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Ask Angie: Help! What should I wear?

Mariam A

Hi Angie!

I adore fashion and stylish outfits a lot, but I would like some advice on summer style.
First, I am only 4 ft 11. I am horrendously short and my legs look stumpy no matter how much I work out or eat healthy. I hate the sight of them. Because of this, I can't wear many types of clothing as I look terrible in everything, which makes me so unhappy with myself and so self-conscious.
Second, I am going to New York in July and I am aware that it will be very hot. Unfortunately, I can't go bare-legged and obviously jeans would be a terrible choice in such humidity. I'm guessing tights paired with dresses and skirts would be an awful choice too?
Third, what footwear would be appropriate? I only wear ankle boots in the winter and high heels in the summer but I don't think it will be suitable for a holiday which would involve walking. Flats are out as I am short too.

What would you wear in summer if you couldn't show your legs, you looked bad in almost every item of clothing and you were already so under-confident?

Please do help me with my problem, if you can! Nobody in real life understands my problem, which makes me more stressed out! I appreciate any help whatsoever!

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Awe please give yourself some gracy and mercy. You can work on the outside but you uave to find a way to love your body to help how you ultimately feel and look.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

We have many petite participants on this forum and they are extremely stylish. It's challenging to be on the short side, for sure, but Inge featured a 4'11" blogger on this blog just the other day. Proof positive that style comes in all shapes and sizes. She's wearing flats in several of the shots, too. It can be done!

It's all a matter of proportions and looking for the ones that work best for you.

Speaking for myself, here's what I would wear in NYC in July -- in fact, what I have worn on previous summer trips there. For the record, I am 5'4" but my torso is on the longer side and legs also on the shorter side. I'm too tall for petites but always need to hem my pants and jeans unless it's a cuffed style or crops.

In NYC July and Beijing July, I've worn:

Knee length and below the knee dresses in cool fabrics like cotton and linen.
Bermuda walking shorts and sleeveless silk tops or linen tops in wovens and knits.
Midi tube skirts with tops of various kinds and light toppers for air conditioned indoors.
Linen trousers.

For footwear, in summer, how about a comfortable wedge heeled or block heeled sandal? I can walk for miles and miles in the options below. Sneakers are another option if your feet won't overheat in them or if you find a summer version like the Ecco Bluma below (lots of ventilation in it). Focus on brands that tend to fit you well and experiment with those. A sandal that is low contrast to your skin tone will elongate the leg line.

Sample options below.

Söfft 'Innis' Low Wedge Sandal (Women)

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Franco Sarto Open-Toe Suede Shooties

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Franco Sarto Women's Unveil Gladiator Sandal

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Söfft 'Breeze' Sandal (Women)

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Ecco Soft VII Sneaker

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Ecco 'Bluma' Sneaker (Women)

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Linen drapey drawstring pant

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Linen drapey drawstring pant

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Broken-in straight linen pants

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Vince Camuto Midi Tube Skirt (2 for $69)

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Lightweight bermuda short

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Pinwheel Swing Dress

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Kensie Printed Twofer Tank Top

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1 STATE Printed Peplum Blouse

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Linen boatneck T-shirt

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Metallic tropical frond tee

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Linen tee in faded adire

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Mariam A

Thank you for your help! Now I at least have quite a few ideas! Oh yes, I forgot about block and wedge heels, they're so comfy!

I wish I wasn't so self-hating and critical, but I grew up teased because of my short height and horrid fashion sense because of it. I do need to find models and inspiration from celebrities closer to my height though!

Elle

Veteran

New York in July is usually very hot and humid outside and overly airconditioned inside. So I would second Suz's recommendation for longer (midi or knee length) linen or cotton dresses and good walking shoes or sandals.

NYC involves a lot of walking. If you like wide leg culottes, they would work too. You will overheat in tights, jeans, or tight pants. Bring a lightweight sweater or topper for inside. When I go, I usually wear black/navy linen midi dresses and walking sandals. For me, naot and dansko sandals work well because their support.

NYC is very fun and people will not be judging you.

BrieN

Veteran

Welcome to YLF! Suz and Elle have given you some great advice. Your NYC trip sounds very exciting, and you're smart to start thinking about spring and summer clothes early.

I grew up with some unkindness about my body from judgmental people in my family. I have found that by spending time at YLF those judgmental voices that I let stay in my head for way too long have largely been replaced with the kind and helpful voices here at YLF.

Joy

Veteran

The last time I was in NYC was 2 years ago in mid August. Hot. I was surprised to find most women of every age in dresses and skirts with sneakers ( mostly Cons) or a sandal comfortable for walking like Keens. I wore simple black tank dresses with a variety of topper. Wear what you find comfortable. You will see everything. The museums and galleries are very cold, over air conditioned.

unfrumped

Veteran

Welcome and do go easier on yourself!

I often want more coverage than shorts. The breezy dresses are a great idea if your s dress person. I tend to wear more of the cotton/ linen cropped or rolled trouser. Since I have pale legs, a leg- lengthening look is either light trousers and low- contrast sneakers or sandals- gear, nude-- or dark cropped pants with the ankle strap shoe that closes the gap - see finds. If I just wear s dark flat I feel shtumpy.

Paul Green 'Henly' Ankle Strap Flat (Women)

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Franco Sarto Lexie Wedge Sandal

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Greyscale

Veteran

Mary-Kate Olsen is one of my style inspirations (sometimes) and she's only 5' 1" or something close to that. I like her style because she doesn't limit herself to styles that are flattering to her short height - really more the opposite!

Can you wear long skirts without tights?

Even though it's counter-intuitive, I think wide leg flowing trousers can look quite good on short people. Something in a cotton or linen fabric would be great for hot summer weather.

And I agree with people above - block-heel sandals are great for walking.

Mariam A

Thank you ever so much for your help, all of you! I already feel much better and it hasn't even been 24 hours! Those ideas sound great, I was unsure of longer dresses as I read that short people should avoid them. But thank you! I at least have some idea where to start!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Re longer dresses -- it's all in the proportions. As Maneera says, sometimes a shorter hemline is flattering to a shorter person, but it's certainly possible to wear a longer hem if you get the other elements right. If you do a search for "midi skirt (or maxi skirt) and petite" or something similar, I'll bet you come up with lots of ideas. Of course you'll have to do some experimenting to see how they work on you, in person, but there's no reason a petite can't wear a longer skirt or dress.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Mariam, you're in good hands, and have received excellent suggestions already. We'd be happy to follow them through with you here.

Ivy

I'm just a bit over five feet tall, myself, and I 100% agree with the recommendations so far. Fabbers are the best, and you'll get great feedback here.

I'm also plus-sized and a pear shape, so my only additional suggestions are to think about the styles that you like best on your shape regardless of height. For instance, I know I feel best in something with waist definition and a flared skirt that hits at my knees or slightly below. You might be the same, or perhaps something else, like a shift dress or an A-line skirt, would be more pleasing to your eye. This is a great time to go try things on and see what you like (and good practice at going easy on yourself in the mirror!).

Dresses can be hard to fit, since one garment has to fit both shoulders and hips, so I'd also suggest considering separates, as the wise Suz has shown above. Sometimes, a dress doesn't quite fit, but you can get the same effect and better fit with a skirt and top.

I also wear maxi skirts and dresses. They're comfy and cool: comfort above all! So don't be afraid to try something that us short ladies aren't "supposed" to wear, and if you like it, then wear it! What matters more than anything else is how you feel in what you're wearing. Worry not about haters.

And last but not least: what colors do you like? That can have a huge effect on how a garment looks, and also in how you feel in it (which also has a huge effect on how a garment looks, in my experience). Using myself as an example again, I loooooove orange and I feel fab wearing it, so I try to incorporate it into outfits for every season, at least a little bit (right now, it's an orange sweater).

Hope this is helpful, and that you can enjoy planning your travel wardrobe and trip!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

This is more give yourself a break. A friend of mine mentioned some of her "flaws". I looked at her, baffled. I'd never noticed any of the things she was obsessed about. And she'd never noticed some things that were bothering me.

My 6'3?4? DS2's GF is maybe 5'1. I've never thought she needed to look different. She wears flats, heels, long dresses, short dresses, shorts, whatever she wants.

Gigi

Veteran

I second what Suz said about wearing longer skirts and dresses. You absolutely can, it just takes a little bit of knowledge of your body shape and what cuts flatter you. For me, I have found that I can wear longer skirts and dresses if they are not too voluminous at the bottom. It also helps me to have a vertical pattern on the skirt/dress to help emphasize the vertical rather than the horizontal.

Mariam A

Thank you everyone! All your replies have helped me alot!

Ivy: You're aboslutely correct, I agree about finding styles for my shape too. When I become an active member I'll post a photo as I'm terrible at desribing. My shape is kind of weird. Like I'm small on my upper half but my thighs are kinda wide, another reason why I avoid mini skirts and dresses without tights. You're absolutely right, I really like A-line and skater skirts. They usually are a little higher than my knees, but I love wearing them. (As it's winter, I can get away with tights and high ankle boots). I'll definitely keep your suggestion in mind and keep searching and trying on new things though! Yeah dresses are a difficult one, I haven't found anything perfect yet!

As for colours, I'm very basic. I like to wear black, different shades of grey, navy etc. White looks amazing on others but I look washed out so I try to avoid white. I like camel too, even though the only camel coloured item in my wardrobe is my winter coat. I own a couple of khaki green stuff like a bomber jacket (An example of me trying to copy Gigi Hadid and the crowd) and a pink sweater here and there but I stick to black and grey mostly!

Barbara: Thank you. I guess you're right to be honest, but for some reason I only see flaws in myself, even when people insist there is nothing wrong.

Gigi: That's perfect and it makes so much sense! I'll definitely look for ones that won't drown me or make me appear shorter than I am!

Anonymous

Hi Mariam:

I'm not short-statured, but I do share body issues - maybe different one, but they are there just the same. Like you , I feel quite limited in what I am willing to wear because of how my body looks. All of the comments and advice you've been given above are bang-on with regards to both visiting NYC in summer and giving yourself some leeway in viewing your own body. However, I know all too well that it isn't as easy as just giving yourself a break, and that it can take a lot of time and energy to get beyond that mindset. I've been a member here for a couple of years now, and always appreciate the positive vibe and positive response that our fellow members have. I'm nowhere near being able to cut myself a break (I'm not sure i'll ever be) but i just wanted you to know you're certainly not alone in feeling less-than-secure about what to wear . NYC is such a fantastic place, that you'll forget after the first 3 minutes how you feel and what you are wearing. Everything around you will be far more interesting - I promise

Lisa

Anonymous

I've got short legs and I like an above-the-knee skirt and no waist definition. You can't tell where my legs start.
Good luck!

Mariam A

Lisap: Thank you so so much for your help! I know it is hard, but I definitely want to become more positive. It is hard, but I'll get there soon hopefully!

Smittie: Great idea! Especially if the skirt is high waisted, which would hopefully help create the illusion of longer legs!

Joy

Veteran

What to wear in summer if you want to cover your legs. I like loose linen pants, especially in white or natural linen colors and Eileen Fisher slim knit pants. Being too old for shorts, I find light weight cropped or rolled pants to be pretty comfortable, but not denim as it gets too hot. The Eileen Fisher pants are not too thick, not too thin, stay rolled or can be worn full length. The waist of mine is stretchy, no zippers buttons or snaps. I am 5'3" and buy regular sizes, not petite.
I also recommend silky joggers

Eileen Fisher Stretch Crepe Slim Ankle Pants (Regular & Petite)

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Eileen Fisher Straight Leg Crepe Pants (Regular & Petite)

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Eileen Fisher Wide Leg Linen Pants (Regular & Petite) (Online Only)

$178.00 $106.80

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Women's Drawstring Jogger Pants - Mossimo

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