Jen Wooster-McBride is owner and CEO of J. Lauren Events in Columbus, Ohio.  You may remember her as one of our featured stylish planners from a couple of weeks ago.  Last Wednesday, Jen authored a wonderful post on Petite Body Types.  If you haven’t yet read about Jen, please check out her style profile now and get to know her a little better.  Jen will be a regular contributor on The Stylish Planner on the topic of Petite fashion, we are so excited to have her on board!

From Jen:

I am so excited to start talking fashion!  Today we are going to discuss the challenges and rules of petite shopping regardless of size or shape.  First off, the thing many don’t get about shopping petite is that it doesn’t make sense.  For example, I wear a size 2 but I buy all my knee high boots in plus or ‘extended calf’ sizes.  And for the record, no I don’t have freakishly disproportionate calves.  It is just a tough shopping world for us little ladies.

Now we all know you need to have just about everything tailored but what else? Here are my top ten tips and tricks:

1. Start with a good foundation. They make petite bras, at least up to a C-cup. For those lucky buxom ladies, a bra with fully adjustable straps is a must. A standard bra will almost always be too long in the shoulder area. Don’t forget, you can have straps altered.

Source: Both Wacoal, bra on left from Fresh Pair, bra on right from Bare Necessities

2. Buy petite sizes when you can, the construction isn’t just about the length.

3. Avoid anything labeled as ‘short’ it will be boxy, add weight and generally scream “I am a frumpy lady who wants to look 10 years older”.  And who wants that?

4. When you switch between petite to regular fits you need to go up/down a size. Yes they should be the same but they’re not so there you go.

5. When buying regular sizes three quarter length sleeves are your friends. Especially important when buying knits as they can be difficult to alter.

Source: Scalloped cardigan, J. Crew

6. Knee high boots need to be scaled down. Try slouchy styles, which can be pushed or folded down to the right height, or mid-calf boots for a more proportional look.  When shopping online the listed boot circumference is usually for a size 8, it scales down ½-1 inch for every full size.  So small feet may need an extended calf boot.  However, the shaft length doesn’t usually change.  Strange, I know.

Source: Klub Nico boots from Endless, Fitzwell Wide Calf boots from Zappos 

7. Don’t dress just to look taller.  Everyone wants to look longer and leaner.  I love 4 inch heels, but it’s not like I am going to fool anyone into thinking I am 5’10”.

8. Invest in colorful accessories. Retailers typically only sell the basics in petite sizes.  How much black can one girl own?  So show your personality in colorful jewels and bags.

Source: Marc Jacobs quilted bag from Bluefly and Cashmere Scarf from Banana Republic

9. Shop online and make good use of the customer service hotline or instant chat.  Ask about measurements of specific garments, then measure a similar item in your closet.  If it’s close you can probably make it work.

10. Give up.  There are just some things you probably won’t be able to wear.  So don’t feel bad and don’t stress over it.  My nemesis? Corsets and corset styled dresses.  They can’t be altered and are just too long.  So I am officially giving up.  Ahhh, I feel better already!

What are your petite shopping tricks? Do tell!