I’m always looking for petite styling inspiration and styling tips, so when I discovered the work of Los Angeles-based stylist Lwany, whose Instagram content reflects a fresh, energetic fashion sense for petites, I needed to pick her brain. (Her posts on baby doll silhouette dresses and off-shoulder tops alone had me shopping the looks.) I had so many questions: What brands is she loving for petites? (Reiss, Favorite Daughter and Princess Polly.) How does she rock so many cool vintage looks? (She finds thrift stores are surprisingly shoppable—and she has a trusted tailor to tweak pieces for her.) But when I asked her about the outfits she wishes petites would stop wearing altogether, she went off—in a good way, with six specifics including certain dresses, suits and shoes.
6 Things a Petite Stylist Wishes Women Under 5'3" Would Stop Wearing
Cool Angeleno style for shorties
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Meet the Expert
Lwany is a Los Angeles-based stylist and the creator of the Petite Fashion Digest, an Instagram account and weekly newsletter known for its creative petite styling content. She studied fashion marketing at the Savannah College of Art and Design and is a 15-year industry veteran with experience in both creative design and styling.
1. Skip the Oversized Suiting (Wear More Proportional Suits Instead)
“I’ve never seen an oversized blazer that works on a petite person,” Lwany says. “However, if you choose suiting in petite proportions, it looks great, especially with the under-blazer bra trend.”
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2. Don’t Only Wear High Heels or Platforms (Go for Skin-Toned Sandals Instead)
While chunky heels can look great, wearing them exclusively “is a pretty outdated approach,” says Lwany. Instead, she wears “nude-toned footwear that doesn’t break the long line of the leg. For special occasions, I opt for footwear that’s nude with two straps, one around the ankle and one around the foot, in a gold color if you have a more pale complexion or if you are darker, then a bronze metallic. In other words, your skin tone but metallic.”
3. Don’t Just Stick to Bodycon to Look Sexy (Instead Try a Sheer or a Slip Dress)
“When I want to feel sexy and sensual, I prefer a more nonchalant fit over a tight dress. In the heat, one of my favorites is a gold slip dress in the closest color match to your skin. It makes me look sophisticated and elongated,” Lwany says.
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4. Don’t Rule Out Midi or Maxi Dresses (Just Choose the Right One for Your Figure)
Petites often shy away from longer skirts, suspecting they will drown in the volume. But that’s not true, says the stylist, who often rocks the look herself. “I have one midi without a slit, and others with a slit and I like them to have some sort of vertical interest happening like pleats or a pattern, that way it’s flattering on a shorter frame,” explains Lwany.
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5. Avoid Wearing All-Over Juvenilia (Instead Opt for Sophisticated Separates)
“I’m not a fan of juvenile petite-sized clothing like the milkmaid style. It can work for longer frames, but on a shorter stature it tends to look childish,” Lwany says. “I don’t particularly like ruffles or puffy sleeves. However, I do like for my ballet flats to have bows, but I pair them with grown up minimalist styles to make my outfit more sophisticated.” For example, here's a guest at Copenhagen's Fashion Week wearing white socks and Mary Janes (so grade school) but pairs them with a tailored blazer (profesh) and a sharply striped tote (sporty).
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6. Don’t Wear High Tops (Instead Pivot to Low Profile Kicks)
Low-profile sneakers are a good alternative to the high-tops that so many people wear with skirts. "You want to keep the structure and the sides of your sneakers as low as possible—Adidas Gazelles or Sambas are great for this,” Lwany says. She also favors Vans slip-ons: “I wear a checkered pair with comfy cush soles. They give me a little lift without [making it seem like] I’m trying to look taller.”
