What Style Suits My Petite Body Shape?

by E
(Asia)

Any advice on what styles I should wear? For short/petite and curvy women? Because I always see advice for petite and small women which doesn't match me.. I usually wear skinny jeans and whatever top. My favorite body part is my flat stomach but I always have a hard time choosing what to wear because my bust always makes me appear bigger.

My measurements:
Bust 35
Waist 24
Hip 35

But my height is only 5'3" (so I'm not sure if this is petite) and my body long, and my legs are not that long.

I feel my bust is too big every time I wear clothes, and buttoned shirts won't close if I wear the ones that are fit to my waist, and it comes up too loose if I get a bigger size to accommodate my bust.


Hi, your body measurements indicate that you're a proportional hourglass figure -- you're a full-busted petite with a long torso compared to your legs. When shopping for new clothes, you might want to focus on buying pieces that:

• Minimize your bust
• Emphasize your waist (and flat tummy)
• Visually elongate your height
• .. and lengthen your lower body

How to Dress Your Long Waist/Full Bust/Petite Hourglass Body

1. To minimize your bust V-necks are a must since they visually slim your torso and draw the eye towards your narrow and flat waist (lucky you!). Long pendant necklaces and scarves worn loosely (no knots, just let each end hang in front) can also help slim down your bust. You can also wear rounded necklines as long as you add a long pendant necklace, etc. on top of it. Adding these pieces together in your outfit will make you look taller and leaner!

2. You're lucky for having a flat and narrow waist - I think your waist is a feature you should really accentuate to look and feel good. Any top or dress with nipped waist looks fabulous on you. You might want invest in belts to wrap around your tiny waist.

3. Speaking of your legs, the strategies to making your bottom half look longer is by wearing high waist pants (just make sure that it matches closely with the color of your top to avoid making you look shorter), straight and bootcut pants (skinnys can make your bottom look shorter), dark color bottoms, above the knee skirts and dresses, pants and shoes of the same color. What to wear if you have a long torso and short legs, is explained here.

4. To look taller I suggest wearing monochromatic colored outfits -- as in colors in a similar nuance. For example: black and dark grey. White and beige. Dark blue, medium blue, light blue. Also remember to pick pieces that won't break up your height into blocks, so that means no dark jeans with a white tee. However you can add a vest or sweater on the white top so that it 'connects' with the bottom. Heels are also a must, but if you're not comfortable wearing such type of clothing, go for shoes that have a slightly pointy toe instead of rounded shape. This will also help make your legs look longer.

If you need a comprehensive guide to what clothes to wear and what you should avoid, then an E-style personalized styling portfolio will be of great help as it covers everything you need to know about what clothes flatter your body type based on your shape, bust size, bone structure, height, face shape, vertical body line (short legs and long body), etc. Everything from shoes to coats, and how to coordinate them to look good:-)



Hope this helps!

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