How to dress when you are short? A question that often resonates with many people who do not exceed one meter sixty-four (why are we so precise? Because the average height of Italian women is exactly 164.6 cm) – including the one who is writing – have asked themselves at least once in their lives. Fashion and height (or rather the lack of it), have long been like two lines that never meet: jeans and sleeves that are too long, pointed shoes that seem immense, outerwear that defines them oversized it would be reductive.
Nowadays the advent of the much criticized fast fashion brought some additional benefits, such as the introduction of mini sizes or named lines petitebut the confusion and small annoyances remain many. To help those who feel they need some advice to orient themselves in the choice both in terms of shopping what about stylingwe have prepared a small list of tips to follow.
Come on optical tricks to lengthen the figure (where you feel the need) to purchasing precautionsFor avoid waste and buy to measuretake a look at these 7 points that will allow you to get a wardrobe… up to par!
1. Choose lines petite
The first solution in terms of purchases, the simplest and most immediate, is to prefer the so-called lines petite. Just like for those who are taller than average, there are also made garments for those who are a few centimeters shorter ad hoc. There are brands specialized but also lines proposed by large ones e-commercelike ASOS, characterized by sizes calculated on different proportions, which consequently they rent better and avoid the use – and waste – of excess fabric.
2. Jeans: brands with traditional measurements are better
One of the thorniest issues when you are short? The pants oi jeanswhich always require a modification of the hem, a detail which can however affect the original proportions of a model. To avoid this just prefer i brands which propose the classic measurements, i.e. the sizes for width and length (like traditional Levi’s). Today there are many brands that have returned to offering a size chart of this type also in the sector luxury, such as Toteme.
3. Outerwear: better short or long?
The maxi coats proposed by Sabato De Sarno on the catwalk Spring-Summer 2025 Of Gucci they seem to evoke the sensation that a short person can sometimes feel when struggling with the choice of outerwear for the winter. If in fact shopping we can recommend the precautions we have just seen – relying on specific lines or simply asking for the intervention of a tailor to modify the proportions – from a stylistic point of view there is a couple of more pieces of information that are worth knowing.
If you wonder what is the right length for a coat the answer is simpler than expected: choose short models, above the hips, or on the contrary long models. In both cases the silhouette will benefit, appearing more slender than the effect obtained with a mid-thigh coat. Extra detail: when you wear skirts or dresses, always choose one of the same length or longer than these.
4. Skirts and dresses: focus on extremes
Either mini or very long. The ideal skirts for those who don’t boast an important height are based on extremes. The reason is also evident in the choice of coat: create harmony and do not interrupt the figure, which would otherwise widen it horizontally.
5. Pay attention to color blocking
The color theme highlights what was said above even more: creating a look with splashes of color, i.e. according to the traditional one color blocking, breaks the verticality and consequently, on an optical level, shorten the figure. This does not imply giving up color contrasts, on the contrary: they can simply be seen vertically, opting for a total look monochrome from head to toe paired with contrasting outerwear (or something open and long).
6. Leggings? 7/8
Even thesportswear It’s a sometimes sore point. Who has never bought a pair of leggings and find yourself with a few too many creases? For this reason, practical versions with a 7/8 length, i.e. ankle-length, were created.
7. Heels: pay attention to proportions
We often tend to find a connection between short stature and high heel. In reality, the height of the heel must be chosen with care because, contrary to what is commonly thought, exceed in height does not lead to an improved yield: It doesn’t make you look tallerIndeed, it emphasizes the short stature. For this reason it is good to opt for an average height or, alternatively, choose a 12 heel not with skirts and dresses that show it but with trousers that fall softly over it.
Source: Vanity Fair
I’m Susan Karen, a professional writer and editor at World Stock Market. I specialize in Entertainment news, writing stories that keep readers informed on all the latest developments in the industry. With over five years of experience in creating engaging content and copywriting for various media outlets, I have grown to become an invaluable asset to any team.
