10 Tips for Styling a Petite Figure

Finding the right style for your frame can be a struggle, especially when you have a petite figure and the clothes you like are either too long or too big.

A petite frame of figure typically refers to an individual whose height is under 5ft, 3in.

However, many individuals who fit into this petite category, don’t know where to start when it comes to styling themselves or how to pick the right clothes for them.

DESIblitz presents different tips and tricks to consider when styling your petite figure.

Experiment with Necklines

Clothing necklines can be an important style factor in how your entire outfit is presented especially when it comes to styling a petite figure as the right neckline can even make you look taller than you are.

For instance, a V-shaped neckline is one of the most flattering for petite figures.

The V-shape elongates the neck to give an overall appearance of added height and excellent posture.

However, if a V-neck isn’t your thing and you’d prefer a neckline with more coverage, then a turtleneck might be for you as the extra fabric will create a longer silhouette.

Other popular necklines to try out include scoop, square, and off-the-shoulder, all of which accentuate the length and width of the neck.

High Waists

High-waisted jeans, trousers, and skirts are fashion staples when it comes to styling a petite frame.

This is because high-waisted clothing not only elongates the legs but also accentuates the waist giving the appearance of a higher and smaller waistline.

High-waisted bottoms are especially great for those who have a petite frame and a rectangular or square body shape since there is more attention placed on cinching the waistline.

These high-waisted style bottoms can also pair well with a cropped top or fitted top.

This is because the cropped or tighter top will show off your waistline and balance the outfit out well.

The Right Jean Style

When choosing the right pair of jeans, petite women often find it a struggle to find a well-fitted and right-length style that they adore.

Many petite women often overlook the fashion stylings of flares, believing that they will be too long or not sit right.

However, flared jeans can be one of the more flattering jeans styles for petite women.

Skinny jeans, bootcut jeans, cropped jeans, and straight-leg jeans are also all great styles to consider for a petite frame.

It’s also important to consider the inseam length of jeans to ensure they are comfortable, fit well and leave you feeling confident.

Vertical Lines

Vertical lines can come in many different patterned forms when it comes to fashion, including pinstripes, vertical clothing seams, and even just basic striped patterns.

These vertical patterns draw people’s eyes to look up and down leading individuals to appear slender and more streamlined.

Whereas horizontal striped patterns can often make you look wider and shorter since the eyes are drawn from side to side.

Thus, when choosing printed clothing for a petite frame avoid horizontal lines and opt for a vertical-lined print to give a more balanced and proportioned appearance.

Monochrome

A monochromatic look, whereby you wear one singular colour palette from head to toe, creates not only an aesthetically pleasing look but a streamlined and cohesive appearance.

Though the style choice entails all items must be within the same colour palette this does not mean the look will be boring.

Instead, this means you can play around with different shades of the same colour as well as new textures and patterns.

Monochrome outfits on a petite figure are therefore great options for creating coordinated looks that have variation.

For instance, if you were to go for an all-blue outfit you could pair different textured denim pieces together with various shades of light and dark blue clothing.

Nude Shoes

If looking taller is a priority for you then try out this neat trick of wearing nude shoes with your outfits.

Wearing nude shoes that resemble your skin tone with bare legs can create an interesting fashion illusion.

This fashion trick creates a seamless and uninterrupted line of skin from your legs to your feet which is a great effect for adding height.

Nude shoes can also be an extremely versatile shoe colour to be worn with a variety of outfits.

This is because they are in the neutral fashion family so they can just about match and go with any outfit.

Asymmetry

Asymmetry is an incredibly important geometric fashion tool to consider when styling a petite figure.

Asymmetric hemlines can make your outfit more visually appealing and create the illusion of a longer silhouette.

A great aspect of asymmetry is that it can be easily adjusted to fit different petite body types using a variety of asymmetric hems.

For instance, someone with a petite frame and short torso may want an asymmetric top, longer on one side than the other to balance out their proportions and elongate the torso.

By playing about with different asymmetric hems you can create new illusions that may lengthen or change your silhouette.

Tailor your Clothes

Though you may find it easier to shop in the petite section of a store, don’t always dismiss the standard sizes.

Even if there is an item of clothing you like that may be too long on the legs or the sleeves are too big, then why not try to alter or tailor the item to fit you?

Key things to look at when planning to alter standard-sizing clothes are material and practicality.

You want to find materials and block colours that will easily allow altering the clothing without losing its shape or pattern.

You can either try to tailor the outfit yourself, go to a professional, or even try a no-sewing tailoring hack that involves simply folding up the long sleeves or trouser legs in.

The Rule of Thirds

Styling a petite frame can sometimes be all about getting the right proportions so following the two-thirds, one-thirds rule can make all the difference.

This rule involves dividing your outfit into thirds and then creating outfits by splitting 1/3rd and 2/3rds of your body to create a dominant vertical line.

For instance, you should have either one or two matching garments that occupy the 2/3rds of your body.

This can include garments that are the same colour or work together to create a dominant colour.

Whereas the 1/3rd of your body left which may be the shoe or upper body area will create the contrast and move away from the dominant colour to create a visually striking look.

Small Accessories

As many fashionistas will know, the right accessories can be the difference between a bland and an elevated outfit.

For a petite figure, it is generally accepted that smaller and simpler accessories work best as they are more proportionate and appealing on the figure.

For instance, a smaller clutch or handbag can often look better on a smaller frame as it creates a well-balanced look.

Whereas a bigger bag may draw attention to how small the petite frame is as opposed to working harmoniously with the rest of the outfit.

Oversized or larger accessories can often overwhelm a smaller frame and may even overpower the entire fashion look as opposed to pairing well with it.

Though it may be a struggle to find the right clothes, inspiration is everywhere.

Celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Alia Bhatt, Kiara Advani, and Suhana Khan all have petite frames.

There are even Instagram pages and businesses like Short Story that specialise in offering petite-friendly styling services.

By applying these petite styling tips to your current wardrobe, you may notice that your style starts to resemble the petite celebrity inspiration you see.

Your clothes must work for you, not the other way around.