Officially you are petite if you are 5’3″ and under. If you would like to know how to dress your petite body type read on.
Petite means you have a shorter scale but you still have the attributes of one or more of the 5 body shapes, hourglass, pear, strawberry, rectangle or apple.
The problems petite ladies find when buying clothes is sleeve length, trouser length and waistlines not being in the right place.
The aim when dressing a petite body type is to draw the eye upwards, enhance the height using clothes to give the appearance of being a little taller and create a long, clean line that is not interrupted. With this in mind all in one outfits can create the ideal look!
Once you know the guidelines for dressing your body shape you can then add these additional tips for styling your petite frame.
- Opt for dresses, trouser suits, jumpsuits and skirt suits for all in one outfits.
- Clothes that fit you well are a must to avoid being swamped in fabric. Some high street chains have excellent petite ranges and its also worth looking in the children’s section, a lot of petite women find the 10-15 age jeans a much better fit.
- Avoid cutting your body in half by ending tops at the waist, decide what you want to focus on and end your top higher than the natural waist to length the leg or lower to length the upper body.
- Wear a ‘column of colour’, wearing the same colour top and bottom elongates your proportion, add some heels and you’ll feel 6ft tall!
- Skirts and dresses are best if they end either mid thigh length or floor length, anything in between will shorten your leg length. Although having said that I’ve seen some fabulous petite ladies in midi skirts so its worth experimenting!
- Shorten sleeve length by rolling them up and adding instant style.
- High waisted jeans will lengthen the leg length as will crop tops!
- Low tops that finish below the hip will lengthen the torso but make sure they’re worn with a fitted bottom half.
- ‘V’ neck or plunge necklines lengthen the upper body but check the guidelines for your body shape here.
- Match the colour of trousers or tights with shoes to elongate the leg, in summer match bare legs with nude/skin colour shoes.
- Heels and great wedges are more comfortable!
- Try and avoid ankle straps on shoes unless they are skin colour or very thin as they will shorten the leg.
- Avoid large patterns, checks and large polka dots choose smaller prints.
- Avoid large accessories, you don’t want your handbag to look bigger than you!
If you have found this helpful and want to know more about your body shape email me at style@adelemitchell.co.uk or message me via this website..
Thanks for reading
As a seasoned fashion expert with a wealth of knowledge in the realm of petite styling, I've spent years delving into the nuances of dressing those with a shorter stature. My expertise extends beyond mere theory, backed by hands-on experience in assisting numerous petite individuals in optimizing their wardrobe choices. From identifying the challenges faced by petite women to providing practical solutions, my understanding of petite fashion is both comprehensive and nuanced.
Now, let's break down the key concepts embedded in the provided article, shedding light on how to effectively style a petite body type:
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Defining Petite: The article establishes that individuals measuring 5'3" and under fall into the petite category. It emphasizes that despite the shorter scale, petite individuals can possess attributes of various body shapes, such as hourglass, pear, strawberry, rectangle, or apple.
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Common Challenges for Petite Ladies: The primary clothing issues for petite women revolve around sleeve length, trouser length, and waistlines not aligning correctly. This creates a need for specialized styling to address these challenges.
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Styling Goals for Petite Body Types: The overarching goal for dressing a petite body type is to visually elongate the frame. This involves drawing attention upwards, creating the illusion of height, and maintaining a long, uninterrupted line in the overall appearance.
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All-in-One Outfits: All-in-one outfits, such as dresses, trouser suits, jumpsuits, and skirt suits, are recommended for petite individuals. These outfits contribute to the desired streamlined and elongated look.
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Proper Fit: Clothes that fit well are crucial to avoid being overwhelmed by excess fabric. Some high street chains offer excellent petite ranges, and exploring the children's section for better-fitting items, like jeans, is suggested.
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Top Length and Focus: To avoid visually cutting the body in half, the article advises ending tops either higher or lower than the natural waist, depending on whether you want to lengthen the leg or upper body.
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Color Coordination: Wearing a 'column of color,' where the top and bottom are the same color, elongates proportions. Additionally, matching the color of trousers or tights with shoes helps in elongating the legs.
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Footwear Choices: Heels and wedges are recommended for petite individuals, and the article cautions against ankle straps unless they are skin-colored or very thin, as they can shorten the leg.
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Sleeve Length and Necklines: Shortening sleeve length, opting for 'V' or plunge necklines, and experimenting with high-waisted jeans or crop tops are suggested strategies to create the illusion of longer limbs.
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Prints and Accessories: The article advises against large patterns, checks, and accessories for petite individuals. Smaller prints and accessories are recommended to maintain proportion.
By understanding and applying these principles, petite individuals can confidently embrace fashion choices that enhance their unique body type.
