If you are a plus size girl who happens to be on the shorter side, wearing the right styles that flatter your short frame while accommodating your curvy body is key. It is crucial to choose the styles that can elongate your frame while bringing focus to your best assets, i.e. your curves. You’ll learn everything about how to best dress for your body shape in this guide, and we’ll start by understanding your body’s unique features.
Traits
- Petite frame and short legs – You stand 5’4 below and you may find some dresses “too long” for you.
- Bust size may vary – Your bust size can range from small to big, but since you carry more weight, it’s more common to have a fuller bust line.
- Thick arms – They may look chunky and flabby because of the extra weight you carry in your figure.
- You may have a bulging stomach – It’s common among plus size women to have a bigger midsection, which also means you can be prone to a muffin top.
- Curvy, wide hips and thick thighs – This makes your bottom half quite prominent.
- Perky and shapely bum – Since you carry more volume in your bottom half, your buttocks are well-pronounced.
TOPS
Tops with Low Necklines
Now here’s a style tip to start: try tops with lower necklines. They’re like magic wands that make your upper body look longer and give the impression of more height.
These tops draw the eye upward, highlighting your collarbones and neckline, which kind of shifts attention away from the middle part. It’s a sneaky trick that makes your waist seem more defined and shows off your curves, especially if you’ve got a fuller bust.
Mid-length Tops
Another one I always like to suggest are mid-length tops for our petite, plus size fashionistas! These extraordinary pieces, resting at hip-bone level, strike a beautiful balance, and they cleverly elongate the torso without overwhelming the frame.
Aside from that, these tops work like a charm, accentuating curves and defining the waistline, offering a streamlined, balanced silhouette. What’s fascinating is how they effortlessly draw attention away from the midsection, enhancing the shoulders and subtly highlighting the bust.
Tops with Fitted Sleeves
Ever tried those tops with fitted sleeves? Well, these tops are a fashion powerhouse as the sleeves delightfully work by making your arms look super sleek while giving your shoulders a little spotlight.
Plus, they do wonders by foregrounding your curves around the waist and bust, creating this smooth and shapely figure. These tops really know how to show off your best features, giving you that chic, elegant vibe effortlessly.
DRESSES
Wrap Dresses
Now let’s talk about the elegance of wrap dresses as they’re your best friend when it comes to flaunting those gorgeous curves! They do this cool thing where they cinch at your waist, making it look all “hourglass-y” and fab.
The V-neckline is a surefire way to add a bit of oomph to your bust, giving that chic vibe. Additionally, wrap dresses are not shy about being comfy – they gently cover your belly area while making you feel super confident.
Structured A-Line Dresses
As a short, plus size lady, are you looking for a fashionable dress that can further enhance your figure? Look no further than structured A-line dresses – they are designed to sculpt around your curves, emphasizing that gorgeous waistline, and crafting that irresistible hourglass silhouette.
You know what’s fantastic? They’ve got this effective way of discreetly tucking in any concerns you might have about the belly or hips, whereas that A-line cut aids in elongating those legs for a sophisticated appearance!
Belted Shirt Dresses
Have you ever considered rocking structured button-down mini dresses? Well, for our petite, plus size trendsetter, I believe these dresses are a magnificent choice, defining curves while offering a playful and charming style.
These dresses know how to play the silhouette game, cinching the waist and giving your bust a fabulous shout-out while keeping things comfy. Those snazzy buttons are like mini ‘spotlighters’, making your shoulders shine!
What about the shorter length of this dress? It’s a leg-lengthening trick for that ultra-chic and confident vibe.
JEANS
Jeans with Tummy Control Panel
To all short, plus size beauties out there, it’s time you greatly consider adding jeans with a tummy control panel to your wardrobe as they are a sleek wonder that enhances your confidence and figure effortlessly! These jeans are a chic answer to flattery, sculpting the waistline and smoothing the belly area for a snug, comfortable fit.
With their magical contouring effect, they point up those curves while offering firm support where needed. The bonus is they elegantly lift the buttocks, giving a subtle lift for a flattering silhouette.
High-rise Bootcut Jeans
Have you ever tried wearing high-rise bootcut jeans? If you’re among those stunning short plus size ladies, I advise wearing these jeans as they not only elongate your legs and create that fabulous illusion of added height but their high-rise design also gives your curves a gentle, graceful hug, making your outfit look a lot more eye-catching.
In addition, that subtle flare at the bottom works miracles for your entire body. It’s all about balancing your figure, making those hips and thighs look even more in sync.
Dark-washed Denim
Dark-washed denim jeans are a true fashion asset for petite, plus size ladies, offering a sleek and refined look that complements your curves with utmost refinement. The deep, dark hue of the denim fabric creates a visually slimming effect, enhancing your figure while providing a polished and put-together appearance.
On top of that, what’s remarkable about dark-washed denim is its ability to gracefully refine your silhouette, effortlessly concealing areas that might be of concern, such as the belly or thighs.
PANTS
Straight-Leg Trousers
As a fashion expert who owns a clothing line, I’ve observed the magic straight-leg trousers work on short plus-size ladies. The sleek lines of these trousers elongate your frame, adding an illusion of length to your silhouette.
Straight-leg trousers subtly skim over curves, offering a balanced appearance without clinging too tightly. The strategically placed waistlines define your natural curves while lengthening the legs, which enhance your body’s proportions.
These trousers sit comfortably around the waist, cleverly disguising any problem areas around the tummy and hips.
Structured Dress Pants
Structured dress pants are a dream come true for short plus-size beauties! These pants are like a style genie, beautifully underlining your waistline while ensuring a comfortable fit that doesn’t feel too tight while creating the visual trick of longer legs.
What’s so fantastic about them is how they contour your curves so gracefully. They outline your natural shape while cleverly hiding any areas around the midsection that you might not want to draw attention to.
Pleated Pants
My beloved petite, plus size darlings, I hope you also consider trying pleated pants! The clever pleating delicately shapes curves while cleverly lengthening the legs.
Moreover, these pants grant a gentle flow around the waist, offering a graceful silhouette that’s alluring and comfortable. The tailored detailing helps you pull off that sexier appearance while subtly concealing any tummy concerns.
SKIRTS
Pleated Skirts
Ladies, I’m so thrilled to suggest skirts with electric pleats! These skirts are, without a doubt, heaven-sent for short plus size ladies, creating a stunning elongating effect on the legs that gracefully emphasizes your curves without feeling overpowering.
The sharp, crisp pleats work their magic, creating vertical lines that visually lengthen your figure, giving you that added height and a streamlined silhouette. Their structured design hugs your waist and hips just right, providing a flattering and comfortable fit that accentuates your best features.
Skirts with a Slit
Skirts with slits are always designed to flatter shorter girls – strategically placed slits add a dash of sass while complementing your curves, enhancing movement and flow. This crucial detail elongates your legs visually, producing an illusion of height and grace.
No doubt, you can always embrace your curves confidently, as these skirts gracefully drape over your figure, accentuating your waist and letting your curves pop. The slit smartly draws attention to your legs and hugs your waistline perfectly, stressing your best features while providing ease of movement.
OUTERWEAR
Wrap Coats
Talking about the perfect outerwear for petite plus size women, let’s talk about your stylish ally – wrap coats. These marvelous coats cinch your waist and make your gorgeous curves more prominent while providing a flattering silhouette. It cleverly puts the focus away from areas you may prefer to deemphasize and highlights your waistline, granting a fabulous hourglass effect.
The wrap coat’s artful drape not only wraps you in chicness but also allows for graceful movement, underscoring your figure in all the right places. What’s more, the neckline frames your face like a masterpiece, adding that extra pop of sophistication to your overall ensemble.
Single-Breasted Blazers
Another figure flatterer, single-breasted blazers, are made to lend a slender illusion while subtly spotlighting your assets as a short plus size lady. Their design elongates the torso, providing an elegant, flattering silhouette that speaks volumes.
What’s truly remarkable is how these blazers artfully balance proportions, giving your shoulders that subtle broadness while softening the curves at the midsection. I’ve seen these blazers hug your body just right, emphasizing your silhouette in the most flattering way possible.
Ultimately, single-breasted blazers gracefully give prominence and complement your bust without overpowering it. These blazers usually feature a tailored design that subtly contours the body, enhancing your bust without drawing excessive attention.