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.
-40%
Self Portrait
Bow lace linen and cotton midi dress Red
£249.00
£415.00
Mytheresa
Fat Face
FatFace Isla Indigo Blue Regular Velvet Midi Dress
£72.00
FatFace
-40%
Rotate
Jacquard midi dress Blue
£201.00
£335.00
Mytheresa
-64%
AllSaints
Womens Cotton Ode Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, Size: UK 10/US 6 Green
£47.00
£129.00
AllSaints
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).
-30%
Max Mara
Pegno jersey cropped pants Grey
£245.00
£350.00
Mytheresa
-18%
Dondup
Cropped Trousers, female, Brown, W30, Velvet Cropped Trousers with Jewel Buttons
£183.75
£225.33
Miinto
-50%
Veronica Beard
Arte cropped wool-blend slim pants Blue
£200.00
£400.00
Mytheresa
-60%
Pamela Henson
BOTTOMWEAR - Trousers on YOOX.COM White
£91.00
£228.00
Yoox.com
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.
Roman
Elastic Waist Check Print Stretch Skirt Grey
£26.00
Roman
-75%
Woolrich
Cotton Poplin Flared Skirt with Elastic Waist size Xs
£32.61
£130.44
GLAMOOD
Roman
A-Line Pull On Stretch Skirt Black
£32.00
Roman
-13%
Ralph Lauren
SATIN CREPE A-LINE SKIRT Black
£199.00
£229.00
Yoox.com
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
Polyester Rayanna Pleated Midi Dress, Size: UK 14/US 10 Gold
£199.00
AllSaints
DUSK
Frill Maxi Dress Blue
£50.00
Roman
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.
Ganni
Mini Hobo Bag Rose
£395.00
Labels
-40%
Sandro
Fringed suede TANGOSO bag Brown
£215.40
£359.00
Sandro
-40%
The Cambridge Satchel Company
The Mini Daisy - Crimson
£84.00
£140.00
Cambridge Satchel
-37%
Kate Spade New York
Charmed Nano Carryall Bag Charm Red
£60.00
£95.00
Kate Spade New York
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.
-40%
Faithfull The Brand
Strapless linen top Black
£87.00
£145.00
Mytheresa
-20%
Self Portrait
Sleeveless Tops, female, Black, S, Beaded Bow Bandeau Top
£229.68
£287.10
Miinto
-30%
Staud
Atticus bow-detail strapless top Black
£119.00
£170.00
Mytheresa
-58%
Alysi
CHOCOLAT Black
£72.00
£173.00
Yoox.com
Original text and content: Steph King