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Quinta Brunson Is My Short Girl Fashion Icon. Here Are 5 Lessons I've Learned from Her Red Carpet Style

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As someone who grew up on Buzzfeed skits and food testing videos, I’ve always loved Quinta Brunson (I’m still saying “Oh, he got moneyyy to this day). But it wasn’t until Abbot Elementary that she was catapulted into major stardom. While she’s been praised as a writing genius, she’s also has become sort of a fashion icon—especially for petite gals.

For context: Brunson is 4’11”. As part of the short squad myself (I’m 5’0” on a good day), finding someone with impeccable style that happens to be my height is rare. In the past few years, the 33-year-old powerhouse has provided tons of style inspo for us shorties, and her impact isn’t something she takes for granted. “I think most people know I’m a very short girl, [I’m] 4 foot 11, and as a short girl you rule yourself out of things like Fashion Week, or fashion in general,” she told Harper Bazaar. “So it’s really cool to be invited and part of me feels like I have a civic duty now to show up for the small girls at the things I get invited to.” 

Below, five style lessons any petite woman can learn from Brunson (with an assist from her stylist Bryon Javar). 

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quinta brunson short girl fashion icon high slits
Frazer Harrison/Rodin Eckenroth/Federic J. Brown/Getty Images

1. High Slits Are Your Friend

Brunson proves showing off a bit of leg is not restricted only to our tall pals. At the 74th Emmy Awards, she wore a metallic strapless gown by Christian Sirano with a thigh-high slit that was both stylish, daring and had a lengthening effect. Regardless of the length of your skirt or dress, a higher-cut slit can help fake miles-long legs.    

quinta brunson short girl fashion icon maxi dress
Stefanie Keenan/Gilbert Carrasquillo/Amy Sussman

2. Don’t Be Afraid of Long Dresses

As summer approaches, some petite gals tend to stray away from maxi dresses. However, the Brunson has shown time and time again that longer lengths totally work for shorter folks—just see her whimsical custom piece by Dolce & Gabbana at the Rodarte show during New York Fashion Week. It’s a prime example that there are plenty of maxi dresses suitable for shorties. Look for brands that offer specific petite sizing or, if you can’t find intentionally shorter maxis, find a tailor you trust and they’ll hem your picks to perfection.  

quinta brunson short girl fashion icon bolder silhouettes
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Raymond Hall/Leon Bennett/Getty Images

3. Balance Bold Details with Short Lengths

Dramatic sleeves, all-over feathers and capes run the risk of swallowing a smaller frame—unless you pair these details with a base layer that’s shorter and shows off a bit of skin. Take this gorgeous feathered number above: By sticking to a mini length and opting for a strapless silhouette and slightly cinched middle, Brunson makes it clear that she’s wearing the dress…not the other way around. 

quinta brunson short girl fashion icon bodycon dresses
Steve Granitz/Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

4. Show Off Your Curves with Bodycon Dresses

This is one of Brunson’s favorite style to rock on the red carpet and we can see why. This specific slim-fit cut accentuates her figure and makes her appear longer (and taller). Another helpful styling tip we’ve learned from her is opting for strapless tops which, combined with a fitted, streamlined silhouette, elongate her frame even further. 

quinta brunson short girl fashion icon wide leg pants
Lionel Hahn/Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

5. Choose Wide-Leg Pants That Show Off Your Waist

When shopping for pants, unless we’re in the petite section, it can be challenging to find pairs that fit just right and don’t look too oversized. The trick, as Brunson proves, is to make sure to balance a wider leg with a slimmer-fit waist (either with a belt, like on the left, or via a half-tuck, like on the right). This way, the cinched waist and wide legs will make you appear taller and more hourglass-y. 

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Associate Editor, Ultimate Fangirl, Aspiring Beauty Guru

Chelsea Candelario is an Associate Editor at PureWow. She has been covering beauty, culture, fashion and entertainment for over a decade. You'll find her searching the internet...