Michelle

The Downsized Gown
Candice S. Cook
Attorney and Writer
29, 5'3 1/2"

"I have to tweak every outfit to make it work," says Cook. Not this gown, which disproves wisdom that short women shouldn't do floor-length.

• Empire waists raise the focus to bust level, so your torso and legs suddenly seem much longer—that's one reason this dress works.
• It helps that the fabric is sinuous rather than bouffant; plus, the drape from the bust to her shoes makes a vertical statement.

Dress, BCBG Max Azaria Petites, $405. Shoes, Christian Lacroix. Earrings, Giles and Brother by Philip Crangi. Clutch, Rodo. Rings, H.Stern, David Yurman, and Zasha Signature Jewelry

The Low-Rider
Jessica Weinstein
Casting Director
43, 5'1" ("When I stand up straight")

"I wear heels if need be, but I live in flats."

• Attention-getting jewelry (like these triple pendants) is fine for petites if it's worn with simple clothing.
• "I like Brooks Brothers boys' department and Children's Place—where I just got a $29 jacket."
• A good bra can make anything work. Jessica had a postpregnancy refitting and says it's made "a huge difference" in how her clothes look.
• "I own a lot of pants, but if I could just wear jeans, I would. One of my favorite pairs was labeled 'cropped,' but on me they're full-length."

The Fit Specialist
Gwen Marder
Fashion Director for Fox News
50s, 4'11 3/4"

"Jackets and pants are the hardest because you really want them to fit well. If they don't, it destroys the look."

• "I like short jackets over long tops to hide the waistband of pants. A tucked-in shirt cuts you in the middle."
• Gwen nixes wide-legged pants even if they're in fashion ("They make me look short").
• "Long skirts will swallow you." Instead of midcalf, her hemlines are midknee.
• Avoid ankle-strap shoes or short boots, Gwen cautions; they break the leg line.
• Tailoring can't fix everything: "If a garment is too big in the shoulders, forget about it."

The Modernist
Megan Wall
Designer, Women's Collection
at Michael Kors
28, 5'2 1/2"

"Find a great tailor. My arms and legs are short and my waist is slim so I always get things altered. Once it's done, my clothes look custom-made."

• Double-duty 101: "A long tunic, belted, is fabulous as a short dress."
• "Too much fabric will overpower your figure." Think balance: Volume on top means slim on the bottom, and vice versa.
• "Once you find pants you love, buy two pairs, one hemmed for heels and the other for flats."
• "I have a very small foot, so I buy kids' socks and save a fortune."

Trench, Burberry, $1,350. Dress, Michael Kors, $1,595. Tights, Wolford