mufti: Some good advice (from Oprah) for those of us on the shorter end of the stick: Lauren Glassberg 37, 5’2”“I’m on a first-name basis with my tailor.” Stick to simple, snug-fitting clothes: say no to flowy skirts, big sweaters; yes to this modified trench from Banana Republic’s petite line ($198). Get petite sizes, not misses’; with alterations you lose the trench’s great sleeve details, and it’s difficult for a tailor to fix too-big shoulders. Wide-legged pants won’t stunt shorter women if the volume is balanced by heels and a defined shape on top. Pants, Alice + Olivia, $175. Top, J.Crew, $88. Shoes, Oscar de la Renta. Earrings, Leslie Greene. Ring, H.Stern.Some suggestions of my own: It’s not mandatory that you wear high heels if you’re short but I do. The most comfortable of all will be ones with a thick platform, that way you’re not arching your foot as much but still get the added height. I must caution that finding a beautiful shoe with a thick platform that doesn’t look clunky is hard. Think Christian Louboutin. Below the knee skirts kill you. Usually, you can pull them off with a high, high heel. Pair low heels with a shorter hemline to elongate your legs. Or pair a longer hemline with higher heels. Jackets and coats must be very tailored and fit just right. Look for shirts that are longer. J.Crew makes great tees that are much longer than the average and will make you look like you have legs for miles. Great advice! I love being 5’2. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

mufti:

Some good advice (from Oprah) for those of us on the shorter end of the stick: Lauren Glassberg
37, 5’2”

“I’m on a first-name basis with my tailor.”

  • Stick to simple, snug-fitting clothes: say no to flowy skirts, big sweaters; yes to this modified trench from Banana Republic’s petite line ($198).
  • Get petite sizes, not misses’; with alterations you lose the trench’s great sleeve details, and it’s difficult for a tailor to fix too-big shoulders.
  • Wide-legged pants won’t stunt shorter women if the volume is balanced by heels and a defined shape on top.

Pants, Alice + Olivia, $175. Top, J.Crew, $88. Shoes, Oscar de la Renta. Earrings, Leslie Greene. Ring, H.Stern.
Some suggestions of my own:

  • It’s not mandatory that you wear high heels if you’re short but I do. The most comfortable of all will be ones with a thick platform, that way you’re not arching your foot as much but still get the added height. I must caution that finding a beautiful shoe with a thick platform that doesn’t look clunky is hard. Think Christian Louboutin.
  • Below the knee skirts kill you. Usually, you can pull them off with a high, high heel.
  • Pair low heels with a shorter hemline to elongate your legs. Or pair a longer hemline with higher heels.
  • Jackets and coats must be very tailored and fit just right.
  • Look for shirts that are longer. J.Crew makes great tees that are much longer than the average and will make you look like you have legs for miles.


Great advice! I love being 5’2. I wouldn’t change it for the world.