If you are petite and have an inverted triangle shape, you need to be selective with what you wear. I am 5’2″ and I have a clothing line for petite women, so I hear feedback every day from my petite customers who have all different sizes and body shapes.
Based on my first hand experiences of styling petite models of different figures, I’ve put together this guide for you to choose the best tops for your shape.
Table of Contents
Styling Goal
- Create balance on your silhouette by neutralizing your broad shoulders and big bust. You can do so by cinching your waist or choosing tops that feature neat, streamlined structures.
- Always be mindful of the proper fit and avoid tops that are too tight. Tops that cling tightly to your petite body will only make your concern areas more prominent and overwhelming.
- Elongating patterns, prints, and necklines are your body shape’s best friends! Being petite and inverted triangle-shaped tends to be awkward at times but that can easily be fixed if you go for patterns that make you appear taller.
Peplum Tops with Elongating Patterns
Peplum tops are a great choice for petite women with inverted triangle-shaped bodies because they create a balance between the upper and lower body by accentuating the waistline and adding volume to your narrow hips.
Petite women with inverted triangle-shaped bodies typically have a wider upper half and a smaller waistline, making it difficult to create balance and proportion in the overall frame. Peplum tops, with their flared hemline that starts at the waist, help create the illusion of curves, adding volume to the lower body and balancing out the broader shoulders.
Dainty Crop Tops
With some careful styling, crop tops can work amazingly for petite inverted triangle body shapes. It’s essential to choose a crop top that sits just above the natural waistline to create the illusion of a longer torso and balance out the broader shoulders.
Another styling trick you can do is to pair your crop tops with high-waisted bottoms, such as wide-leg pants or a high-waisted skirt, to nicely create the appearance of a longer frame and balance out the broader upper body.
When it comes to selecting a crop top for your body shape, it’s essential to consider the fabric and cut. A lightweight fabric with a flowy silhouette can create movement and soften the look of broad shoulders.
Boatneck Tops (Sabrina Neckline)
Choosing the right neckline is very important for petite inverted triangle-shaped women because it makes a huge difference in the overall appearance of your frame. Since your target areas would be your very prominent upper half, a neckline to neutralize this shape such as the boatneck is an efficient way to do it.
Boatneck tops draw attention away from the shoulders and create a balanced look. The wide neckline that sits at or near the collarbone helps create the illusion of a broader chest and draws attention away from the shoulders.
Tops with Asymmetrical Necklines
Tops with asymmetrical necklines are generally considered to be flattering for women with a petite inverted triangle body shape because they are capable of visually tweaking your shoulder line for it to look more balanced. By introducing a diagonal line across the body, these necklines help draw attention away from the shoulders and create a more proportionate appearance.
Moreover, the vertical line created by the asymmetrical neckline elongates the body, giving the illusion of a longer, more slender neck. This can further enhance the overall look of the body as asymmetrical necklines offer a clever way to flatter the inverted triangle body shape by breaking up the space on the shoulders and minimizing their appearance, while also creating a more elongated and balanced silhouette.
Dark-colored shirts
It’s quite common knowledge that dark colors are quite slimming and universally flattering. This is one of the reasons why dark-colored shirts can work so well with women with petite inverted triangle body shapes.
Dark colors have a slimming effect, which can help to visually elongate the overall silhouette and create a more balanced look. This effect is particularly pronounced when the shirt is worn tucked in, as this further emphasizes the waist and helps to create a more hourglass-like shape.
By wearing dark-colored shirts, the eye is drawn downward towards the torso, away from the shoulders. This gives your frame a more proportionate appearance by visually toning down the prominence of your broad upper half.
Low V-Neck Tops
Another efficient way to neutralize the attention on your broad shoulders is to draw the eyes downwards through a low V-neck structure.
The V-neckline creates a vertical line down the center of the body to help elongate the torso and draw the eye downward. This helps minimize the appearance of the broad shoulders and create a more proportionate appearance.
In addition, low V-neck tops can also create the illusion of a longer neck, which can further enhance the overall look of the body. But keep in mind that when choosing a low V-neck top, it’s important to consider the fit and cut of the garment so try to look for tops that fit well and don’t pull or gap at the bust, as this can be unflattering for your figure.
Kimono sleeve tops
Kimono tops have a loose, flowing shape that can help to soften the appearance of the upper body and create a more relaxed and balanced silhouette. Due to its flowy structure, it doesn’t add volume to your upper body and therefore equalizes the attention instead of having the eyes focus on just the broad shoulders.
In addition, kimono tops often have a deep V-neckline, which also features elongating visual effects to give the body a more proportionate appearance. This can further enhance the overall look of the body by drawing attention away from the broader upper body and creating a more balanced, hourglass-like shape.
Neutral Tops
The style principle “less is more” will always be a winner regardless of what your body shape is. This can be especially helpful for women who are petite and have inverted triangle body shapes.
Neutral colors such as black, white, beige, and navy are timeless, elegant, and incredibly versatile. What makes them especially flattering for women with an inverted triangle-shaped body is their ability to create a harmonious and balanced silhouette.
Women with this body shape tend to have broader shoulders and a smaller bust, which can make them appear quite top-heavy. By wearing tops in plain neutral colors, the eye is drawn away from the upper body and towards the lower body, creating a more balanced and proportionate appearance.
But neutral colors are not just about creating balance. They also have a slimming effect, which can help to create a more streamlined and elongated silhouette.
Belted Tops
Belted tops are a game-changer for women with a petite inverted triangle body shape! One of the best things about your body shape is the fact that you have a naturally small waist so belts can definitely give you that much-needed enhancement.
Not only are they fashionable and on-trend, but the way they cinch the waist can instantly turn your figure into something quite modelesque. Adding a belt to a top will help emphasize the waistline and therefore bring balance between your upper and lower body.
They also draw the eye towards the center of the body, creating a vertical line that can elongate the torso and create a more streamlined appearance. This is especially beneficial for petite women, as it can help to create the illusion of height and length.
Thick Straps
If you’re thinking of getting summer pieces that are comfy to wear, you may be tempted to go for spaghetti strapped tops. However, those tops with their usual thin straps will only make your shoulders look broader.
So the best alternative to this is to go for tops with thicker straps. Thick straps will help break the line of your shoulders and therefore minimize its prominence.
By doing so, you’re creating a nice balance on your upper half by making it not look too overwhelming.
The Key Takeaway
As someone with a petite inverted triangle-shaped figure, your wider upper body can either be an asset or a concern. However, by going by this styling guide, you can ensure that your natural body shape will always be an asset to be proud of!
