How to Identify & Dress For Your Petite Body Type

Are you ready to check out your beautiful self in the mirror to figure out your body shape? We all come in unique shapes and sizes but typically fit into five common body types: Pear, Inverted Triangle, Hourglass, Apple, and Rectangle. Are you already asking yourself which one am I? Don't worry!

Today, I am going to make it easy and help you determine what your body shape is as well as give you a few tips for shopping and styling your silhouette as a petite. Once you identify your body shape, you can do your own research or skip the homework and sign up for your own personalized Short Story box. We will happily curate petite looks that are flattering for your body shape!

Ready to receive your next box? Take the Style Quiz to get started!

Pear

Am I a pear? I know it’s a silly question to ask but if you have narrow shoulders and larger hips, then the answer is yes! This means the top half of your body is smaller than your bottom half which creates an imbalance. In order to create balance, take attention away from your fuller hips and draw it toward the upper body. You can easily do this by choosing a top in a bright color, bold print, or horizontal stripe around the bust and shoulders. Create an illusion of volume on the upper body by wearing a flutter, puff, or dolman sleeve.

When it comes to bottoms, an excellent guideline to follow is selecting dark-colored high-waisted styles. From jeans to skirts- we carry many options that are specifically cut for petites that will flatter this silhouette.

Inverted Triangle

Are you an inverted triangle AKA, the “Strawberry”? Do you tend to have proportionally prominent and broad shoulders that are wider than your waistline or hips? If you can relate, flatter your silhouette by creating a balance between your wider top half and narrower bottom. One easy way to achieve this is by wearing a top with a cinched waist and a pair of flared bottoms.

For top options, choose cowl necks, shawl necks, v-necks, and vertical line prints with bootleg bottoms for a balanced head-to-toe look. Speaking of v-necks, bodysuits with these necklines will complement this silhouette. For a one-and-done dress silhouette, the aline, midi, and shift rank in the top three.

Hourglass

Are you a Marilyn? Oops, I mean hourglass! It's easy to get those confused because not only is she iconic, but so is her famous hourglass body shape. If you’re blessed with a full bust, a slender defined waist, and your hips and shoulders about the same width, then you are officially an hourglass. This body shape is all about defining your waistline.

A simple way of doing this is opting for belted tops or dresses. A universal v-neck, peplum, fitted, and wrap style tops are all fabulous options and will pair perfectly with curvy fit or straight-leg high-rise pants or jeans. Wrap yourself in a faux wrap dress for a figure-flattering look!

Apple

Have you figured out your body type yet? If not, you may be an apple. If you have a fuller bust, waist, and upper back with balanced hips and shoulders and no defined waist then you can confirm you have an apple shape. To flatter this silhouette, create an illusion of a waistline by drawing attention away from your midsection. This can be done in a few different ways! Peplum and ruched tops with a v-neck or sweetheart neckline are great go-to options.

Create curves for your hip area by choosing bottoms with prominent side or back pockets. Feeling flirty? Show off your great legs in a fit and flare, trapeze, or empire waist dress!

Rectangle

Last but not least is the rectangle body type and one of the most common among women. This silhouette tends to be identified with having a small frame in general with little to no waist definition so that your hips, waistline, and shoulders are pretty close in terms of width. For this body type, it's all about creating curves!

Do this by choosing a puff sleeve or wrap top and pairing it with flare or bootcut jeans for a perfectly balanced look. Create feminine Marilyn curves by rocking a fitted wrap, peplum, or aline style dress. Don’t love wearing dresses? Jumpsuits with a snatched waistline will do the trick to create shape!

That's a wrap on your mini tutorial on how to identify and dress for your petite body type. Are you feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to start? Don't worry! We remove the “ugh” from shopping, helping you feel confident and look amazing!

So what are you waiting for?! Sign up, take the style quiz, fill out your profile, and one of our talented stylists will curate a collection tailored to your body shape and preferred style.

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*Cover: Short Story