Here are some petite size characteristics:
You’re 5’ 3” and under.
Your inseam measures 27” or less.
Regular sleeve and strap lengths are often too long for you.
Pockets, shoulders or lengths of dresses or jumpsuits tend to fall in the wrong place.
4 Silhouettes Made For Petite Size Women
Height and proportions have everything to do with determining if you’re a petite woman. Petite size women come in all body shapes and sizes.
Here are some petite size characteristics:
You’re 5’ 3” and under.
Your inseam measures 27” or less.
Regular sleeve and strap lengths are often too long for you.
Pockets, shoulders or lengths of dresses or jumpsuits tend to fall in the wrong place.
Here are some petite size characteristics:
You’re 5’ 3” and under.
Your inseam measures 27” or less.
Regular sleeve and strap lengths are often too long for you.
Pockets, shoulders or lengths of dresses or jumpsuits tend to fall in the wrong place.
3 Rules On Choosing What To Wear When You’re Petite:
#1: Know Your Shape
Petite women come in all shapes and sizes, so knowing your body shape will help guide your wardrobe decisions. (Check out our guide to body shapes!)
#2: Elongate
If you’re 5’ 3” and under, the goal is to always improve your proportion by elongating your body.
#3: Expect Alterations
If you’re not specifically shopping in the petite size section, expect that you’re going to need to alter your clothes. Make friends with a local tailor!
3 rules on choosing what to wear when you’re petite:
Styling Tips For Petite Size Figures:
Use the Rule of Thirds -- The Rule of Thirds states that ⅓ to ⅔ ratio is the most aesthetically pleasing division of space to our eyes. Applying this to how you dress will instantly change the visual proportions of your body and make your body shape look figure flattering!
Choose the right neckline -- Choosing the right neckline can change your -- yup, you guessed it! -- proportion! Lower necklines are more flattering for shorter women. It helps to elongate the neck. Consider the sweetheart neckline of our best selling Grace and Gracie dress. It’s a feminie neckline that is generally flattering on shorter women, as well as helps create curves for rectangular shape body types.
Show off your shoulders! -- Cold-shoulder or off-the-shoulder styles are universally flattering and will work well on petite size women.
Pay attention to your sleeve length -- Sleeves are sometimes an overlooked detail, but are essential for choosing styles that fit your body. Avoid full sleeve lengths that are too long, causing you to look frumpy. Opt for sleeves a bit shorter: like elbow length or raglan sleeves. We recommend our best-selling Sasha Red Floral Knee Length Dress. Sasha’s raglan sleeves are perfect for all petite size women!
High waists are your best friend! -- High-waist dresses, high waisted jumpsuits or any high waisted bottoms are a must-have staple in every petite size woman’s wardrobe. They help support the Rule of Thirds and help create the illusion of a longer bottom half.
Fit & Flare Dresses
Fit and flare dresses are flattering on petite size frames because it showcases the smallest part of a woman’s figure without hugging the legs. This dress style does a beautiful job of adding imagination to how long your legs actually are, giving you a taller appearance.
Karla is wearing the Tonya taupe floral midi dress in a size 4P.
Bodycon, Knee-length Dresses
Bodycon, or otherwise known as form fitting, knee length dresses define your waistline and accentuate your curves. This can be a hard look to achieve for petite size women. But the form fitting dress silhouette makes it an easy look to pull off. Not to mention, the length is figure flattering for short women since it shows some extra leg, adding visual length.
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Karla is wearing the Lisette little black dress in a size 4P.
Empire Waist Dresses
Empire waist dresses have a high waistline, which is placed just below the bust line. Since this silhouette raises the waistline above your natural waist, it elongates the entire lower half of the body, which is very flattering for petite sizes.
Nancy is wearing the Tina Bordeaux cowl neck dress in a size 8P.
Wide-legged Jumpsuits
A solid, women’s petite jumpsuit with a wide leg design is the perfect style jumpsuit for short women. The wide legs elongate the body and the continuous color creates even more of an illusion of height.
Adriana is wearing the Uptown 2.0 jumpsuit in a size 12P.
Shop CA’s Tried & True Petite Styles
Check out some of the tried and true petite size styles below and put together a wardrobe you love, without the frustration.
I am top heavy. I wear 12 Petite bottom and XL top. What size do you suggest? Should I stay with2 piece out fit?