When you have more curves and less height, shopping for a dress can be daunting. Petite clothes fit slimmer figures, while plus-size pieces can be too long for you. When you don’t have the option to shop in one section that’s made for you, have to shop and style more creatively. Use these five strategies to tailor your dress game to your petite, plus-size frame.
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1. Pick the right hemline
You’ll drown in a floor-length dress. Tea-length hemlines make you look shorter. And minis, well, they can look childish.
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What does work for you? Dresses that end right at the knee. Keeping your calves visible elongate the appearance of your legs, and covering your thighs creates sleeker lines in your figure.
2. Keep it simple
Monochromatic dressing is flattering and sophisticated. You can use accessories to add pops of color, but keep your dresses solid in color. Patterns and multiple colors can add visual bulk to the wrong places.
3. Watch your waist
Whatever waistline you choose, just make sure the dress has one. A trapeze dress is not for you, but a belted one looks fabulous.
An empire waistline raises the focus to bust level, which can make your torso and legs seem much longer.
4. Be careful with accessories
You can wear the perfect dress and ruin it with the wrong accessories. Try your dresses with long necklaces, which can add height, or bold earrings, which draw the eye up.
You can also perfect your look with no accessories at all. If the dress makes a statement, skipping the accessories can make you look taller and more polished.
5. Size up and tailor down
If it doesn’t work, get a bigger size and have it tailored. Petite women often look more put-together than their taller counterparts because they’ve learned the value of a good tailor. If the dress is a little too long or doesn’t fit quite right in a certain area, but you love it otherwise, go ahead and buy it. A tailor can turn it into your dream dress.
6. Choose the right neckline
Necklines can change the entire focus of an outfit. Use them to create height and reduce bulk, visually anyway. V‑necks, scoop necks, and wrap fronts draw the eye vertically. Higher, closed necklines can make your torso look shorter and more compact.
7. Go easy on volume
Avoid extra fabric in the form of pleats, gathers, bows, and other large features. You’ll love your look more in gentle A-lines and straight skirts — dresses that follow your curves without adding bulk. Choose structure over excess.
8. Think vertical
Vertical lines elongate and slim your frame visually. Look for vertical seams, front slits, button fronts. You can also add long cardigans and open jackets to your favorite dresses for a taller, slimmer look.
9. Match your shoes to your legs
Nude, low-profile, and understated shoes make your legs look longer by creating one line line from your dress hem to your toes. On the other hand, high contrast between your shoes and your legs creates a cut-off appearance — which works against your petite frame.
Length and balance
Length and balance are your goals when shopping for and styling dresses for your petite, plus-size shape. Every choice you make should help the eye travel smoothly up and down your frame.