Shopping for petite sizes
If you are on the short and dainty side with a child-like stature, you might want to consider shopping at specialty stores that offer petite sizes such as size 0 or XS. It is simpler than trying to alter full-fashion sizes that have been proportioned for an average height range. Shortening the pant legs alone, for example, doesn't do the trick. Details like pockets and pant rises can seldom be corrected with alterations.Alternatively, try going for tailoring services. Tailored designs work really well on a small frame. Plus you'll definitely get the perfect customized fit.
Go for monochrome and tonal colors
Avoid contrasting colors between your top and bottom, which will visually cut your torso. The best way to lengthen your slight frame is to stick to monochromatic and tonal combinations for your separates, such as white-and-white or navy-and-blue. For belts, avoid wearing one that is a stark contrast in color to your outfit.To break the color monotony and liven up your outfit, try wearing different fabrics and textures, top and bottom.
Experiment with different combinations
You've probably heard that capri pants and ankle-length skirts are out of bounds for shorter girls, but before you swear off certain styles completely, rethink your options. Often, you can still pull off unlikely pieces with the right cut and the right shoes.Cropped pants, for example, can foreshorten your appearance, but you can still make them work for you. Choose cropped pants that hit your leg at a shapely point -- like the knee -- and avoid having the hem stop short at the fullest part of your calf. Pair with footwear with a bit of heel, such as espadrilles or wedges, to lengthen your legs.
Wear your prints small or vertical
Prints, if worn right, can have a flattering effect on small-sized women. Smaller-scaled graphics are always a better choice than oversized ones. How small should the prints be? As a general rule, anything that's not larger than the size of your palm is considered safe.Wearing vertically-designed patterns, such as pinstripes, also helps a lot because these have a torso-elongating effect.
Color-wise for prints, two-tones such as black-and-white patterns are more favorable than complicated multi-colored prints. Preferably, wear your prints on top to draw the eye upward.
Footwear
The right shoe and heel shape and height is important for petite women of all sizes. Pointed toes are more leg-lengthening than rounded ones. Avoid flats and go for shoes with sleek, slight heels -- ideally two to three inches high. Also look for styles with a low vamp (i.e. the opening near your toe is low-cut and exposes a bit of toe cleavage), to visually elongate the appearance of your foot and leg.And, forget about those dreadfully clunky thick-soled platforms. They just overwhelm your small frame, and instead of making you look taller, draw attention to the fact that you're walking on too-chunky stilts.