Smart dressing for petite beauties

Smart dressing for petite beauties (Getty Images)

Not everyone is blessed with enviable height like that of B'wood's Deepika and Bipasha. But hey, being short is not so bad either. If you are big on personality and style, no one will even bother about your lack of height. After all, good things come in small packages! 

Here are some tips and tricks to highlight your assets by who else but the pretty and petite designer Namrata Joshipura, who manages to stand-out despite her small frame. 

Trousers 
Flared trousers are a big no as they add volume to the bottom and make you look broad at the wrong place. Go for slim fits that will give an elongated look to your body. 

Capris 
If capris are your fav pick, make sure you go for one that either ends at the knee or not be mid-calf. Calves are the widest part of the lower legs, flaunting them will only spoil the plan. 

Shorts 
If hot pants are not your cup of tea, then pick up shorts that end just above the knee. 

Skirts and dresses 
The ideal length for a skirt is two inches below the knee. Just like capries, skirts that meet the calves, are best avoided. 

Mini's look great on short girls. Go for ones that are tight around the thighs. Flared, flounced skirts add to the girth. 

Shapely pencil skirts will help you give a taller and slimmer look. 

If variety is the word for you then, make sure you have a long straight-fitting skirt and an A-line skirt in your wardrobe, the latter only if you have a heavy bottom. 

Go for monochromatic dresses and avoid pieces with stark colour contrast between the top and bottom. 

V-necks and broad necklines, flatter petite women as they create an illusion of a long and lean neckline. 

Patterns 
While bold prints are a big no, horizontal lines are another set of killers. Make vertical lines your friend and patterns that traverse through the length of your garment are suggested. 

Belts 
Stay away from very big belts as they will divide your body in two parts, highlighting your short legs or short torso. 

Bags 
While buying a bag, wear it to see it's not hiding a lot of you. 

Cut n fit 
Avoid very loose and loud silhouettes as they have a dwarfing effect. Make sure your clothes are well-tailored and fit properly. Over sized T-shirts or huge tops will not hide anything, but only make you look bloated. 

Shoes 
A pair of comfortable heels will only add to your persona. Boots can be opted for when you wear trousers to give a continuous sweep of length. 

Tops 
Anything that ends near mid-thigh is absolutely unacceptable as it will cut the length. Go for tops and shirts that end anywhere close to the pocket of your trouser or skirt. 

Kurtas 
Avoid floor length- anarkali kurtas and if the silhouette is enticing you from long, make sure it ends at least 5 inches above your ankle. 

If you are a sucker for churidaar and kurtas , knee level is where your kurta should end. Avoid huge salwars and try and keep the top and bottom in similar colours. 

Last but not the least, feel confident for short can also be smart!