I’m 5’2” & Loving These 5 Spring Trends for Petites

During an in-office conversation with Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth, she was clear: The fisherman aesthetic is the trend everyone is buzzing about for spring. In my book, it’s as practical as it is charming—and the perfect way to style our transition from winter to spring. It’s also exactly as it sounds: Grounded in nautical staples, the look elevates a fisherman’s wardrobe with a focus on maritime utility (think warmer wind-cutting layers), but with a modern-day flair (hello, fisherman sandals or boat shoes). Now, how to make it petite: I found that choosing a finer cable knit or a sweater in a more fitted or cropped silhouette helped to reduce bulk that otherwise has the potential to overwhelm my figure; also, relying on the “rule of thirds” for cleaner and more flattering lines helped me stand a little taller.

Speaking of trends with a nautical vibe, the spring/summer 2025 runways were full of vertical stripes, something that is a bit of a lay-up when you’re petite. After all, a Breton stripe—which runs horizontal—is lovely, but lines that run up and down help to elongate smaller statures. For example, I love how tall I felt in this Frank & Eileen shirt tucked into an ankle-length pair of denim from MOTHER—my go-to. Whether trying out a suit, a dress or even just a simple button-up, vertical stripes are chic and flattering, but also a nice nod to warmer seasons. (It’s also the spring trend I’ve noticed bubbling up the most already in the office.)

Pro tip from Hepworth: If you’re going to infuse your wardrobe with a color palette that includes pistachio green, butter yellow and petal pink, make a plan to choose styles that are less frilly and more fitted if you’re petite. Here’s why: Pastels with a lot of added volume can quickly skew a bit baby doll on a smaller figure. Keeping the fit sleek and tailored helps to elevate the look, minus a lot of extra material. (Another spring trend worth testing here that looks great on petites: unexpected color combos, like the butter yellow dress with this cherry red—the Rosanna from M.Gemi—shoe.)

Oversize suiting can work on a petite figure if you wear it right, but another trend I’m eyeing as I update my closet for spring is the turn toward more fitted tailoring for blazers and suit jackets. For example, the slimmer silhouettes on waistcoats that have been dotting the runways, some sleeveless and some in vest form. They’re sophisticated and surprising while also offering a more modern (and warm weather-friendly) take on office wear.

It’s true that barn coats have been trending for quite some time, but a boxy and durable coat with roomy pockets is a look that picks up even more steam as we head into spring. Sure, a trench is cute and classic—especially when you’re petite—but a clever twist is to pair a feminine outfit with a coat that skews functional. Per Hepworth, “A dress with a shorter hemline could have a sort of ‘60s effect, but with a more utilitarian vibe,” she says. You could also wear a practical jacket with a maxi skirt, but Hepworth is quick to add, “That’s a lot of long lengths for a petite frame, so be sure to keep balance in mind.”