Is it possible to look stylish and elegant when you’re short and dumpy?

[MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry]

NYR is to lose the frumpy leggings and trainers and start making an effort.

But I have no idea how to make myself look better. I am 5’2”, size 12. Small boobs, belly, broad shoulders, very short cropped hair. Very small budget but I feel if I had some images of good looks for my size/shape I can start looking in charity shops for things that are similar. Would prefer not to wear heels too. Am I asking too much?

Am also petite and find i like wearing alot of dark navy jeans or skirts (I dyed all of mine navy blue) with dark navy tshirts and dark jewel coloured cropped cardigans that I leave open. With dark shoes.. it creates a long uninterrupted and slimming colourblocking effect. No chunky jewellry for me though. I wear pearl studs and small silver necklaces that sit against skin. Invest in fabulous coats and sunglasses as well.

I too wear a lot of navy, it’s a great colour. I team it with small amounts of jewel colours- like green, orange which suit my skin tone.

Well I'm a size 10 5' and definitely dumpy. Realistically I need to be at very much the lower end of "healthy weight" to look slim and shapely which is 7 - 7.5 stone and size 6

Firstly, don’t use the word dumpy, it’s a horrible way to describe yourself and it’s not helpful.

I think us shorties have to be conscious of what suits us and not be too slavish about fashion. The over sized trend does not suit smaller people, it doesn’t hide anything and just makes us look bigger.
Thankfully shorter skirts are returning, I know they suit me, as do dresses and coats which don’t add lots of bulk. I used to only wear heels but I don’t anymore- I am short, deal with it.

FWIW a dear friend of mine is wonderfully tall but always says she feels ungainly and awkward next to me. We are all critical of ourselves!

I’m size 8, 5’2 and certainly dumpy - my legs are short even for my height. I’ve been as thin as 7 stone (when I went down to a size 6), and even then I looked crap. I haven’t tried to get that thin again as I am see that an eating disorder beckons. I’m an hourglass shape, and fashion doesn’t like us even at more fashionable heights.

I won’t say anything actually suits me, but I look less bad in very simple shapes and plain colours- for work I wear single-breasted trouser suits in black, grey or navy, and for home I wear bootcut jeans (to balance out the hips) with fitted tops. And I won’t shop in places where the assistants sneer at me, which saves me a lot of money.

Your size definitely yes!

I’ve got a friend who’s same height but has been size 18 to 14 and although she does look better slimmer she chooses styles and colours which suit her (Breton stripe dresses, joules floral tops, Lilac Hobbs fabric mackintosh, nice dresses (darker), dark blazers with cloak detailing on lapels etc).

She wears heels for special occasions but also wears Fit flops shoes and boots due to balance issue.

My friend is also an Apple shape but knows exactly what suits her, eg tunic tops in pastels with floral/butterfly patterns, and stays away from eg biker jackets. I agree with someone else here, oversized doesn’t suit her and she almost never wears jeans. But she can carry off lovely open neck and floaty shirts.

It sounds like you aren’t dumpy but instead aren’t wearing the right clothes. I’d ditch anything double breasted and get some slightly cropped (7/8ths) trousers and slightly cropped jackets and try and emphasise waist/ankles/wrists. Then some thicker soled shoes and ankle boots.
And some new underwear.
Of course lose weight if you feel you need to but it may not be the issue.

I agree that there are certain clothes you should not wear when short . You have to master the art of catering to your shape . I think self colours are good and look classy and if a print then a small one . I would love to wear skirts but I don't own one as my arse and height make it an impossibility .

OP might not work for you but my friend has been doing daily Pilates at home and a 121 class once a week and it’s toned her up no end. Also Bodygroove dance classes which she likes.

This thread is silly and worrying in equal measure.

Some of the people on here who think they are 'dumpy' are clearly tiny. Also, I've seen plenty of tall and slim women who dress really badly, and plenty of short and curvy women who dress well. Stylish doesn't have to mean tall and skinny.

Also, I've been all sizes from an 8 to a 14 and have never, ever been sneered at by a shop assistant.

I’m 5’2” and chortling to myself about people who at size 12, call themselves dumpy.

I wish I was a 12. I’d be happy if I got down to a 16.

My opinion is no. Tall slim people look fabulous in everything. Short fat people like myself look awful no matter what they wear.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Also, I've been all sizes from an 8 to a 14 and have never, ever been sneered at by a shop assistant.

Lucky you.

Perhaps shop assistants don’t think you’re going to spoil the reputation of the brand if you wear the clothes. It’s only posh shops where it’s happened to me- I love Armani, but can’t buy it new as they clearly think I’d sully the clothes if I even tried them on.

I am small (not petite but small frame) and if I put on any weight at all it goes to my belly and I do look dumpy. Also now the trend for high heels is over, I find my legs can look stumpy. I agree with pp that even 5lbs off or on makes a big difference when you’re short. I definitely look and feel better with that 5lbs off.

@SlatternIsMyMiddleName

I’m 5’2” and chortling to myself about people who at size 12, call themselves dumpy.

I wish I was a 12. I’d be happy if I got down to a 16.

Same here.

Such a shame that people fail to realise that by fat shaming themselves they also fat shame others.

I’m about the same as you OP. I’m currently 9 stone but would look so much better 8 stone. I really makes a difference at 5,2. Loosing that 1 stone is so hard though.

Such a shame that people fail to realise that by fat shaming themselves they also fat shame others

People can indeed be “dumpy” at a size 12! I’m 5ft 2 and is usually a 10 and around 9st. If I go up to size 12 jeans/skirts it means I have a lot of fat around my stomach and being only short I do look dumpy!

It’s also very unhealthy to have fat around your stomach, as both my mum and dad had died at 62, I’m keen to live beyond that and want to keep a healthy weight and size.

I think it’s fair enough for people to be able to describe their own body shape, that they can see, on a style and beauty thread, when asking for style advice, without being accused of fat shaming others.

Really appreciating all the style and exercise advice. I joined Instagram last night and found dress lovin mama. Love her style. Any other insta style people I should follow?

I'm sure you can work with what you've got. And there are lovely flats out there too.

What I’ve got are leggings T-shirt’s and hoodies. Trainers that are ready for the bin. A pair of jeans. Two knitted sweaters. A pair of converse type shoes. And pyjamas

If you look up “petite apple” (or possibly “petite inverted triangle” as you have broad shoulders, you don’t mention your legs/hips) on Pinterest you will get some ideas of silhouettes that might suit.

Generally I think petites (I’m a petite inverted triangle) look best with at least part of their outfit fitted, in block colours or small prints. Cropped or belted jackets/coats, a-line skirts to balance out your shoulders (I find short or midi with a slit most flattering), 7/8 straight leg jeans with flats or slightly flared with heels. Slightly slouchy is ok, but avoid anything too oversize.

If you’re petite you often need to buy from petite ranges, be very selective about brands, or get stuff adjusted to fit. It’s annoying but the “dumpy” /stumpy effect can be a consequence of wearing stuff that is that bit too big, I think.

For insta thefashion_lift is 5'3" (i think, know shes a little bit taller than me but not much!) and normally wears size 10. She does lots of try ons in shops so you can see how things look on a short person.

Agree very little weight difference makes a dramatic difference to the way you look when you are short.