6 Great Petite Work Outfits for Ladies Under 5’4”

August 06, 2016

Friends, we hear you: You want sophisticated, flattering petite work clothes for petite women that make you look every inch as mighty as you are. Here are six of our favorite looks for the 5’4” and under crowd, modeled by MM’s Director of Offline Retail, Rachel Mann (she’s 5’2” in life, 6’5” in spirit).

1. The Giovanna dress.

Rachel wears the Giovanna in twig.

“This fitted dress has super-sleek vertical seams that elongate my torso, and the above-the-knee hemline has a leg-lengthening effect.”

2. The Foster pant with the Deneuve top.

Rachel wears the Foster pant and the Deneuve top, both in black.

“I think the Foster pant looks good on everyone. I shorten the hem by simply folding it under; I don’t even use the interior button, because it always stays put. The Deneuve has a beautiful drape, but there’s no extra bulk—which is important for small-framed people.”

3. The Emily dress with the Broadway belt.

Rachel wears the Emily dress and the Broadway belt.

​”Calf-length hemlines can make me look stumpy, but an A-line skirt that hits at the lower thigh has the opposite effect. A waist belt helps define my proportions, too.”

4. The Foster pant with the Rowling top and the Graham kimono in sheer rib.

Rachel wears Foster pant, the Rowling top, and the Graham kimono in sheer rib.

​”Pairing a long sweater with fitted pants​ in the same color is a great way to look tall and lean—I love the Graham because it’s so comfortable and flowy. The Rowling top is a favorite because it’s fitted enough that it won’t overwhelm my frame, but it’s not tight.”

5. The Nisa.

Rachel wears the Nisa in deep teal.

​”This is one of my go-to dresses. The slightly flared skirt complements my shape, and the shoulders have a crisp sharpness—it’s a really bold, strong silhouette.”

6. The Shirley with the Sant Ambroeus.

Rachel wears the Shirley in pacific blue and the Sant Ambroeus in ecru.

“This fitted dress is really streamlined and clean, and the neutral blue is a nice departure from my usual black-on-black. The ecru jacket looks put-together and draws the eyes up, and it’s cropped at just the right spot—the natural waist.”

See more petite-friendly looks here.