Living Large as a Petite Lady

Is it possible for petite ladies to find fashions that flatter? From the diminutive end of the gene pool, let's hear a resounding "Yes!"

Petite apparel has matured in recent years. Shorter women need choose from childish smocks and prissy petticoats no longer! Big-name designers are drawing dresses for smaller-framed women. We can stand up (all 5'3 or less of us) and proudly pick out sophisticated, grown-up styles!

Let's take a tour through the petite department together. (Finally, every major department store has one!) Of course, we will need to try everything on, and we will want to put our favorite tailors on speed-dial.

Find Your Finest Fit.

Tailored shirts and blouses add sophistication to a petite woman's look. Don't tuck them in. Let them drape gently against your frame. Strap a beautiful belt over the top to create and accentuate your feminine shape.

Short, fitted jackets are particularly flattering to petites. Blazers should be hemmed just below the natural waistline. Avoid longer jackets, tunics, and oversized tops, which will shorten your appearance. Skip the shoulder pads, which shrink a shorter woman.

Pick Your Perfect Pants.

High-waisted pants tend to cut us in half, making us appear short-waisted. Choose trousers and jeans with a lower rise to create a longer form. Pleated pants add unwanted girth. Flat-front pants create a slimmer look.

Aim for fit over length. Basically, a petite woman can count on hemming nearly everything she purchases. Pants should fall just over the top of the shoe. Dragging cuffs and hems can make a woman seem shorter than she actually is. (Hint: In the dressing room, fold pant legs up, so you can accurately discern the fit.)

Baggy, saggy cropped pants can look frumpy on a shorter frame. Slim-fitting capris, ending just under the knee, are considerably more flattering.

Petites may be pleased that Bermudas and long walking shorts are back in vogue. Unless you're at the gym, micro shorts are only suitable for really thin, fit ladies.

With shorts or capris, a pair of lovely sandals elongates the legs. Sneakers and athletic socks have the opposite effect.

Dare to Wear Dresses.

Today, the petite woman can choose classic, tailored dresses, suits, and ensembles. Ruffled childish dresses are not her friend. Lovely patterns and textiles are in. Larger designs, such as plaids and florals, may devour her. Sailor and pilgrim collars overwhelm her. Vertical stripes are always helpful for creating the image of height.

Swing in a Sassy Skirt.

Hemlines are all over the place these days! Petites look sweet in long, flowing skirts and tailored knee-length ones too. Billowing ruffles are distracting on a shorter woman, however, and they seem to widen our appearance.

What about miniskirts? Anyone can wear one on the beach. Anywhere else? Let your mirror advise you.

Step Out in Sweet Shoes.

Of course, we can all use a bit of a boost! Pointed toes create the illusion of a longer leg. Sexy stilettos, pretty platforms, and wild wedges are everywhere this year. A hearty heel can raise a petite's stature by three inches or more.

Even sneakers and flip-flops can be found with a generous lift in the soles.

Absolutely Adore Your Accessories!

Want to look grown-up and sophisticated? Classy jewelry is always a great choice. Enormous accessories overwhelm a petite woman. A single outlandish item may be ideal, but several wild pieces at once can spell disaster on a smaller form.

Show Off Your Style!

Petites may be small, but we can pack a power punch, when it comes to fashion. A pixie lady can always play up the cute factor, and we can pull out the trump card for class when we desire to do so. Pull it all together, and pop out with your big smile and grand sense of style!