petite boho style defining crisis!

having a bit of a style crisis over here!

Recap: I'm basically building my style from the ground up, with some accessories and clothes already in my collection and many more that I've bought or need to buy.

Until now, my style has been ultra-casual, mostly tees and jeans, and has varied based on what fits me at any given time.

So, I need to get organized....

But the more I read here on YLF the more confused I get about what I actually want my look to be.

I'm definitely boho, but want to make sure I add some polish and some dressiness to it. Maybe dressiness isn't quite the right word - I just don't want to look ultra-casual all the time.

I'm also realizing that, since I'm petite, the long, flowy clothing I enjoy wearing isn't always going to work. It's going to be a delicate balance between getting that flowy look and having too much fabric on my body. Some of it is going to be figuring out what length of top is flattering on me, versus too long, billowy, or both. I know clever use of asymmetrical hemlines will help with this, but that'll only help so much. It's really easy to dwarf my body, which, again, is small, though not skinny by any means.

Perhaps it'd help if I defined my style, but I'm not really sure how to go about doing that. I'm still so new to all of this.

What do I do? How do I figure out what's going to suit my body? How do I find the clothes cut for petite bodies?

Your post

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Hi Robin,

Since you are starting from scratch, I'm going to suggest that first you have your measurements taken. If you don't have anyone at home to do it, you can always ask a helpful SA at a store or a tailor to do it. Because you're petite, make sure you don't forget to measure the shoulder to waist and waist to hip (rise) measurements. Then write everything down.

Next, do you have some articles of clothing that you feel fit well? They don't have to be the STYLE that you want, you're just looking for a good and flattering fit. You are going to want to measure those too, and compare them to your body measurements. This should at least give you a decent idea of what lengths and widths things should be.

The reason why I think it's important to know your measurements is that petite sizing is FAR more available online than in stores. I know shopping online is probably more difficult for you, being blind, than it would be for a sighted person, but you may end up having to do so to get the best selection. (Although it may also work to try on the regular size one in a store and then extrapolate from that.)

You are in Seattle, right? I would guess the flagship Nordie's probably has a pretty good petite selection in store. It would probably be a good idea to make a personal shopper appointment there to start. I have never done it but I know others here use the personal shopping services at Nordies' all the time. And get her to take photos and post them here!

SandyG

If you are used to casual style, the big challenge is to begin thinking of outfits instead of separates. Try Pinterest for ideas. Make one or two dressier or more polished looks, all ready to 'test drive' and refine. It's a process so stay patient. Dept. store petite sections are hit-or-miss but useful for trying on items you're attracted to. Taking photos is helpful to evaluate a new look as it gives a different perspective than a dressing room mirror. An alterations shop is a blessing for petites. And remember that great accessories with a few well-chosen items of clothing will simplify the next few months, as you look around and figure out your new direction.

CocoLion

(website)

I think you're on the right track thinking about top style and length. It took me years of failures to figure this out. I am just under 5'4", so on the cusp of petite. I was trying on lovely Karen Kane oversized flowing Boho tops yesterday which I was so attracted to (comfort, style, quality fabrics, made in USA, even on sale!). But they both wore me, not the other way around. They were too big and voluminous. Almost always in this style I have to size down one or two sizes so that would be one of my pieces of advice for this style, just to rein in the volume.

The other important thing is to figure out your body type. Are you an apple? Or more of an hourglass? A pear? These are going to have a huge impact on the types of tops that look good on you. I am an hourglass/pear type and it's vital that tops don't end right at my low hip/high thigh area as that is my widest point. It's a big pain to avoid tops ending there because that's where they usually end! Semi-tucking helps as does full tucking. Or, get the tops shortened. If you are more of an apple, you want a loose top without waist definition.

I hope I'm stating more than just the obvious here.

As for style definitions, can you recall your favorite outfits and how they made you feel?

Liz

Once you have identified the items that you feel fit you well, as per Diana's suggestion, I suggest you take some photographs of you wearing them in different combinations, post them here, and ask for comments on how the proportions are working. Then you'll be able to build a knowledge base of knowing (for example) that a 20-inch top works well with a knee-length skirt, but a 23-inch top is too long.

Or you'll know, to use another example, "This amount of swishiness feels really good when I try on a skirt, but the women are telling me a skirt that feels this way has too much fabric for my petite size. I need to find a skirt that feels about half as swishy."

Gigi

Anthropologie has a very large line of boho-style petite sizes, so that is my first stop for boho clothing in small sizes.

I do find that maxi skirts look best if they are not A-line shaped at all but are pretty much straight up and down. Long slits in the skirt help too (on the sides). I haven't managed to find many boho-style shirts that aren't overwhelming.

Astrid

I think there have already been some very good suggestions for getting a feel for fit and the kind of combinations that work for you.

Now my first question would be if you define your style as boho: What does that mean exactly? Is it the cut of the clothes? The fabric? The details? It sounds like you feel as if your current style is too casual, but I think it's definitely possible to do a boho in a chic way. You don't have to dress in a modern classic way to be more dressy. One way would be to look for floaty boho pieces made out of silk instead of cotton. Or you could wear natural fabrics that feel boho (linen, denim ...) in more classic cuts.

kerlyn

I'm 5'4" with a fairly small build, so I know what you mean about the big, flowy tops overwhelming you. For me, I've found that I can wear the flowy peasant tops as long as there's a good fit around the shoulders and neckline. I've had to get rid of a few pretty tops over the years that just weren't right, so now I make sure to get a good fit up top. And of course pairing the voluminous top with either skinny pants, leggings, or even slimmer bootcuts.

I struggle a bit with maxi skirts, but like Gigi said, a straight up and down one with a fitted top works well. I actually have found that I prefer knee length jersey skirts to long ones and have modified a couple that I snagged off the Target clearance rack!

And I second Sandy's recommendation of great accessories! For a long time I was more of a jeans and t-shirt girl, but I always added stacks of beaded bracelets, some pretty dangly earrings, etc.

Aida

Robin, since you are in Seattle I wonder if perhaps it'd be possible to set up a little mini-meetup with some of the Seattle contingent to go shopping with? You'd get excellent feedback AND get to meet some YLFers in the process.

Caro in Oz

What about a shopping session with Angie? This is what I would do if I was in your position. Even if it meant buying fewer clothes this season it would be so worth it imo.

I found this post very helpful too:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/.....our-style/

Robin

Active Member

Wow! I'm a little overwhelmed by all the great suggestions here, and your overall supportiveness.

Thank you!

I'm a little too sleepy to focus right now, but I'll be back tomorrow to look through all your questions and suggestions.

Again, thanks so much.

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