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Jacket Tips

Jacket Fashion Tips for Petites

By , About.com Guide

Eva Longoria in White Jacket

Eva Longoria wears a white single-breasted jacket with vertical seaming detail.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Jacket Tips for Petites

Jackets belong in every petite woman's wardrobe because a jacket is a go-to garment for both work and weekend wear. Wearing a jacket is also a great way to hide midriff and tummy bulges. To get the maximum style boost from a jacket, petites should look for the jacket features that work best for short women.

Jacket Tip #1 - Choose single-breasted jackets, rather than double-breasted jackets. Petites don't need extra bulk in their clothing.

Jacket Tip #2 - Pick a classic jacket with a V-neckline. Classically styled jackets that form a V-neckline when buttoned flatter petites because they make us look taller.

Jacket Tip #3 - Buy fitted or semi-fitted jackets to create flattering, shapely lines. Petites can get lost in loose-fitted or oversized jackets.

Jacket Tip #4 - Make sure jackets fit in the bust. You should be able to button a jacket without any gaping or pulling across the bust line.

Jacket Tip #5 - Wear shorter jackets that end at the high hip and flatter most petites by creating the illusion of longer legs.

Jacket Tip #6 - Wear jackets with long sleeves or at least three quarter length sleeves. Short-sleeved jackets are fairly useless.

Jacket Tip #7 - Select jackets made of smooth, rather than thick, bulky fabric in order to create a longer, leaner line.

Jacket Tip #8 - Create the illusion of a slimmer and taller line by wearing jackets with vertical lines and seaming .

Jacket Tip #9 - Avoid patch pockets, no matter where they're placed on jackets, to maintain the sleekest line.

Jacket Tip #10 - Maximize wearability and create a leaner, taller look by selecting jackets in solid colors without embellishment. If you love prints, you can always wear a print blouse, dress, or skirt with your jacket. Jackets with subtle neutral designs, such as Glen plaid or pinstripes, will also work for petites.

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