Oh, the quest for the perfect business suit! It's a journey many of us embark on, hoping to find that one ensemble that makes us feel confident and ready to conquer the world. As a petite woman, I know the struggle is real. I've spent countless hours searching for suits that don't overwhelm my frame. It’s been a long and sometimes frustrating process, but I’ve learned a lot along the way and I want to share my tips!
I remember seeing women at conferences rocking these amazing oversized blazers. They looked so chic and powerful. I was determined to try the look myself. But when I tried it, I felt like I was drowning in fabric. It looked like I had borrowed my dad's jacket, and definitely not in a cool, fashionable way. The sleeves were too long, the shoulders were too wide, and the overall effect was just… unflattering. It was disheartening to say the least.
And it wasn't just blazers. I found that nothing ever seemed to fit right. The pants were always too long, the skirts were either too tight or too baggy, and the jackets just didn't sit properly. It felt like no one was designing clothes with petite women in mind. I often considered giving up and sticking to dresses and trousers with a simple top, thinking that suits were just not for me.
To make matters worse, sometimes when I did find something that remotely fit, it ended up looking like a school uniform. Here, blazers and smart trousers or skirts are a very common feature of school uniforms, which is definitely not the look I was going for in a professional setting. I wanted to exude confidence and competence, not look like I was headed to class!
Despite the challenges, I refused to give up on my power suit dreams. I knew that with a little effort and the right strategies, I could find suits that fit and flattered my petite frame. Here's what I learned:
The first and most important lesson I learned was the power of tailoring. Even if a suit seems like it's almost right, a good tailor can make all the difference. I found a local tailor who understood my concerns and was skilled at altering clothes to fit my body perfectly. This is especially important for the sleeves and shoulders of blazers, and the length of pants and skirts. Tailoring is key to looking polished and professional.
Another important factor to consider is the material of the suit. Stiff, bulky fabrics can overwhelm a petite frame, while lighter, more flowing fabrics can be more flattering. I found that wool blends and lightweight suitings worked best for me. Also, consider the season! A heavy wool suit might look great in winter, but it will be too hot and uncomfortable in summer.
I also started experimenting with shorter blazers. Instead of the traditional long blazer, I found that cropped or shorter blazers were much more flattering on my petite frame. They helped to create a more balanced silhouette and prevented me from looking like I was drowning in fabric. Which lead me to find this amazing blazer from GraceQueens Maxi Dresses. I love their selection of stylish and affordable clothing. The blazer is perfect for dressing up for work or a night out.
Speaking of shorter blazers, I recently stumbled upon the Woman Causal Plaid Short Blazer Houndstooth Jacket from GraceQueens, and I'm obsessed! I was looking for a blazer that would work for both casual and professional settings, and this one fits the bill perfectly. The houndstooth pattern is classic and stylish, and the short length is incredibly flattering on my petite frame. It doesn't swallow me up like some longer blazers do. I've worn it with everything from jeans and a t-shirt to a skirt and blouse, and it always looks great. The material is comfortable and doesn't wrinkle easily, which is a huge plus for travel. Check it out!
I also started looking for inspiration from other petite women who rock the business suit look. I noticed that Becki Newton from The Lincoln Lawyer, who is 5'2", often wears oversized blazers on the show. They look amazing on her! I realized that her character's clothes are probably tailored or custom-made. While I may not have access to custom-made clothing, I can still take inspiration from her style and adapt it to my own wardrobe. It's helped me to see that the oversized blazer look can work for petite women, as long as it's done right. Finding inspiration can really help when trying to pull off a new style.
Here are some practical tips and advice that I've learned on my journey to finding the perfect petite power suit: