Five Figure-Flattering Fashion Tips for Petite Women

There are a variety of fashion tips to make petite women look their best. Petite women are ladies under 5'4" in height. If you fall in the petite category, you may be surprised to learn you might be breaking some fashion rules. No need to worry, this article includes five fashion tips for petite, short women.

Here are five flattering fashion tips for petite women:

Wear high heels. Petite women should wear heels. The height of the heels you wear depends on you, but any heel will add height to your overall appearance giving you a taller look. Pick a pair of heels you're comfortable with wearing. If you can stand very high heels, more power to you. Consider shows with open and pointed heels because these style shoes give the appearance of length and an elongated body.

Wear knee-length skirts. Petite women should wear knee-length skirts. Longer skirts are not flattering on short women. This is because longer skirts make petite women appear even shorter by drawing more attention to your height in contrast to the long skirt. By showing your legs in a knee-length skirt, this gives the appearance of a longer body overall.

Avoid horizontal lines and large prints. Petite women should avoid garments with horizontal lines or large prints. The horizontal prints give a wider illusion thus creating a shorter, stumpy appearance no matter your size. Large prints tend to be overwhelming for petite, short women, so avoid large and busy prints on your shirts, blouses and dresses. Instead petite women should go for solid colors and smaller print patterned garments.

Wear pencil skirts. Petite, short women should wear pencil skirts. Pencil skirts fall along the natural line of your body so they're going to compliment your curves. Pencil skirts give the illusion of length you'll want to make you look taller if you're a petite woman. Remember to keep your pencil skirt to knee-length or higher.

Avoid cuffing jeans and pants. Petite women shouldn't cuff their pants or jeans. Cuffed jeans or slacks make it obvious that the pants you've purchased are too long and draw attention to your short height. Instead, short women should purchase a pair of well-fitting petite jeans. If the jeans you purchase are still too long for your short legs, take the pants to a tailor to have the pants shortened. The tailor can shorten the pants to fall at the proper length.