Archive for the ‘Fashion Tips’ Category

May

HOW TO WEAR STRIPES IF YOU ARE PETITE

Stripes dominate the fashion scene for Summer 2011. Petite women… embrace this trend!!! Vertical or diagonal stripes are every petite woman’s best friend. Vertical and diagonal lines will always make you look taller and slimmer because they draw the eye in an upward and downward motion.

That doesn’t mean that a petite woman should never, ever wear horizontal stripes. Although horizontal lines do create width, they can be a very effective way to balance areas of the body that are smaller. For example, if you are a pear shaped petite who wears one size on top and a larger size on the bottom, wearing a horizontal pattern on the top will balance narrow shoulders with broad hips.

One of my favorite looks for summer is the pairing of crisp, clean white with colorful bold stripes. That is why I love this cute striped dress from Inc. Petites available at Macy’s. It is a perfect petite silhouette with flattering diagonal stripes and an elongating ruffled V-neckline.

Inc. Petites Striped Dress $69.50

www.macys.com

Posted by: Kim at 7:37 pm Comments Off | Topic: Fashion Tips

Apr

SPRING PETITE TRENDS TO AVOID

PETITES BEWARE!!! These hot spring 2011 trends spell trouble for petite women. It is extremely difficult for any short women to pull off color blocking, mixing prints, or wearing gladiator sandals. Here is why…

COLOR BLOCKING – As pictured above, color blocking divides the body into sections of color. This look will make a petite woman appear shorter.

MIXING PRINTS - Just like color blocking, mixing different prints chops a shorter body frame up too much. Instead,go for an all-over printed pattern smaller than the size of your fist.

GLADIATOR SANDALS – Any shoe style that cuts you off at the ankle with a strap will make short legs look even shorter.

Posted by: Kim at 11:33 am Comments Off | Topic: Fashion Tips

Feb

HATS OFF TO PETITE HATS FOR WINTER

With heavy snowstorms and cold weather blanketing much of the country this winter, a hat has become an essential item for every petite woman’s wardrobe. It is important to cover your head in the winter because studies show that roughly 40% of your body heat escapes through your head. The big plus for petite women is that a hat can also instantly add inches to your height. Here are a few quick tips for choosing a hat that is both functional and fashionable.

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.

Posted by: Kim at 12:14 pm Comments Off | Topic: Fashion Tips

Jan

FIGHT THE BIG CHILL IN THE PERFECT PETITE COAT

Whether you live in New York or Florida, you have already experienced the “Big Chill” this winter. Brave rainy days and snowy blizzards in a warm, cozy, perfectly proportioned petite coat. Here are a few tips for looking chic and fashionable even when you are bundled up for cold weather.

It’s hard to beat the look of a classic camel coat or a timeless peacoat. These cold weather wardrobe staples will simply never go out of style. Narrower lapels, smaller buttons, and elongating vertical seams will ensure that your coat won’t overpower your petite frame.

Faux fur is everywhere this season. A cashmere, wool, or leather coat with a faux fur collar makes the perfect petite coat because the collar draws attention upward for added height. Go for a monochromatic look like a dark overcoat with matching fur trim. This long unbroken line of color always makes a short woman look taller.

Image Courtesy of Nordstrom

Posted by: Kim at 11:16 am Comments Off | Topic: Fashion Tips