How to Dress If You're Petite: 7 Rules for Length and Fit
Body shape

How to Dress If You're Petite: 7 Rules for Length and Fit

Being petite isn't a limitation. It only becomes one when length is chosen at random instead of on purpose.

How to Dress If You're Petite 🤔

As a stylist, I often deal with requests on how to visually add height. So I understand just how relevant this topic is.

If you belong to the more petite side of the female world, this post is for you. Here are a few effective tips that will help visually lengthen your silhouette and highlight the strengths of your figure.👇

#natalibolgar

Length

- Mini length will reveal and emphasize the length of your legs;
- Maxi length. Here it's important to pick the right length — below the ankle;
- Midi length also works, but it looks best paired with heels.

Pants length for short height: short black culottes versus pink flared pants to the floor — example by Natali Bolgar.

Fit

Legs and overall height appear longer in dresses, skirts, or trousers with a high waist. It's best to tuck in your top. You can also add a slim belt to draw extra attention to that area.

Black suit with blazer: tucked top and high waist of pants lengthen silhouette — example of fit by Natali Bolgar.

Silhouettes

Petite ladies are better off avoiding baggy pieces, as they add unwanted volume. It's better to opt for fitted and semi-fitted shapes, which nicely define your silhouette.

Look silhouette: baggy culottes on left versus semi-fitted blue shirt and even pants on right — example by Natali Bolgar.

Print

When it comes to clothing, it's better to choose small to medium-sized prints. A large print on a petite figure will look overwhelming and throw off the balance of your silhouette.

* a medium-sized vertical stripe will help visually elongate your figure.

Print in clothing: bold leopard suit on left versus gray suit in vertical stripes on right — example of print by Natali Bolgar.

Necklines

– Not new, but always relevant. A deep V-neck will elongate the neck and visually lengthen the upper body's silhouette.
- If you're considering a neckline, a stand-up collar is the better choice.

Top with neckline: gray mock neck sweater on left loses to white jumpsuit with deep V-neckline on right — example by Natali Bolgar.

Tops

If you'd rather not tuck your top in, cropped styles are a good fit. T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and similar pieces worn untucked aren't the most flattering option for petite women.

Top of look: pink shirt worn untucked on left loses to white cropped top with black-and-white check skirt — Natali Bolgar.

Accessories

It's best to avoid overly bulky bags — opt for compact models, medium-sized or smaller.

Look accessories: massive brown bag on left loses to compact white clutch with burgundy sweater on right — Natali Bolgar.