Life

9 Short Girl Fashion Hacks That Celebrate The 5' & Under Crowd

by Autumn Jones

Shopping trips can be a mixed bag of emotions. But for every negative, there is always a positive. You may have to brave a cramped, poorly lit fitting room, but it's worth it when you find the perfect dress that is going to slay at your high school reunion. And don't even get me started on the high you get from a pair of jeans that makes your ass look like you do pilates 'round the clock. However, it's not always easy to find what works best with your body type. But if you're a short girl, fashion hacks that celebrate the petite are going to change the way you look at your wardrobe.

You don't need an entire closet makeover to rock the looks that suit your small frame. A visit to the tailor or the strategic use of a belt can take your style to a whole new level. Knowing what works best for your body type is like having an a personalized instruction manual for getting dressed.

When it comes to fashion hacks, sometime the rules were meant to be broken. So forget everything you've known about what doesn't work for short girls, and take a look at these nine tips to help you rock all the trends.

1Wear Petite Pants

Finding the right length pant can be a challenge for all women, non matter what her height. If you're on the smaller end of the height chart, try this guide to petite pants from Refinery 29 that is chock full of styles to work with a short body type.

2Rock The Midi Skirt

Not quite a maxi, but giving a similar feel, midlength skirts look great on small frames, according to Glamour. The magazine's advice: create a long-looking silhouette by pairing a high-waisted midi with a crop top.

3Stock Up On Ankle Boots

For flattering lines, Cosmopolitan suggested wearing boots that hit at the ankle. These look killer with short skirts and dresses, which will show off your legs.

4Make Friends With Platforms

According to Harper's Bazaar, a three inch heal isn't your best bet — instead, short gals should embrace platforms, and ditch the high heals (unless they are four inches or higher).

5Find A Good Tailor

Don't let you stature put you in a box — layers and flowy clothes can work for short women, as long as they are tailored to fit well. This same rule goes for wide-legged pants as well, meaning any rules you've ever heard about these being a no-no, just went out the window.

6Have A Go-To Dress

Every woman needs a dress she can rely on in a pinch. In Style recommended styles such as a fitted sheath or empire waist to highlight petite figures.

7Kick Them Daisies

Permission to wear short shorts granted! This is a style short ladies can pull off like no other, according to Glamour. So get out your scissors and cut up your old jeans — just beware of cuffing, since it can break up the line of your legs.

8Belt It Out

Wide or skinny, a belt will help define the look and shape of your outfit. Great for those oversized tops and flowing dresses that need a little nip in the waist.

9Crop It Like It's Hot

For short ladies, this trend works best when the top and bottom are the same print. Just make sure to keep things fitted so the ensemble doesn't get to overwhelming.