5 Ways to Wear a Turtleneck as a Petite—Despite the Fashion ‘Rule’ That Says We Shouldn’t

Listen, I’m no fashion anarchist—I still play by the rules of proportion. To offset the excess fabric at the neck, I tend to stick to more fitted pieces when shopping for turtlenecks, avoiding dramatic volume or exaggerated cowl designs. As any stylist (or short gal herself) will tell you, those with smaller frames can easily get swallowed up by such styles. That’s not to say I don’t wear them at all (as you’ll see shortly), but for the most part, I find that slim and simple picks, particularly finely ribbed pieces, look the best on my body type. Also, the closer the fit, the more easily you can tuck it into high-waist skirts and pants—aka the cut of choice for those looking to elongate their legs. 

The turtleneck is no doubt the antithesis of the V-neck, which is the neckline that’s actually considered the best for us shorties. The idea is that the deep, sharp V draws the eye vertically, creating the illusion of more length from the neck down. So, what better way to counteract the torso-compacting effect of a T-neck than by layering it with an oh-so-elongating V-neck? It’s practically style science! On that note, I’ve been loving layerable V-neck pinafore dresses like the one I’m wearing here lately, but you can achieve the same effect with any blazer, cardigan or vest that creates a low V shape when buttoned.    

Alas, the lower the temperature gets, the harder it is to resist those chunky, oversized knits. And while I’ll never deny myself the pleasure of an ultra-cozy turtleneck, what I will do is style it strategically. One of the best, and easiest, ways to make an oversized piece work for a petite figure is to simply *put a belt on it* (Portlandia fans, that one was for you). Cinching in your waist with the help of a belt automatically defines your form and prevents it from getting lost in the extra material. Further to this point, I suggest pairing a thicker, longer turtleneck with fitted bottoms, like I do here with these leather-look leggings. (If you’re firmly in the leggings-aren’t-pants camp, though, I forgive you—just grab your skinny jeans.)

This isn’t the first time I’ve noted the merits of monochrome dressing as a petite, and it definitely won’t be the last. Simply put, sticking to one color in your ensemble creates a continuous visual line, giving your figure more of an elongated appearance. It’s a universally flattering way to trick the eye of your beholder, and yet another approach you can take to make a turtleneck look more streamlined on a shorter stature. While the native New Yorker in me will always favor black-on-black monochrome moments, you can apply the method to just about any color to get the length-boosting benefits.

Respecting the balance isn’t just for users of the Substance—the same principle applies to putting together an outfit, especially if you’re set on wearing a tricky shape that may mess with your proportions. For petites and turtlenecks, that might mean pairing your covered-up top half with a little bit more leg. To counterbalance a higher neckline or, as pictured here, an all-around chunkier silhouette, I turn to my lineup of miniskirts. After all, they were made for those of us with mini heights, and they’re the best option for making even the most petite pair of pins appear to stretch for days. Let’s just say there’s a reason my trusty turtleneck-styling motto is, “When in doubt, legs go out.” (It hasn’t failed me yet!)