If you are shorter like me (I’m 5’2″), finding the right skirts can make a big difference in how you look. The right skirts not only will fit you better, but also taller and leaner. The wrong skirts, on the other hand, does quite the opposite.
After many years of trial and error, I’ve put together this guide with 12 types of skirts that look the best on curvy petite women to share with my fellow petites.
High waisted skirts
This design of the skirt has its waistline fixed above the natural waistline making it a very classy and outstanding skirt for a short and curvy woman. It is specially designed to make the torso appear shorter while drawing the eyes to the highlighted waistline and making the legs appear longer than normal.
High-waisted skirts are sexy skirts that accentuate the curves of a short and curvy woman to give a contemporary and elegant look. They are one of the most flattering skirt design ideal for a short and curvy woman and should be given better preference to low rise skirt patterns as they would make you appear shorter.
It is best to tuck in your top into the skirt to get the best fitting rather than leaving it to fall effortlessly on the skirt. Also, a good and well-structured nude color heel is recommended to be paired with the high waisted skirt.
A-line skirts
The A-line skirts are the most universally flattering skirt design for a short and curvy woman. They are designed to fit and highlight the waist and flare out at the bottom to make the eyes assume a longer leg.
Why you should opt for A-line skirts
They are an easy-to-wear skirt design that is comfortable on the figure of a short and curvy woman.
You should wear an A-line skirt if you do not want to accentuate your curves but still stay sexy.
This design of the skirt is a not too complicated style that is structured to not cling tightly to your curves and thighs yet still maintain your figure.
Mini skirts
The simplest and most flattering skirt designs are mini skirts that seem so trendy and are recommended if you are short and curvy. This is because the length of the skirt ends high up on the thigh revealing a lot of skin around the legs.
The length of the skirt and the amount of skin it reveals draws attention to the eyes by giving the illusion of long legs which is what is intended for the short and curvy figure.
Maxi skirts
If you do not feel comfortable exposing so many legs in a mini skirt, then the maxi skirt was probably designed for your figure.
The perfect length of maxi skirts for a short and curvy woman are those that end right above the ankle and that is just the right position for your figure if you must get the best out of maxi skirts. Maxi skirts are very classy skirt designs that help you accentuate your curves especially if tailored to your size.
Why use a Maxi skirt?
Maxi skirts are not meant to be overflowing on your figure if you don’t want to look drowned and less flattering in them.
They are one of the best ways to create unbroken lines along the figure of a short and curvy woman.
With the idea of cropped legs eliminated from your figure, your body assumes a lengthened body and it is best to pair maxi skirts with heels.
Skirts with slit
Another way to scream elegance and sophistication in your outfit is by wearing skirts with slits. They are effortlessly cool with the slits positioned at either the front or side and whichever way they are positioned, they are fit and ideally recommended for a short and curvy woman.
Most midi skirts have fabrics that cover up a large portion of the lower body and as such a little difference in design by adding a slit could switch up your general appearance. The slits would draw attention to the legs and give the eyes the illusion of an elongated figure.
Skirts with slits are very flattering on short and curvy women and if well layered and paired with the right top, would give your figure the desired confidence needed to slay on any occasion. They are very simple and comfortable skirts recommended as a wardrobe staple for short and curvy women.
Skirts with asymmetric hem
Skirts with asymmetric hems are very flattering on short and curvy women. They are one of the best skirt designs, as they accentuate the curves and give the illusion of a lengthened figure.
Asymmetric Hem vs Horizontal Hem
Regular skirts are cut straight across, making the hem a horizontal line on your legs.
Asymmetric hem, on the other hand, has the diagonal shape hem.
The skirts with asymmetric hems have the advantage of not ending at the widest part of the legs, as that could make the woman appear shorter.
Besides, this tricks the eyes to believe that they are longer than normal, thus elongate your short figure.
This design of the skirt can make the short and curvy woman appear elegant on any occasion.
Pencil skirts
The pencil skirts are flattering on short and curvy women because they are narrowly fitted to your body figure and define your natural curves. The best pencil skirt for a short and curvy woman are those that are fitted at the waist and hips but are not too tight for your figure.
Pencil skirts could also help balance the body proportion and give the illusion of longer legs if they are of knee length. It is also best to tuck in the tops to be paired with the pencil skirts as this would further help to define the waistline and elongate your figure.
They are versatile and stylish skirt designs meant to make the short and curvy woman look sexy.
Knee length skirts
Midi skirts can be very tricky to style especially, because not enough skin is exposed in the leg region.
Knee length is a universally flattering length for women of any shape, and they work great on curvy petites too.
How to wear it if you are short
The best way to style knee length skirts for a short and curvy woman is styling it in a monochromic pattern.
The pair recreates a visual effect of wearing a dress.
This helps balance out the body proportion by eliminating any form of an unbroken line along the figure of a curvy petite.
Besides, this remains a simple way to reduce the cutoff effect that knee-length skirts could give to a short and curvy figure.
Wrap skirts
Wraps on skirts are an incredible style idea for short and curvy women to embrace their curves and also highlight their waist.
They are easy to wear skirt designs suitable and fitting for the short and curvy figure because they are invariably one of the best skirt designs used to give the illusion of a lengthened figure.
Most wrap skirts are high waisted and their position on the waist draws the attention of the eyes away from the legs and focuses more attention on the waistline.
It’s also a very classy skirt design that sits comfortably on a short and curvy woman to help boost her confidence and uplift her appearance.
Wrap skirts are a simple way to make the torso appear shorter and the legs appear longer while still giving the short and curvy woman comfort in her outfit.
Pleated skirts
Pleated skirts are aesthetically designed to have a series of folds that run down from the waistline to the hem of the skirt.
Pleated skirts are flattering and ideal to be part of the wardrobe staple of a short and curvy figure.
How to choose a pleated skirt?
Few and smaller-sized folds are best to fit the figure of a short and curvy woman.
They would create a natural visual effect that could help balance out the body proportion of the short and curvy woman.
On the other hand, too many and wide folds could be overwhelming on your figure and this could in turn become less flattering.
Skirts with vertical stripes
The patterns, prints, and stripes on fabrics worn at the bottom part of your body have a great effect on how your figure would appear generally. One way to get this right is by wearing skirts with vertical prints that are not too bold.
Vertical prints have a natural tendency to cause a visual balance by giving the eyes the illusion of a lengthened figure. A short and curvy woman can use skirts with vertical stripes to highlight their waist, look slimmer and still maintain a sleek figure.
Horizontal stripes on skirts are not advisable nor recommended to be worn by a short and curvy woman because they would only make you look wider and have no effect on the length of your figure. If you are one who loves to wear striped skirts then don’t leave out vertical striped skirts from your wardrobe.
Mermaid skirt
The mermaid skirt can be universally flattering on any body shape and are the best fit for a curvy petite girl. They are designed to be fitted from the waist down to the thighs and have ruffles attached to them.
To get the best out of mermaid skirts, keep it simple by opting for designs that are your size and have fewer ruffles around them.
How to choose mermaid skirts?
Make sure you avoid designs with too many ruffles around them because this would only add bulkiness to your figure and make you appear even shorter.
Since the ruffles add volume to the bottom of the skirt, wearing it with high heels is a great way to balance out your silhouette.
Selina Perez says
Chi, you have really helped me. I have a sense of style however dressing is a challenge at times because of my body type and height. I second guess myself all the time and am very hesitant to wear skirts because of my stomach. Thank you for these tips, they are a God-send.
Chi says
Hi Selina! So glad to hear you find them helpful!