Finding clothes that fit you as a short woman may sometimes feel like a chore rather than an exciting activity. From dozens of “avoid” lists and confusing misconceptions about how to dress for your height, it’s tough.
Balodana has you covered. You may think that you are the only one alone in the struggle. However, according to a 2018 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “the average height among all American women, age 20 and up, is 5 foot 4 inches tall.” With so many fabulous women being short or petite-sized, we decided it was high time to look at how to customize and find clothes that fit you perfectly!
Tops
A cropped look will help you achieve the look of the “rule of thirds”. By having three distinct sections in your outfit, you add the illusion of a couple extra inches or so. Having a garment that goes no lower than your hip bone will elongate your torso and create a more lengthened look.
In addition to cropped tops, look at lighter-colored pieces. Whether you realize it or not, lighter shades actually make more of a style statement.
Looking for more inspiration? Head to the blouses with three-quarter sleeves. Interestingly, this accentuates the length of your arms – drawing them out and making them look longer.
For another elongating look, try an off-the-shoulder top. The style of this opens up the space between your chest and neck, lengthening the effect of the outfit.
One thing to avoid for certain in this area is baggy, shapeless clothing. It causes your body to be hidden away, losing your natural shape, and often ends up having a shortening effect on you. However, if you really like oversized clothing, find a way to create some shape. You could take in the waist, or add a skinny belt to cinch the waist. Just make sure that the garment is not swallowing your entire body.
Pants
With pants and jeans, make sure you go with something high-waisted for a look that will scream “crazy long legs”! It’s definitely a no-brainer for achieving the “rule of thirds” we mentioned earlier and will elongate your waist and legs dramatically. When it comes to other styles of pants, go for a slim or skinny fit. As we talked about before, choosing baggy items will just shorten you and achieve the opposite of what we’re going for. With a tighter fit, you draw your attention more to the length of your legs as opposed to the shortness of it. Another way to draw out your height is with creased pants. The crisp line that trails down the front of the pants on each leg lengthens the silhouette and creates a longer, more flowy look.
Also flowy are flared leg and full-length pants! Flares are back “in”, did you hear?
Skirts
For maximum vertical appeal in skirts, don’t be afraid to go for the misunderstood maxi skirt. There’s a common misconception that maxi skirts only look good on women who are very tall, but that is simply not true. Choosing a solid color or patterned maxi skirt will create the appearance of a long vertical line, lengthening your look. Pair it with a tucked-in or cropped top and your favorite wedges, and head out the door!
Don’t be afraid of short skirts either. With the right options, it will elongate and not shorten your look. Try to choose skirts that end above the knee as knee-length ones will cut you off and make you look shorter than you actually are.
Dresses
Dresses are an easy go-to for work, parties, and special occasions. However, it can be overwhelming when there are so many misconceptions about what a short person can or can’t wear.
One of these misconceptions is about the high-low dress. Initially, it was said that this style only accentuated the legs of someone who is already tall, and just dragged the short person down. In actuality, the layers of the garment create a draped and elongated silhouette – drawing your attention to the beginning of the hemline all the way to the end.
Another inaccurate tradition is about maxi dresses. Just as it was with maxi skirts, the same has been said about maxi dresses. Surprisingly, maxi dresses are one of the most flattering looks out there. Wearing a vertically lined maxi dress will draw attention downward and flatter your naturally short shape.
Key Takeaways
- Make sure that you follow the “rule of thirds” – keeping three distinct sections of your look will elongate the torso and the legs
- Skirts should always be above the knee or full-length. Skirts that end at the knee or the calf will shorten and bunch up your figure.
- Items with vertical lines are essential to a short woman’s wardrobe – everything from pleated pants to vertical lined skirts and dresses, these looks will further accentuate and cater to your natural shape.
The good news is that your shape doesn’t change even if your weight fluctuates. Made-to-measure clothing is specially tailored to your unique measurements. Balodana has a selection of clothing to suit all body shapes and sizes. When ordering custom, your own waist, hip, and bust measurements are factored into the creation of the garment, something that is especially beneficial to curvy bodies. And you can always message our designers to ask for their expert opinions on what customizations you could make to a style to enhance your body shape.
A few recommendations from the Balodana style consultants: For a work outfit that mixes business with pleasure, try the Beige High-Waisted Skirt by Sumissura for the perfect length. You can specify if you want the skirt longer while ordering it, but make sure not to go past your knees! If you’re going for an everyday casual look, look no further than the Touch Me Not Blouse by Samshek. Finally, for a flowy summer look, the Ivory Tower wrap dress by Samshek is a petite must.
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