How to Identify & Dress For Your Petite Body Type

Apple...pear… no I’m not talking about fruit, I’m talking about body shapes! Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and while no two are ever the same, there are 5 common body shapes that most people fall under. I’m going to help you identify which body type you have and give you some key wardrobe items that will best flatter your shape. Let’s dive in!

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Hourglass

Am I an hourglass shape?
If your shoulders and hips are similar in width and you have a defined waist, you’ve got an hourglass shape my friend!

Your style goals:
Show off those curves by accentuating your waist.

How to achieve it:
Focus on tops that are slim-fitting or have a defined waistline in order to highlight the smallest part of your frame. Mid to high-rise bottoms and crop or waist-length tops are an hourglass girl's best friend as they both draw the eye to your narrow waist. As an hourglass figure, you’ll want to avoid higher necklines and baggy shapeless pieces on the top and bottom that do nothing for your curvy figure.

Key Pieces:
V-neck tops with a defined waist, wrap or sheath dress, high to mid-rise bottoms (flares and skinnies are a great choice!), belted coats

SHORT STORY TIP: Have a looser fitting top or dress you really love? Pair it with a fun belt to cinch your shape and draw attention to your waistline.

Pear

Am I a pear shape?
If your shoulders are narrower than your hips, you’re a pear shape!

Your style goals:
Balance out your bottom half by adding volume and interest to your top half.

How to achieve it:
To balance out a pear shape, you’ll want to choose tops that add volume or width to your shoulders. Off-the-shoulder tops, boat necklines, and structured jackets are a great way to do this. You can also bring attention to your top half with fun colors and prints, like horizontal stripes. Darker colors and clean straight lines on the bottom are ideal. A bootcut style jean is the perfect match for you as it balances out your hips just enough.

Key Pieces: A-line dresses, boot-cut pants, interesting tops that highlight the shoulders, cropped jackets

Inverted Triangle

Am I an inverted triangle shape?
If your shoulders are broader than your hips, then you’re an inverted triangle, girlfriend!

Your style goals:
Create curves by drawing attention to your lower half.

How to achieve it:
For an inverted triangle adding a bit of volume on your lower half is key. A-line skirts and fit and flare dresses are a great way to do this. Pairing them with a wide belt will draw the eye to your waist, giving you the illusion of having curves. V-necks, spaghetti straps, and strapless tops can help narrow your broad shoulders especially when paired with wide-leg bottoms.

Key Pieces: Fit and flare dress, drop shoulder jackets, v-neck and spaghetti strap tops, wide or straight leg bottoms

SHORT STORY TIP: Not many people can pull off printed bottoms, but you can! Go ahead and rock a fun pattern on your bottom half to help draw the attention away from your shoulders and balance out your figure even more.

Apple

Am I an apple shape?
If you are curvy with a less defined waist, then you’re an apple shape!

Your style goals:
Minimize your midsection by accenting your shoulders and legs.

How to achieve it:
For apple shapes, empire waist tops and dresses will not only accentuate your chest but will skim your midsection without adding any extra bulk. Dresses and skirts that hit just above the knee will create length and show off your legs, elongating your figure. Look for straight-leg or boot-cut trousers that have a flat front to avoid adding volume to your midsection. Items with dramatic sleeves are a great way to add a little fun to your outfit.

Key Pieces: Flat front trousers, empire waist dresses, v-neck and dramatic sleeved tops, long-line open front cardigans or jackets

Rectangle

Am I a rectangle shape?
If your shoulders, waist, and hips are similar in width, you’re a rectangle shape!

Your style goals:
Accent your waist and create curves by adding volume on the top and bottom.

How to achieve it:
Opt for tops that add volume to your upper half such as structured jackets, and flowy tops. Cropped jackets are a great option for this body type as they help give the illusion of a defined waist and elongate the leg at the same time, which is a must for us petites! Wear them with a pair of high-waisted wide-leg pants to really accent your shape. Fit and flare dresses and circle skirts also work great for rectangle body shapes to help give the look of a fuller hip.

Key Pieces: Wide-leg pants, tops that accentuate the shoulders or define the waist, cropped jackets, fit and flare dresses