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If you are young and petite, the odds are that one of your biggest challenges is the prospect of being thought younger than your years. You'll also find that if you like quirky, edgy fashion, it'll be more difficult to find in sizes that fit your frame, as petite brands tend to stick to 'safe' styles and colours. It all makes life more difficult, but not impossible…. And we show you how. |
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 | The 'looking too young' dilemma It's true that if you are small, people will often think you are younger than you are, which is great when you're 40, but not so good when you are 18. The best antidote to the problem is attitude! If you are self-confident about who you are and what you are doing, that will transmit itself to other who will usually accept your self-evaluation without question. From lecture hall, to club, to workplace, to gym, wherever you are don't slink around feeling apologetic - you've every right to be there, whether it's by earning the grades, paying the cash, or landing the job. That said, some styles are meant to evoke extreme girlishness, and on someone petite can exacerbate 'looking young'. Hello Kitty accessories, an excess of pink fluff, girlie ribbons, can look 'ironic' on a very tall girl, but seriously dodgy on someone petite. But don't go too far the other way and try to dress 'too old'. You don't have to wear high heels, or secretary skirts, or business suits to look serious. Dress for your shape and tastes. That may mean getting seriously acquainted with vintage. Clothes from the 1970s and earlier were cut for a smaller, shorter figure than today's standard sizes, so they are often perfect for petites. They are also totally individual - you aren't very likely to find someone else wearing the same outfit!
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Hour Glass Shapes Petite Scarlett Johansson has a classic hour glass shape, and she loves dresses which make the most of her curves. Most dress shapes look good on this figure, with the exception of smocks, and they are now officially over! The hour glass secret is a small, well defined waist, so dress to emphasise it.
Skirts, especially those with waistbands, and trousers and jeans which sit at the natural waist are the most flattering. If you choose low rise trousers you'll look bigger than you are, and exaggeratedly high rise waists will shorten your body visually, so choose with care.
This season belts are a key accessory. Either ultra wide and dangerously buckled, or super slim and delicate, they should be worn cinched around the waist, not draped low on the hips. Good news for you! One more way to draw attention to your best feature! Small on Top, Bigger on the Bottom Sleeveless and strappy tops, vests, waistcoats and halter necks all show off your great shoulders and arms, though you also have the shape to look good in polo and roll neck sweaters. Your problem area is below the waist (though why it's a problem to have the healthiest body shape beats us). Long line clothes which skim the hips and thighs work well. That can be a long cardigan (updated with a skinny belt)' a dress (on its own or over jeans), or a long line jacket or light coat. Whatever you do, keep the silhouette sleek and avoid bulk around the hips and thighs. Don't go for skirts with any more fabric at the hem than the most modest A line. Long body, short legs Layered dressing is still big, and it's your best friend! Layering contrasting coloured tops over one another, one long, one shorter (such as a shirt with a short sweater over the top), or using an ultra short cardigan over a T shirt or top, gives the impressing that your lovely long body isn't quite so long that it draws attention to short legs. Skirts are dresses can also be good with this body shape, but be cautious about lengths - it all depends on leg shape, particularly the length of your shinbone. If in doubt, go maxi or midi with boots. High waist trousers or skirts (at or above your natural waist) can look great on your shape. Avoid wide legged trousers unless you are very slim and can wear them with a very high waistband. Big Bust, Small Hips Having a lad mag's dream figure can be a bit of a nightmare! OK, at party time perhaps if you've got it, you may want to flaunt it a little (but go easy - sexy is fine, but don't cross the line). But if you want to balance out your figure there are ways of doing just that. This season slim cut blazers in fabrics from plain wool, to relaxed tweed, to casual cord to butch leather are hot. The look is an amalgam of punk and preppy, which sounds weird, but it works. A jacket that fits well will skim your bust, give definition to your waist, and show off your great hips and legs. Wear with jeans or trousers and accessorise with a scarf (think college scarf or something vintage Dr Who). If the 'punk on campus' look isn't for you, the rock chick hasn't gone away, with biker jackets back and revving up! They'll do the trick, too, providing that you get one that's close fitting with good waist definition. Or if you want something more feminine, tailored dresses (not smocks or tunics), especially midis and maxis, can balance your shape by emphasising the waist and having the volume at the hem to counter your bust. |
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There are structured and tailored shapes around now, particularly blazer shapes worn tight and tiny. Any body shape looks good in tailoring, but it has to be the right shape. Emphasise your waist, and finesse your bust and hips by choosing the right neckline. Bigger busts need a lower 'V' to the jacket, whereas smaller busts suit higher fastening jackets. If your hips are bigger, choose a sleek, slightly longer line jacket. Short swing jackets will only make your hips look bigger. |
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Shirts, blouses and tops offer plenty of scope to make you look fabulous - or not! Take the grey knit tunic above. The rollneck and wide, short sleeves would look the business on anyone with a fairly small bust, worn as it is or layered over a long sleeved top. But if you have a bigger bust and arms, this style would make you look decidedly top heavy. The sweater dress below would suit most shapes, and the cable design down the front is visually lengthing - always good for a petite frame! If you want to accessorise this shape with a scarf or beads, consider your bust! A scarf knotted high and short, or shorter chunky beads keep the emphasis on the bust - ideal for making the smaller bust look fuller. A scarf hanging long, or better still, long beads or a pendant create a 'V' effect which makes a full bust look smaller! |
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