Make It Work, or Not

As a short lady, I've memorized most of the basics ins and outs for dressing yourself to look taller: horizontal striped pants, nude heels, monochromatic outfits, etc. One thing, however, that has me puzzled is why some of the worst options for shorter women are sold in practically every department store petite.

Today's perpetrator is the ankle length skirt. On most wearers, the long skirt makes one look like a member of a religious convent or a 17th century Pilgrim (See Exhibit A). There's also the floor length floral skirt* which, again, should be reserved for 1970s style Halloween costumes.

I have simply found that longer skirts do not flatter most people, regardless of height. The styles for longer lengths are limited since it's clearly not practical to buy an ankle length pencil skirt- if you plan on at all walking. For every girl who can rock a floor length skirt a la Blake Lively, there are twenty others who are sectioning their bodies into terrible proportions. Blake succeeds in this outfit because the skirt gives the illusion of being part of a one piece dress which is much easier to wear even if you aren't 5'10" like she is. I've seen a variety of dresses that give the illusion of wearing a skirt by combining a cropped top with a more flowy bottom.

Longer dresses present a similar problem for petite girls. Shorter dresses that expose your legs trick the eye into making you look taller. They are also much easier to shop for than, say, pants. Anna, Ma'ayan, and I went to college in Ohio and understand that cold weather doesn't always permit us to wear shorter skirts and dresses in November (or even March for that matter), but if you learn to layer clothes properly, you can use some of your dresses in the winter.

If you do want to wear a longer dress, try to shop for one that is less bulky. A long sleeve floor length dress is going to look bulky. Consider pairing a turtleneck under a knee-length jumper or looking for a dress that, at the very longest, hits you mid calf. I've also seen a variety of woolen leggings this season, which look fairly cozy.

Remember, if it's that cold, you can even layer leggings or throw on some pants.


*Admittedly, I have purchased this type of skirt, but haven't worn one since I was 17 and a vegan.

Skirt by multislack featuring a line skirts

natasha peplum pencil CAREER skirt$198
$198 - aliceandolivia.com
Pencil skirt »

7 for all mankind Mid-rise jeans-style leggings
$150 - net-a-porter.com
Seven For All Mankind leggings »

La Perla Leggenda Sparkle Tights
$31 - asos.com
Sheer stockings »

Petite Flannel PU Trim A-line Skirt - New In - Topshop
$70 - topshop.com
A line skirts »

Colorblock Bandage Skirt - Women's Clothing and Apparel - Chic...
57 CAD - ardenb.com
Denim skirts »

ASOS | ASOS CURVE High Waist Mid Calf Pencil Skirt at ASOS
$55 - asos.com
ASOS skirts »

Cable Knitted Leggings
$44 - topshop.com
Topshop leggings »

Casual Introductions

In a world where height reigns supreme, Amazonian goddesses float along couture runways and grace the covers of Vogue, Elle, and Visionaire. It would be nice if the perks stopped there, alas height is just as important in playing essentially ever sport I attempted as well as to not being stepped on while worming your way through large crowds. Eventually I found myself (and thankfully stopped trying to play organized sports).

The struggle to find pants that don't drag on the ground, however, never stops - though I do respect that tall women have the opposite problem. I've been told countless times, "At least you can hem your pants. You can't add to the bottom of your jeans." Any true fashionista knows that simply chopping several inches off the bottom of a pair of pants doesn't magically make them fit. The width of a pair of pants meant for a tall girl's lower thigh, no matter how skinny she may be, does not correspond to my ankle. I can't recall how many times I've accidentally tried on capris and then, wondering why the fit is so awkward realize that they are not petite length pants.

I can live with looking a little harder to find shorter inseams in the same way that wider girls can live with shopping for plus-sized clothes. What I cannot live with is the exclusion of the shorter girl, that is shorter than 5'5" from the wonderful world of high fashion and couture as an art-form. If the average American female is 5'4" (I've allowed an extra inch above, which is fair considering the "Petite" cycle of ANTM had girls up to 5'7"), just as many of us fall below that mark as those who fall above. The average female super model is generally between 5'8" and 6'1", a good 4-9 inches above the average girl. This blog is dedicated to the rest of us who, whether 5'2" or 4'9," know their Louboutins from their Blahniks and that petite section isn't limited to outdated holiday sweaters and sportswear for senior citizens.