Petite women want to wear the latest fashion trends just like our taller counterparts.  The truth of the matter is that if you follow a few simple rules for putting outfits together, there is actually very little a petite woman cannot wear.  Here is how to incorporate the hottest fashion trends for Spring 2010 into your petite wardrobe:

1. MILITARY CHIC

Stand at ease for work or play in this year’s biggest spring trend.  Stock up on utilitarian essentials including utility pants (formerly known as cargo pants), camp shirts, army-inspired jackets, and belted shirtdresses in olive, khaki, or camouflage.  A shirtdress flatters all petite shapes and sizes and looks best when worn just above the knee.  The trick to pulling off this trend is to mix your more masculine pieces with feminine tops.  Pair a camouflage skirt or utility pant with a ruffled tank top.  The proper fit is key, so remember that attention getting details like patch pockets, epaulets, tab sleeves, buckles, and canvas belts will be scaled down in petite sizes.

2. TRIBAL BEAT

Add excitement to your petite wardrobe with tribal prints and ethnic patterns inspired by cultures from far away places.  Look for earth tones infused with red, orange, yellow, and turquoise; animal prints; beadwork; embroidery; feather trims; and accessories with tassels, fringe, and braiding.  A tribal inspired necklace adds edge to a maxi dress or a plain tee shirt with jeans. Wear pattern on the top half of the body to heighten your petite image.

3. A LITTLE ROMANCE

Petite women should embrace spring’s most romantic trend in softer looks and sheer, delicate fabrics.  Tonal combinations in shades of blush, ecru, tan, and ivory will have a heightening effect on your petite frame.  Feminine details like cascading ruffles, rosettes, lace, bows, and ruching create flattering vertical lines on all petite figure shapes.

4. LET IT SHINE

Sparkle and shine in sequins, beads, faux jewels, and shimmery metallic fabrics.  Sequins are no longer just for evening wear.  Designer Jason Wu, famous for outfitting First Lady Michelle Obama, says “There is now a blur between day and evening clothes.”

A sequined mini dress may not be appropriate in every office, but a sequined tank under a boyfriend jacket with jeans and stilettos keeps the focal point high on the petite

figure and always gets a thumbs up.

5. CUT IT OUT

Look for tops, dresses, even swimwear with cut-out details, keyhole openings, cutaway shoulders, and peek-a-boo panels.  What better way to draw attention upward than by showing a little skin!

6. GARDEN FLORALS

Garden florals are in full bloom for spring.  This trend includes floral prints and floral inspired accessories.  Keep proportion in mind and be sure that the main pattern of the print is smaller than the size of your fist.

7. WHITE IS RIGHT

Let there be white in every petite wardrobe.  The monochrome look of this season’s popular all-white palette is a petite friendly trend.  Wearing the same color from head-to-toe will always make you look taller.  The ultimate Petite Fashionista, 5’3” Sarah Jessica Parker, can be seen wearing a white V-neck Halston Heritage dress in the poster for her new movie, Sex and the City 2, due out in May. The V-neckline lengthens her short torso. Sarah Jessica knows a thing or two about fashion as she was recently named President and Chief Creative Officer for Halston.

8. SPICE IT UP

Spicy colors are hot for spring – shades of saffron, paprika, curry, and mustard.  These shades blend beautifully with other key trends including military inspired olives and khakis, tribal patterns, and crisp clean white.  Update your wardrobe with a great handbag in one of these yummy spice colors.  Just be sure that your handbag is not as big as your body.  Choose a bag that flatters rather than overpowers your petite proportions.

9. ICY ACCESSORIES

Chill out with icy accessories in Lucite, crystal, glass, and acrylic with cool silver accents.  Use accessories to frame the face and draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of height.  Wear strands of longer necklaces to paint vertical lines on your petite frame.

10. THE ULTIMATE WEDGIE

Stand tall in spring’s hottest shoe styles – the wedge and the platform sandal.  Wedge heels and platform soles offer a great way for petite women to easily add a bit of extra height.  Shoes in neutral, tan, metallic, or cork tones will visually lengthen short legs.

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