The maxi skirt trend is still going strong, with many amazing skirts available for the coming season. With summer just around the corner, it is the ideal time to begin adding some of these skirts to your wardrobe. If you are petite, however, that may be a little bit more difficult than it seems. Wearing full-length skirts is definitely possible if you are short – you just need to know how to do it.
Everyone seems to have a different opinion in terms of whether or not maxi skirts are good for petite figures. According to some people, they make you look shorter. According to other people, however, they help you look taller. No matter which opinion you believe, the hardest part about wearing a maxi skirt when you are petite is finding one that is the right length. Even if you find a skirt that fits perfectly around your waist, it may be too long, which can be frustrating. Take a look at the stunning skirts on Lily Lulu for inspiration.
Before you give up all hope, however, there are some simple solutions to these problems. Using a few basic tricks, you can often make a skirt that is too long fit much better, allowing you to wear it with comfort and ease. If you love maxi skirts but are petite, the tips below will help you get the perfect fit every time.
Look into Professional Tailoring
Even though it may seem obvious that tailoring is an effective way to fix a skirt that is too long, it is something that people often overlook. Keep in mind, however, that it isn’t appropriate for every situation. For instance, if you pick up an inexpensive maxi skirt at a big-box store, the cost of having it tailored may be far too prohibitive to make it worthwhile. Sometimes, however, there are ways around this. For example, if you buy the skirt at a store like Nordstrom, you may be able to have it altered for free.
Put Your Sewing Skills to Work
If you don’t want to pay to have the skirt professionally altered, you may be able to do it yourself. Adjusting the hem of a maxi skirt is usually fairly easy. As long as you have access to basic sewing equipment and an iron, you can typically get the job done without too much fuss. To make things even easier, invest in a high-quality sewing machine that you can use to make future alterations, as well.
Look into No-Sew Options
If sewing isn’t your thing or if you are looking for a faster solution, there are some no-sew options that you can try. For instance, iron-on heat tape for hemming is fast and easy to use. You can also create a temporary hem through the use of double-sided fashion tape. Although there are some more extreme measures that you can take like stapling up the hem, it is usually best to stick with simple options like hem tape since they won’t show and won’t damage the fabric.
Try Shrinking It
Some fabrics shrink in the dryer. If your skirt happens to be made out of one of these fabrics, you may be able to shorten it by tossing it in on a high-heat setting for a little bit. Just make sure that the fabric of the skirt can withstand drying before you go this route.
Put on A Pair of Heels
If you don’t mind wearing high heels, this can be an effective way to deal with a skirt that is too long. Not only does it look great but it is also fast, easy, and affordable. If you don’t want to deal with wearing stilettos all day, you can opt for platform shoes or thick, chunky heels instead. Not only are these shoes cute but they also are a lot more comfortable to wear.
Flex Your Creative Styling Muscles
Depending on the design of your skirt, you may be able to pull it higher and wear a belt over it to create a high-waisted look. While this can look stylish with certain skirts, it won’t work as well with others. You may need to experiment a little bit to come up with a creative styling solution that gives you the look that you want.
Buy A Petite Skirt to Begin With
If you want to make things as easy as possible, all that you have to do is buy a skirt from the petite department. Today, most retailers and manufacturers create clothing designed specifically for petite individuals. Even though the selection in the petite department may be a little bit smaller than standard size clothing, you often can discover amazing pieces. If you find a skirt that you love in a regular size, you can also talk to someone at the store to see if they have a petite version available. Even if they don’t have it in the store, they may be able to order one for you.
but it is also fast, easy, and affordable. If you don’t want to deal with wearing stilettos all day, you can opt for platform shoes or thick, chunky heels instead. Not only are these shoes cute but they also are a lot more comfortable to wear.
but it is also fast, easy, and affordable. If you don’t want to deal with wearing stilettos all day, you can opt for platform shoes or thick, chunky heels instead. Not only are these shoes cute but they also are a lot more comfortable to wear.
