The Best Fashion for Petites

O, The Oprah Magazine | From the February 2008 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

The Bold One

Lisa Perry
Designer, with her own line
49, 5'2 3/4"

"It's a myth that petites can't wear intense color or graphic patterns. It's just got to be done on a figure-flattering shape."

Show some part of the body so you don't get lost in your clothes." This trapeze dress is short enough to give lots of leg.
"As long as you don't look like you're going to fall over, you can pull off a big bag. But you need heels to offset it."
"I believe in three-quarter sleeves—you don't want to look as if you're wearing your father's jacket."
Vintage can be a great resource. Lisa loves '60s designers: "I think they cut things smaller then."

Dress, Lisa Perry, $1,095. Stockings, Wolford. Shoes, Manolo Blahnik.

Flattering style strategies for women 5'4" and under

The best labels for petites

How to dress for every shape and size