January 27 2022

How to Dress for Your Petite Figure

5–7 minutes

The struggle is real, my shorties. Learning how to dress for your petite figure is a lifelong process. Friends who can reach the top shelf might suggest simply rolling up cuffs, but—as you know—it’s more than that. Waist placement, shoulder seams, and darting in tops, skirts, and dresses often don’t align properly, leading to a less flattering fit. Standard sizing assumes longer torsos, sleeves, and inseams, leading to clothing that feels oversized or boxy on petite frames. Certain styles like maxi dresses, wide-leg pants, and oversized coats can swamp petite figures.

Paging Armoire stylists! This talented team assists petite women every single day. They know dressing for your figure is all about balance, proportion, and optical illusion. They also know their way around The Big Closet like no other, and—through trial and error—they’ve uncovered a plethora of styles for rent that work beautifully on petite women. We’ll share their expert advice, a tried-and-true collection of winning styles for rent, and some words of wisdom from a couple of longtime Armoire members on the shorter side.

What does petite even mean?

Petite is determined by your height, not your weight. Officially, you are considered petite if:

You are 5’4” or under.
Your pant inseam is 27” or under for full-length pants.

If neither of those are true, you may still find petite sizing is best for you if:

You notice clothes in standard sizes seem extra baggy or have excess fabric.
You notice that sleeves are too long or the shoulders drop too low.

How to dress for your petite figure, according to our stylists

Knowing your body shape is essential. Different cuts, silhouettes, and styles look different on different bodies. Finding your body type is step one in finding out how to dress your petite figure. If you need help figuring out how to determine your body shape, click here.
To expand your options, know how to find petite-friendly styles in non-petite sizes. There are many that will flatter your petite figure, giving you the variety you want in fits that makes you feel great.
- If you have a shorter torso, crop tops provide a great fit.
- Try ankle-length pants to avoid hemming.
- Skirts provide more flexibility in length than pants; mini skirts will fall slightly above your knee, and midi skirts will be maxi length.
- Avoid maxi-length items unless specifically made for petite women.
- Wrap-style pieces will define your waist and bring shape to your silhouette.
- High-rise or mid-rise pants/skirts will raise your waistline and balance your proportions.
- Off-the-shoulder necklines elongate your neck/top.

Look for lighter shades. Dark colors minimize the body and hide your shape. When wearing dark colors, pay attention to the overall silhouette and what you are pairing with them.

Choose the right accessories for an optical illusion that balances proportions. Try these stylist tricks:
- Tuck in the bottom of your top into the underwire of your bra to shorten the length.
- Wear pointed toe shoes to lengthen the body.
- Match your shoes to your pants.
- Belt dresses and tops to shape your frame.
- Pair nude heels with high-waisted skirts.

Look for these helpful features in your outfits:
- Vertical lines, including those created by pleats, and vertically striped fabrics
- Monochromatic color schemes
- High-low silhouettes in dresses and skirts
- Smaller prints and patterns

How to dress for your petite figure, according to our members

As a former TV news reporter, Elysia (aka @elysiareports) noticed that many people on television opt for wearing one solid color, usually dresses. While the continuity of color elongates your body and looks great on camera, she now gravitates toward patterns and florals simply because they make her happy. “Looking great is mostly about wearing what makes you happy anyway. Confidence looks great on any body type.”

Elysia’s Tips & Tricks:

Rule of thirds: In photography, you try to place your subject in the left, right, top, or bottom third of a photo for the best composition. This works for outfits as well, especially on petite frames. For example, if you have a longer skirt, tuck in your top or choose a cropped shirt to visually divide your body into thirds instead of down the middle. Also, you can balance tighter pants with looser, longer tops and vice versa.
Accent where your body naturally tapers: Show off your neckline and ankles or add a belt to show off your waist.

Jewel (aka @rentedthriftedreal) has been renting from Armoire since December 2020 and has been obsessed with our unlimited plan to venture into new styles, and venture she has. You can find great inspiration on how to dress your petite figure on her Armoire community profile.

Jewel’s Tips & Tricks:

Tailoring is everything: When you’re working with a petite frame, certain cuts can overwhelm your body so I always opt for tailored pieces. Choose blazers, corseted tops, and structured skirts to ensure the silhouette is streamlined and proportional. Pick pieces that skim the body without a lot of fabric or layers because, on a petite figure, even a centimeter can make a world of difference.
Empire waist FTW: One of my favorite fashion tricks is wearing a midi dress with an empire waist. My faves are from Tanya Taylor and Lilly Pulitzer. The elongated skirt makes you appear taller and it’s super comfy to boot.
Nude heels, nude heels, nude heels: I swear by nude heels with everything. Whether you’re wearing Armoire’s best casual pants or renting a party dress, a nude shoe can give the illusion of extra length. It brings the eye upward and, if you opt to wear a heel, you can give yourself a few extra inches. Not into heels? Flats will give a similar effect. Just make sure the color matches your skin tone.

We invite you to explore our stylists’ favorite petite-friendly pieces. Ultimately, however, your personal style comes down to personal taste, so while these styles may be petite-friendly, you’re the best judge of what clothes will make you look and feel most powerful and confident.