Tunics to flatter petite & slim?

[Ollybear]

I'm a size 8 and petite (5'2), hate wearing jeans because although slim my legs are short and much prefer to wear leggings with boots. I'm struggling to find any tunic length tops. Anyone found any worth looking at?

I've seen a lot of dresses but I'm really looking for a shorter length. I also can't do the oversized top/sweater trend as it just swamps me and makes me look fat when I'm not. I ideally need tunics that nip in under the bust or at the waist or are fitted in some way. I'd be prepared to have a dress shortened to the desired length if it wasn't too expensive to begin with.

Help!

I like this, but would like it more if it had a tie at the back

Next petite

Or this? Much more fitted under bust

Boden petite

Where are you looking for dresses? I find the cheaper you go the shorter the dresses - so Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, ASOS (especially ASOS own brand) do loads of lovely short dresses cut to fit petite people. I wear them with opaque tights but they'd work with leggings too. If you're looking at more expensive places like Boden/Whistles/Reiss/Baukjen, the dresses are mostly knee length or longer on short people.

Hmm, don't go for Empire-line, I'm an 8-10 and fairly petite, and they make me look pregnant.

Maybe a dropped waist?

I know it has a bit of a mumsy reputation but have you tried Whitestuff?

I'm a similar size/height to you and I have a few tunics from there that I wear with leggings/thick tights.

re: empire line I think it depends on your boobs/waist. I'm quite flatchested but with a small waist/flat stomach and I find them really flattering, like I've actually got boobs. On the other hand a dropped waist just makes me look like a square.

lovely tunic a

tunic b

Personally, I'd go for clingy jersey rather than floaty cotton.

I'm a 5' size 6-8, I wear sweaters with belts to accentuate my waist.
Can you sew at all? If you can, sew lengths of ribbon at the waist of unfitted clothes to tie, it's an easy way to make them look fitted.
I get most of my clothes from charity shops, but Dorothy Perkins has a few good bits for those lacking stature.

RipMapWinkle - I've been looking at the Boden Must Have and I would snap it up but the colours that are left in stock are a little uninspiring.

ElizabethBathory - yes, I'm mostly looking at Topshop, Boden, ASOS, Joules etc but am struggling to find casual, every day, jersey type stuff. I don't need the dressier/smarter dresses. I've given up with higher end stores as I find them completely unsuitable for my short frame.

LaFataTurchina - thanks for reminding me about White Stuff. Sounds like we're very similar - I do find them flattering and they don't make me look pregnant. Smallish bust/flat stomach. Its clingy jersey I'm looking for too! :)

Have you tried the Baukjen extra long t-shirts? I always think they look long enough to be a tunic/dress.

What about this? Someone linked it on another thread and I think it's lovely.