How To Wear A Maxi Skirt If You Are Short
Have you wondered how to wear a maxi skirt if you are short?
Let’s chat about it, petite ladies!
Top: Amuse Society (Found at Alice & Wonder, but it’s currently 40% off here! I have an XS, and you can adjust the tie in the back. You can only wear a sticky bra, so keep that in mind. Of course mine was losing it’s stickiness during this shoot ? OF COURSE.) | Skirt: Amuse Society (Also, 40% off! I’m wearing the XS and it fits great – there’s stretch in the back to easily get it on and off.) | Sunglasses: Loft (old, but I linked similar ones!) | Bag: J.Crew (also old, but I love this straw clutch!) | Jacket: 1822 Denim (Runs TTS and I love that it has a little stretch.) | Necklace: Vrai & Oro (My favorite necklace – you can read more about it in this post!) | Shoes: Madewell (So glad they brought these shoes back this year because they’re SO comfortable! Seriously, cannot recommend them enough!)
How To Wear A Maxi Skirt If You Are Short
The fact that I’m short doesn’t always factor into what I buy, but it’s hard to ignore when it comes to maxi skirts. Even though I may have to think about it a little bit more than someone with legs for days, there are options for us short gals!! I always get extra motivated to pull mine out when I see petite celebrities wearing them. (Nicole Ritchie makes maxi skirts look GOOOD.) Plus, with Spring just around the corner, who wouldn’t want to throw on a flowy skirt?! Here are a few things I always keep in mind…
Highlight your waist.
Since I have a bigger hips and a smaller waist, I always prefer high waisted bottoms. But when it comes to maxi skirts, it’s pretty essential no matter what your body type. Why? Because you want to draw the eye to your waist, so it creates the illusion that your legs start alllll the way up there, instead of where they actually do 😉 It’s a solid little trick!
Don’t let it drag!
Honestly, I’m not always wearing petite sizes. Of course, shopping in the petite section is ideal, but not all stores have that option or the style I’m looking for. I personally like to start by looking for ankle length skirts/dresses on models, because that usually means it will be a floor grazing skirt/dress on me!
If you strike out with both of those methods and fall in love with a regular maxi skirt, it’s worth it to get it shortened. You don’t want to trip over it, or feel the need to wear 6 inch heels every time you put it on. Just look for solid colors or a floral maxi where the pattern is the same all the way down the skirt. That way, no one will even notice if you shortened it!
Give yourself a boost.
I know flats are the easiest option (and I wear maxi skirts with flats all the time), but if you’re trying to look a little taller, give yourself a little boost and wear a heeled shoes. There’s no need for crazy tall stilettos – even sandals with a 2 inch heel will do the trick.
Wear something form fitted on top.
A crop top like this one is fun, but I totally get that it’s rarely practical. Even if it’s not a crop top, I always try to wear something form fitting to balance out all of the fabric of the skirt. Again, it helps draw the eye to your waist and makes you look a little taller!
Long Maxi Skirts For Petites
Obviously this isn’t the only maxi skirt option in the world, so here are a few more ankle length options, regular skirts that can easily be shortened, and a few faves from petite sections! I also threw a few maxi dresses in there for good measure – some of them were too cute not to share!
If you are still struggling with finding something you like, don’t be afraid to ask a sales associate at the store, or even sign up for a service like Stitch Fix. Sometimes it’s nice to get a little extra help!
4 Maxi Skirt Outfit Ideas For Petites
1. A matching set for date night.
Clearly I love this option! I always think matching sets are really feminine and flirty – plus each piece can be mixed and matched to create completely different outfits. This one is perfect for a date night or girl’s night out this summer!
2. A maxi skirt worn with a one piece bathing suit on vacation.
Going on vacation and want to save room in your suitcase? Wear a one piece bathing suit as a bodysuit with a maxi skirt! You can effortless go from the pool to cocktails without needing a full outfit change!
3. Belt a maxi dress for brunch with friends.
Okay, I know these looks are dresses, not maxi skirts – but I’m going with it. You know how I mentioned drawing your eye to the waist with skirts? I do the same thing with maxi dresses. If it’s a wrap dress, tie that thing right around the smallest part of your body. Or if it’s normally a shift dress, add a belt to remind everybody that you’ve got curves under there!
4. Wear a crop top and maxi skirt to explore or run errands.
I know this might seem a little extra to some people, but I even wrote about how this is one of my favorite tourist outfits a few years ago! Because I always look for flowy maxi skirts, they’re really comfortable! You don’t need to worry about it flying up in the wind, it doesn’t cling to places you don’t want it to cling to… it’s kind of perfect for a day of walking around!
Do you have any other tips?
PS. You might also like A Floral Maxi in Charleston, How Little Things Can Affect Your Day, Why You Should Wear Things That Make You Happy, and A Clean Silk Shirt That’s Perfect For Petites.