Classic Styling Tips For Petite Girls

Buying clothes and styling outfits can be a bit of a struggle for petite girls. We run the risk of looking drowned in our clothes, or having to go for ill-fitting garments, purely because there isn’t a petite alternative. Trust me, I’ve been through every petite clothing nightmare there is, from having to roll my jeans up a hundred times to incredibly baggy waists, but there’s a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way to help me choose flattering, beautiful pieces that will fit me well and leave me looking fabulous.

OPT FOR HIGH WAISTED GARMENTS

High waisted pieces, whether it’s a skirt or trousers, immediately give the illusion of longer legs and elevated height. I can’t think of anyone who seriously looks good in low-rise pieces, and that statement is even truer for petite women. We need all the help we can get in the leg lengthening department and high waisted garments are an easy place to start.

High waisted jeans are a must if you’re wearing denim, and I also recommend a paper-bag fit for both denim and trousers, as it not only gives the illusion of longer legs, but also pulls in the waist (which is never a bad thing!). For skirts a high waist looks beautiful with midi skirts, or potentially featuring a button or paper-bag waist detail.

BUY WELL FITTING CLOTHES

This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s one that a lot of petite people seem to neglect. Buying well fitting clothes is not only a great way to make sure that your clothes look flattering, but it is also an easy way to make your outfits look much more high-end. If you’re seriously struggling to find clothes that fit another tip I recommend is investing in a sewing machine, or finding a good tailor; this way you can adjust and fix your clothes to be a perfect fit, without the hassle of traipsing around the high street trying a million different things on.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF MIDI SKIRTS

For years I stayed away from midi length skirts and dresses for the fear that they would shrink me down and make me look about 2 foot tall. I presumed that anything that didn’t show off my legs, like a mini skirt does, would make it look like I had incredibly short legs, when in fact it does the opposite.

The fact that the skirt completely covers your legs actually gives the illusion that they’re a lot longer than they truly are, making you look taller. Plus, they’re so cute and classy and they look so beautiful paired with all sorts of blouses, cardigans and camisole tops. In fact, I will now actually reach for a midi skirt over any other style.

WEAR BELTS

This is a tip that I am only really just trying out and it is so helpful if you are petite around the waist, as well as in height. Using a belt draws you in at the waist (obviously) but I’ve found that wearing belts with pieces that don’t necessarily have belt loops, such as dresses, can make the garment look like it’s a perfect fit, even if it is a little too big. The pleats and folds created by the use of the belt also adds the illusion of slightly more shape to the hips, which is a great feature if you’re not very curvy (like me!).

SHOP IN THE CHILDREN/TEEN SECTION

I used to be embarrassed about shopping in the children’s section, but honestly it has been a saving grace time and time again as I’m so petite. It is especially helpful as not only am I petite in height I am also small around my bust, waist and hips, meaning I can usually fit into children’s clothes and some women’s clothes, that are made for people with bigger busts and longer legs, don’t tend to look flattering. From past experience I have found that a women’s size 4 is generally around age 11-12 in children’s sizing; especially in places like New Look, and it increases from there, so a size 6 is age 12-13, a size 8 is 13-14 etc. Obviously this tip is only helpful if you are petite in size as well as height, but I thought I’d include it in this post for all you ladies with a similar body shape to mine!

What is your favourite petite styling tip? Tell me in the comments below!

Love Chloe x