By Majesty Acheampong
The term “petite” refers to women who are 5’4 and under. I fall into this category because I am a fierce 4’11 and 3/4ths…yes, every quarter inch counts (lol). Although, I wrote this post to help out my fellow petite sistas, these styling tips are helpful for anyone who wants to be mindful of proportions and overall fit. Here are three tips that I’ve learned over the years that have helped me pick the right looks for my height.
- Get Alterations: Get a tailor to customize your proportions and length appropriately. Even petite cut clothing can have an improper fit depending on your shape and size. When I purchased the jumpsuit featured in todays post, it was way too long for me, but I still purchased it anyway, because it was way too cute to pass up over length. I took it to a tailor who adjusted my shoulder straps and hemmed my pant legs, and viola, a perfectly fitted jumpsuit. Don’t miss out on great jumpsuits and maxi dresses just because they are too long.
- Go Long with Vertical Lines: Stripes elongate your silhouette. This jumpsuit makes me look way taller than I actually am because vertical lines have a lengthening effect. If you are petite, opt to wear striped blouses, striped dresses, jumpsuits and pants to look leaner and taller.
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Shop Brands That Carry Petite Fits: Shopping for the right fit is important. Petite clothes not only comes in a shorter length, but it also has shorter sleeves and torso. Asos, Missguided, Express, Banana Republic, Loft, and Topshop are some of my favorite stores that carry on trend petite clothing. Also, most department stores like JC Penney, Macy’s and Nordstrom have specialized departments designated for petites.