Petite Fashion

Dressing Petite Figures

Petite fashion is not about what pieces you buy, more about how you choose to wear them, and how you style them. Accessories and shoes can make or break an outfit.

Be experimental with mixing together retro vintage items with highstreet petite ranges. Try new things, and look for inspiration in movies.

Magdalena of Just Another Day has a great awareness of her body, and what she will look like in different sorts of outfits. This combination (right) shows off her tiny waist, and elongates her legs. It gives her an hourglass figure, and a classic beauty.

Audrey Style

Audrey Hepburn is a great source of style guidance for petite women. She was effortless in her simple, chic look, that was never complicated or overdone. She believed that everyone could copy her look:

"My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses.” AH

 And it is potentially true. Her look is easy to replicate, although her grace and charm are not! High necked, sleeveless shift dresses were her staple item. And she always wore her hair in an elegant updo, which emphasized the length of her neck. Hats, jewellery and gloves were her staple accessories. And 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' saw the invention of the classics: the little black dress and the straight leg jeans.

 Most of all, Audrey should remind every petite woman that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed, and that to feel fabulous you must know you look gorgeous.

Petite Fashion Style Advice

Play with lines and shapes. Fill your wardrobe with waist belts and high waisted jeans. Accentuate your figure, to make it look longer and curvier, add a hat for height or an embellished/ruffled dress.

To really work out what suits you, ask a friend to take photos of you in most of the items in your wardrobe, or as you are out shopping. Then wait a week, look at the photos, and decide which makes you look taller and more in proportion.

Practice walking in your high heels. And buy shoes with a secret platform, to elevate you even further. Try different types of heels and buy trousers and jeans to fit them, rather than your actual leg length: you can always fold them up when you need to wear flats.

Block Colors

Most style advisors will tell you to wear one colour, as this will make your figure seem more fluid. And longer. It might be more effective to wear tonal colours instead on a day to day basis. Highlight your smaller area with the lighter color and make your larger half disappear with darker colours.

For petite evening dresses, pick block colours, but don't always choose a little black dress. Find a color that suits you, and buy a few items in different shades and fabrics. Wear them with pride and confidence.