Michael Kors dress available at www.macys.com

Pink looks good on virtually everybody because some shade of the color works with any skin tone.  Choose from petal, peony, geranium, salmon, rose, fuschia, blush, bubble gum, and cherry.  Nothing says “I am a girly girl” better than feminine pink ruffles, pink lace, or pink petal trims.

If pink from head-to-toe is too much for you, pair pink dangling earrings or a pink chiffon scarf with white, neutrals, or denim.  A pink belt or handbag will add a burst of color to any spring ensemble.  Petite women should remember that the brighter the shade of pink you are wearing, the more basic the rest of your outfit should be.  A pop of pink on top will always draw attention upward for added height.

It is true that skinny jeans look best on a slender petite frame.  However, a skinny jean in a dark denim finish works for petite women with heavier thighs.  The straight leg of a skinny jean forms a vertical line that visually elongates the leg. 

So what is the difference between a skinny jean and a straight leg jean?  The difference is the leg opening.  A skinny jean has an 11″ opening while the leg opening on a straight leg jean is around 14″.  The hottest new version of a skinny jean is called a jegging, the combination of a skinny jean and a legging, perfect for tucking into your boots.  The beauty of a skinny jean is that you can also wear it with ballet flats or heels. 

My favorite skinny jeans for petites are Gap’s Always Skinny Jeans $59.50 and Real Straight Jeans $69.50, available in petite sizes at www.gap.com.  I also love  Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Slim Leg Jean $98 and Jeggings $88.  I just did fashion shows for a chain of Florida specialty stores called Anthony’s last week, and Not Your Daughter’s Jeans were the hottest selling item after the shows.  They feature a tummy control panel designed to make you instantly look 10 pounds slimmer.  Check out where to buy NYDJ using their store locator at www.nydj.com. 

NYDJ Slim Leg $98

If you have short hair, any style goes.  The most popular styles for petites include beanies, berets, cloches, newsboy hats, and fedoras.  If you have longer hair and are worried about “hat hair,” choose a looser fitting hat like a cloche or fedora.  I have shoulder length hair with bangs and my personal favorite is the newsboy hat.  (pictured below)

Petite women should choose a hat in the same color or family of color as their coat or outerwear for an elongating effect.  Cover your ears for added warmth, and always try the hat on before you buy.

Fashion designers make a big statement with vests in their Fall collections, often presenting the vest as a jacket alternative.  Look for knit vests, velvet vests, fur vests, even fun and fuzzy shearling vests.  For a perfect petite choice, pair a button-front vest in a menswear pattern with a feminine ruffled blouse.  The V-lines of the vest partner with the vertical ruffles to visually elongate while showcasing one of the season’s hottest looks. 

INC Shearling Vest  $89 at www.macys.com

THE BOY FIT ($59.50) – Inspired by vintage menswear styling with a tapered leg and slouchy fit. 

THE PERFECT TROUSER ($59.50) - Tailored with slightly flared leg.                                           

THE TRUE STRAIGHT ($49.50) - Cut straight through the hip and leg.

THE REALLY SKINNY ($59.50) – Sleek, sexy, and ultra-trendy

THE CURVY ($59.50) – Slim in hips and rear, compliments curves. 

THE MODERN BOOT ($59.50) – Flattering silhouette that contours to your body.

THE SLIM CROP ($49.50) - Structured crop pant.

1.  Camel and Gray – the “IT” fashion colors for the season.

2.  Menswear Patterns – including the return of the Pantsuit.

3.  Retro Ladylike Looks – the “Mad Men” influence.

4.  Military Chic – showing no signs of fatigue.

5.  Mad About Plaid – from Glen Plaid to Tartan

6.  Animal Prints – continue to dominate the fashion scene.  

7.  Snow Bunnies – Nordic-inspired knits.

8.  The Velvet Touch – Fall’s hottest fashion fabric.    

9.  Faux Fur – fur trims on clothing, shoes, handbags.

10.  Structured Handbags - very Grace Kelly.                                                                                               

   Photo credit:  Zappos.com

If you are really short, have heavy calves or thick ankles, capri pants may not be your best look. For those of you in the 5′2″ to 5′4″ height range with shapely legs, matching your shoes with your hemline will help you pull off the look with  confidence and style.

Gap cropped denim capri pant $54.50  www.gap.com

1.  Black and white outfits are so easy to put together and always look stylish. 

2.  You are sure to get noticed (in a good way) in this dynamic duo. 

3.  Black and white is great for travel because everything mixes and matches.

4.  Accessorizing is mindless.  Black and white works with shoes and handbags in every color – bright, neutral, pastel, or neon. 

There are a few tips petite women need to keep in mind to flawlessly pull off the look.  First of all, keep it simple.  Too many blocks of black and white on a petite figure is overwhelming.  If you opt for a black and white print, don’t wear a pattern bigger than the size of your fist.  Finally, remember that black conceals and white reveals.  Use this unbeatable combination of color to maximize your assets and minimize your flaws.  For example, a pear shaped petite can balance wide hips with narrow shoulders by pairing a solid black bottom with an eye-catching black /white  pattern on top.