Maximize height with right proportions for your petite figure (under 157 cm).

You don't have to forgo the latest fashions because your petite.



  • Dark colours.
  • Pants with angled side pockets on the side.
  • Pants that reach right to the top of your in-step.
  • Soft fabrics such a gabardines, wool crepes, linen, cotton.
  • Minimum pleats at the waist



When shopping for pants, don’t get disheartened if you have to alter the length.

Buy the pair that fits you best around the hips and thighs.
Length and waist are
easier to alter.




  • Pants with cuffs.
  • Wide-legged pants, unless they are in really
    fine fabric that falls softly to reveal
    the shape underneath.
  • Pants that bunch up around the ankles or
    jeans that you roll up at the bottom.
  • Large patterns they tend to dwarf you.
  • Bulky or stiff fabrics – they add centimeters width-wise.




If you don’t feel comfortable in a structured suit, wear a bolero.


Nothing too tight and nothing too big, or you'll be lost in the clothes.

  • Single breasted jackets. Doubled-breasted jackets widen your torso when you’re short, making you appear smaller.
  • A slim-line skirt to the knee. Full skirts with jackets can make you appear squat.
  • A suit in uniform colour or subtle matching tones.
  • A jacket with a shape that profiles yours.
    Try tapered at the waist and no longer than hip length.
  • A jacket with lightly padded shoulders for shape
    •



  • An oversized jacket – it will swamp a petite figure.
  • Stiff fabrics that hide your shape.
  • Suits in two colours.
  • Wide box jackets that sit out from the body: the extra width shortens your torso
    •

  • A narrow tailored coat-dress Lightly padded shoulders - to -
  • High waisted just above the knee.
    Or princess-line dresses with seam just below the bust.
  • A narrow, straight shift in a single solid colour
  • A body skimming fit to show off your figure.
  • Length to just above the knee.
  • Turtleneck or high-necked skivvies and T-shirts.
    •




Dresses are flattering for petite's.

The long line of a single colour from the shoulders to the knee creates the illusion of extra height.




  • Dresses with different patterned sleeves, belts or collars.
  • Overwhelming fullness – puffed sleeves, full skirts and petticoats should be avoided.
  • Dresses with drop waistlines
    – they swamp you.
  • Dresses with full skirts that below mid-calf.
    •




Avoid wearing wide belts
with skirts as they
slice your torso in two.

A narrow belt is best.
  • Slim-line skirts in one solid colour or soft vertical stripes.
  • Skirts to just above the knee or very short skirts if you have good legs. The short the skirt the longer the legs will appear.
  • A skirt with minimal gathering.
  • Plain colours or tiny patterned skirts are your most flattering.
  • Wrap or knife pleat skirts.
  • Tight-knit skirts if you want to flaunt your shape.
    •



  • Ankle length skirts which tend to make you look shorter.
  • Skirts with very high waists as they shorten the distance from shoulders to waist.
  • Bordered skirts with contrasting colour or ruffles on the bottom. They cut you off at the knees and make you look shorter.
    •


  • Strapless, halter or one-shouldered fitted dress.
  • A single coloured slim-fitting sheath that shows off your body.
  • A tight fitting dress with a short , decorative bolero.
  • A tailored evening tunic to the top of the thighs over slim fitting pants.
  • Strapless, halter or one shouldered fitted dresses.
  • A short, single breasted evening jacket at the waist with a narrow skirt.
  • Solid colours or tiny patterns in dark colours.
    •




Avoid wearing wide
belts with skirts as
they slice your torso in two.

A narrow belt is best.




  • Anything with too much decoration such as dresses with ruffles or tier ed skirts.
  • Heavy fabric that sits out from the body such as brocade or taffeta.  
  • A black skirt with a white blouse.
  • Full skirts.