Quinta Brunson Is My Short Girl Fashion Icon. Here Are 5 Lessons I've Learned from Her Red Carpet Style

Brunson proves showing off a bit of leg is not restricted only to our tall pals. At the 74th Emmy Awards, she wore a metallic strapless gown by Christian Sirano with a thigh-high slit that was both stylish, daring and had a lengthening effect. Regardless of the length of your skirt or dress, a higher-cut slit can help fake miles-long legs.    

As summer approaches, some petite gals tend to stray away from maxi dresses. However, the Brunson has shown time and time again that longer lengths totally work for shorter folks—just see her whimsical custom piece by Dolce & Gabbana at the Rodarte show during New York Fashion Week. It’s a prime example that there are plenty of maxi dresses suitable for shorties. Look for brands that offer specific petite sizing or, if you can’t find intentionally shorter maxis, find a tailor you trust and they’ll hem your picks to perfection.  

Dramatic sleeves, all-over feathers and capes run the risk of swallowing a smaller frame—unless you pair these details with a base layer that’s shorter and shows off a bit of skin. Take this gorgeous feathered number above: By sticking to a mini length and opting for a strapless silhouette and slightly cinched middle, Brunson makes it clear that she’s wearing the dress…not the other way around. 

This is one of Brunson’s favorite style to rock on the red carpet and we can see why. This specific slim-fit cut accentuates her figure and makes her appear longer (and taller). Another helpful styling tip we’ve learned from her is opting for strapless tops which, combined with a fitted, streamlined silhouette, elongate her frame even further. 

When shopping for pants, unless we’re in the petite section, it can be challenging to find pairs that fit just right and don’t look too oversized. The trick, as Brunson proves, is to make sure to balance a wider leg with a slimmer-fit waist (either with a belt, like on the left, or via a half-tuck, like on the right). This way, the cinched waist and wide legs will make you appear taller and more hourglass-y.