Are you a petite woman who finds shopping for clothes which fit, a real challenge? I am a petite woman and I used to find that being less than 5ft 3" meant that my size is not at the top of the manufactures lists!

So, what changed? Well, since training as an Image Consultant, I am now fully equipped with rules & tools to enable me to select the right styles and put together my outfits appropriately for my size.

Colour

All of use can use the key rule of wearing one colour from head to toe to create the illusion of height. If you prefer to wear two colours, make sure the proportions are 2/3 to 1/3, with the lighter, brighter colour being the 1/3 at the top.

Volume

Wearing bulky fabrics or those styles with large volume will only succeed in swamping the petite frame. So, ensure you avoid skirts & trousers with minimal volume.

Prints

Smaller prints are far more flattering for petites. Large patterns will swamp you and give you the appearance of being larger than you actually are.

Fabric weight

You need to ensure you balance the weight of fabric with your bone structure. If you have very fine fingers, narrow wrists and angles, you will need to keep to minimal texture in your clothing. You can layer your fabrics but make sure this is only done with fine to medium fabrics.

Clothing details

Try to avoid clothing styles which have large details which run the risk of making you look like a clown! Detailing such as pockets, buttons, collars, belts need to be kept in balance with your scale and height. If you choose to wear a large accessory such as a necklace or belt as a statement piece, then you need to ensure it is the only piece and that the rest of the outfit must be kept simple.

Tall & Petite

If you are petite in scale but are tall, you can tweak these rules slightly. With your height you will be able to wear more colour blocking. Layering can be achieved using heavier and more textured fabrics. A neat hairstyle is a must for a petite frame but if you are taller, you can opt for a fuller hairstyle. You will also be able to wear larger accessories without the worry of them being to large for your frame.

If you are petite or if you face any other challenges when you are shopping for clothes, then why not treat yourself to a full Colour Me Beautiful Image Consultation. Your consultant will focus on your positive attributes and provide you with some easy to follow tips to abolish those challenges. You will also find out the best stores to find clothing which is appropriate for the petite woman.

Or you could start your new journey by grabbing yourself a copy of Colour Me Confident, Colour Me Beautiful’s fantastic book. Colour Me Confident will guide you through your best colours & styles and shopping will likely never be a challenge again!