Fashion Pitfalls For Petite Women Over 50 and Ways To Avoid Them

Some may argue that I am not a true petite, but at 5’4″, I’m on the cusp of most brands’ petite sizing, and I struggle with clothes being the wrong proportion. all. the. time. I’m going to preface this post by saying that personal style is a choice, and you should wear what makes you feel most confident. There are no rules for how to style your outfits, but these tools may help you to zero in on what feels and looks best on you. Here are a few fashion pitfalls petite women make and how to avoid them.

Tailoring

Don’t neglect tailoring. You can’t assume that simply hemming a garment will fix all the issues it may have. Petite garments have shallower armholes and often a slightly lower rise. The proportion of the sleeve and leg are also smaller in well-made petite garments. Off-the-rack clothes are always improved by some subtle alterations.

Accessories

Wearing overly chunky accessories and/or too many at one time. I love a wide belt just as much as other women, but a narrower belt is a more flattering option for me. Bold statement earrings are lots of fun and may be best worn without an oversized necklace.

Hemline

Be mindful of skirt lengths. Midi-length skirts and dresses come in and out of popularity on a regular basis. These can be especially challenging for petite ladies because they often fall at the widest part of the calf This makes your legs appear shorter and stubbier…much like standard Capri pants. Some maxi dresses can have an elongating effect because they show an unbroken line. Hemlines are often most flattering on a petite lady when they end near the knee.

Layers

Layering pieces in our outfits adds dimension and interest, but excessive layering can add bulk and shorten the look of your silhouette. Choose lightweight, drapey fabrics, and pay attention to the proportions. Wear stiff, heavy, and bulky fabrics in moderation.

Prints

Prints naturally draw the eye and can make an area look larger or smaller. A pattern on the top draws the eye up, which makes you look taller. Patterns on the lower half can make your legs look shorter. Solid color layers help break up an all-over print.

BTW…Here are some great places to shop for petite women’s fashion.

Best Patterns for Petite Women

• Smaller, more delicate patterns are more flattering than large or bold prints on a petite frame. Large-scale, overly long patterns can easily overwhelm petite women, which makes you appear shorter. Conversely, wearing all small prints can look dated, so add some bold touches to keep your look modern.
• Vertical stripes and patterns draw the eye up and down, which helps to elongate your silhouette. Think pinstripes or patterns with a vertical orientation.
• Monochromatic patterns in varying shades of the same colorway are also a great choice because they create an elongating and cohesive look.
• Asymmetrical patterns add interest and can help you look taller when placed strategically.
• If you love a specific large pattern, consider breaking it up visually with some layers or solid color accessories.

Best Proportions for a Petite Frame

Petite clothing is scaled to work on a smaller woman. An entire outfit of oversized clothing can easily overwhelm a small frame and make you look wider.

• Pair one oversized piece with a fitted garment on the other half of your body, like an oversized sweater worn with slim jeans and smallish accessories.
• Choose styles with some tailoring or structure. Shapeless clothing hides your figure and will add visual weight to your frame. Try adding a belt, experiment with fabrics with stretch, and look for pieces with gentle shaping through the torso.
• Wide leg pants have been trending for several years, but they can be a challenge for short women. Create the illusion of long legs by wearing these at or just above your natural waistline.  It goes without saying that low rise pants will make your legs look shorter.

I choose to ignore many of these tips because I love long skirts, I seldom wear prints and I love the drama of oversized pieces. Knowing these rule/tools allows you to break them at will 🙂

What other tips can you add to this list?