Dressing For a Petite Body

By: Allison Izu Song

Shopping can sometimes be overwhelming—so many choices with so little information. As a shorter woman, I often find it difficult to wade through what will work for my shorter frame as well as what’s appropriate for my lifestyle and age. I like to think of every piece I design as one part of someone's capsule collection. I try to understand how each piece will work with other styles within the collection.

I recommend starting with a great pair of pants. Whether you are short or tall, a size 4 or 24, you should have a few pairs of pants to build the foundation of your capsule collection, this will help to make getting ready in the moring simple and easy. Every pant will help to support the end goal you have in mind for your outfit of the day. Let's start with a few of our customer favorites and how it supports different goals.

Goal: minimize your bottom half with a fitted pant

I would recommend finding a fitted pencil leg or straight leg pant. Something with Spandex is ideal, so it’s fitted while still being comfortable. I’ve designed the Coral and Colburn specifically for this goal. These pants will minimize your bottom half and create a great foundation to layer an oversized top over to accentuate your top half and minimize the bottom.

Coral Pant - Jet Black Double Knit

$168.00

Colburn Pant - Midnight Double Knit

$168.00

Joanna Top - Off The Grid Rayon Jersey

$64.00

Goal: accentuate your bottom half with a wide leg pant

Accentuating your bottom half has an edgy avante garde feel. I love to over accentuate my A-body type with a wider leg pant like the South St. Jogger or Milo Pant. When you pair a wide leg pant with a Modern Fit top, it can create a youthful, trendier look.

South St. Jogger - Mocha Twill Ponte

$79.00

Ella Top - Granola Rayon Jersey

$57.00

Goal: create a pencil leg look with a jogger

To create a square shape with your body, I would suggest starting with a Modern Fit pant, like our Sunrise Jogger then adding a True Fit top. Tuck in your top to elongate your legs and create interest.

Joggers like our Sunrise creates a modern look by bringing the eye in at your ankle area (which is usually our smallest part of our leg). Try wearing this style higher on your waist, to elongate your leg inseam. 

Charlie Tank - Firefly Cotton Modal

$60.00

Miki Pant - Black Soft Ponte

$158.00

Goal: create balance with a straight leg pant

A straight leg pant like our Miki Pant, is the perfect building block to any outfit. Its straighter shape can be paired with any of our different fit tops: True, Modern or Oversized. The shaped waist and front darts helps to minimize your mid section, and a looser leg is flattering on most body types. 

Once you figure out your favorite fit type and your silhouette goals, you can play with color. Using color to create shapes with your body will also minimize or maximize certain features.

Becca V Neck - Firefly Cotton Modal

$70.00

Devon Top - Granola Rayon Jersey

Product price

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Product price

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Goal: monochromatic modern look

Achieve a monochromatic look by wearing the same color or similar hues on your top and bottom. A customer favorite has been "spring’s updated khaki" - our Granola color. Try out bottoms in our thicker Soft Ponte and contrast it with a top in our lightweight Rayon Jersey fabric to mimic the modern look of a romper.

Goal: minimize your top half and maximize your look

Be bold and wear a darker color like our Cotton Modal in Midnight on top with a pop of bright on the bottom. Try our Antique White Milo Pant or a fun color in our Double Knit. This look can be so chic by matching neutral colors, or by wearing a lighter color on the bottom. Doing so will brighten all of your basic blacks to be appropriate for the warm spring and summer seasons.

Written by

Allison Izu Song

Allison is the owner and designer of Allison Izu. She loves to create and reinvent new styles to fit the everchanging needs of our customers. Giving style tips along the way, her goal is to help women feel radiant and confident in their body.

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