Petite Women Tell How They Wear Oversized Clothing—Tips, Tricks and What to Buy

Stephanie Maida, PureWow's 5'1" senior commerce editor, was so conflicted about hopping on the whole oversized blazer trend, she wrote a whole story about how to style the look. As she covered the market, she found that oversized blazers with a bit of tailoring and shape were more flattering. "Loose and slouchy styles may convey a sense of effortless cool on the more vertically gifted among us, but they can drown out shorter statures and appear more frumpy than fashionable," Maida says. "You don’t want football-sized shoulder pads, but a subtle touch of shape can keep your form from getting totally swallowed up. I never thought I’d be on team shoulder pad, but consider me a convert."

"If you're choosing something that's esthetically heavy on the eye, on a frame that is shorter or smaller, you then have to balance that with either with things that are lighter weight or smaller in shape," says Lwany. (The coat-over-miniskirt combo she wears at the top of this post is a great illustration of balance.) Personally, I love an oversized trench, but on my frame, I'm swimming in fabric unless I pair it with a minidress or dress shorts. "The actual fabric of the oversized piece has to be like lighter weight, or have a nice drape to it," Lwany says, and that's how I feel rocking a flowy coat with a smaller dress underneath.

"I like wearing oversized button-down shirts as dresses during the summer," says Associate Sales and Deals Editor Destinee Scott. "The key for me is leaving a few buttons open so I don't look too buttoned up (literally) and adding some kitten heels or platforms to give me some height!" Lwany agrees: "My go to lazy day outfit when it's hot out is a sports bra, biker shorts and menswear button-up shirts. If you roll up the sleeves and unbutton a few of the buttons, they tend to have an effortlessly cool look. If I know I'm having dinner out later, I'll put on mid-calf cowboy boots, but if I'm just going to be walking my dog and around the house, I'll just put on my Sambas."

I've always loved large shoes, the more conversation-starting, even clownlike, the better. Dr. Martens, creepers, lug sole sandals: Sign me up! However I've noticed that unlike some taller women, I have to really pare down my look when I'm rolling up wearing an oversized shoe. So no accessories, no statement earrings and no loud patterns when I'm clomping around, if I want to look more regal than Ronald McDonald.

"Personally, I would never go for a horizontal line, since it cuts the body in two," Lwany says. But she's a big fan of new and thrifted shirts and sweaters with vertical stripes. "The spring/summer 2025 runways were full of vertical stripes, something that is a bit of a lay-up when you’re petite," says PureWow Senior Director, Special Projects and Royals, Rachel Bowie. "For example, I love how tall I felt in this Frank & Eileen shirt tucked into ankle-length denim from MOTHER—my go-to. Whether trying out a suit, a dress or even just a simple button-up, vertical stripes are chic and flattering, and also a nice nod to warmer seasons."

"To counter the exaggerated structure of a barrel jean, it’s best to show off at least part of your figure with a more form-fitting top (or my alternative go-to, a bodysuit)," says Maida. "If half an outfit is oversized, the other half should be more tailored. It’s a flattering formula for most body types, but one that’s a must if you’re petite."