After a long week of work, there’s nothing better than slipping into your comfiest clothes for a bit of fun, relaxation, and play. As a petite woman, you might find yourself worrying that looser-fitting clothing will drown out your small frame or make you look shapeless. The good news is, with the right styling and proportions, you can create multiple head-turning looks for all your weekend activities. Here’s a list of the best casual clothes for petite women to play in with tips on how to wear them.
A sweater is an essential layering piece that works for all seasons. In warmer weather, you can wear a thin sweater open over a tank top, T-shirt, or dress. When the temperature drops, you can layer it over a top or under a jacket. Whether you’re heading outdoors or just need an extra layer of warmth, a sweater is always a great choice. For women with a smaller frame, a petite V-neck sweater can help to elongate your neckline, highlight your shoulders, and make your torso appear taller. Wear it on its own with a delicate necklace for a sophisticated look, or wear it with jeans and a tee for a more casual look.
The vertical lines of a pleated petite skirt look especially good on smaller frames. One that sits at your natural waist will help to create a flattering, hourglass shape when paired with a fitted top, off-the-shoulder top, or bodysuit. To accentuate your figure even more, you can wear it with a waist belt.
A pleated skirt that hits at the calf will look fantastic with a tucked-in, button-down shirt and nude, pointed-toe heels to elongate the leg. You could also wear this combo with sneakers or espadrilles to create multiple warm-weather looks. To show off your legs, go for a mini pleated skirt and pair it with a cropped denim jacket or a trench coat and ankle boots. Whether you’re headed to a picnic, backyard barbecue, or dinner and drinks, a pleated skirt won’t let your down.
A jumpsuit is another great option for petite women as it forms a long, vertical line from top to bottom that will elongate your frame and make you look leaner. Choose a jumpsuit with an elevated waistline for the most flattering fit. It will create a balanced shape and give the illusion of longer legs. To add even more height, go for a shoe with a slight heel, like a platform or wedge, to complete your look. Your jumpsuit will also look stylish with a pair of high-top sneakers.
A sleeveless or strappy jumpsuit is a versatile piece because you can wear it as is in the spring and summer and then layer it with other pieces when the weather cools down. Wearing it with a petite cardigan, for example, is a cute way to style your jumpsuit for fall.
To create endless layered looks, consider a petite open-front sweater. Not only are these sweaters cozy, comfy, and soft to the touch, they create beautiful long lines that will accentuate all the best parts of your frame. Keep it simple with a neutral color, or go bold with an eye-catching animal print or floral design. An open-front sweater with vertical lines will look especially sleek and help to lengthen your frame.
For a casual, everyday outfit, wear your open-front sweater with leggings and a long tank top or T-shirt. A wraparound design will add texture and style to your outfit, while also accentuating your curves. Your open-front sweater will also look great with slim jeans and ankle boots.
For petite women, wide-leg jeans that sit at the waist and are hemmed just above the ankle can really flatter the figure. Avoid anything too wide or flared on the bottom, and go for a pair with a straight silhouette. This will ensure your look taller without adding any bulk to your natural shape.
In the summertime, pair your wide-leg jeans with a crop top to create an instant hourglass shape. A puff-sleeve or off-the-shoulder blouse will draw attention to your shoulders, while a square neckline will highlight your chest. Add a pop of personality with a statement necklace or a cute pair of earrings and you’ll have your look all set.
In cooler weather, your wide-leg women’s jeans will look great with a tucked-in, flowy blouse and a pair of ankle boots. For a more unexpected look, pair them with a fitted turtleneck and a sleeveless, longline vest. They’ll also work well with a striped or graphic T-shirt and a long blazer.
Petite dresses should be a wardrobe staple for all women with smaller frames. They are flattering, versatile, and create head-turning looks. While there are plenty of styles to choose from, a high-low dress is a great choice. This cut will show off a bit of your legs without the feeling of being weighed down by too much fabric. A high-low dress can be an outfit all on its own, but it will also work for layering with other pieces. Add a tie-belt sweater and ankle boots, for example, and you’ve got yourself a whole new look. You can also wear your high-low dress belted over sheer tights. Add a blazer to polish off your outfit.
Comfortable, casual clothes can also be cute and stylish. Treat yourself to a new piece of clothing from Lands’ End to create fun, playful looks for weekends and days off. With plenty of silhouettes to choose from, it’ll be easy to find an ideal piece that flatters your figure and style.