Ok, so maybe not one of the ‘standard’ body shapes but dressing for a petite body has its own set of do’s and don’ts…. plus I promised my sister-in-law that I would write this for you, so Kirsty, this is for you 😉

If you are tiny in stature, then most of the rules for your body shape still apply (click here to work out which shape you are) but there are few extra tips and tricks that can make you feel 10 feet tall! (sorry, couldn’t help myself).

So what does exactly does ‘petite’ mean? Well to me it usually it means you are slightly lacking in the height department (5ft 3… 5ft 4 sound familiar?) and usually you are a size 4, 6 or 8 – BUT you can be quite petite in stature and a slightly larger size too…. the same rules apply.

Here are some familiar faces you might recognize that fall into the petite category!

The Olsen twins, Kylie Minogue and Kourtney Kardashian are all petite beauties – but there are still curves involved!

So you know who you are now, but what do you need to do differently? Well here are 3 tips for you petite delights!

1. Stick to structured pieces.

Your tiny frame can be swamped with too much fabric, too much print, too much anything really – stick to more form-fitted cuts (that still suit your shape) and show off how tiny you really are! Some stores even have a specific petite section (asos.com I’m thinking of you), they change the proportions slightly to match your slighter stature.

1. Witchery ruched side dress AU$99.95 (click here to buy) 2. Seed lace dress AU$129.95 (click here to buy) 3. Boohoo.com fitted dress NZ$50 (click here to buy) 4. Asos Petite fitted dress NZ$75 (click here to buy)

2. Block colour is best (and add some NUDE SHOES!)

Big prints, or sections of colour can make you look small – stick to a VERY small print or block colour. Block colour will elongate your body, whereas wearing say a pink top with a blue skirt will cut you in half, making your body look shorter. You want to draw people’s eye up and down your body in one quick go, you don’t want them to stop half way up or down and realise how little you are.

1. Boohoo playsuit NZ$50 (click here to buy) 2. Boohoo one shoulder maxi NZ$50 (click here to buy) 3. Asos Petite skater dress NZ$60 (click here to buy) 4. Jeanswest Lola maxi dress AU$89.99 (click here to buy)

This is also where a nude shoe comes in! It will elongate your leg (even in a flat) and not split the lookers attention from your clothes to your feet  – nude shoes just blend into the background, making you look taller without anyone knowing why! (ALSO – don’t be scared to ROCK A HEEL!!! I’m totes jealous that you can wear a heel and not look like a giraffe…..)

3. You CAN wear a maxi dress.

Like EVERYONE, you just need to find the right shape – this is where suggestions number 1 and 2 combine! Find a maxi that is not too full in fabric, and if you can, a maxi that is ONE COLOUR! Long, slender jersey frocks will look amazing on you – and if you still want to add some height, wedges are the BEST shoe to wear under a maxi – here are 3 of the best for you:

1. Sacha Drake Adjustable Maxi AU$229 (click here to buy) 2. Boohoo Laura Racer Back Maxi NZ$30 (click here to buy) 3.  Seed Knit Maxi AU$49.95 (click here to buy)4. Asos Petite maxi NZ$38 (click here to buy)

 A few bonus tips:

1. Make friends with a good alterationist – yep, unless you buy everything from the petite section on Asos, things are going to be too long. BUT DON’T LET THAT STOP YOU!!!! Hems are SO easy to take up, if you love the piece  and the length is the only thing wrong – that can be fixed!

2. Wedges are a must! – there are so many wedges out at the moment that can be worn all day long as they don’t have too much of an angle. What a perfect way to add an extra inch or 3….

3. Remember your body shape – whether you are 5ft 2 or 5 ft 10, the same principles of dressing to your shape still apply! (not sure what shape you are? Click here to find out!)

Still need some help with what to wear? Did you know that if you live in Auckland, you can book me for a personal styling session to suit your needs – click here to find out more

Have I forgotten anything? Let me know in the comments below if you have any other tips for dressing the petite girls out there!

Cait x

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