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.
-25%
Michael Kors
Michael Michael Kors Black Polyester Blend Dress
$242.00
$321.00
Balardi
Icone
Womens Belted crossover knit dress Brown
$109.00
Simons
Nike
Dresses
$101.00
Balardi
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).
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.
-6%
Semper
Flared Skirt Grey
$216.00
$229.00
Balardi
-30%
7 For All Mankind
Gonne Neutro-Donna
$170.00
$244.00
Wanan Luxury
-33%
Rotate
Gonne Neutro, Nero-Donna
$176.00
$262.00
Wanan Luxury
-14%
Dunst
Gonne Grigio-Donna
$131.00
$153.00
Wanan Luxury
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.
Icone
Womens Ruffle-trim checked maxi skirt White
$69.00
Simons
-68%
HUGO BOSS
Mini dresses Blue
$134.00
$418.00
Yoox
-65%
Manila Grace
Midi dresses Beige
$116.00
$335.00
Yoox
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.
-23%
Pinko
Pinko Love One Mini Bag Blue
$337.00
$435.00
Balardi
-22%
Pinko
Pinko Mini Half Moon Baguette Leather Bag With Logo Black
$286.00
$369.00
Balardi
-24%
Tory Burch
Tory Burch Miller Mini Leather Camera Bag Black
$429.00
$567.00
Balardi
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.
Entire studios
Bandeau Top White
$164.00
Bernardelli
-30%
Rotate
Top Nero-Donna
$204.00
$293.00
Wanan Luxury
-75%
New Arrivals
Tops
$127.00
$517.00
Yoox
-64%
Low Classic
Tops White
$96.00
$268.00
Yoox
Original text and content: Steph King