Hi Christa! I loved your detailed reply to the previous post that I decided to ask help from you too! I’m really confused which kind of body type I have and what clothes look best on me.
Here are some details on my body.
1. My lower half is out of proportion. I’d love to dress like a ‘normal’ petite (petite every where) and wear skirts and dresses, but I’m really insecure of my legs because they’re short and stumpy (I took ballet and cheerleading).
2. Pear, triangle or hour-glass shaped? I have thighs and a tiny waist but at the same time narrow shoulders and a small
chest. What body type do I have?
3. I’m 5’0 feet tall, 100 pounds with stats 32(A cups)-25-33.
4. I’m long-waisted, therefore short legs (size 0 short, around 20 inch inseam). It’s really hard for me to find the perfect pants. They’re usually long, tight in the thighs but loose in the waist.
What things I should stay away from and what are things would look good on me?
I found out that my torso, waist and shoulders are my assets, so how can I play them up?
~Shortiepants
Dear Shortiepants,
I would like to ask the readers of PF what advice they could offer you before I give my advice.
PF READERS: What advice can you offer Ms. Shortiepants?
I’ll give my full report once there’s at least 6 comments. I thought I’d try something new!
xo
Christa Jean
I’m the same height as you & also have short legs. You can definitely wear dresses, empire waists or belts that have the bottom line at the waist would look good. With a slightly A-line knee length skirt you can make the thighs invisible. This will balance out the proportions making your legs seem longer. (By the way your body shape looks fantastic, I don’t think you should worry about the legs at all. The perspective you get is probably different to the way you look to everyone else anyway.) Pants-wise, I’d look for a good alterations specialist so you can tweak the fit to be just right.
I’d try wrap dresses with A-line shapes to highlight your waist. Also, invest in some fun belts that can be worn over sweaters, shirts, etc. to show off how tiny your waist is. Since your shoulders are narrower than your hips, have you thought about all those puffed sleeve/shoulder styles that seem to be all the rage now? (I have broader shoulders, so these have been the bane of my existence, but they may work well on you.) My legs are super short, too, so I avoid shirts that hit more than and inch or two below my waist band. Anything tunic-like will make short legs look stumpier. As for finding pants that fit, it’s just a matter of finding pants that fit out everywhere else (especially in the rise and thighs) and taking them to a good tailor. It’s sort of inconvenient, but once you have pants that actually fit everywhere, it is well worth the extra time and small expense.
Maybe it’s the bodysuit, but based on your picture there’s no way your inseam is 20″ if you’re 5′ tall. I’d guestimate your legs to be about 26″, give or take.
Advice: Cropped jackets with long pants and a pair of kitten heels will make your legs look endless. For pants, petite department pants are generally 29″ to 30 1/2″. Try buying capris meant for average heighted people if you want to forgo alterations.
Hm… I have short legs also, but i’m 4’9″ and ur legs don’t look short at all compared to mine. i still wear some kids pants but i think i’m growing out of that(getting wider). I wear lots of heels, usually with pants from ann taylor loft/ann taylor or victoria’s secret that i’ve had hemmed. I also like pencil skirts (but they are so hard to find one that fits sometimes u have to pay someone to alter) and knee length dresses.
From looking at your photo I think that you have a curvy hourglass shape. You also look very well proportioned for your height. You’ve got a great figure so dressing in form fitting clothes will really show off your curves. Long necklaces and tops with some vertical line can draw the eye up and make you appear taller. If you can find jeans that fit your hips then you can have the waist and length altered. I think you would look good in straight or wide-legged pants/jeans.
whoa thanks guys! i’m actually in search for perfect fit pants. i’m thinking of getting most of my pairs tailored, like most of you advised. and i guess, loose tops/dresses are a no-no… i have a few of those in my closet! haha!
btw, i have about a 28″ inseam. that’s an error there i guess.
Try tight fitting tall boots I tried these recentley and feel a little taller and they are fun to wear.
Hi,
I’m pretty much the same height, and weight as you. What I found works for me are Editor pants from Express, lots of colors come in a short. I wear those to work since I work in a a professional office. As for jeans, Sevens and Citizens are great, Macys and Nordstroms have free alterations. And I Always wear heels and make sure my pants cover the shoe, it makes your legs look longer. As for tops dress shirts and blazers are great, they make you look more mature.
Actually a 28″ inseam for someone who is 5′ tall is pretty average. Your legs aren’t short for your height.
really? i always thought they were short because they always had about a 2 inch extra in length. or maybe it’s just me being insecure bec of my large thighs and calves haha. – they make my legs seem short
Petite pants that are 29 1/2″ – 30 1/2″ long are made for people who are about 5’2″ and in a slight heel.
29 1/2″ – 30 1/2″ inseam? doesn’t seem so petite to me. those guys must have long legs huh
I've recently discovered that wearing shoes that are above ankles plus some thick sockes above and narrow leg jeans NOT pulled down on the shoes but left so there is another layer of material actually make the legs look longer. anyway, I am sure the same rule works exactly the other way round with the waist (I've learned if rom susan and trinny book) so I don't know what is going on here. layers are supposed to shorten things, which you definitively want to do with your waist – why it looks good around the ankles is a mistery but you should really try it.