Like anyone who is 5’4″ and under – otherwise known as classified as petite – I used to end up steering away from anything maxi or prepare to wear heels with my maxi dress or skirt because I knew that it would end up dragging right underneath me. But over the years, I learned different tricks to make myself look taller as a petite and also take the fashion trends that I was so attracted to and make them fit my frame. Now, when it comes to maxi skirts, I am one that runs right to them because I’ve figured out a few tips and tricks to wearing a maxi skirt as a petite. It has totally changed how I view style as a petite! Recently, I have fallen in love with maxi skirt co ord sets, and find myself gravitating towards them again and again as I plan and style my outfits. They are perfect for the season, and can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the evvent you are attending. They’re comfortable, easy to throw on at a moment’s notice, and are flattering on all shapes and sizes. As maxi skirt co ord sets have become more popular, it’s become easy to find one you’ll love.
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I absolutely can’t get enough of this adorable polka dot co ord set from Lulus. This crop top and maxi skirt combo is so flattering on all body types – yes even petites! – and I am so in love with the sage green color. Sage green is one of those colors that nearly everyone is able to pull off, and I love it for the warmer months in particular. I think that tie strap crop tops are so cute, and this top has such a fun summery flair. It’s one of my favorite two piece sets in my closet, and I’m excited to pull it out throughout the season – it’s perfect for anything from a date night to a trip to the farmer’s market. I loved pairing it with this fun straw hat – the classic summertime accessory – and one of my favorite pairs of simple white sandals.
Where Should I Wear a Maxi Skirt?
A common misconception is that maxis are solely special occasion dresses. Due to their length, people can mentally set them aside for exclusive events as opposed to something to be worn anytime out of the blue. However, maxi skirts can be worn for any and all occasions! In the warmer months in particular, I think that maxis give a great summery vibe due to their flowy, relaxed feel. Life becomes even easier with maxi co ord sets – they take the guesswork out completely and leave you with an adorable outfit that you don’t have to think twice about!
That being said, maxis do in fact make fantastic wedding guest dresses as well. When I’m planning my wedding guest outfits for the season, I make sure to throw in some fun maxi skirts. After all, mini skirts and midi skirts never fail to get their moment – why shouldn’t maxis, too?
Tips for Styling a Maxi Skirt as a Petite
It’s no secret that maxi skirts and maxi dresses can be hard to style as a petite. Most maxi skirts and dresses aren’t made with petites in mind, so it can be hard to find one that isn’t way too long. However, there are a couple of ways that I love to use to style a maxi skirt as a petite so that it makes you look taller while also accentuating your frame. Many may think that you need to get the skirt hemmed to make it work for you, but that’s not always the case, especially since there are so many ways to alter a hemline without having to take it to a seamstress.
I’m always a fan of a good DIY solution. After all, it’s far more affordable than trying to get an item altered, and it’s much quicker, too, to have a simple fix that you can whip out on the spot. I find that it is so much easier to shop for clothes when I know how I can make them work for me and my body rather than having to overthink whether or not I will actually be comfortable wearing it by the time it’s a part of my closet at home. That’s why I’ve done the troubleshooting for you, so that if you – like me! – are a petite, you can shop for cute maxi dresses and maxi skirts with confidence, knowing that you can walk out the door without worrying about tripping over your skirt or having to wear heels that are a mile high. Don’t worry, girl – I’ve got you covered.
1. Wear It Highwaisted with a Crop Top
This has always been one of my main go-to tricks when wearing a maxi skirt because it allows you to elongate your leg and torso. By pulling up the waistline of the skirt, it pulls the hem away from the ground so that there’s no need to worry about dragging and creates a blurred illusion of where your torso ends and where your legs begin. I love this tie sleeve top because it’s super flattering on petites.
2. Roll, Tuck & Belt
If you have a skirt with a cinched waist, you can roll the waistline of your skirt inward to pull it from the ground. Then once rolled, tuck in your shirt and place a wide belt around the rolled waistline and the tucked-in shirt so that you can hide the rolled portion. I often do this with dresses too by pulling up the dress and securing it with a safety pin and then hiding the layered portion with a belt. (Pro Tip: If you need to create more holes in your belt to help pull your belt tighter, use a leather hole puncher.)
An out-of-the-box way to style a maxi skirt is also to use suspenders. Yes, I said it, wear suspenders. They aren’t just for men. Wearing suspenders actually creates a very chic and sophisticated look, and you can get the typical suspenders that you often see or you can get a pair of suspenders that are more corseted. They are a quick and easy way to style a maxi skirt and make it wearable for people of a petite size.
Why Co Ord Sets?
I have found myself falling in love with co ord sets recently – I can’t help but snag them when I go shopping! Co ord sets make life so much easier because they take all of the guesswork out of styling an outfit. Everything that I normally have to think about – coordinating colors, patterns, textures, etc. – goes out the window because the decision is already made for me! All I have to worry about is choosing the perfect shoes and accessories, and I am ready to head out the door and enjoy my day. Two piece sets save me so much time and mental energy, so when I’m feeling overloaded or having a day of style burnout – trust me, it’s a thing! – I can just wear a co ord set and know that I will look and feel great, even with minimal effort.
That being said, another major plus to co ord sets is their versatility. Just because a set comes together doesn’t mean that you have to wear it together, after all! Pieces from two piece sets can easily be mixed and matched, swapped with pieces from other sets, or worn on their own with jeans or a separate top. The gift is in the flexibility – you can do whatever you are feeling that day! For example, with this co ord set, I might wear the crop top with some high waisted jeans, or I could pair the skirt with a black or white top and throw a cute jacket over top. The options are quite literally limitless, which is what I love about co ord sets – there is so much freedom in them!
