe styles is crucial for everyone. For women with shorter figures specifically, there are just a few tips to know before the next time you go shoe shopping. Keep these three shopping tips in mind the next time you’re on the hunt for boots or heels. When it comes to heels, opt for a pointed toe and any kind of height to elongate your figure.
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Favor Your Figure
Some of our favorite figure-flattering styling tricks include opting for a monochrome look with nude shoes or wearing a deep V-cut neckline—both guaranteed to accentuate your frame. When going for a monochrome look, play with varying shades of the same color (rather than, say, up-and-down black, although that works too) to achieve a winning look. We love how Aimee paired a midi skirt with a belted jacket, which ultimately showed off her petite frame in a cool, subtle way.
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Master Proportions
This look proves shorter ladies can pull off floor-grazing statement pieces, too. We know—long and oversize shapes are usually advised against for petite frames since they easily overwhelm shorter figures figure. However, an asymmetrical hem as seen above actually helps create the illusion of longer legs.
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Accessorize Strategically
Earlier we mentioned that certain trends are better on a short shape than others. Mini bags are a perfect example of this, and on that note, we also recommend avoiding oversize bags. Belts are another accessory that can be a total game changer. Case in point: Reese Blutstein’s belted blazer is a look anyone can embrace (short or tall) to pack a major style punch.
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Cheat the System
Since adding actual inches to your frame is out of the question, there are a few sneaky tricks that we promise work like magic. From finding the perfect pair of jeans that will make your legs look longer to the shoes you'll come to swear by, these tips are must-tries for shorter women.
