Styling Tips to Elevate Spring Fashion For Petite Women
- Mar 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 7
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Fit Guide: I am 5' and 105 pounds. I usually wear XS-S tops and XS bottoms.
Why Do We Seek Lighter and Brighter Colors In the Spring?
Spring is the season of getting out and enjoying the outdoors after months of being cooped up indoors. It has been a cold winter for most of the country. We live in south Georgia and it has been cold here as well. We even had our second consecutive year of snow! It is time for some styling tips to elevate spring fashion for petite women.
Lilly Pulitzer Ankle Jeans & Lilly Pulitzer Popover Crop Sweatshirt
By spring, I am ready to break free from my traditional black leggings and sweats into some lighter and brighter colors. There is something about color that is mood-lifting in itself. Sometimes, just adding a pop of color to an everyday outfit is enough to give it a fresh Spring look and to give you joy and confidence.
Theory Shirtdress
Related-Lilly Pulitzer Popover
Sketchers Rumbler Sandals
Rayban Sunglasses (These sunglasses are actually junior glasses and they fit petite faces well)
The Shift From Career to Casual Clothing
I focus on fashion for petite women over 60. For me, fashion changed drastically after retirement. I was no longer dressing for my career. I still enjoy looking polished when going out, but I definitely enjoy a more casual look at home and while traveling in our Airstream travel trailer or on a boat. For that reason, I am discovering pieces that are casual, but fit my body appropriately. Having a good fitting outfit makes the simplest outfit look appealing even in casual outdoor activities.
Changing Body Size and Shape As We Age:
Let’s talk about fashion for petite women over 60. Some women are finding themselves in this category of petite women for the first time in their lives due to height decreases from aging. Fifteen years ago, I was 5’2”, but now I am just a hair over 5’ if I stand up really straight. Pair that short stature with pancake glutes and crepey skin; you will struggle to find clothes that fit and look anything like you once experienced in your younger years. A healthy diet and exercise regimen are the best treatments for aging gracefully, but wearing the right clothes proportionately to your body type is important too.
Some Fashion Tips For Petite Women
Emphasize the Waistline
Wear clothing that emphasizes the waistline for an elongated and elevated look. Shirts tucked into high waisted pants, jeans, and shorts are always good choices, especially worn with a skinny belt to define the waistline without overpowering your attire.
Amazon Levis Wedgie Jeans (come in different inseam sizes to accommodate various leg lengths
Neckline Illusion
V -neck and button up blouses have a lengthening effect by drawing the eye upward and preventing the petite body from being overwhelmed by fabric. Wearing v-neck tops also makes the neck appear longer and slender.
Amazon Related-Lilly Pulitzer Popover Top
J Crew Linen Shirt & Ann Taylor Petite Shorts
Related- Amazon Shirt (Comes in beautiful prints too!)
Related-Amazon Shorts (Comes in curvy and straight fit)
Amazon Michael Kors Sandals
Proportion Styling With Jeans
Straight leg jeans are preferable over wide leg jeans because the clean line with less fabric elongates the petite body. However, wide leg jeans with only slightly wide legs can be worn with a fitted top and shoes with heels for a great look. I prefer straight leg and flare jeans. However, I have a few wide leg jeans that I enjoy wearing with fitted tops and heels. Avoid wide leg jeans that are not fitted to your body and have excessive fabric. Sneakers with heel lifts, wedge sandals, and pointed kitten heels are great shoes to wear with either straight leg, flare, or wide leg jeans.
Karen Kane Jeans & Lily Pulitzer V Neck Tee
Amazon Related-V neck Tee
Amazon Guess Sneakers
Amazon Rayban Sunglasses
Amazon Related- V neck Tee
Amazon Guess Sneakers
Amazon Rayban Sunglasses
Amazon Lululemon Cross Body Bag
J Crew Vest
Quince Ankle Linen ( perfect for full length on petites)
Related-Two Piece Amazon Vest & Pants (Available in x-small short)
Amazon Michael Kors Sandals
Amazon Rayban Sunglasses
If you have concerns about crepey skin, wear elbow length tops with a collared v-neck. Better yet, embrace your body, wear a smile and let your focus be on your happy spirit.
Choose dresses that are cut above the knee or mid- calf for midi dresses. My favorite dresses are mini shirt-dresses. I have found regular mini dresses usually fall at the right place above my knee.
Theory Shirtdress
Amazon Rayban Sunglasses
Related-Amazon Skinny Belt
Amazon Rayban Sunglasses
Choose dainty jewelry , cross body bags, and purses. Avoid large, clunky jewelry and big bags. These items take away from your well-fitting outfit. Also, wear sunglasses that are proportionate to your body. Over-sized sunglasses may be fashionable, but they definitely take away from your overall appearance, make your face appear smaller, and throw the proportion of your entire outfit off by swallowing your face instead of enhancing your features.
Lilly Pulitzer dress
Heels are your friend. Wedge sandals with T-straps or v-straps look very nice on petite women. Slim sneakers with heel lifts are great, but avoid bulky wedge sneakers. Pointed toe kitten heels are a good choice, too!
These Guess Sneakers with built-in heel lifts made into the shoe are my absolute favorite sneakers!
Vertical stripes are a petite woman’s friend! The vertical stripes adds inches to a short woman’s body by drawing the eye upward and downward.
You will find that wearing clothes that are fitted to your body are more appealing than over-sized clothes. Switching from full length tops that hit at your hips to crop tops that hit at your waist or tucking in shirts and adding a slim belt elevate any outfit. Pairing small accessories with your small stature accentuates the outfit by keeping the overall look proportionate to your frame.
By following a few simple tips, you will fall in love with petite fashion again and avoid spending hours trying on the wrong clothing for your petite body.
Visit My Amazon Storefront to shop all highlighted links noted in this blog.
Read Petite Summer Fashions Over 60 and Petite Summer Fashions For Women Over 60-Cool, Comfortable, and Stylish to discover summer styles. Read Petite Women Over 60-The Most Important Element For Health and Beauty.
Follow along for more petite fashion tips. As affiliate, I may earn a commission from purchases made through links.
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