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m 5’2” and proud of it. When shopping for denim, I’ve learned to snag a cropped silhouette in order to nail the perfect ankle graze. For tops, I’m adamant about something I call the 'armpit fit' (if a shirt is
The Petites Issue
PRESENTED BY
BY RACHEL BOWIE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA LAO
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2, 2025
I’
RACHEL BOWIE,
Senior Director, Special Projects
blousing at the seam beneath my underarm, that’s my cue to size down or have the garment tailored). A couple of minor tweaks here and there and the fit is magic. As a petite person, it’s become my favorite part about getting dressed.
That’s why I tapped my fellow pint-sized editors at PureWow (there are quite a few of us!) to share the hard-earned sartorial wisdom they’ve gathered over the years for their under-5’3” frames.
Read on for our best advice. Outfit compliments, incoming…
5 Petite-Approved Rules for Styling Cuffed Jeans This Fall
FASHION / STEPHANIE MAIDA
Cuffed jeans are back in a big way, with retailers like Nordstrom and brands like Madewell stocking all sorts of fresh styles complete with pre-cuffed hemlines. The look is cool, casual and a little bit retro. But not all cuffs are created equal—particularly if you’re styling them as a petite.
READ MORE
FASHION / DANA DICKEY
Petite Women Tell How They Wear Oversized Clothing—Tips, Tricks and What to Buy
I’m 5’2”—Can I Pull Off Polka Dots (1 of Fall’s Hottest Trends)?
FASHION / RACHEL BOWIE
SHOP OUR PETITE-FRIENDLY PICKS
SÉZANE
Emile Cardigan
$170 | BUY IT
The Lil Hustler Ankle
MOTHER
$248 | BUY IT
Petite Denim Split Hem Jacket
ANN TAYLOR
$169 | BUY IT
The PETITES Issue
OCTOBER 2025
READ MORE
Getty/Paula Boudes for PureWow
Getty/Paula Boudes for PureWow
RACHEL BOWIE/Paula Boudes for PureWow
EDWARD BERTHELOT/GETTY IMAGES
"Advice that applies to formalwear as well as cardigans and blouses. This draws the eye downward, creating the illusion of length. Don’t want to show so much skin? The same vibe can be achieved with a plunging neckline over a light-colored tank or shell."
I Like What the WNBA Means for My Daughter. I Love What It Means for My Son
FAMILY / JILLIAN QUINT
Getty/Paula Boudes for PureWow
Getty/Paula Boudes for PureWow
Getty/Paula Boudes for PureWow
PureWow’s Short-Girl Editors Say These Are the *Best* Clothing Brands for Petites
FASHION / DANA DICKEY
JCREW/PETITE STUDIO/BODEN
The 4 Rules of Wearing Knee-High Boots When You’re 5’3” and Under
FASHION / RACHEL BOWIE
VIVAIA/Getty/Paula Boudes for PureWow
Cecily Cord Midi Dress
BODEN
$229 | BUY IT
Mara High-Neck Vest Midi Dress
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH
$110 | BUY IT
Cotton Voile Embroidered Layering Top
ME + EM
$225 | BUY IT
Short Story: Our Editors’ Go-To Petite-Friendly Tips & Tricks
GO FOR THE DEEPEST V YOU CAN STOMACH
JILLIAN QUINT, 5'1"
IGNORE BELT LOOPS
RACHEL BOWIE, 5'2"
Senior Director, Special Projects
The easiest way to improve the fit of a coat is to simply take the belt out of the belt loops. Oftentimes, those loops don’t hit at a petite person’s natural waist, so if you simply ignore them, it changes the whole fit.
"Yes, you can still wear a bold print when you have a shorter frame. The trick is to balance it with a solid color. A figure-hugging style—like this silky spandex-style top—also helps to define your silhouette. This way, a large print looks proportional without overpowering."
CHELSEA CANDELARIO, 5'0"
"From pointed-toe shoes to sharp slits, anything that comes to a sharp point can have a figure-lengthening effect. It draws the eye vertically and tricks the beholder into seeing a longer, sleeker figure."
SHARPEN YOUR ACCENTS - LITERALLY
STEPHANIE MAIDA, 5'1"
"From pointed-toe shoes to sharp slits, anything that comes to a sharp point can have a figure-lengthening effect. It draws the eye vertically and tricks the beholder into seeing a longer, sleeker figure."
SHARPEN YOUR ACCENTS - LITERALLY
STEPHANIE MAIDA, 5'1"
"Advice that applies to formalwear as well as cardigans and blouses. This draws the eye downward, creating the illusion of length. Don’t want to show so much skin? The same vibe can be achieved with a plunging neckline over a light-colored tank or shell."
GO FOR THE DEEPEST V YOU CAN STOMACH
JILLIAN QUINT, 5'1"
"Yes, you can still wear a bold print when you have a shorter frame. The trick is to balance it with a solid color. A figure-hugging style—like this silky spandex-style top—also helps to define your silhouette. This way, a large print looks proportional without overpowering."
BALANCE A BIG PRINT WITH A SOLID COLOR
CHELSEA CANDELARIO, 5'0"
"The easiest way to improve the fit of a coat is to simply take the belt out of the belt loops. Oftentimes, those loops don’t hit at a petite person’s natural waist, so if you simply ignore them, it changes the whole fit."
IGNORE BELT LOOPS
RACHEL BOWIE, 5'2"
Short Story: Our Editors’ Go-To Petite-Friendly Tips & Tricks
RACHEL, 5'2"
CHELSEA, 5'0"
JILLIAN, 5'1"
STEPHANIE, 5'1"
Yes, you can still wear a bold print when you have a shorter frame. The trick is to balance it with a solid color. A figure-hugging style—like this silky spandex-style top—also helps to define your silhouette. This way, a large print looks proportional without overpowering.
BALANCE A BIG PRINT WITH A SOLID COLOR
CHELSEA CANDELARIO, 5'0"
Beauty and Cultures Editor
Advice that applies to formalwear as well as cardigans and blouses. This draws the eye downward, creating the illusion of length. Don’t want to show so much skin? The same vibe can be achieved with a plunging neckline over a light-colored tank or shell.
GO FOR THE DEEPEST V YOU CAN STOMACH
JILLIAN QUINT, 5'1"
Editor-in-Chief
From pointed-toe shoes to sharp slits, anything that comes to a sharp point can have a figure-lengthening effect. It draws the eye vertically and tricks the beholder into seeing a longer, sleeker figure.
SHARPEN YOUR ACCENTS - LITERALLY
STEPHANIE MAIDA, 5'1"
Senior Commerce Editor
I’m 5’2”—Can I Pull Off Polka Dots (1 of Fall’s Hottest Trends)?
FASHION / RACHEL BOWIE
Getty/Paula Boudes for PureWow
Petite Women Tell How They Wear Oversized Clothing—Tips, Tricks and What to Buy
FASHION / DANA DICKEY
Getty/Paula Boudes for PureWow
The easiest way to improve the fit of a coat is to simply take the belt out of the belt loops. Oftentimes, those loops don’t hit at a petite person’s natural waist, so if you simply ignore them, it changes the whole fit.
IGNORE BELT LOOPS
RACHEL BOWIE, 5'2"
Senior Director, Special Projects
Yes, you can still wear a bold print when you have a shorter frame. The trick is to balance it with a solid color. A figure-hugging style—like this silky spandex-style top—also helps to define your silhouette. This way, a large print looks proportional without overpowering.
BALANCE A BIG PRINT WITH A SOLID COLOR
CHELSEA CANDALARIO, 5'0"
Beauty and Cultures Editor
Advice that applies to formalwear as well as cardigans and blouses. This draws the eye downward, creating the illusion of length. Don’t want to show so much skin? The same vibe can be achieved with a plunging neckline over a light-colored tank or shell.
GO FOR THE DEEPEST V
YOU CAN STOMACH
JILLIAN QUINT, 5'1"
Editor-in-Chief
