I came across this video I wanted to share about accessorizing for petite women.
The basic idea is that if you’re little then you need little accessories. The video shows how to choose what will work best.
So what if you’re petite but not necessarily little? You need to balance your frame. Bigger girls can wear bigger accessories so experiment with what works for your size.
Keep in mind if you’re petite you have two main goals – 1) elongate your frame and 2) keep things simple.
Lisa
Comments (0) Posted on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
One of the things that I’ve found to be really important is to keep an eye on what other people are wearing and when I see something that I like I steal it. One of my favorite casual outfits to wear was inspired by a picture I once saw of Uma Thurman. Not that I look like Uma Thurman in any way shape or form; in fact it’s pretty safe to say I’m the anti-Uma. The point is take inspiration from every where and then adapt.
The is a casual but classy look that America Ferrera seems to be fond of, probably because it’s simple but elegant.
Why It Works?
America is an hourglass shape and is curvy, well, curvier than most actresses. She’s also short. Overall her goal will be to work with her curves without over emphasizing them and create the illusion of length in her legs. And, like all curvy women, and petite women for that matter, she needs to keep it simple.
SHOES
A curvy lady needs a curvy shoe; in this case the peep-toe is perfect to complement America’s body shape. Note that there are no straps around her ankle or over her foot which would breakup the lengthening line of the shoe.
Petite ladies need to be careful with heels. Certainly opt or a heel, even select flats with a little lift to help extend the length of your leg but keep a heel small and in proportion with your stature or you can look off-balance.
Steve Madden Tetra Pump $38.47 from Endless.com.
PANTS
To give the illusion of being taller it’s important to elongate the leg. This has been achieved here with use of a belt sitting higher than America’s natural waist. Combined with the skinny leg jeans it makes her legs look longer than they really are and America tall and lean.
The dark wash of the jeans does a good job of camouflaging that America’s thighs are curvy. Notice how the dark blue does a better job than the black. I wouldn’t recommend straight leg jeans for anyone with larger thighs; rather opt for a wide leg but go with the darker wash.
Silver Sienna Straight Leg Jeans $75-00 fromJbandme.com.
Belt
It’s usually not a good idea for petite women to wear a belt as it breaks up the line of the body. In this case it works because it actually helps elongate.
A thin belt is better for curvy women although be careful if you’re extra curvy as it can give the impression of a loaf of bread squished in the middle.
Matching the belt to the shoes gives a polished look.
Merona Skinny Belt $19.99 from Amazon.com.
Top
This V neck top draws our eyes up to America’s gorgeous face and also gives the illusion of slenderness by dissecting the body.
The top is voluminous which disguises any lumps and bumps and the belt cinches in the waist giving an hourglass look.
Notice where the hem of the shirt hits America’s waist. She looks slimmer on the left and this is a combination of the wash on the pants and the place the top finishes. The eye is drawn where the fabric ends and on the left that is slightly lower and flows more smoothly into the pants. The way the hem curves also complements her shape and gives the illusion of slenderness. But beware; the outfit on the right probably looks better from the back as it will showcase the curve of her bottom which will be disguised by the shirt on the left. It’s all a matter of which part you want to show and which you want to conceal.
Where the sleeves finish is also helps each outfit. On the left the eyes are drawn again to the hem of her shirt which helps the eye flow downwards and contributes to the slimmer image. On the right the sleeves finish at her waist again emphasizing that hourglass look.
This is a style that will work for, obviously, anyone petite and curvy. It will work for the taller and curvy as well but watch the placement of the belt as you could end up looking freakishly long legged.
If you’re very curvy then try matching the belt to the shirt – it will still define your waist but be more slimming as well.
It will work for someone with a little extra in the middle as the voluminous shirt can hide a multiple of sins, however opt for a bootleg or slightly flared jeans instead.
If you’re a rectangle go for a wider belt.
AVOID if you have big breasts or you’re pear shaped. There are better options.
Jennifer Love Hewitt in a casual yet feminine outfit on the 4th of July. The wide legged jeans are baggy and do a good job of distracting from the width of her hips and any saddlebags while the extra length covers her heels and makes her legs appear longer than they really are. The tiered top is ultra feminine, which perfectly reflects Jennifer’s style and it resists crossing over into girly territory with it’s simpleness. With a u shape neckline it opens up her chest drawing attention to her face which is great for Jennifer as shes quite .. um stacked. The sleeveless top keeps the eye very much centered on her top half.
On the downside this outfit could easily cross the line into frumpy without the right hair, jewellrey and makeup, or flat shoes with those ultra baggy pants. The layers could easily overwhelm such a small frame. but the length on the pants, combined with the heels gives Jennifer the extra height to make here whole body look longer.
This is a great casual outfit but could easily be turned into something a little more dressy with a different top and shoes.
Ok, there’s no other way to say it, you’re short. Basically if you’re under 5’4” then you’re petite. Finding clothes can be a challenge akin to scaling Everest, particularly if you want to avoid looking like a little girl, or worse, a little old lady. Keep these tips in mind on your quest:
Less is more: no fuss, no clutter, keep it simple.
Your clothes must fit – nothing baggy! Baggy clothes make you look wider, then you look shorter.
Show lots of leg, it will make you look taller.
Choose trousers that lengthen your legs and make you look taller – wear your hemline to the floor and your waistband slightly higher.
Go for soft draping fabrics like wool.
No pleats, pockets, detailing, cropped pants or turn-ups. They will all distract from the lines and make you look shorter.
Avoid blocky patterns and jumbles of color. Opt for very small prints or better yet a bright color.
Straight cut jeans are the best. Avoid wide leg, boot-cut or anything fussy as they will just add width and make you look shorter.
Tuck your top into your jeans or wear it just hitting the waist to elongate your frame. Skip belts because they will simply break up the line of your body making you appear shorter.
Dresses are the best choice for you, preferably in one color from shoulder to knee.
Avoid two tone dresses as they cut up your body and make you look shorter.
A sheath dress or slip dress is ideal.
Try to avoid high necklines though or it’ll look like the dress is wearing you.
Empire lines are great as they’ll bring the focus to your legs making your look taller. Go as high as you dare with hemlines.
A slim pencil skirt is perfect for you. A higher waisted skirt will also make your body look longer and taller.
An A-line will make you look wider, hence shorter.
Vertical pleating or seaming on a dress or skirt will draw the eye down and make you look taller.
Keep tops simple, simple, simple.
A one color v-neck knit will look great. Avoid layering if you can help it as it’s will add width and make you look shorter.
Jackets should be tailored with a waist slightly higher than your actual line and finishing on top of your hip to make you look longer.
Narrow pinstripes are great for elongating your body.
Keep sleeves thin to keep your width as narrow as possible.
Boots are not a good idea as they cut your leg and make you look shorter.
So will ankle straps. A pointy toe cut away arch gives maximum leg exposure.
Proportion is key – keep your bags and heels a size that flatters rather than overwhelms your small frame.
The same with accessories – they’re meant to highlight not overwhelm.
WARDROBE IDEAS
Your best look is always going to be dresses; something that A simple sheath dress in one color is perfect for you. Wear it with your favorite heels to spice it up and you’ll look leggy and fabulous.
Usually it’s best to avoid a belt, or anything that will detract from your overall shape and cut your body and spoil the long lovely lines we’re trying to create. If the belt is the same color as the dress then it will give you a little more definition at your waist.
Go for casual chic for daytime wear.
A high waisted pencil skirt in a neutral shade will be great because you can pair it with your favorite top. The higher waist makes your body look longer and you taller.
