Michelle

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Fabulous Report: Big news for petite women; Lou Myles, haberdasher to the stars
BY ROD STAFFORD HAGWOOD, FASHION COLUMNIST
March 30, 2008

It's a big deal.

Being diminutive in stature means shopping at the mall is, at best, frustrating. Apparently many clothing manufacturers don't know that good things come in small packages.

Petite women have special challenges when dressing. To the rescue comes Kim Williams Dahlman, a petite fashion specialist who recently appeared in Oprah Winfrey's O magazine and is the author of [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register] (Fidelity Press, 2004).

Earlier this month, we caught up with Dahlman as the former petite fashion buyer and former manufacturer held seminars at Macy's stores in Boynton Beach and Aventura Mall.

"It's all about proportion, and elongating the body visually and balancing. That's my No. 1 message," said Dahlman, who is 5 feet 4 inches. "There really isn't a lot a petite woman can't wear if she knows how to put it together."

Here are her top 10 tips on how to dress for the short-of-stature:

1. Shop for a silhouette with strong vertical lines. It will make you appear taller (and thinner) if you look for vertical patterns. Also, outfits with button-front or zip-front closures add a vertical line. Wrap dresses or wrap tops give the eye vertical lines as well. If there is any embellishment, make sure it is not horizontal.

2. Shop for V-necklines (halter tops, vests, shawl-collar blouses) since they elongate the torso. If you're concerned about "turkey neck" then consider layering a shell blouse under a V-neck jacket or cardigan. "In a way, you're creating a faux wrap top," she said.

3. Consider monochromatic dressing so the eye doesn't stop at any one point.

4. Tonal dressing is a less contrived way of accomplishing the same thing. "Wear shades of the same color," Dahlman said. "You're wearing a family of colors like neutrals, or there are lots of really different shades of green this season."

5. Divide the body into uneven points. If you wear a cropped jacket (which is a good proportion for short women), then wear something long on the bottom like a pant. Maybe even layer a top that reaches the hips. Conversely, if you wear a longer jacket, then pair it with a short skirt.

6. Here is Dahlman's golden rule — the print or pattern should not be bigger than your fist. If it's bigger, it's too big for your frame. "It works every time," Dahlman said.

7. Balance any horizontal lines in your outfit with a longer necklace or by layering a blouse over everything.

8. Look for fluid fabrics with lots of drape. "Anything stiff adds weight," said Dahlman.

9. Choose accessories that are the appropriate size. "I have a personal vendetta against the Olsen twins," Dahlman said. "They carry the handbags that look like suitcases. Whatever the accessory out there, there is always a smaller version. Oh, and beware of chandelier earrings."

10. Remember that petite sizing is really based on height, not weight. Petite clothing is geared to women 5-foot-4 and shorter, regardless of size. You might need petite clothing and not realize it because you think you're a plus-size.