How to dress a short waist? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to dress a short waist?

Liesbeth

Veteran

Angie's post got me realizing I am short waisted (along with having a small bust and narrow shoulders). Finally I know why fitted or belted dresses often slide up and down on me, why the straps or shoulder points of these dresses and some tops hover above my actual shoulders. It's not just because I can't fill out the top horizontally :). A real bummer now that I'd like to evolve to a more fitted style instead of fluid or oversized...

I'm 5ft4 so not technically petite. Also, in Belgian stores there's not generally petite or tall sizes (not even online). So I'm not sure if there's an easy answer, but I know some of you are in the same boat (The Cat, Suz, ... I read your comments :)). Any tips? Are their (international) brands that you can recommend, easy alterations, styles I should check out?

Body Type

15 replies

Latest reply was from Canada

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've learned to look at side and back views to get a better idea of fit on my short torso -- I'm a few inches taller than you, but I joke that I have the torso length of a petite. But petite sizing often does not work for me because sleeve lengths and lengths from waist down don't work. I can be fooled into thinking something fits, because my bust fills out the top from the front, BUT when I turn to the side, I see excess bunching fabric in the back -- bad sign.

Look for dresses with a bit of stretch. I can get away with a little bit of extra length in the torso when I have some play in the fabric to sort of scooch the fabric up or down to fit on my hip in a way that smooths the fit on top. That can work for a small amount of adjustment -- I'm a big fan of dresses with a little bit of stretch for a lot of reasons!

Sleeveless styles are your friend -- it's really easy and inexpensive to take up shoulders a bit to get a better fit. If something has sleeves, it's much more difficult to alter, so I find I just have to leave a lot of sleeved garments behind when they're too long in the top. It's broken my heart with dresses in more occasions than I can count.

I generally don't do belted dresses -- they chop me up too much, and the belt always seems to hit at the wrong spot.

I find brands vary so much in their fits from one garment to the next that it's hard to generalize, especially for international brands. Hopefully someone else will have a bit more insight into that. I do know that in general, I can stay away from Ted Baker -- they are often cut quite long in the torso. However, there is an exception to every rule, and I tried on a very cute grey number from TB a couple of months ago that very nearly worked on me, it was just a touch snug in the hip, and had no stretch, so I left it behind.

I think you just need to be prepared to try on lots of dresses. I've had so much frustration in recent years with this, but this year the tide seems to be turning. I hope you find something that works for you!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I echo Janet that sleeveless styles are easier to alter by taking up the shoulders. That can sometimes fix the bust fit problem also (for "small" bust) -- once it's actually in the right place vertically, it often fits horizontally, too! Imagine that!

I would definitely follow Angie's advice on seeking out dresses and tops that are fitted and neat in the neck/shoulder point area. Anything with a low loose neckline will simply fall off your shoulders and shift around a lot, causing frustration.

Set in waists might be in the wrong place for your own waist (depending on the maker) so dresses without a set waist can be easier to fit. Sheaths and shifts, for instance. You might also try some with princess lines (vertical seams) although if they are fit and flare the waist might still be wrong. Wraps will probably be difficult to fill out, so you'll probably have to avoid that style.

It might be easier at times to go for a "two piece" dress -- that is, buy a skirt that fits and a top that fits in the same or similar fabric/ pattern. Easier said than done but sometimes this is possible and it can be surprisingly effective. You don't always need an exact match either if you vary the textures.

This Topshop dress is an example of one that would probably fit you easily. It's got a very neat neck/shoulder point, a fitted bodice with give (because it is knit) and a length that works for different heights.

Another style that could work is a sort of modified trapeze with a dropped waist.

I agree with Janet that you probably have to try on a lot of dresses by a lot of different makers to get a sense of what typically works on you.

Go for makers that fit a narrow frame. Zara maybe? Esprit? (I don't know how they fit any more since they closed their Canadian stores.) Maybe Inge will know some options.

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Anonymous

take measurements of :
Neck midline to waist ( front and back)
Neck midline to crotch ( front and back)
Shoulder to waist ( both sides in case of scoliosis)
Rise ( waist back to waist front by way of crotch)
Then when you go shopping -take your measurements with you and take a tape measure.
measure garment - if close to your measurements then you can proceed to dressing room.
Then follow JANET’s great tips.
Always carrying a Tape measure and using it has saved me so much disappointment and frustration over years.
Sometimes light shoulder padding can take up the slack too.
Just remember- IT IS NOT YOU- GARMENTS ARE MADE TO FIT GENERAL GROUPS. Stay strong !

The Cat

Veteran

I am in a hurry, but would just like to refer to this post by Angie:
https://youlookfab.com/2015/08.....ort-waist/

Chris987

Veteran

I agree with ALL the tips here. I'm super short waisted and I have gotten in the habit of lifting up the shoulder seams on any dress or top I try on these days, just to see what it does for the fit. It makes it much easier to assess. Even you are not technically petite, you should try on some petite sizes. There is no consistency to how different manufacturers modify the items to be petite sizes...some just shorten the hem, some move the waist up, some shorten the sleeves...it's all over the place. Talbots for example (probably not available in Europe) carries a LOT of petite items but their tops and jackets are almost universally too long for me even if they fit otherwise because they don't size their petite items for a short waist. Lots of try-ons are in your future, welcome to the club Also, I know you were asking about dresses, but for toppers and tops I often look at regular sizes in cropped styles. They can work, although if they have long sleeves I end up rolling them or getting them shortened.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Chris raises a good point about trying on petites if you can find them anywhere. (I know you'll rarely have access but this may change over time.)

I'm the same height as you. Petites rarely work for me because despite my short waist, my longer décolletage and longer rise mean that my overall torso length is not super short. Just a bit shorter than average. Still, petite tops and jackets do sometimes work better on me. Dresses more rarely work (but can, if there is seam allowance to let down the hem), and pants almost never work in petite. Often I will need to size up in petites but again that depends on the maker.

Christina F.

Veteran

I too am petite on top, and not on the bottom, and suggest trying on petite tops when you can have access to them. It has made a huge difference to how I dress, especially when I am looking for structured tops and for jackets and blazers.

When I can't find petites, I have had some luck with shortening tops that have straight hems to begin with. The other tips you've received above are also very good.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Wow ladies, thanks so much! Will need to re-read all of this to take it in further, so much advice.
I do feel that with online shops springing up everywhere, I tend to forget that actual trying on sessions are super important too. It’s a good cure for over-shopping though.

Dana

(website)

Veteran

I'm 5'6" with a very short torso, so I hear you. Lots of good tips here! If it makes you feel any better, I still don't think there's a plethora of petite sizes here in the US, at least in brick and mortar stores.

I don't know your access to US brands, but I just looked in my closet and found that I have 2 day dresses by Donna Morgan (mid-price). Although they're not petite, they are knit and both have set in waist lines. Actually I just bought one (on major sale) on Sunday. It is a tiny bit long in the back of the torso, but I feel like it is passable.

You don't have to give up your style preferences, rather follow the tips and be patient when you shop. Since you are wanting fitted clothing, you might consider tops/dresses without set in waists, and then belting to bring them in a bit. Also, just b/c there isn't a seam doesn't mean a piece won't be fitted.

I have tons of experience with clothing and knowledge and I still try a lot of clothes on...you just never completely know until you get it on your body.

Sal

Veteran

I am also short waisted, but more of an hourglass shape.

I don't have a lot of comments on brands to look for or shopping as such, but do find length of your top is a good thing to consider. I don't like to wear short light tops (or tucked) with dark trousers or jeans. My torso looks too short...

Good luck with the shopping - there will be lots of forum members to help I am sure.

jussie

Veteran

These comments are really helpful, I also have a very short waist.
I have found shift (sack) dresses to be a good fit. Also, if a wrap dress is made of a very stretchy fabric with a lot of recoil it can work because it will mold to your body. But woven wraps are quite difficult in my experience.
I haven’t tried petite tops but it’s something to consider.
I also find belted dresses don’t work so well. Or any fit and flare.
I never thought of having the shoulder seam altered but what a great idea.

Roxanna

Veteran

I'm 5'3" with a shorter torso but regular length rise, pear shaped. Dresses rarely work on me because of my bigger hips, smaller shoulders and shorter rise. When they do, I snap them up! Otherwise I wear full skirts with knit tops a lot because they disguise the bottom and the knit tops are easy to fit on top.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Janet: thanks for taking the time to answer so extensively. I will take your tips into account. I used to not buy many sleeveless dresses or tops because I run cold. Now I often work zt an overheated office so sleeveless plus optional topper would definitely work.
Suz: again, great tips. Additionally, I really like your style. You almost convinced me of the much talked of topshop dress, but I personally dislike asymmetry so will pass on that. I do see matchy tops and skirts in stores this year and am not against that concept if I’d find something I really like.
Efbgen: your method intrigues me, might try that out to spare myself disappointing fitting sessions.
The Cat: thanks for the link, I did search ylf archives but not very thoroughly I’m afraid
Everyone else: thanks for sharing your experiences qnd insights. I’m taking away that petite sizing is very hit or miss and as such, probably not a great idea to look for those options online., I will try to contain my online shopping in favour of patiently trying on lots of things in brick and mortar stores.

Bijou

Veteran

Liesbeth I often buy sleeveless dresses that I can wear a shirt underneath - so the dress acts as a tunic. I am small busted, and this helps to keep me warm in sleeveless dresses and I usually have enough room up top to fit the other layer. In finds is the sort of dress and shirt that I will layer underneath.

Matches Fashion

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Canada

For those of us who are short waisted AND short I've found that an open jacket topper works wonders, especially with an untucked closer-to-the-body layer underneath. It's also a good plan for those days when I just can't wear a structured bra. Yuck. But then, of course, there is no removing the jacket throughout the day! Shirts or tops must hit me at low hip or higher or I risk looking pregnant which, at my age, truly would be a miraculous event.