Let me admit it right off the bat – I don’t really fall into the short category. At 5 feet 6 inches tall, I can generally be considered an “average” height for most people, but I struggle with the length and fit of certain clothes whenever I go shopping. Finding and picking out your favorite items can be frustrating enough, but when you’re also struggling to figure out what to wear during the transition between spring and summer seasons, getting ready in the morning can be a challenging process.
Thinking about shorter shoppers and how often this conundrum might affect you, I started asking petite fashion editors for the clothes that work best for them in the same situation. There were obvious suggestions (avoid baggy jeans, poodle pants, and maxi dresses), and some I hadn’t even thought about (drawstring trousers get a big one). Yes), and we finally made it into a short list of transitional wardrobe wonders that I had to share with you.
(Image credit: @chiarasatelier)
So, if you’re tired of sweating your way through baggy jumpers or braving the cold in short skirts, keep scrolling. This is the definitive spring/summer (transitional) capsule wardrobe for petite women. you are welcome.
How to Create a Beautiful Capsule Wardrobe for Spring
1. Oxford Shirt
Style Notes: In our humble opinion, button down shirts always look more oversized. Loose, open and long at the cuffs and hems, “boyfriend” style shirts have been in every good girl’s summer wardrobe for the past five years – good news for shorter shoppers who often find sleeve length challenging. If your shape fits the body perfectly, but the arms are still too long, roll them up to the elbows for the effortless “I just threw it on” effect I’ve seen skinny women nail so well.
Buy Oxford Shirts:
2. Drawstring trousers
Style Notes: It’s pretty clever once you think about it, but the easiest solution is to find a sleek pair of waistband with a waistband. Don’t rush into sewing the waistband, once you find the length that works for you, the drawstring pull is a quick solution that you can adjust in seconds—no Belt required. Linen duds will be a staple of your summer savings, but you can start wearing them now with some cozy layers on top.
Buy Drawstring Trouser:
3. Midi skirt
Style Notes; The beauty of the midi skirt is that no matter where it falls between the knee and the calf, it always looks perfectly fitted. If like my fellow editors you’re tired of wearing minis, or struggling to find a maxi that doesn’t bunch up around your legs, midis are still the skirt length of choice for fashion insiders, and they’re perfect for petite women who might otherwise easily gravitate towards trousers.
Buy Midi Skirts:
4. Puff Sleeve Blouse
Buy Puff Sleeve Blouse:
5. Closed toes
Style Notes: This shoe should truly be considered a staple of anyone’s wardrobe. Shoes that show a little skin (but not too much), closed-toe shoes, slip-on shoes allow your feet to breathe on hot days, but are still the first defense against cold winds if the forecast changes. With a lot of high street and designer brands now starting in small and half sizes, you won’t have to worry about things like calf fit and strap placement with this easy throw-on-and-go style.
Buy Mule:
6. Utility Jacket
Style Notes: A great, lightweight option for layering in the spring and wearing over the shoulder in the summer, utility jackets are perfect for accenting pretty florals and pastel colors like blouses and dresses. Just like oxford shirts, they look away Cooler, roomier fits go with boxier ones, so don’t be afraid to hang up the sleeves and keep the hem a little lower than normal. Unlike trenches, you won’t have to try on dozens of them to find the right length.
Shop Utility Jacket:
very dry
military m65 jacket
The cinched waist elevates this casual jacket.
7. Straight-leg jeans
style notes: This list wouldn’t be complete without denim in some way, shape or form, and after scrolling through a feed of well-groomed, skinny women it became immediately clear that straight-leg denim is still the preferred cut of choice. Where cropped jeans can be hit or miss, and flares can be heavy on the fabric, straight-leg denim draws attention to the leg from hip to ankle with a leg-lengthening effect, and they go with every shoe from high platforms to easy ballet flats.
