How to Choose the Best Silhouette for Petite Women

What Height is Considered Petite?

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.

Which Silhouette is Best Suited for a Petite Figure?

Finding the best silhouette for a petite figure starts with understanding your body shape. Petite women who are 5’3” or under can fall into any of the five common body types: rectangle, hourglass, pear, oval, and inverted triangle.

Here’s a quick guide to the best silhouettes for each body type:

Rectangle

For a straight figure with little waist definition, silhouettes like fit-and-flare, wrap dresses, and belted styles create curves and define the waist. Avoid boxy or overly loose styles that can overwhelm your frame. A belt can help add structure to looser dresses.

Hourglass

If your bust and hips are balanced with a defined waist, silhouettes that emphasize your waist are the most flattering. Opt for fitted dresses, wrap styles, and sheath designs that show off your balanced proportions. Avoid overly voluminous styles that can hide your shape.

Pear (Triangle)

With fuller hips and a smaller bust, look for silhouettes that balance your frame. Fit-and-flare, A-line dresses and styles with puffed or detailed sleeves draw attention upward and create balance. Avoid dresses with heavy volume on the bottom.

Oval (Apple)

If you carry more weight in the midsection, silhouettes that skim the body without clinging work best. Empire waist dresses, which emphasize the area just below the bust, and A-line styles help elongate your frame. Avoid overly tight or clingy fabrics.

Inverted Triangle

For broader shoulders and narrower hips, focus on silhouettes that add volume to the lower half. A-line dresses, skirts with flared bottoms, and styles with minimal detailing on the shoulders are great choices. Steer clear of puff sleeves or other shoulder-heavy details that widen the top half.

What is an S-shaped silhouette?

An S-shaped silhouette is a style that enhances natural curves and creates an hourglass effect. This silhouette typically features a fitted waist, often paired with draping or volume that highlights the bust and hips. 

For petite women, an S-shaped silhouette can be achieved with tailored dresses, wrap styles, or structured fits that define the waist and add curves where needed. This silhouette works beautifully for hourglass and pear body types, but it can also create the illusion of curves for rectangular shapes.

What Dress Silhouette Makes You Look Taller?

For petite women, certain dress silhouettes can create the illusion of height by elongating your frame. 

High-waist styles, like empire waist dresses and high-waisted jumpsuits, are excellent options. These silhouettes raise the waistline, making your legs appear longer. Similarly, bodycon knee-length dresses define the waist and show just the right amount of leg, adding a visual lift to your look.

Using the Rule of Thirds in your outfits can also make a big difference. This styling tip divides your body into visually appealing proportions, with one-third for your top and two-thirds for your bottom. High-waisted dresses and skirts naturally support this rule, creating a balanced look that flatters petite frames.

What is the Most Flattering Silhouette?

The most universally flattering silhouettes for petite women are those that define the waist and balance proportions. Fit-and-flare dresses work beautifully, as they emphasize the smallest part of your body while giving a longer appearance to your legs. 

Wide-leg jumpsuits are another great choice, as the continuous flow of fabric elongates your frame and creates a taller, streamlined look.

Tailoring is key when it comes to flattering silhouettes. Clothes that fit well can make any silhouette work for you. Avoid overly loose or boxy styles that can overwhelm your frame, and instead, opt for tailored pieces that hug and enhance your natural shape.

What Neckline is Best for Petite People?

Low necklines are the best choice for petite people because they create the illusion of a longer neck, which helps elongate the overall look. 

Options like V-necks and sweetheart necklines are particularly flattering. They draw attention upward and add balance to your proportions. Off-the-shoulder and cold-shoulder styles are also great for petite frames, as they add a touch of elegance while enhancing the neckline without overwhelming your frame.

Which Color is Best for a Short Girl?

Monochromatic outfits are one of the best choices for shorter women. Dressing in a single color from head to toe creates a seamless, elongated line, making you appear taller. Darker shades like black, navy, and deep green are especially effective at adding height because they create a slimming and streamlined effect.

For a softer look, lighter shades can also work, especially if you want to emphasize curves. Pastels and neutral tones can add dimension while still maintaining balance. Avoid breaking up your outfit with too many contrasting colors, as this can visually shorten your frame. Instead, stick to coordinated tones that help lengthen your silhouette.

3 Rules To Remember On Choosing What To Wear When You’re Petite

Now that we've tackled all the basics, here's a three-point tip for you to remember when styling yourself as a petite woman:

1. Know Your Shape

Petite women come in all shapes and sizes, so knowing your body shape will help guide your wardrobe decisions. 

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!

Styling Tips For Petite Size Figures

Here’s a quick and easy rundown of the tips we covered in this article, simplified to help you style your petite frame effortlessly:

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 feminine neckline that is generally flattering on shorter women, and it helps create curves for rectangular-shaped body types.

Show off your shoulders! 

Cold-shoulder or off-the-shoulder styles are universally flattering and will work well on petite 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.

Don't shy away from fit & flare dresses.

Fit and flare dresses are flattering on petite-size frames because they showcase 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.