Video: How to Dress for a Petite Body Type

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About the Expert

Erin Busbee

http://www.busbeestyle.com/

Ever since Erin Busbee was a little girl she has had a passion for fashion and beauty… dressing her friends and family, including her poor baby brother and styling hair for any and all willing participants. It’s a love she has carried into her professional life. For years, Busbee worked as an award-winning producer for WCBS-TV in New York, where she routinely researched and wrote about fashion trends. She also collaborated closely with top magazine editors/writers from the most elite fashion publications like “Vogue,” “Elle,” “In Style,” and “Lucky” Magazines. In 2005, she founded Hewitt Media Consulting through which she personally trained CEO’s, entrepreneurs, magazine editors and TV reporters. Her consulting sessions always included fashion and beauty pointers, helping clients shine for their major TV appearances. Erin didn’t stay behind the scenes; she has been front and center with extensive experience on camera. She worked as an anchor/reporter in Watertown and Rochester, New York. She also became the entertainment/fashion reporter for WCBS-TV where she kept up on all the hottest trends. In 2007, she took on the role as host and producer for Hotnewz.tv, a revolutionary Internet news program focused on the young and hip college crowd. Erin created and wrote a weekly segment for Hotnewz called “Fashion Fix.” It gave viewers the inside scoop on, what else, fashion! Recently, Erin moved to the Texas Hill Country and started her image consulting business “Busbee Style”. Busbee Style is her newest baby, a passion for sure! Through Busbee Style, Erin does personal shopping, fashion styling and closet organization. Now, Erin is dressing and styling all types of Texans from cowboys to socialites.

Transcript

Hi, I'm Erin, and I'm a fashion stylist. And, at 5'4", I'm also considered a petite woman. A petite woman is anyone who's 5'5" or shorter. As a small, petite woman, I'm constantly looking for ways to look taller. It is possible if you follow some simple tips. Here are some do's and don'ts for petites. First of all, wear heels. Duh, right? If you struggle to walk in heels, try a wedge or a heel with an ankle strap. Both have more stability than a pump or stiletto. Another easy way to stretch out your petite frame, wear all one color like I am. Wearing head to toe black or camel is not only chic, but it creates the illusion of more height. Vertical stripes or seams can also have an elongating effect. Fit is really important on petite frames. Clothes should be streamlined, simple, and really fit well in order to avoid the "I'm wearing my mom's clothes" look. A skirt should be knee length or shorter. Tops should fall to the widest part of your hips, or shorter. Any longer, and you'll lose your legs. Not literally, of course, but the look's stubby. When in doubt, you can always shop in the petite departments. The tops and jackets will fit better, especially if you're narrow in the shoulders. And, keep your tailor's number on speed dial. Part of the petite woman's reality? You're going to have to have clothes taken in, up, and hemmed. Just make sure that when you bring in your dark wash designer jeans or cuff trousers, you ask the tailor for the original bottom. Keeping the original bottom means you keep the original detail and seam.