If you struggle to find clothes that work for your height, we’ve got some expert advice
What do Kylie Minogue, Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Kravitz and Emma Roberts all have in common?
Yes, they’re all hugely successful women with glittering careers, but they’re also all pint-sized.
And though they might step out onto the red carpet look dazzling in couture gowns, us shorter women without stylists and gown-rental at our finger tips can sometimes struggle to find clothes that fit properly.
Which is why we’ve enlisted the help of Welsh designer and founder of Luvlee, Robyn Lee who, after struggling to adult clothing that fitted well, started her own brand in early 2019.
At 4ft 11 she found that many of the outfits her friends and colleagues wore just didn’t look the same on her, however she was determined to find a way to make fashion work for her and is now an expert in helping petite women find their fashion stride.
Here are Robyn’s top tips on how to dress as a shorter woman.
How to dress as a shorter woman
1. Don’t be afraid to experiment with bold textures and prints in winter
‘The trick is to wear faux leather leggings/skirt with an oversized bright patterned knitted jumper by tucking a portion of the jumper into the leggings/skirt to accentuate the waistline,’ Robyn advises. ‘This aesthetic allows the oversized jumper to be styled into a body-flattering stylish look that elongates the waist.’
2, Don’t be too concerned with the size label
‘Always look at length, hip and waist ratios to ensure it fits correctly to your frame as opposed to ‘generic’ sizing,’ Robyn, whose brand is working on adding half sizes to their range, explains.
3. You don’t always need to wear a heel
It’s easy, as a shorter woman, to feel that you must accessorise all outfits with a heel, but Robyn assures us this isn’t the case:
‘For a casual and ’proportioned’ look, high waisted cargo pants/paper bag trousers are an amazing way to elongate the body paired with a chunky pair of trainers. The trick with trainers is to wear them with a hidden wedge insole which you can source from most high street shops.’
4. Throw the rulebook out the window
‘Gone are the days where you can’t wear a good ankle boot because it cuts the leg in half or have to wear layers to give the illusion of taller silhouettes,’ Robyn says. ‘The key to finding clothes that fit you well, baggy trousers can be an issue if you don’t take the time to find a pair that fits correctly.’
‘Measuring leg lengths and making sure proportions are right are vital to perfect fit. Investing into staple wardrobe pieces will help to ensure you always have a base item that fits correctly and cuts down on the amount of clothes you need.’
With fashion’s versatility, petite frames shouldn’t shy away from the ‘no go’ rules that have dominated previously. By carefully selecting items that fit can bring an outfit to life with correct proportions.
‘For example,’ Robyn suggests, ‘wearing ankle boots instead of knee-high boots will help to elongate the leg, teamed with a crop top to lengthen the torso and high waisted jeans to bring the focus into the core and away from the height.’
