When it comes to height, not all women are the same. You're considered "petite" if you're under 1.60 m, and more specifically around 1.55 m. In this case, finding and selecting the right clothes can sometimes feel like a real puzzle.
How should you dress when you're a petite woman? Which types of clothing should you choose? And on the other hand, which pieces are best to avoid when you're petite?
Our tips for building a stylish wardrobe tailored to your height.
The Golden Rule: Elongate Your Legs!
Dressing as a petite woman isn't about restrictions—it's about knowing the right visual tricks that will enhance your figure with every outfit... and learning how to elongate your silhouette, if that's your wish, according to your body shape.
Good to know: Elora trains its Fashion Consultants in personal styling, so you can enjoy their expertise for free during a private fashion session.
The most powerful trick to look taller is... to create the illusion of longer legs.
High Waist
This is your best friend! High-waisted jeans, pants, skirts, and shorts are absolutely essential. By placing the waistband at the narrowest part of your waist, you visually raise the starting point of your legs. Tuck in your tops every time.
Pant Cuts
Choose pant cuts that fall smoothly, without breaking: Slim, Straight, Cigarette, or Flare/Bootcut (slightly flared from the knee).
If you go for wide-leg pants, make sure they're high-waisted and the hem just grazes the floor (wearing heels or thick-soled shoes underneath for maximum lengthening effect).
Cropped pants (that cut off at the calf) can also shorten your silhouette. Choose 7/8 length or carrot pants, which subtly reveal the ankle.
And feel free to share these tips with your partner if he wants to look taller than he really is... It works for men too! If he's still unsure, join him for a shopping session in the Elora Men's Collection.
Visual details
- The perfect hem: Avoid pants that are too long and bunch up over your shoes, as this shortens your silhouette. In general, never hesitate to have your hems adjusted so your clothes fall perfectly.
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Fine Seams: Look for clothes with details (zippers, seams, trims) that create vertical lines on the fabric. These subtle touches help elongate your figure.
Short dresses, skirts, and shorts
Discover all the possibilities Elora has in store for you... A mini skirt or a short dress (above the knee) shows more skin, creating the illusion of longer legs. They're perfect for you!
2. Create Vertical Lines on the Upper Body
- Necklines: The V-neck or wrap neckline are ideal. They open up the neck and chest, adding a flattering vertical line to your upper body.
- Stripes: Go for fine, vertical stripes. This is a well-known style tip to add height and slim a rounder figure.
- Jackets and Coats: Opt for short jackets (cropped blazer, biker jacket) that stop at the waist, or long coats worn open. An open coat creates two vertical lines of fabric that frame the body and give a lengthening effect.
- The Total Look: A monochrome or soft color gradient outfit creates a single continuous line from head to toe, instantly elongating your figure. That's the secret of jumpsuits, which are excellent pieces for petite women!
- Accessories: A long necklace or a thin scarf worn vertically draws the eye downward, enhancing the lengthening effect.
3. Balancing proportions, volumes, and cuts
Balance is essential to avoid looking "drowned" in fabric.
Avoid pieces that are too wide
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Be careful with oversized clothing or fabrics that are too thick and puffy.
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To avoid, unless they're belted or well-structured.
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They can make you disappear in the volume.
Play with contrasts
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If you're wearing a loose or wide piece on the bottom (e.g., high-waisted wide-leg jeans), balance it with a fitted or tucked-in top.
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If you're wearing an oversized sweater, tuck it in at the front and pair it with slim or straight bottoms.
The proportion of accessories
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An oversized XXL handbag can overwhelm your silhouette.
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Choose bags that are proportionate to your size (medium or small crossbody bags).
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For jewelry, opt for delicate pieces.
How to choose your dresses?
Dresses are perfect for petite figures: they create a vertical line, naturally elongating your silhouette (especially if they're solid or monochrome).
Short dresses
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Ideal if you want to maximize the visible length of your legs.
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Choose a length that falls above the knee.
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Straight or slightly flared (A-line) cuts that highlight the waist are very flattering.
Fitted dresses / Empire waist
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Perfect for defining your shape and elongating your lower body.
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The Empire waist style (where the waist is marked just below the bust) gives the illusion of endless legs.
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The wrap dress is also a safe bet.
Shirt dresses
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Ideal if you're looking for verticality.
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Buttoning all the way down creates a strong vertical visual line.
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Wear it fitted, with a slim belt and slightly open for a relaxed look.
Long dresses (maxi)
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Perfect for staying on trend while remaining elegant.
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Make sure the dress is truly high-waisted.
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Opt for a fluid fabric that falls straight and a cut that grazes the floor, worn with heeled shoes (even small ones).
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Styles with a side slit are excellent for adding verticality.
To avoid
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Dresses that are too puffy, too flowy, or shapeless tunic dresses.
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They completely hide the waist and visually cut the legs.
Shoes: Your Allies for Added Height
It's good to remember that shoes are the ultimate accessory for elongation, depending on their style.
Elegant from head to toe!
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Tip: Keep a color flow between your legs and your shoes. If you're wearing black tights, go for black shoes. If your legs are bare, choose nude shoes (close to your skin tone) to extend your leg without interruption.
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The Nude Line: Shoes in nude, camel, or beige shades that are close to your skin tone are perfect. With no visual break, they extend your leg all the way to the tip of your foot.
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The Pointed Toe: Remember, a pointed toe—even on a ballet flat or a sandal—is a powerful detail that "elongates" the leg.
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Bottom/Shoe Harmony: Choose tights in the same color as your shoes, or boots that match your pants. The less contrast there is at the bottom, the longer your legs will appear.
- Heels
Spotlight on accessories
Accessories are incredibly powerful tools to perfect your outfit and influence how your silhouette is perceived. When you're petite, choosing the right accessories helps create a lengthening effect and prevents you from being "overpowered" by pieces that are too bulky.
Here are the best strategies for bags, jewelry, and other details:
Bags: Proportion and Placement
The size of your bag is essential to keep your silhouette balanced.
Jewelry: Creating Verticality
Jewelry is perfect for lengthening the upper body—if chosen wisely.
Belts and Scarves: Add Flow to Your Outfits!
These accessories help structure and shape your silhouette!
Belts
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Use them to highlight your high waist.
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For a streamlined silhouette, go for slim belts rather than very wide ones.
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Ideally, choose a belt in the same color as your bottoms (pants or skirt) to avoid any visual break.
Scarves and Shawls
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Avoid bulky scarves tied tightly around the neck, as they visually shorten the neck and can broaden the shoulders.
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Opt for fluid scarves or silk squares worn vertically.
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Let them hang or tie them loosely in a "V" shape.
In short, the goal is to choose accessories proportional to your size and favor those that create vertical lines or clearly define a high waist.
Finishes and Colors
Every detail matters! Another example: Colors and prints play a major role, either elongating or, on the contrary, shortening your silhouette. The idea is to use these elements to create vertical lines.
Here's how to use them smartly when you're petite: focus on Unity and Continuity
The main goal with colors is to avoid breaking up your silhouette too sharply.
The Monochrome Look (Your Best Ally)
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Principle: Wear clothes in a single color or in very similar shades from top to bottom (the famous tonal look).
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Why? This creates a continuous, uninterrupted visual line, guiding the eye from top to bottom and instantly elongating your silhouette.
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How? A solid dress, navy jeans with a sky blue sweater, or black pants with a charcoal gray top. This works with all colors, from classic black to vibrant shades, depending on the trends and your mood.
Avoid Strong Contrasts
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Principle: Limit the use of a very light color with a very dark color at the waistline.
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Why? A strong contrast (for example, a white top with black pants) cuts the silhouette in two. The eye stops abruptly at the dividing line, which emphasizes a petite frame. If you do this, make sure the darker color is on the bottom and your bottoms are high-waisted.
Prints: Size and Orientation
The rule is simple: patterns should stay reasonably proportioned and encourage verticality.
1. The Size of Patterns
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Choose small prints: Subtle patterns (tiny flowers, fine polka dots, micro-geometrics) are your best friends. They add interest without overpowering your silhouette.
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Avoid XXL patterns: Very large, wide, or bold prints (big flowers, giant checks) can overwhelm and weigh down a petite woman. They might even "steal the spotlight" by being too dominant.
2. The Power of Vertical Stripes
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Vertical Stripes: This is the magic print for adding height. Whether on a blouse, pants, or a dress, they draw the eye upward and create an elongated and refined look.
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Horizontal Stripes: They tend to widen and break the vertical line. They're not completely off-limits, but if you wear them, make sure they're thin and the garment fits well, so you don't look shorter.
In short, play the chromatic harmony card to create an unbroken line, and choose small patterns or those that enhance verticality. But how? The goal is for your entire outfit—not just one piece—to tell the story of your silhouette.
Remember, fashion is a playground! These tips are guides offered by Elora, but the best outfit is the one in which you feel confident and empowered.
Don't hesitate to experiment and find your own style, based on your body shape.
