The petite girl’s guide to style, according to short celebrities
When you’re petite, shopping for clothing can be a minefield. With conflicting information about the best cuts and styles to suit your—no offence—shorter frame, it’s easy to end up right where you began: unsure.
Well, fear not: we’ve rounded up six short celebrities who’ve nailed petite style. Here are their guidelines.
It’s time to bust the myth that petite women shouldn’t wear midi dresses! As Salma Hayek exemplifies, a dress that stops above the calves will elongate your legs rather than shorten them, giving the illusion of being taller. Mini dresses above the knee are another great option.
Vince Camuto
Ruffle Midi Dress Black
$69.99
Rue La La
Bl^nk London
Elainne Halter Midi Dress
$178.00
Anthropologie
Anne Klein
Draped Midi Dress Black
$43.00
Rue La La
-26%
Bl^nk London
Ferlina Long-Sleeve Midi Shirt Dress Black
$109.95
$148.00
Anthropologie
Finding cropped trousers when petite might feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but it’s absolutely worth it. Ankle-grazing, slim, and high-waisted silhouettes are the most flattering for petite women–as exemplified by Zoë Kravitz–as they elongate the legs and make you appear taller. The newly-trendy capris are also a good option (if you dare).
Vince Camuto
Cropped Pant Red
$59.99
Rue La La
-60%
Veronica Beard
Arte Cropped Pants Green
$159.20
$398.00
Neiman Marcus
Lafayette 148 New York
Murray Cropped Pant Brown
$119.99
Rue La La
3. Jenna Ortega's maxi skirt
Just like with dresses, petite women shouldn’t think long skirts are off the table. Maxi skirts definitely can (and should!) be a part of your petite wardrobe: follow Jenna Ortega’s example and go for a skirt with a very defined shape, or with an A-line silhouette. Generally speaking, try to stay away from skirts with too much fabric; those might drown you.
-30%
Nordstrom
Cotton & Cashmere A-Line Midi Sweater Skirt in Grey Agate at Nordstrom, Size Xx-Small Gray
$118.30
$169.00
Nordstrom
Alexia Admor
Ilana A-line Skirt Blue
$49.99
Rue La La
Vince Camuto
A-Line Long Skirt Blue
$49.99
Rue La La
Diagonal lines infuse a garment with dynamic energy, creating a sense of movement and distracting the viewer from any feature you might wish to hide. When it comes to petite frames, diagonal lines (like Sabrina Carpenter’s asymmetrical dress) help create the illusion of height.
AllSaints
Jax Pleated Midi Skirt Gold
$249.00
AllSaints
-20%
BHLDN
Gaia Asymmetric Ruffled Maxi Dress
$238.40
$298.00
Anthropologie
AllSaints
Pia Satin Asymmetric Maxi Skirt Black
$159.00
AllSaints
Donna Ricco
Printed Techno Scuba Sheath Dress Black
$50.99
Rue La La
5. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's proportional accessories
At 5'0 and 5'1, respectively, Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen are among a legion of stylish, petite celebrities.
Accessories are often overlooked when thinking about the proportions of an outfit, but they’re a key component that shouldn’t be ignored. Take inspo from the ever-so-stylish Olsen twins and try going for accessories proportionate to your frame, like small bags. Avoid belts, bags, scarves, and jewellery that are overtly chunky or oversized.
-33%
AllSaints
Vega Suede Mini Bag Brown
$200.00
$299.00
AllSaints
Polo Ralph Lauren
Mini Suede Shoulder Bag in Clay at Nordstrom
$498.00
Nordstrom
-33%
AllSaints
Madea Mini Leather Clutch Bag Black
$220.00
$329.00
AllSaints
6. Kim Kardashian's strapless top
When you’re on the shorter side, showing off your shoulders can actually help you appear taller! A cold-shoulders design and Kim Kardashian’s heart-shaped corset top draw the viewer’s attention upwards, thus making you look taller than you are.
L*Space
Tessa Linen Strapless Open-Back Top White
$139.00
Anthropologie
Body Beautiful
Seamless Strapless Full Body Slip Black
$29.99
Rue La La
-39%
Maeve
Strapless Foldover Top Blue
$59.95
$98.00
Anthropologie
Joe's
The Lara Strapless Top Black
$67.99
Rue La La
Original text and content: Steph King
