21 Fashion Tricks Stylish Petite Women Use Every Day

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Real tricks stylish petite women use to make every outfit fit right.

1. Get Pants Hemmed Instead Of Rolling Them Up

A rolled hem adds bulk right at the ankle, and that little bunch of fabric can make your whole leg look shorter.

Do It Like This: Take your pants to a tailor and get them hemmed to hit right at your shoe.

2. Skip The Maxi Skirt For A Midi Length Instead

A maxi skirt can drag on the floor and swallow a smaller frame, but a midi skirt stops at a spot that actually works with your height.

Try This Way: Reach for a midi-length skirt the next time you’re picking something out for the day.

3. Choose A Cropped Jacket Over One That Hits Your Thigh

A jacket that stops at your hip keeps your legs looking long, but one that hits your thigh can cut your whole body in half.

Consider This: Check where your jacket lands, and pick the cropped one over the longer one.

4. Wear High-Waisted Bottoms With A Tucked-In Top

High-waisted pants move your waistline up, and tucking your top in shows off that higher waist instead of hiding it.

Start This Way: Grab high-waisted bottoms and tuck your shirt in before you head out the door.

5. Pick A Small Bag Instead Of An Oversized Tote

A big, bulky tote can look like it’s carrying you instead of the other way around on a smaller frame.

Here’s What To Do: Swap your oversized tote for a smaller bag that sits closer to your body.

6. Avoid Bulky Fabric Like Thick Wool Or Stiff Denim

Heavy fabric adds bulk and weight that can overwhelm a smaller frame fast, even if the cut is right.

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Begin With This: Feel the fabric before you buy, and skip anything stiff or thick for something lighter instead.

7. Choose A Shirt With Smaller Buttons Instead Of Big Ones

Big chunky buttons draw the eye and add visual weight, but small buttons keep everything looking neat and in proportion.

Use This Simple Trick: Check the button size on your shirt and pick the smaller, simpler option.

8. Wear A Fitted Waist Instead Of A Loose, Boxy One

A boxy fit hides your shape completely and can make you look like you’re wearing a box instead of an outfit.

Give This A Try: Reach for a top or dress that nips in at the waist instead of one that hangs straight.

9. Skip The Long Duster Cardigan For A Shorter One

A long duster cardigan can drag down your whole frame and add length in all the wrong places.

Start Small With This: Grab a cardigan that stops around your hip instead of one that goes past your knee.

10. Pick A Print That’s Small Instead Of One That’s Oversized

A big, bold print can overwhelm a smaller frame, but a small print stays balanced and doesn’t take over the whole outfit.

Here’s A Quick Way: Check the print size on any top or dress before you buy it, and go smaller.

11. Choose A Necklace That Sits Close Instead Of Hanging Low

A necklace that hangs down low can shorten your whole upper body, but one that sits close to your collarbone keeps things balanced.

One Thing That Helps Is: Grab a shorter necklace that sits right at your collarbone instead of one that dangles.

12. Wear A Heel With Some Height Instead Of A Totally Flat Shoe

A little bit of heel adds length to your leg and gives your whole outfit a lift without much effort.

Here’s A Low-Stress Way: Reach for a shoe with even a small heel instead of a completely flat one.

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13. Get A Blazer Tailored At The Shoulders Instead Of Buying It Loose

Shoulders that hang past your actual shoulder line can make the whole blazer look like it belongs to someone else.

The Less Stressful Way Is: Take your blazer to a tailor and get the shoulders taken in to fit you.

This is less annoying when you use a local tailoring service to get the shoulders adjusted without buying a whole new jacket.

14. Choose A Collar That’s Smaller Instead Of An Oversized One

A big collar can swallow your neck and shoulders, but a smaller collar keeps things looking proportioned.

If You Want To Keep It Easy: Check the collar size on any top and pick the smaller version when you have a choice.

15. Skip The Wide-Brim Hat For One With A Smaller Brim

A wide-brim hat can overwhelm a smaller face and frame, but a smaller brim keeps the balance right.

Start By Doing This Instead: Reach for a hat with a smaller brim instead of an oversized one.

16. Wear A Belt That’s Thin Instead Of One That’s Chunky

A thick, chunky belt can cut your torso in half and add bulk right at your middle.

Instead, Try This: Grab a thin belt instead of a wide one the next time you’re finishing an outfit.

17. Pick A Watch With A Smaller Face Instead Of A Big One

A big watch face can look heavy on a smaller wrist and throw off the whole proportion of your outfit.

The Easy First Step Is: Choose a watch with a smaller, thinner face instead of an oversized one.

18. Choose A Scarf That’s Thin Instead Of One That’s Bulky

A bulky scarf can add width right at your neck and shoulders, which can overwhelm a smaller frame fast.

If You’re Not Sure Where To Start: Reach for a thin scarf instead of a chunky, oversized one.

19. Wear Sleeves That Stop At Your Wrist Instead Of Past It

Sleeves that go past your wrist can make your arms look shorter and swallow your hands completely.

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Here’s The Shortcut Version: Check where your sleeves land, and pick a length that stops right at your wrist.

20. Skip Layering More Than Two Pieces At Once

Piling on 3 or more layers can add bulk fast and hide your shape under all that fabric.

To Make This Feel More Doable: Stick to 2 layers max, like a top and one jacket or cardigan.

21. Choose Shoes That Show More Of Your Foot Instead Of Covering It

A shoe that covers your whole foot can cut your leg line short, but one that shows more skin keeps that line going.

The Easier Approach Is: Reach for a shoe with a lower cut, like a pointed flat, instead of one that covers your whole foot.


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Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)