Frequently asked questions
What pieces are essential to a fall capsule wardrobe for petite women?
Start with versatile staples you can easily mix, match, and layer as the weather changes, including good-quality tees, sweaters, denim, dresses, and coats. For petite shoppers, it’s especially useful to pay attention to sizing in pieces where proportion can make or break the fit, including button-downs, pants and jeans, coats, and boots. Shorter inseams can save you a trip to the tailor, while petite-specific outerwear and boots can help ensure hems and shaft heights hit where they’re intended.
What should petite women look for when it comes to fit?
Pay particular attention to where the shoulders, sleeves, and hems hit. Fit is everything when it comes to petite frames, especially with tops and jackets, where excess fabric can quickly overwhelm a smaller silhouette, says Stitch Fix stylist Kara Wagner. “Shoulder seams should sit close to the natural point of the shoulder—if they drop even an inch, it can pull the top downward and make the look feel too slouchy,” she tells Glamour.
As for sleeves, look for styles that hit right at or just above the wrist bone, Wagner says. Cropped or ¾-length sleeves are great, as they show a bit of wrist that can help lengthen the arm. For tops, aim for hems that hit around the high hip or natural waist. Avoid blouses that end at the widest part of the thigh to keep your silhouette lengthened and balanced.
What pant inseam is best for petite women?
There’s no one perfect inseam for every petite woman—it depends on the rise, leg shape, and shoes you plan to wear. Wagner suggests looking for a 25- to 28-inch inseam on full-length pants. “This works best for ankle-length styles worn with flats or sneakers, where showing a sliver of skin at the ankle creates a lengthening effect,” she says.
