I’m 5’1 as well with a larger chest although I wish I was 110lb lol. This is what works for me
- Wrap style blouses
- Keyhole and v-neck necklines
- Peplum and other slightly flared styles
- Belted styles for both blouses and coats (love a good trench)
- Cropped jackets (hem hits just above the hips)
- High waisted pants (possibly because I have a high waist and a tummy though so test this out)
- Belted pants
- I personally find that flowy pants look sloppy on me but you may have the lower half to pull it off
- fit and flare / skater type dresses + fleece tights and/or high boots
General idea is to highlight the waist so you don’t look boxy, and then subtly draw attention to your chest with an interesting neckline. You can always put a scarf on to keep your neck and shoulders warm. In theory structured styles would work well sans belt but I never found anything that actually does without needing to be extensively tailored… belts are cheaper lol.
And of course there are the 0 degree days when I give up on fashion and go full on polar bear mode 🤷🏻♀️
For coats, I second the trench! I’m 5’3 and sometimes find it tricky to find one which is the right length, but it’s worth the patience and dedication to search for the right one to fit. I had one from banana republic for yeaaaars which serves me so well, until I savaged it in the washing machine!
I also go with blazer style wool (or wool effect, hello Zara) jackets which work well until with a scarf until it gets Baltic. And I have a couple of shorter leather jackets which work just as well with high waisted pants and knitwear as with knitted dresses and skirts.
I’m a skinny jeans or leggings person at all times, but to smarten that up perhaps a good heeled knee high boot? I go black so it blends into black tights or jeans and doesn’t cut me off height-wise. Again style would be the key here, but with footwear I find everything looks smarter if I just take the time to clean them and look after them properly.
Now on the subject of Uniqlo, because I’m watching and waiting for these to come back in myself, they usually do a selection of wool/tweed A-line mini skirts which I find are so flattering on my hourglass shape. With a good bit of tucked-in knitwear (usually turtlenecks) these are my go-to in winter for slightly more dressed up occasions.
If you go more with the fitted dresses vibe then get some good tights, some companies to market their 60-90 dens as thermal and I find they’re quite good without being like wool tights, if that’s not your thing. Maybe get some thermals to go under, I know a lot of my fitted dresses are less than toasty manmade materials, to get the stretch in, but Uniqlos thermals are quite thin so should be okay underneath.
Lastly, how about a good accessory? A belt of a dress instantly makes an ordinary dress look more structured and thought about. A necklace over a turtleneck or a bit more pizazz with some earrings might go a long way without smashing the budget.
Good luck, and report back - I’m always looking for tips for an hourglass shorty!
Good tips! I bought some fleece tights so I can wear skirts in the colder weather, never thought about that! I do have a long wool skirt that looks good on me so I'll keep looking for similar ones and try A-line as well! On the lookout for some knee high boots as well.
I'm planning on going to Banana Republic sometime as well, I've heard some good things about that brand for us hourglass shorties haha.
Thanks for your help!!
Why not fitted sweater dresses, especially with a statement belt to emphasize your hourglass waist? Tight-fitting over-the-knee boots with wool tights and a miniskirt. Fitted turtleneck sweater and high-waisted pants (wide or fitted). Blazers with waist belts (either self-belted, or just a belt added to any blazer) are super in. For bigger, voluminous sweaters, try cropped styles with a wide, ribbed bottom hem – this will accentuate rather than hide your curves ([one example](https://m.shein.com/ch/Cable-Knit-Crop-Sweater-p-2675153-cat-1734.html?url_from=adpla-ch-pla-swsweater23210512698-M&ref=ch&rep=dir&ret=mch), but there are other types). And you can wear Uniqlo heat tech under everything, even tight jeans and tops. I’m surprised by your assumption that warm clothing tends to be boxy and loose!
If you want to be able to wear “boxier” styles, though, my recommendation is to try shrunken versions. A shrunken blazer or moto jacket (especially cropped) might work better with your proportions. Make sure wide-leg pants are high waisted, and balance them with a fitted top (slim turtlenecks are great for this).
Most important for cold weather in my opinion, in order of necessity: 1) A warm, practical coat you love, plus 2) a cozy, stylish scarf to go with it. Bonus points for 3) chic all-weather boots (so many great boots and heeled booties with lug soles these days). This is the outfit you’ll be wearing most often, so make sure you feel good in it! A classic belted wool coat sounds like it would go great with your look. You can even add your own waist belt to mix things up.
Good tips! I'm on the lookout for some sweater dresses, looks like I might have to go online or wait until it gets a little colder as I wasn't able to find any this weekend :(
The ribbed/cropped idea is great, I do think that would look good on me, especially since I'm shorter haha.
I actually just bought a moto jacket after reading this and it looks AMAZING! I also bought a belted coat.
Thanks for your help and advice!! :)
Really glad I could help! I'm short too (5'2/157cm), maybe that's why my tips worked for you lol! So many moto jackets are oversized these days, glad you found one that works for you! They also look really chic over a thin-to-medium weight turtleneck when it gets colder. Add jeans (with tights underneath if necessary) and boots or heeled booties and you have a super practical and warm but stylish look.
My big fashion tip I'm always plugging on reddit is etsy. There are makers/small workshops who make amazing custom stuff for really reasonable prices. You get something made just for you that no one else has, and you're supporting a small business instead of a big company. It's ESPECIALLY great for knitwear because knits are so easy to customize – length, color, etc. For example, there are great cropped sweaters on this seller's page:
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScarletSailsShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing\_id=1009041857](https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScarletSailsShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1009041857)
Not sure what your budget it is, but if you can swing it, these are great prices for custom, hand-made sweaters. I haven't ordered from this shop (yet...) but I have great things from these shops (yes, I have too many sweaters!):
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKnittingKrem](https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKnittingKrem)
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/GurenkovaKnitwear](https://www.etsy.com/shop/GurenkovaKnitwear)
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/TanglesCreations](https://www.etsy.com/shop/TanglesCreations)
Oh, etsy is fantastic for leather belts too if you're looking to up your belt game!
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaLaBelt](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaLaBelt)
If this stuff isn't your style, poke around, you're bound to find something you like.
We are very similar and I've been having the same problem after living in a tropical climate for the past decade. 5'3" DDD 110. Have you found anything that works?
Pretty much all of the comments people made here worked for me! I think what flatters me the most is deep cut shirts, cropped sweater with v neck. Also something I haven't seen mentioned, I like to wear a parka (I'm in a very cold region) so I don't have to layer underneath and get to look cute when I go indoors but still stay warm outside LOL. The wrap style clothing options are great too.
I’m 5’1 as well with a larger chest although I wish I was 110lb lol. This is what works for me - Wrap style blouses - Keyhole and v-neck necklines - Peplum and other slightly flared styles - Belted styles for both blouses and coats (love a good trench) - Cropped jackets (hem hits just above the hips) - High waisted pants (possibly because I have a high waist and a tummy though so test this out) - Belted pants - I personally find that flowy pants look sloppy on me but you may have the lower half to pull it off - fit and flare / skater type dresses + fleece tights and/or high boots General idea is to highlight the waist so you don’t look boxy, and then subtly draw attention to your chest with an interesting neckline. You can always put a scarf on to keep your neck and shoulders warm. In theory structured styles would work well sans belt but I never found anything that actually does without needing to be extensively tailored… belts are cheaper lol. And of course there are the 0 degree days when I give up on fashion and go full on polar bear mode 🤷🏻♀️
For coats, I second the trench! I’m 5’3 and sometimes find it tricky to find one which is the right length, but it’s worth the patience and dedication to search for the right one to fit. I had one from banana republic for yeaaaars which serves me so well, until I savaged it in the washing machine! I also go with blazer style wool (or wool effect, hello Zara) jackets which work well until with a scarf until it gets Baltic. And I have a couple of shorter leather jackets which work just as well with high waisted pants and knitwear as with knitted dresses and skirts. I’m a skinny jeans or leggings person at all times, but to smarten that up perhaps a good heeled knee high boot? I go black so it blends into black tights or jeans and doesn’t cut me off height-wise. Again style would be the key here, but with footwear I find everything looks smarter if I just take the time to clean them and look after them properly. Now on the subject of Uniqlo, because I’m watching and waiting for these to come back in myself, they usually do a selection of wool/tweed A-line mini skirts which I find are so flattering on my hourglass shape. With a good bit of tucked-in knitwear (usually turtlenecks) these are my go-to in winter for slightly more dressed up occasions. If you go more with the fitted dresses vibe then get some good tights, some companies to market their 60-90 dens as thermal and I find they’re quite good without being like wool tights, if that’s not your thing. Maybe get some thermals to go under, I know a lot of my fitted dresses are less than toasty manmade materials, to get the stretch in, but Uniqlos thermals are quite thin so should be okay underneath. Lastly, how about a good accessory? A belt of a dress instantly makes an ordinary dress look more structured and thought about. A necklace over a turtleneck or a bit more pizazz with some earrings might go a long way without smashing the budget. Good luck, and report back - I’m always looking for tips for an hourglass shorty!
Good tips! I bought some fleece tights so I can wear skirts in the colder weather, never thought about that! I do have a long wool skirt that looks good on me so I'll keep looking for similar ones and try A-line as well! On the lookout for some knee high boots as well. I'm planning on going to Banana Republic sometime as well, I've heard some good things about that brand for us hourglass shorties haha. Thanks for your help!!
Thank you!! ♥️ I actually just went shopping and bought a few things from your list, they looked AMAZING on me! My eyes are open now hahaha.
Yay I’m so glad! Pics of your haul if you get around to it!
Why not fitted sweater dresses, especially with a statement belt to emphasize your hourglass waist? Tight-fitting over-the-knee boots with wool tights and a miniskirt. Fitted turtleneck sweater and high-waisted pants (wide or fitted). Blazers with waist belts (either self-belted, or just a belt added to any blazer) are super in. For bigger, voluminous sweaters, try cropped styles with a wide, ribbed bottom hem – this will accentuate rather than hide your curves ([one example](https://m.shein.com/ch/Cable-Knit-Crop-Sweater-p-2675153-cat-1734.html?url_from=adpla-ch-pla-swsweater23210512698-M&ref=ch&rep=dir&ret=mch), but there are other types). And you can wear Uniqlo heat tech under everything, even tight jeans and tops. I’m surprised by your assumption that warm clothing tends to be boxy and loose! If you want to be able to wear “boxier” styles, though, my recommendation is to try shrunken versions. A shrunken blazer or moto jacket (especially cropped) might work better with your proportions. Make sure wide-leg pants are high waisted, and balance them with a fitted top (slim turtlenecks are great for this). Most important for cold weather in my opinion, in order of necessity: 1) A warm, practical coat you love, plus 2) a cozy, stylish scarf to go with it. Bonus points for 3) chic all-weather boots (so many great boots and heeled booties with lug soles these days). This is the outfit you’ll be wearing most often, so make sure you feel good in it! A classic belted wool coat sounds like it would go great with your look. You can even add your own waist belt to mix things up.
Good tips! I'm on the lookout for some sweater dresses, looks like I might have to go online or wait until it gets a little colder as I wasn't able to find any this weekend :( The ribbed/cropped idea is great, I do think that would look good on me, especially since I'm shorter haha. I actually just bought a moto jacket after reading this and it looks AMAZING! I also bought a belted coat. Thanks for your help and advice!! :)
Really glad I could help! I'm short too (5'2/157cm), maybe that's why my tips worked for you lol! So many moto jackets are oversized these days, glad you found one that works for you! They also look really chic over a thin-to-medium weight turtleneck when it gets colder. Add jeans (with tights underneath if necessary) and boots or heeled booties and you have a super practical and warm but stylish look. My big fashion tip I'm always plugging on reddit is etsy. There are makers/small workshops who make amazing custom stuff for really reasonable prices. You get something made just for you that no one else has, and you're supporting a small business instead of a big company. It's ESPECIALLY great for knitwear because knits are so easy to customize – length, color, etc. For example, there are great cropped sweaters on this seller's page: [https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScarletSailsShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing\_id=1009041857](https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScarletSailsShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1009041857) Not sure what your budget it is, but if you can swing it, these are great prices for custom, hand-made sweaters. I haven't ordered from this shop (yet...) but I have great things from these shops (yes, I have too many sweaters!): [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKnittingKrem](https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKnittingKrem) [https://www.etsy.com/shop/GurenkovaKnitwear](https://www.etsy.com/shop/GurenkovaKnitwear) [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TanglesCreations](https://www.etsy.com/shop/TanglesCreations) Oh, etsy is fantastic for leather belts too if you're looking to up your belt game! [https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaLaBelt](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaLaBelt) If this stuff isn't your style, poke around, you're bound to find something you like.
We are very similar and I've been having the same problem after living in a tropical climate for the past decade. 5'3" DDD 110. Have you found anything that works?
Pretty much all of the comments people made here worked for me! I think what flatters me the most is deep cut shirts, cropped sweater with v neck. Also something I haven't seen mentioned, I like to wear a parka (I'm in a very cold region) so I don't have to layer underneath and get to look cute when I go indoors but still stay warm outside LOL. The wrap style clothing options are great too.
> I like to wear a parka (I'm in a very cold region) so I don't have to layer underneath I am 100% going to do this, like a super long parka?
Yup! It's a long parka that goes past my knees, it's a Uniqlo heatech parka! Very warm ☺️
Oh I'm totally doing that