15 Petite Style Rules From A Cool LG
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15 Petite Style Rules From A Cool LG

Meet Michelle Joseph – fashion fan, content creator and master of petite style. With an 89,000-strong following on Instagram and plenty of inspo to offer, she shared the rules she follows to get it right day in, day out.
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@MichelleJospeh_

Balance the trendy and timeless aesthetics.

I’m all about mixing pieces that are cool now with items that I know I’ll still love years down the line. It’s about longevity, but it still needs to be fun.

Find your muses. 

My mum played a big part in shaping my style. I always took note of what she chose to wear and was shopping for when I was younger. It was almost a cheat sheet for learning what suited my height and body shape because I’m a mini version of her. In terms of content creators, I love watching Noorie Ana and Freya Killin on YouTube.

Elongate your legs. 

High-waisted bottoms have become my secret weapon. The best part is you can easily dress them up or down, and they’ll work with so many pieces in your wardrobe.

Pointed shoes make all the difference. 

Whether it’s boots or heels, a pointed toe always creates the illusion of longer legs. They’re also super chic and on trend right now.

Balance is everything. 

Wide-leg trousers look amazing with a cropped or fitted top. It’s all about showing off your waist and keeping the proportions in check.

@MichelleJospeh_

@MichelleJospeh_

Master the tuck. 

If you’re wearing a longer top, tuck the front into your high-waisted bottoms. It’s a simple trick that elongates your legs and balances your silhouette.

Know what doesn’t work for you. 

Knitted bottoms and maxi skirts can be tricky for petites. If they’re just too long or can’t be altered, I give them a miss.

Don’t shy away from bolder pieces. 

Oversized coats or statement patterns can work, but I balance them out with more fitted, staple pieces. Rolling up the sleeves or tucking in tops makes a big difference too. It’s all in the styling. 

Find your formula. 

Mine is a petite pair of jeans, a long-sleeved white cotton top, a cropped jacket with an interesting texture or print and my adidas Spezials. Then I add chunky gold rings and earrings, and I’m good to go. Another combo I’m loving right now is a brown faux-fur jacket, a burgundy turtleneck, low-waisted grey jeans, a studded belt and my Spezials. Top everything off with an oversized burgundy croc clutch. 

Find the brands that understand petites. 

Abercrombie is great for bottoms and ASOS Design always has trendy petite options. It’s frustrating when cool pieces don’t work for my height, so these brands are lifesavers.

Don’t close yourself off – sometimes, you just get lucky. 

I found the perfect brown barrel-leg jeans at H&M – they weren’t from the petite section, but the length was spot on. It’s always worth trying non-petite pieces.

@MichelleJospeh_

Embrace trends with subtlety.

I’m obsessed with brown suede leather right now. Adding it to my look through my accessories – like bags or belts – gives it that luxe touch without going overboard.

Think before you splurge. 

When I’m eyeing an investment piece, I ask myself if it’s timeless, if I’ll wear it enough and if it’s worth the cost. I always ask myself whether it’s something I could pass down to my daughter or if it’s just a fad. My Gucci slingbacks were a big splurge, for example, but I’ve already got my money’s worth.

Don’t sleep on vintage. 

I worked at my cousin’s vintage shop in Switzerland, where I discovered some amazing pieces. We spent a lot of time sourcing the items and I found some really cute pieces that I still love now, and I know that I will keep for life – for example, a pair of Giorgio Armani wide-leg beige trousers, which I had altered to fit. I also have a second-hand men’s grey blazer that always gets me compliments. 

Finally, always add jewellery. 

It’s the key to making a staple look interesting and unique to you. I never leave the house without chunky gold rings and statement earrings. They’re my finishing touch and always make me feel put together.

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@MichelleJospeh_

@MichelleJospeh_

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