1.  A ruffled lace top in a soft, sheer fabric

2.  A chic black top with cutouts or keyholes

3.  A ladylike lace blouse and strands of pearls

4.  Something wild – an animal print top or jacket

5.  A lingerie inspired tank top

6.  A pretty pastel fitted jacket

7.  A tribal print top and wooden beads

8.  Nautical stripes

9.  A camouflage tank or camp shirt

I wear a size 6P top, 8P bottom and I swear by my Spanx seamless shapers (pictured below).  Other major labels specializing in control shapewear includ Wacoals, Jockey, Playtex, Bali, Warners, Hanes, and Body Slimmers by Nancy Ganz.  Bodyshapers have become a Hollywood red carpet essential and acceptable to women of all ages and sizes, even those with a perfectly toned body who just want to show it off.  Control ranges from light to extra firm.  Recent innovations include new lightweight fabrics that still provide great control and smoothing functions.  Trust me, today’s styles are a far cry from the girdles worn by our mothers and grandmothers.   

If you want to look and feel fantastic all over, it begins with what’s hiding underneath.  Invest in a good bodyshaper.  They truly are a girl’s best friend. 

Available at www.spanx.com and major department stores

Gap’s selection of petite jeans is unbelievable – over 30 styles are offered online in petite sizes.  Get the perfect petite fit in denim basics including the Perfect Boot Cut, Sexy Boot Cut, Real Straight, Long and Lean, Curvy, Always Skinny, and Boyfriend styles. 

1.  Be sure your hemline covers the top of your boot to create a long, unbroken line of color on the leg.

2.  Choose a boot in a color than blends rather than contrasts with what you are wearing.  A black boot with black pants is way more flattering on a petite woman than a red boot with black pants.

3.  Wear boots with opaque hose or ribbed tights in the same color as your skirt or dress to elongate short legs.

This uniquely Florida fashion statement is something that I will never get used to.  Why would any reasonably intelligent person expose their naked feet in sub-freezing temperatures?  Yet everywhere I go, I see women wearing cashmere sweaters or sweatshirts on top only to look down and see flip-flops or exercise sandals on the feet.  I urge my fellow petite Floridians to invest in boots and opaque tights this time of year.  Not only will these cold weather essentials keep you warm, they create long unbroken lines of color that will stretch short legs.

Common sense dictates that no matter how many layers of clothing you wear on the top half of your body, you will still be cold if your toes are frozen. 

“IS THAT A CHANDELIER HANGING FROM YOUR EARLOBE?”

Petite women simply must keep proportion and scale in mind at all times.  Without exception, earrings that graze your shoulder overwhelm you.  Go for the same look on a smaller scale.   

“YOUR HANDBAG IS BIGGER THAN YOU ARE.”

Avoid a handbag as big as your body.  Nobody has that much to carry, unless you are going away.  In that case, you will need a suitcase and not a giant handbag.

The first step is to invest in quality basics.  Topping that list should be the Little Black Dress, the best dressy basic you can possibly own.  The Little Black Dress never goes out of style and looks great on all petite shapes and sizes.  Go for a classic style that can serve as a canvas for self-expression.  The same Little Black Dress that you wear to a cocktail party with pearls and pumps looks just as good with chunky metal chains and suede boots for an office dinner. 

 You also need to invest in a really great pair of black pants in a dressy fabric like silk, velvet, rayon faille, or lightweight wool crepe.  Choose a cut that flatters your petite figure shape. 

 Next, start collecting blouses, tops, and sweaters that change the look of your holiday basics.  Start with a glittering sequin tank or metallic cardigan this year, and add new pieces each holiday season.  Endless possibilities include a feminine lace blouse, ruffled tuxedo shirt, colorful silk tunic, lingerie-inspired bustier, jewel-studded sweater, or beaded jacket. 

 “Must have” accessories for a dressy wardrobe include a basic black pump, strappy sandals, a glitzy clutch or handbag, and pearls, diamonds, or dazzling gemstones (real or faux). 

The formula is simple.  Invest in quality basics like a Little Black Dress and dressy black pants that you can wear for seasons to come.  Each year, add new petite tops and well-chosen accessories to give those basics new life.  You will never complain that you “don’t have a thing to wear” again because of all the dressy options hanging right there in your closet.  Save time, money, and celebrate the holidays in perfect petite style!!!

Border Print Skirts

The border pattern edging the hemline paints a horizontal line on the petite figure that is guaranteed to make you look shorter.  Check out the 50% off racks at your favorite petite store to see how many border prints skirts have been marked down.  There is a reason they are still hanging there. 

Color Blocking

This fashion trend is not petite friendly.  Blocks of color on the body chop the petite torso into sections that put visual emphasis on width, not length. 

Thigh-high Boots

Simply stated, you need to be tall and skinny to wear thigh-high boots.  It takes a lot of leg to pull this look off. 

Ankle Strap Shoes

A sure way to make short legs look even shorter is to cut them off at the ankle with a strap.