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No, thanksI'm already a PureWow fan.
No, thanks I hate pretty things.
Jump into summer 2002 fashion, but make it petite-friendly. That’s my motto as I get my 5’3” self dressed in my casual Cali style (mostly WFH, with the occasional café lunch date or beach workout session). Here’s what I’m feeling right now, including a couple of special shortie hacks (yes, pants lovers, sometimes you can just take a scissors to that denim) that I use to make my favorite pieces work.
RELATED: These are the Shoes Kate Middleton, Reese Witherspoon & Other Celebs are Rocking This Season (& They’re All Under $100)
1. A White Lace Blouse Not only does a white top look cool and fresh for summer, there’s something that feels special (and truth: non-sweat stained) about getting a new one each season. Find one with a bit of a puff shoulder or a tie back, like this one from Porridge, to draw the eye up toward the face, which is good for petites since it is a figure-lengthening trick.
Get the Look: Porridge Freya Lace Top ($108 ; $70); J. Crew Button-Front Eyelet Crop Top ($98; $70); Sezane Louisah Blouse ($130); Doen Francies Top ($148)
2. A Matching Knit Set To give credit where credit is due, I bought this Eileen Fisher set after seeing it on PureWow’s beauty director Jenny Jin, who wore it to a rooftop party and looked tres chic. Slinky and figure-flattering, the same-same top and pants require zero planning, and look as good with heels as they do when I sleep in them (because they are as soft as jammies). Another bonus: Lots of these matching sets come in slightly cropped lengths, making them ideal for those of us with shorter legs.
Get the Look: Mango Buttoned Texture T-Shirt ($30 ; $20) and Pants ($46 ; $36); Nasty Gal Knitted Rib Collar Top and Pants Set ($72 ; $36); Alo Yoga Muse V-Neck Pullover ($88) and Shorts ($72); Eileen Fisher StretchRib Funnel Neck Square Top ($148 ; $128) and Straight Pants ($148 ; $129)
3. A Small Straw Bag Straw bags are a classic summer handbag, this summer especially. I like one that’s somewhere between the tiny bag trend (which isn’t practical for me) and the huge French market tote size (which tends to overwhelm my smaller frame). I found the bag above on Etsy and attached a crossbody strap from another purse, because…convenience.
Get the Look: BZR Art Straw Bag ($30); Zara Mini Raffia Straw Bag ($60 ; $36); Billabong Wrapped Up Woven Tote Bag ($59); Coach Small Tote ($395)
4. White Canvas Boots This summer I’ve upgraded from wearing sneakers with my shorts and sundresses. This year it’s hiking boots or bust, in cute white or nude iterations with fun lug soles that read more raver than mountain climber. (And add a couple inches of height—never a bad thing.) This twill pair from Free People is surprisingly lightweight and comfy.
Get the Look: Everlane Canvas Utility Boots ($115 ; $35); Pallabase Twill Boots ($90); Dr. Martens Combs Platform Boots ($99)
5. Roomy Denim Shorts I bought a pair of faded blue jeans cutoffs about three sizes too large, and I love how they look and feel so effortless, and how I can wear them cinched up around my natural waist or let them fall looser to my hips. While I thought wearing a few sizes above my actual fit would make me look dumpy (since I don’t have supermodel body length to work with), I was surprised that the roomier waist and legs actually makes me look a little longer and slinkier. Plus, the larger size feels cooler in the heat.
Get the Look: Universal Thread Vintage Bermuda Jean Shorts ($23); Urban Outfitters Remade Denim shorts ($59); Levi’s 501 ‘90s Women’s Shorts ($70); Parker Long Shorts ($138)
6. A Bum-Covering White Shirt An oversize white button-up shirt is the MVP of a summer wardrobe, especially since it can work as everything from a swimsuit cover-up to an overshirt to a whole outfit when worn over bike shorts. Feel like you’ll be swallowed up by a giant shirt? That’s part of the charm of it, as we learned from Ashley Olsen’s white shirt style. Lean into the billowy size—it looks fabulous on petites, too—or pair it with more tailored bottoms to keep the proportions in check.
Get the Look: Zozofo Long White Shirt ($27); Selected Femme Oversized Shirt with Oversized Collar ($91 ; $55); Banana Republic Oversized Linen Shirt ($100); Show Me Your MuMu Johns Button Down Shirt ($138)
7. Wide-Leg Jeans A high-waist jean with a full, even flowing, leg looks so fresh this summer. And a wide-leg pair of jeans look fashionable with an unfinished hem, so feel free to just scissor these to whatever length works with your favorite shoes. Style them with a slender fit T-shirt (because shorty figures need to be especially conscious of not disappearing into voluminous clothes., so as a general rule, only wear one oversized piece at a time). Or if you’re wearing a fuller top, a French tuck looks neat and accents your waist.
Get the Look: A New Day High-Rise Jeans ($35); J. Inc Royal Blue Wide Leg Jeans ($57 ; $40); G-Star Deck Ultra High Wide Leg Jeans ($150 ; $75) Everlane Baggy Jeans ($118)
8. Platform Fisherman Sandals What’s summer 2022’s most comfortable statement shoe? The clunky, cute and sock-friendly fisherman sandal, of course. We put these on (they come in a rainbow of colors, btw) with skirts, shorts and, when we’re feeling totally dressed up, some ankle socks in a contrasting color. And take it from petite women—there’s a lot to appreciate about a walkable shoe that gives you a couple inches of height.
Get the Look: Asra Leather Fisherman Sandals ($110 ; $95); Pilcro Platform Fisherman Sandals ($150 ; $100); Ganni Creeper Grid Sandals ($395); Prada Foam Rubber Sandals ($750)
9. A Run/Swim Set Less is more when you’re packing for vacation, so a jogging bra and swim shorts combination has you covered for anything from a gym workout to a seaside jog followed by a dip. Fast-drying fabric and enough coverage for an accidental fall while stand-up paddleboarding without a boob or butt cheek being exposed, and you’re golden. Plus, a two-piece set lets you avoid the whole is-this-torso-way-too-long-for-me issue you might have with one-pieces.
Get the Look: Lallc Sporty Tankini ($24); Younique Tankini Swim Set ($35); Athleta Maldives High Neck Tankini ($84) and Wavebreak Swim Short ($54)
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