In the video above and post below, I’m sharing ten tips to help you look taller and slimmer if you are petite! These tips can also be used if you’re not petite, and still want to look taller and slimmer!
In the US, you are considered petite if you are 5 feet 4 inches and shorter. I’m 5’4” so I am technically petite, but I don’t wear petite sizes in most things. Sometimes I buy petite jeans and pants, but I rarely buy petite jackets/blazers or blouses. In the video, you can see before and after shots of these tips. I wear the “before” outfits all the time, so these tips are just for a little extra length! Keep scrolling to see my tips and shop the pieces from the video!
Tip #1 | Wear Heels
Seems like a no-brainer right!? Obviously, heels are going to add a lot of height and elongate your body. I know they’re not always the most comfortable, but if you can hack em’, wear em’! They’re so sexy, and feminine. If you wear a pointed-toe heel, it will elongate your body even more. Be sure to also consider the shoe color. Wear a nude or skin color pair of heels with dresses and skirts, or a darker color with dark pants and jeans!
Tip #2 | Monochromatic
This one is commonly known, but with repeating! It doesn’t matter what color you wear, but a monochromatic look always makes you look taller and slimmer! If you don’t like an all-black look, wear navy, red, white, etc.
Tip #3 | Dark Wash, High Waist, Flared Jeans or Pants
The next tip is to wear dark wash, high-rise, flared jeans. When you’re looking for jeans, avoid fading, whiskering, distressing, contrasting stitching, bling on the butt, etc. You want them to be classic and plain! For the rise, look for 8 to 10 inches. The last element is the flared silhouette. These are the most elongating and slimming! A straight leg pant or jean will work too! Add pointed-toe heels to make yourself look even longer!
Tip #4 | Tuck In Your Top
When you tuck your top into your pants or jeans, it creates a waist and makes your legs look a mile long! It depends on your petite body type, but in general, it’s more flattering proportionately to make your legs look longer than your torso. If you can’t tuck in, or you don’t like to, that’s okay…just look for something that hits your hips.
Tip #5 | Vertical Stripes
Next, wear vertical stripes! When you wear vertical stripes you look longer and slimmer! If you can wear some pinstripe wide leg pants (see in video above), even better!
Tip #6 | Long Jackets & Cardigans
Wearing a long cardigan or shirtdress creates the illusion of length. You can see before and after’s in the video above! You’re going to look taller in a long duster cardigan than in a chunky short cardigan.
Tip #7 | Tailoring
When you’re petite, volume proportion is extremely important! When you go oversized, you’ll look like a kid or like you’re wearing your mom’s clothes. So try to wear pieces that are tailored to your body. There’s nothing wrong with wearing oversized, flowy pieces, but a more fitted piece will make you look taller!
Tip #8 | Handbag Size
The size of your handbag is important when you’re on the shorter side. I love my big bags and I have plenty of them! But they can make you look smaller. It’s better to pick handbags that fit your size a little better. Instead of the giant tote, pick a tote that’s more proportionate to your stature.
Tip #9 |Shorter Hemlines
As we get older we don’t want to wear shorter things. But cheating up that hemline will make you look taller. So if you have good legs and you like your legs, wear a shorter hemline! (see shorts suit above for reference)
Tip #10 | Hair Up
This seems like a silly tip but it really works! Wear your hair up! I love the top knot and it’s a super mom-friendly hairstyle. You can watch how to do a top knot in this video.
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Check out this post featuring 40+ style bloggers that are rocking Instagram. Don’t miss the best jeans for curvy women here. And fall fashion trends 2018 here.
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can you suggest a more budget friendly pair of dark, wash highwaisted, flaredjeans and a budget friendly duster/shirt dress. many thanks. i found your tips very useful and hope to incorporate into my fall wardrobe.
How about these? https://rstyle.me/n/c8u3pm58an and Check Boohoo for a duster that is very affordable: https://rstyle.me/n/c8u3xv58an
Are these jeans clasSic that Won’t go out of style? If not, what are goOd options? Thank yoU.