The most important thing for a short woman to do is to decide that she will not be a wallflower. She needs to construct an image for herself. Fortunately, creative girls will realize that this endeavor requires more brains than money, though money always helps.
And, while everyone assumes that petite means tiny, dainty, and delicate, a girl actually can be a large petite or even a huge petite. Oxymoron? Yes, in the real world the petite clothing department should be labeled “short.”
Choose a Fashion Image
Short women must spend more time, than taller women, visualizing their complete outfits. It’s not fair. Well, life is not fair. Now, throw away that copy of Vogue and outsmart all those tall willowy waifs.
Before shopping for jeans with a short inseam or jackets that are proportional, a girl should decide what she wants her image to be. Here are ideas. Forget about being too fat, too skinny, or too old and mentally try on these illusions. Decide if any of these personas feel right or feel wrong:
- Short sexy fashionista
- Woman CEO in a business suit
- Preppy petite
- Classic East Coast sleek elegance with clean lines and no frills.
- City hipster.
- Artsy and eccentric painter, writer, aspiring actress, or photographer.
Or, find a style that no one has invented yet. Don't leave it up to the tall girls to start new trends.
Come up with something. That “something” may change over time, but a girl needs a framework from which to choose the proper clothing. The internet is the "go to" place for information. Do some research before settling for some outfit that’s not quite right.
Fashion Trends
Don’t follow trends. Most of the time, a girl will instinctively know what she looks good in. Women are so “in tune” with those around them that they gauge their outfits by the reactions of other people. Women should use instinct to find their own best styles.
Fashion Tips for Petites
Short girls know most of this:
- Monochromatic Outfits: Shorter women will look taller, and more pulled together, if they wear the same color from head to toe. For example, when wearing jeans, the top should be a color like indigo blue. However, this doesn't apply when wearing white. White stockings and shoes should be reserved for nurses and Japanese schoolgirls. Instead, wear nude-colored shoes and nude hose or no hosiery.
- Pants: Get rid of capris and cropped pants. No wide-leg styles.
- Tailoring: Have dresses and skirts hemmed at the right place. This varies with different bodies and with different styles of clothing. (Tailors are usually right but don’t be bullied by the tailor.)
- Fit: Outfits that are too tight will show every flaw. Clothes that are too big will look silly.
- Handbags: Purses should fit a woman’s frame. Play with styles and shapes.
Petite Plus
Remember that there are exceptions to every rule, but the exceptions are rare.
- Monochrome: Try to wear a dark color from head to toe. There are lots of alternatives to black, like dark indigo, maroon, eggplant, and chocolate.
- Stripes: No horizontal stripes, even in flattering places.
- Jewelry: Necklaces and earrings draw attention up to the face. A long statement necklace, with bright colors, really draws the eye up.
- Scarves: Bright scarves work like necklaces. In Paris, scarves are worn instead of necklaces.
- Heavy women need a medium-sized handbag. A small purse makes larger bodies look huge. Sometimes a structured handbag will help a heavy gal look pulled-together.
Short Celebrity Women
Any fashion image can be adapted to fit a girl's stature. Petite women come in a million different styles:
Remember that “petite” is just a height. Play with it.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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