Calling All Petite Women: I Made This Capsule Wardrobe Just for You

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

So you probably clicked into this story because you yourself clock in at roughly 5'2" or under—aka the height range we all refer to lovingly as petite. Short of physically adding any more inches to your frame, there are a few shopping tips and styling tricks we have up our sleeves to help you add some visual height. To be clear, throwing out the rule book and wearing whatever you please is always advised, but I have a feeling you're here to glean some styling wisdom today that will help you shop smarter and dress better.

Great, now that we're all aligned in our shopping agendas, let's get down to it. Below, I've laid out five guidelines that are crucial to building a petite-friendly capsule wardrobe—everything from which pant style to stock up on to the clothing detail you should never pass up. The best part? All the pieces you need to build an affordable petite capsule wardrobe are sitting right in our very own Who What Wear collection at Target. We're talking crazy-affordable pieces (ahem, under $50) offered in a range of sizes, from XS to 4X.

Ready to skip all those trips to the tailor and shop the capsule wardrobe made for petite frames? Keep reading to discover each key item, and shop the pieces from our collection at Target.

When in Doubt, Belt It Out

Pieces that come with the option to tie at your waist are absolute game changers. Whereas before you might have needed to take things to your tailor, cinching it up with a belt instantly adds dimension to your figure.

Get Lifted

Okay, so just because you're on the shorter end of the 5' range (or under) doesn't mean you have to make up for it by wearing heels that get you to 6'. Opt for even just a few inches via a kitten or block heel. I promise that the little bit of boost these shoes provide makes a big impact.

Repeat After Me: Tuck It In

When shopping for tops, look for thin, streamlined pieces that you can easily tuck into pants or a skirt. It's a simple enough styling tip, but one that can transform your overall look instantly. I'm not saying tucking in all your shirts will make you look inches taller, but I'm also not not saying that.

Make It Micro

Yep, your bag selection can make all the difference in your overall appearance. On the whole, mini bags and carryalls on the smaller side will have the effect of making you look taller. Sounds weird, but it's true. Lucky for you, micro bags are having a total moment, and we're stocking some fun woven and chic mock-croc styles in our spring collection.

Two Words: Streamlined and Cropped

Despite the fact that wider-leg styles are on the up, don't forget that your wardrobe should still hinge on staple pants that are streamlined and ideally have a cropped, ankle-exposing hem. It's not to say you can't try out roomy 'fits, but when it comes to building out a long-lasting wardrobe, these pant styles will be your best friend.

Next, the under-$60 trends everyone is wearing in NYC now.

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.