The 4 Body Shapes of Petite Women

Short ... petite ... vertically challenged ... doesn't matter what they call us because it all plays out the same.  If you stand 5'4" or shorter, knowing what your "body shape" is will truly help you when selecting clothing that will accentuate your very best features and minimize those areas you would rather not have noticed.

We will touch on the 4 individual body types and articles to follow will zone on each individual type and those clothes and fashion tips to address each one ... so ladies ... stay tuned over the next four weeks.

HOURGLASS

If this is you, you are equally balanced on top and bottom; meaning your bust measurement and hip measurement are about the same. Another characteristic of this figure type is a defined waistline. When a women has an hourglass figure, the difference between the bust and/or hip measurement and the waist measurement is usually ten inches or more.  If you've been blessed with this one, it's considered the ideal body type.   Film star Salma Hayek is your perfect example.

TRIANGLE

Women with proportionally smaller busts and/or narrow shoulders and large hips or thighs will fall under this category.  Also known as a pear shape, the triangle figure is the most common known in the world.  Dressing for a triangle-shaped figure means selecting clothing that draws attention to the bust, creates a defined waistline, and minimizes hips and thighs.  Rachel Ray is a noted triangle.

INVERTED TRIANGLE

A woman who has an inverted triangle-shaped figure has proportionally smaller hips and/or thighs and larger bust and/or wider shoulders when compared to a woman who has an hourglass figure. The inverted triangle is not a common figure type; however, with the popularity of bust enhancement by plastic surgery, it's becoming more common.  Dolly Parton has been this body type all of her life.

Dressing for an inverted triangle-shaped figure means selecting clothing that minimizes the bust and creates a defined waistline. Otherwise, a woman who has this figure type may look too top-heavy.

RECTANGLE 

Marissa Jaret Winokur resembles this body type.  Women who have rectangle figures have relatively equal bust and hip measurements, just as a woman who has an hourglass shape does. However, a woman with a rectangle-shaped figure doesn't have a defined waistline. There's little difference in waist measurement when compared to bust and/or hip measurements, so the rectangle shape is more or less straight up and down. A variation of this shape is sometimes called an apple when the waist measurement is larger than the bust and/or hip measurement.

The major challenge for women who have a rectangle shape is to create the illusion of a defined waistline, which will make them look more like they have an hourglass shape.

Check in next week when we address the Rectangle Body Type.

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 We realize the recession has hit every one in our "Cinderella Family" of petite women's footwear and we would like to do our part to help.

Effective until Oct. 31st, we are reducing every style in our catalog by not only $20.00 but we will also be waiving the standard mailing charge on all domestic (US) orders for every order of 3 or more pairs.

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Great Sweater Tips For Petites

Sweaters are a basic for every woman's wardrobe. Petites will look better in their sweaters if they select them to fit and flatter their short figures. Here are some factors for short women to keep in mind when sweater shopping:

• Buy your sweaters in the petites department because they will fit much better than a regular size sweater, which will be too long.

Boat Neck



Mock Turtle

• Select sweaters with a flattering neckline, such as a universally flattering v-neckline.  Short women who have a wide bottom may opt for a boatneck, which helps give the illusion of broader shoulders. Avoid big cowls and turtlenecks, and instead choose a mock-neck, which is less bulky.

• Choose knits that aren't bulky. Bulky sweaters can make short women look bigger, so a sleeker, smoother sweater knit fabric works better. Look for flattering and proportional details, such as surplice styling, waistline emphasis, and small, rather than huge, ruffles.

• Select comfortable fabric. Scratchy wool knits irritate delicate skin, so if you choose a wool sweater, try it on to make sure that it isn't scratchy. Cotton and silk as well as blends with a bit of lycra are normally comfortable. If you want luxury, soft cashmere is a good choice.

• Wear well fitting foundation garments under sweaters to shape and smooth the figure. 

How V-Necks Compliment A Short Frame

Wearing a top or dress with a V-neckline is a great way for short women to look thinner and taller than we truly are. Here are five fabulous short celebrities who each style their V-necklines differently, and they all look fantastic.

 Ugly Betty star America Ferrara looks thinner in her V-neck top with vertical trim detail below the V. Wearing vertical lines in combination with the V-neck emphasizes the longer look even more. For her look, find garments with vertical lines extending from the neckline.

Eva Longoria Parker looks glamorous in her V-neck cocktail dress. Notice the ruffle detail surrounding the neckline that adds a bit of emphasis to the V-line.  For her V-neck look, find garments that frame the neckline with short, ruffled lace or other embellishments that don't overcome the style.

Here's another great way to emphasize the V-neckline. Rachael Ray wears a pendant necklace, which repeats the V-line and serves as a focal point of her look. Well proportioned for Rachael, the pendant is neither too big nor too small.  For Rachael's V-neck look, wear a
pendant necklace that provides a focal point centered above the V.

Gorgeous! Reese Witherspoon's V-neckline emphasizes a lovely decolletage with just the right amount of cleavage appropriate for special occasion dressing. She simply looks pretty  without being overexposed.  For Reese's V-neck look, choose a dress with a medium V-neckline, neither too deep nor too shallow, and make sure you have the right bra, which gives a nice uplift without peeping out of the neckline.

Wearing a knit dress with a V-neckline, Renee Zellweger styles it with a little collar around the back of her neck. Her knit dress drapes smoothly over her body.  For Renee's V-neck look, pick out a knit top or dress with a little collar surrounding the back of the neckline, and make sure to wear a smoothing bra or shaper under it.

Jackets Tips To Complement Your Figure

Jackets belong in every petite woman's wardrobe because a jacket is a go-to garment for both work and weekend wear. Wearing a jacket is also a great way to hide midriff and tummy bulges. To get the maximum style boost from a jacket, petites should look for the jacket features that work best for short women.

 - Choose single-breasted jackets, rather than double-breasted jackets. Petites don't need extra bulk in their clothing.

- Pick a classic jacket with a V-neckline. Classically styled jackets that form a v-neckline when buttoned flatter petites because they make us look taller.

 - Buy fitted or semi-fitted jackets to create flattering, shapely lines. Petites can get lost in loose-fitted or oversized jackets.

- Make sure jackets fit in the bust. You should be able to button a jacket without any gaping or pulling across the bust line.

- Wear shorter jackets that end at the high hip and flatter most petites by creating the illusion of longer legs.

 - Wear jackets with long sleeves or at least three quarter length sleeves. Short-sleeved jackets are fairly useless.

 - Select jackets made of smooth, rather than thick, bulky fabric in order to create a longer, leaner line.


- Create the illusion of a slimmer and taller line by wearing jackets with vertical lines and seaming .

- Avoid patch pockets, no matter where they're placed on jackets, to maintain the sleekest line.

- Maximize wearability and create a leaner, taller look by selecting jackets in solid colors without embellishment. If you love prints, you can always wear a print blouse, dress, or skirt with your jacket. Jackets with subtle neutral designs, such as Glen plaid or pinstripes, will also work for petites.