I’m 5’2” and Proof Petites Can Pull Off *This* Sexy Summer Trend

Angela Foster is a Ft. Lauderdale-based petite style coach who worked as an executive in the fashion and beauty business for 20-plus years before launching her own wardrobe-consulting business. She advises busy professional women on what to wear to maximize their style while minimizing time and effort on evolving a closet full of the latest petite-friendly attire.

Cutaway vests and blazers, as they’re currently being offered, come in all materials, shapes and sizes—this we know. According to Foster, if you’re petite, you should aim to choose a style that hits at the top of your hip bones (meaning that’s where the hem of the vest or blazer falls) in order to lengthen your proportions. “This will result in longer looking legs and a thinner overall silhouette,” Foster says. Of course, if you find a cutaway style that is a tad long, just be sure it hits above or belowthe widest part of your hip bones. “The bottom hem creates a brutal horizontal line that draws the eye right there,” Foster explains. “If the vest/blazer hits at that widest point, it will give the false illusion that it is even wider.”

Cutaway vests may be “sexy,” but for a petite gal who isn’t crazy about showing off her midriff, that can be a problem. That’s where selecting the right style to pair your vest or blazer with matters a lot. “When in doubt, go with a slimmer, more tailored skirt or pants,” says Foster. “Monochromatic also works because it creates a column of color and makes us look longer and leaner.” As for what to avoid? “A full pleated pair of pants can make a stomach look pooch-y when you’re on the shorter side.” And if you don’t want to show off a ton of bare skin? “Choose a less dramatic cutaway, meaning a shallower ‘V’,” Foster adds.

For petites who are smaller on top, focus on petite brands and sizes, Foster recommends. After all, one of the best things about cutaway vests is the polished-without-trying-too-hard vibe it sends. “That all evaporates when it doesn’t fit properly,” she explains. “You want to pay special attention to the armholes and the bust—if either area is too baggy, the look can quickly turn sloppy looking vs. sleek.” And any excess material has the propensity to overwhelm a petite frame.