Petite vs. Tall: Simple Tips on Getting Dressed
I think every single one of us can accept the fact by now that we are all different shapes, different sizes and different heights. My last post was about "knowing your body shape" so I thought it would be a nice segue into another topic I am frequently asked about: Petite vs. Tall.
How do you know which one you are, besides the obvious? It's pretty simple: If you are under 5'4", you are petite. If you are over 5'9", you are tall. In between 5'4" and 5'9" are considered as average height.
Now there are many other factors outside of height to consider such as skin tone, overall body proportion (shape) and what's appropriate wear for your particular career, but I have listed some basic tips to follow when getting dressed.
My favorite tip of course is to wear heels! Not only do they add height, heels are the best confidence booster, making you "walk tall" in every way.
Don't wear too many layers: keep it simple or you'll get lost in your clothes.
Make sure everything fits well: Don't wear baggy! Know a good tailor.
Choose pants that lengthen your legs: a higher waistband and longer hemline. Avoid wide-leg and go with straight leg.
Pleats and pockets will break your body in half; avoid those.
Monochromatic colors will elongate your body giving you height.
Showing legs with shorter hemlines (when appropriate) will give you height.
Pencil skirts are great; avoid A-line as they will make you look wider...and shorter. Maxi skirts and dresses will also make you appear shorter.
Waistlines of jackets should go right above your actual waistline and stop right above your hips.
Proportion is KEY when you're petite - don't carry large bags and purses or wear chunky jewelry that will overwhelm your small frame.
Some places to find clothing for petite women: Neiman Marcus, LOFT, Marks and Spencer, Macy's and Ralph Lauren.
Again, my favorite tip: Don't be afraid to wear heels! Wearing high heels when you're tall gives you a boost of confidence and shows the world you are proud of your body. If you choose to downplay your height, that's okay too and good news: flats are very fashion-forward right now!
Choose structured jackets to create dramatic angles and break up the lines of your body; giving you curves if you don't have them and accentuating if you do.
Maxi skirts and dresses look fantastic on tall women just make sure the length is hitting the floor or they will look like they are too short for you.
If dresses are too short for your tall frame, turn them into tunics by wearing them with skinny jeans, tights or leggings.
Be sure your tops fit correctly with sleeves that fall where they should as well as the waistline. Yes, 3/4" sleeves are in, but if you aren't careful, they can end up looking as though they are too small for you.
A-line skirts look great on tall women. If you are a tall AND thin woman, they add width to your hips giving your look more curves.
Look for jeans that are labeled long (34"+ inseam). Boot cut, wide leg and straight leg all look great on tall frames.
Some places to find clothing for tall women: Banana Republic, Tall Couture, JCPenney, Ann Taylor and Nordstrom.
As I mentioned earlier, there are many other factors that go into getting dressed. Most importantly, embrace and be proud of your height no matter if you are petite or tall! Love your body! If you have more questions on getting dressed for your height, contact me and I will be happy to help.