Sailor trousers: Styling tips

Styling tips for sailor trousers

Last week I introduced a new TRL style essential: the sailor trouser. Sailor trousers offer timeless style and they are revisited every few years by designers, as is the whole nautical idea behind them.I'd like to go over now some styling tips for different body types.
Sailor pants can very well be every working woman's staple, so it can be a good idea stock up on them whenever they are fashionable. I often buy two pairs of the same trousers in the best quality I can afford: one pair hemmed for heels, one for flats.
What to look for?

• A straight or slightly flared leg is most people's best choice, cut mid to wide width. Remember that your best leg width depends on how tall you are, because wider trousers legs will make you look shorter. They should fall loose from the widest part of your hips. 
• A double row of buttons is good tummy camouflage, just check that they are not placed very low.
• A crease will always elongate your legs. Keep it sharp through ironing (through a cotton cloth, of course, to avoid unpleasant shine).
• Hem wide sailor pants (or, for that matter, any long, flared pair) 1/2-1" from the floor when wearing the shoes you will be using.

Sailor trousers: Navy and yellow by C. Grant.

Hobbs Keeva Trousers / Alice and Olivia bell sleeve Blouse / Hobbs Gweneth Coat / Tory Burch Shoes / Roger Vivier Clutch Handbag /  Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace / Dior Lipstick in Trafalgar / Tom Ford Eye shadow Quad in Golden Mink / Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Show Me the Pink.

Styling tips for Body Types:

If the pair you find needs to be taken in at the waist, just go ahead and choose a pair that fits your hips and have a professional deal with the rest.

• Body Type A: Choose ones that are not at waist level but one inch or two below it so they don't accentuate the difference between your hips and your upper body. Keep in mind that very low rise trousers will make your hips look wider too.
• Body Type B: A pair of sailor trousers with a high waist will make your legs look longer. Look for a pair that places the buttons over your stomach and not your hips.
• Body Type C: You can wear any style of trousers, so sailor trousers are for you too. 

This post first appeared in The Red Lipstick: Own Your Style on April 6, 2012. It has been edited for re-publication.
This post contains no affiliated links.

The printed trousers trend Part 1: The silhouette

The silhouette

OK, so it's now two years since printed trousers have been all the rage on the catwalk and the racks. If you have some reservations about them, you are not alone. Most of the cuts in offer are very difficult to wear for all but Body type Cs.
Why? Well, first, because prints draw the attention, in this case to your hips and bottom, which is not your best bet if you are a Body type A or a not too slim Body type B. It also means that all prints have to be carefully checked, back and front, for any optical negative effects, in the mirror (which you had to do in any case, but now you have to pay attention to the print too). Second, because a lot of the styles are made of drapey, fine materials (pyjama-like, if you will), that offer absolutely no support for your rear.

Choose the right one for you:

• Cigarette. Good for Body type Cs.
• Straight. The best option for Body type As, and Cs, in firm cottons or in denim. Cropped or capri versions are good for Body type Cs and slim to average Body type Bs.
• Wide-leg and palazzo. Initially, these are good for Tall women only, as the general rule is that, the wider the leg, the shorter you look.  Petites should avoid them altogether, for that very same reason. One way to overcome that is to choose a light material like viscose, silk, or cotton voile, that drapes softly (again, you will need lining or some sort of shapewear underneath), and wear them with heels, or a combo of heels and a small to medium platform to help with height. 

You can follow the labels Body type A, Body type B, and Body type C on the column to the right to know more on which of these silhouettes is best for you and how to style them.

How to choose... Leather Cover-ups

Think about your body type before making an investment of any sort in this material, especially if we are talking about a coat.

Leather: Big lapels by Caroline Grant. The A-line skirt and pussy-bow printed silk blouse are perfect for a Body type A, and so are the big lapels. The jacket hits at high hip, an optimum length for them. The shoes are from beloved brand Chie Mihara, from SS2013, and offered in other colour combinations. Nude hosiery, of course. [Style: Urban Tweed].

Random Theory Black Leather Jacket / MaxMara Studio Upupa Blouse / L.K. Bennett Dover Suede Skirt / Chie Mihara Backon Shoes / Radley Acklington Handbag / Oscar de la Renta Gold-plated Resin Clip Earrings / Tom Ford Lipstick in Scarlet Rouge / Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Smoke Red.

Styling tips for skinny pants

The icecream cone effect and how to avoid it

I finally gave in to a very popular Swedish way of dressing and brought myself around to buying a pair of skinny jeans. Skinny jeans are initially for those with slim legs (not my case), but when you go everywhere by bike and it's around 0°C and lower everyday, they are a must if you don't want to wear thermal lined cargo trousers every single day.
Also, skinny trousers are ABSOLUTELY ubiquitous at the moment, so you may want to give in to this trend or just find it convenient.
The "icecream cone efect" is the visual effect of wide hips narrowing slowly down to the ankles, which makes the hips look all the more wide. The idea is to achieve balance:

A form fitting bottom garment should be balanced with a loose top
... and additional visual tricks.

How to wear skinny pants: Two ways of getting away it

The TOPS. You can successfully avoid the icecream cone efect by using a long top. It should reach around an inch below the widest part of your hips but not longer: that would make you shorter. As skinny pants leave nothing to the imagination, there may be situations where you need the coverage.

Your first option is a long, flowy CARDIGAN, in a different colour from the top, as it will create two vertical lines along the body.

• Body type As should choose a cardigan that has a substantial neckline (ie. shawl) and that subtly recreates the line of the waist. This works well if you are you either longwaisted or shortwaisted, creating the illusion of perfect proportions.
• Body type Bs' waist is always an asset, so use a belt. Try it over your top or over both your top and your cardigan, with the top tucked in or not to find the perfect proportions.
• Body type Cs with a full middle will benefit from the vertical lines mentioned above and a soft shoulder line. 
• Tall women can get away with a caftan length cardigan and horizontal colour blocking.

Styling tips for skinny pants: A flowy cardigan by Caroline Grant.

Missoni for Lindex Leather Trousers / Raelson Gold Lurex 60's Trench (vintage ) at 1stdibs.com / Chesca Ribbed Cardigan / Hispanitas Handbag / Hispanitas Booties / Witchery Basic Scoop Cami Top / Kenzo Blue Elephant Scarf / Le Boudoir Noir Brass Cuff Bracelet at etsy.com / Oscar de la Renta Knot and Tassel Earrings  / NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave / NARS Nail Lacquer in Dovima.

Your second option is a nice long JUMPER, which is right on trend now, but not a baggy, shpaless one.

• Body type As should not choose long and straight jumper, as it will mold to their lower body and accentuate its width (check your rear view in the mirror and see for yourself). Choose instead one that creates a blouson effect with a bandeau piece around the hips and a flattering, shoulder-widening neckline.
• Body type Bs need not to loose the line of their waist, so they should choose a form-fitting silhouette (but not tight) like the one below.
• Body type Cs can benefit from a medium to thin long jumper with a soft shoulder line.
• Petites should not choose a thick long sweater, they will look swamped by the material.

Styling tips for skinny pants: A blouson jumper by Caroline Grant.

Esprit Push Up Jeans / Rick Owens Dafne Sweater / J.Crew Duffy Duffle Coat / Joan Shepp Cable Knit and Leather Gloves / Hispanitas Glitter Green Handbag / Hispanitas Glove Green Shoes / Marni Brooch / Mawi Pretty Tough Tube and Spike Earrings / Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick in Corail Légende / Yves Saint Laurent Nail Lacquer in Corail Divin.

A long BLAZER is the third way to get away with skinny pants, with the same length and caveats as before.

Styling tips for skinny pants: A blazer by Caroline Grant.

Ted Baker Feather Jacquard Suit / Michael by Michael Kors Twinkle Jersey Cowlneck Top / Lulu Guiness Print Haircalf Clutch Handbag / Lanvin Patent Loafers / Ted Baker Sequin Cape / Katherine Alexander Amber Quatro Cuff Bracelet / Mawi Scarab Brooch / International Concepts  Golden Earrings / NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave / NARS Nail Lacquer in Dovima.

 
The BOOTS. A pair of boots has a surprisingly balancing effect. Try a pair in the same colour as your pants to achieve maximun leg length.
You can also try a pair of substantial pumps or booties (a slight platform would help) with a thick heel (not stilettos).

Styling tips for skinny pants: Tonal combinations by Caroline Grant.

Söfft Bianca Boots / Vila Kann Coat / Ted Baker Celo Corduroy Cargo Trousers / Witchery Fine Rib Boat Neck Top / Hispanitas Cuero Handbag / Karen Millen Leather Jeans Belt / Black Navy Cashmere Purl Stitch Beret / Joan Shepp Cable Knit Leather Gloves / Zara Flower Scarf / LineaLux Multistrand Coral Necklace/ Jamie Joseph Chalcedony Ring.

Get the skinny on the coated jeans trend

Part of being a style blogger is, obviously, following fashion trends by reading fashion columns and blogs in newspapers and magazines and visiting style sites. There is another, perfectly logical, way: just stumbling upon one... I just bought a pair and then realized they were everywhere, the cheap alternative to leather!

Coated trousers by Caroline Grant. Coated jeans are a good alternative to leather jeans (cheaper and less high-maintenance) and you can now find them from classic black to metallic shades (Vero Moda offers absolutely gorgeous shades) and animal patterns, in skinny or slim cuts, with extra low, low or normal waists. Visit my polyvore collection for more information on the trousers or click on them to go to the shop.

Styling tips for Body types

Almost all coated jeans come in the skinny cut variety. I'm afraid this is one of those unforgiving trends that designers concoct but only really work for extremely slim people.

• Body type As: this is not a good bet for you, my advice is that you avoid these altogether, they will do nothing for you but accentuate the difference between your lower and upper body.
• Body type Bs: if you are slim, you probably already have them, but you may want to achieve a less form-fitting silhouette.
• Body type Cs: initially, skinny pants are made for you, those graced with slim hips, with a couple of caveats: first, that your middle is not very full, because then you're in "icecream cone territory", and second, that your bottom is not very flat.

Then again, they are absolutely ubiquitous, so you may want to give in to this trend or just find it convenient.

The secret allies

1. The perfect rise. Super low rise jeans will make your legs look shorter and your stomach (if any) bulge, while the super high option will also emphasize the difference between hips and the rest of the body and present the same tummy problem. Medium rise jeans (an inch or two below your belly buttom) will visually cut any tummy in two and not shorten your legs. Find out your best bet in front of a mirror watching out for proportions.
2. Control underwear for thighs and tummy (Body Wrap, Spanx, Janira...).
3. Tonal combination. Choose the same colour for top and bottom or a slimming cardigan in the same colour as the trousers.
4. Proportions are all-important: a tight bottom requires a loose top to balance the silhouette.

MORE?

• Which ones can I invest in? Three coated jeans investments.

COMING SOON!! Styling tips for skinny pants...

Full Skirts: Styling tips for Body types

Styling tips for Body Types:

• Body type A and Body type B. Full skirts are great for you. Just stay clear of the full volume skirts with gathered pleats at the waist, they add too much volume to all but the very thin.



Best skirts for Body type As by Caroline Grant. This outfit creates an unbroken line from head to toe through a tonal combination of colours. The circle skirt in a fluid fabric is visually light, so it does not add volume to a Body type A's lower body. Additionally, all detailing and accessories are concentrated on the upper body, including the envelope purse, worn under the arm. [Style: Urban Tweed].

Modcloth It's School Skirt / Toast Sartene Top / MaxMara Weekend Cosmos Leather Blazer / Mat & Nat Nirvana Ikat Handbag / Charles by Charles David Cory Boots /  Burberry Modal and Cashmere Scarf / Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Tortoise Link Necklace / Alexis Bittar O'Keeffe Matte Gold Scarab Brooch / Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick in Corail Légende / Yves Saint Laurent Nail Lacquer in Corail Divin.



Best skirts for Body type B by Caroline Grant. A circle skirt for Body type Bs should have no waistband, or a small one, worn both just below natural waist and at low waist. A blouse in a soft material can be tuck in and  a belt could be added around the waist. Full skirts are best for medium to tall Body type B women, or with medium to high heels for the rest (or at least a kitten heel to elevate their rear view). [Style: Modern Classic].

Modcloth It's School Skirt / Mexx Floral Print Cardigan / Talula U-Turn Tank Top / Sophie Hulme Leather Tote / Hobbs NW3 Kite Slingback Sandals / Hobbs Arbour Belt / Kate Spade Triple Thread Bangle Bracelet / Janeo Gold & Rhodium Enamel Bangle Bracelet / Kate Spade Small Clip Earrings / Stratton Compact (vintage) on rubylane.com / Estée Lauder Lipstick in Scarlet Siren.          
• Body Type C. Choose style in which the full volume does not start at the waist: try one with a yoke or a pleated style like the broomstick skirt (pleats stitched down to low hip). You will get the benefits of the full skirt (additional curves), without looking top-heavy (if your bust is full) or short waisted (especially if you already are).


Best skirts for Body type Cs by Caroline Grant. Full skirts are a great option for Body type Cs provided there is a smooth part that skims over the hips and then gains volume, as they create curves and hide a sometimes flat bottom. Torso skirts (a skirt with a yoke to which soft pleats or gathers are attached), broomstick skirts ( a skirt in which pleats are stitched down to high hip), circle skirts (cut either in a circle or two semicircles) or flare skirts (for instance, by adding godets, triangular pieces of fabric that add length to the hem) and tiered skirts in light-weight materials like silk, wool or cotton, all work well for Body type Cs [Style: Quirky Menswear].    
Hobbs Brigitte Skirt / H&M Jacket / American Vintage Massachussetts Tank Top / Radley Stables Handbag / Hispanitas Cordones Shoes / David Andersen Large Bird Brooch (vintage) / Anton Heunis Art Deco Renaissance Pendant Necklace / Missoni Zig Zag Ruana Shawl.  

Styling tips for Petite and Tall Women

Both Petites and Tall women should take first into account their Body type. You can read more styling tips for both by clicking on the links below. Also:

• Petites. Beware of girly styles (prints, ruffles, tutu imitations). Also, go for sophisticated, ladylike styles that do not create too much volume or you will be overwhelmed.  Filmy gauzy materials are romantic and proportionate.
• Tall women. You can pull off wider an fuller silhouettes in solids or medium to big patterns.

MORE?

• How to wear a full skirt: Styling tips.
• Full skirts for formal events.

How to wear peplums: Styling tips for Body type C

Body type C

Shoulders and torso are wider than her hips. Specifically, she has average to broad shoulders, slim hips and legs, little definition at the waist and, very often a flat bottom. The general idea is to soften the shoulder line, balancing it with their lower body, and to create definition at their waist.

How can peplums work with type Cs?

Any peplum for Body type Cs must help create a waist and the illusion of a curvier body.

1. Peplum jacket with a nipped waist and a flared hemline add volume at your hips and the illusion of a curvier lower body, worn at hig hip to hipbone length with a pencil skirt to accentuate the curvy silhouette.
2. Peplum pencil skirt creates the illusion of perfect symmetry on the body. The fabric overlaying the hips makes them seem proportionate to the shoulders.
3. Peplum tops with shorts if you have great legs (which you probably have).

What to look for in peplums:

1. Peplums situated exactly higher than natural waist line. No detailing above the waist:  we are detracting attention from the upper body and focusing on the lower.
2. Pencil skirts hemmed just below the knee, or a bit below, where your leg shape narrows, to keep the line of the body long and curvy.
3. Paired with high-heeled court shoes or open sandals to keep the line of the leg long. Nude or metallic options are great too.

What to avoid in peplums:

1. Colour blocking: either horizontal (together with the peplum itself, you would look cut in two), or vertical (as that would make the outfit too busy).
2. If you have a belly, a peplum hitting in the middle of it would just accentuate it, but while you could style a peplum top with various bottoms, wearing it with a pencil skirt would work cleverly to camouflage the appearance of a slight stomach bulge (if it exists, that is).

How to wear peplums: Styling tips for Body type B

Body type B's body is balanced, with good legs and bust and a defined waist. The general idea is to make the waist the focal point and keep the body line long.

Other names for Body type Bs are "hourglass" or even "bombshell".

How can peplums work with type Bs?

Any peplum for Body type Bs must be structured, streamlined and accentuate the waist.

1. A dress with a peplum or with subtle pieces of fabric on both sides of the waist that suggest it, with minimal detailing anywhere else (you would be all volume if not). Go for something architectural.
2. A peplum jacket or top worn over a smoth-topped pencil skirt or flat front trousers.

What to look for in peplums:

1. Peplums situated exactly at the natural waist line, not higher or lower, and hitting at high hip. No detailing above the waist: it's too busy and hides what you are supposed to be highlighting.
2. Skirts hemmed just below the knee, or a bit below, where your leg shape narrows, to keep the line of the body long.
3. Paired with high-heeled court shoes or open sandals to keep the line of the leg long. Nude or metallic options are great too.

What to avoid in peplums:

1. Colour blocking: either horizontal (together with the peplum itself, you would look cut in two), or vertical (as that would make the outfit too busy).
2. Peplum skirts or peplum tops with shorts unless you are very slim. 
3. Peplums hitting at low hip unless you are tall or wearing 4-inch silettos. It can be elegant, very  Dior-esque, but tricky for all but the slimmest and tallest.

How to wear peplums: Styling tips for Body type A

Body type A's shoulders and torso are narrower than her hips, so the general idea is to widen the appearance of her upper body, balancing it with her lower body.

Other names for Body type As are: inverted triangle, pear shape, or A shape.

To draw the eye upwards, it helps:

1. A lighter colour on the top.
2. A boat or slash neckline.
3. A structured jacket with a strong shoulder line.
4. Statement accessories.

How do peplums work with Body type As?
Anything that adds volume to the lower body should be avoided, so peplum skirts are not a Body type A's best bet. Opt instead for:

1. A peplum top with a slight blouson effect, hitting at low waist to high hip (the peplum should hit the slimmest part of the hip). A lighter colour on the top helps to draw the eye upwards, and a boat or slash neckline is a good option to widen the shoulders.
2. A structured jacket in the same length as above, with a strong shoulder line helps create balance with the lower body.
3. Both worn over a smooth-topped skirt or trousers. A straight skirt (A-line or circle skirts are not the best option to wear with a peplum top, but if you do go with them, the peplum should be short and the shoulder line of your top strong) hitting just below the knee (at the slimmest point) or flat front trousers, which are the most flattering for short legs, and modernises a look that can be too retro.

How to wear jumpsuits

Why jumpsuits?

Jumpsuits are uncomplicated to wear, very much in the same way dresses are: one piece and you are (mostly) dressed. They are also easy to accessorize and make them work for different moments of the day. Depending on the cut, jumpsuits can offer an unbroken line visually that is very flattering for all Body types.

Choose the right material, cut, and pattern. And it has to fit.

These three points are of paramount importance in the case of jumpsuits, perhaps even more so than for other garments. A brief look at the myriad of designs out there whenever jumpsuits are fashionable, lets you appreciate how tacky they can easily go: animal prints in cheap jerseys, for instance, have been a common sight on the racks.

• Material. Always go for a non artificial material, like viscose, cotton or silk for summer, or wool and tropical wool for winter.
• Cut. Either a well cut, straight simple silhouette that helps create a long, unbroken line (a crease along the pants leg helps), or a loose, draping fit. Some draping on the bust, in any case, can help those who carry weight there. Avoid second skin jumpsuits: you would be in Catwoman territory.
• Pattern. Go for solids or very small patterns to get the most of your jumpsuit: a small polka dot, for instance, is a classic. Big or loud patterns give big impact, but think about how likely it will be to wear it even next season. Avoid pinstripes.
• Fit. Wear the jumpsuit in the changing room. Ideally, the zip should be placed on the back and not the side. Think "Was it easy to get in?". Then, check the crotch: it shouldn't hang low or be tight (that would mean the jumpsuit is either too long or too short for you). If that's the case, discard it and try another one. Move around in it and check that it doesn't pull anywhere.

Salome Updated by Caroline Grant. A very classic yet modern take on work wear. The key is in the simplicity of the jumpsuits' cut and the elegant accessories. Prints from the Aestheticism movement:

Bastyan Belted red coat SOLD OUT / Oasis Jumpsuit, SOLD OUT / Reiss Jasmine pumps / Radley Black work bag SOLD OUT Other work bags by Radley / Trina Turk Mosaic pendant necklace / Marni Pyrite brooch / Aspinal of London Leopard print canopy umbrella / Agent Provocateur Leopard-print driving glove / Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Polish / Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick.

Styling tips for different body types:

You can check which is your body type by clicking on each link.

• Body type A. Finding the right jumpsuit can be a bit of a challenge for this body type, as it usually has at least one size difference between upper and lower body. Body Type A's best bet is probably to have one altered (buying the right size for the lower body, and then having the upper body taken in) or made to measure. Go for a straight leg or a slight flare in a firm material (but fluid, not stiff), pair with a shoulder-widening neckline: slash neck or boat neck (visually balancing) and a great necklace, brooch or chandelier earrings to draw attention to your upper body.
• Body type B. Straight leg or slight flare, and the neckline that suits their bust best. It is best to keep it simple (no frills there, to avoid looking top heavy).
• Body type C. Straight leg or flare. In contrast with Body type As, Body type Cs need to pay attention not to accentuate the line of their shoulders: eg. a racerback would create the illusion of bigger shoulders, as would spaghetti straps.

Advice for all Body types. The taller you are, the wider the leg that can worn without being swamped by it. Tall women, for instance, can wear very wide legs like the palazzo cut but Petites should abstain from them, at least in general, unless the material is very light (like gauze or silk) and doesn't add any volume, and they are willing to wear high heels or a combo of high heels and a small to medium platform to help with height.
You can read more on styling tips for Tall women here, and here for Petite women.

More on jumpsuits?

• Styling tips for jumpsuits: DOs and DONT's.
• Jumpsuits are versatile: Day to night.

Styling tips for petite women

A matter of proportions

In general, petite women (below 5ft4"), irrespective of their body type, have trouble finding clothes that fit them, as younger generations are getting taller and taller. Obviously, petite women  need shorter garments, but not only that, they need different proportions as well. Like tall women, petites can fit into a certain size, but invariably they will find that the waistline will fall below their own, or that a jacket is too long (or the sleeves), or the rise of a pair of trousers is too high.

1. Alterations for petites are tricky, to say the least, as they sometimes mean that all of the seams in whole outfit would need to be altered.
2. Shopping petite collections, which are fortunately increasingly numerous. You can read about Shopping tips for petite women soon in this blog.
3. Getting tailor-made clothes.

You can read more about these lovely petite ladies at Oprah's, where the photos for the collage come from.

First things first

One of the things that surprises me when reading styling tips for petite women is the complete disregard stylists show in general to their body type. They prefer to concentrate in all sorts of tricks to make them look taller instead of celebrating their height.
Let's remember first what clothes can ALWAYS achieve for ALL body types:

• Create a long unbroken line (except for the tallest).
• Strike up a balance between upper body and lower body. Petite women have to achieve this by considering first their body type. You can read about body types here and decide if you are bigger on top, or on the hips, or have a balanced silhouette.
• Make their eye colour pop and their skin glow. You can read more about how to become colour savvy here or following the label Colour savvy on your right.
  
• Wear the right silhouettes, fit and proportions, and their right length. You can read more about this topic here.

Styling tips for all petite women. Run with it!

Instead of paying attention to your difficulties finding clothes, enjoy the fact that men probably find you incredibly cute (something in their DNA wants to protect you, according to evolutionary behavioral theory). Make  the most of your small proportions. How?

First, you can do things others can't. Enjoy...

• Pulling off narrow silhouettes, worn close to the body.
• Wear dainty jewellery.

Things you can do to look taller...or at least, not smaller.

1. Look for monochromatic and tonal colour combinations between you tops and bottoms.
2. Avoid colour blocking, unless it creates strategic vertical lines (for instance, panels at the sides of the body). Any horizontal colour blocking will cut your figure in half (or three, four parts).
3. Avoid any horizontal stripes created through colour, pattern, or cut. Any horizontal line at a critical point (muffin top, saddlebags), will visually widen it. Cuffed trousers will shorten your legs. Capri trousers will do the same thing unless you have slim legs or wear at least a 2" heel.
4. Beware especially of girly styles (prints, ruffles, tutu imitations). Go for sophisticated, grown up styles instead or you will look twelve.
5. Solids or small prints only. Monochromatic or tonal combinations (if colour blocking, which is not really a good idea if you are petite). Small, vertical patterns. Try to create vertical lines through cut or pattern (chevron like in the set above, or pinstripe).
6. V- and U-necks will elongate your neck and torso.
7. Narrow and fitted silhouettes are crucial for petites!
8. Soft draping fabrics like silk or cotton jerseys. 
9. Shoes: low vamp, pointy toes, or better still, strappy sandals with sleek heels or wedges, no big platforms.