I'm 5'4" and Live in the South—These Are the 8 Fall Trends I Bought This Year

I suppose it's not essential that you know my height and geographical location for me to share which trends I'm buying this season, but I'm all about context. Given my average (borderline petite) height and that I live in a climate that's around 60 degrees on average this time of year, I thought that my fall trend selects might be helpful to some of you. (Regardless, there are still some cute items to shop below.)

Given my height, there are some trends I choose to pass on. It can be a tough call to make when something looks great on a 5'10" model, but I just have to remind myself that models and I don't always look good in the same things. But I'm not too worried about that and you shouldn't be either, because there are plenty of trends this season that do work for us petite girls. Keep scrolling to find out which ones I invested in this year.

Chunky Loafers and Boots

As a person that's on the shorter side, I love this sneaky trend. Lug-sole boots and loafers feel like flats but they add a couple of inches to my frame.

Wearing: Totême Annecy Coat ($1100); Dôen Rune Top ($190); J Brand 1212 Runway Jeans ($230); Prada shoes

Shop the trend:

Collared Sweaters

Like several other trends on this list, this one doesn't have much to do with height. Everyone can wear a collared sweater, which has quickly become my favorite knitwear trend of the year.

Wearing: Sayaka Davis New York Knit Polo ($366); Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Flat Curb Chain Necklace ($239)

Shop the trend:

Pleated Mini Skirts

Skirts can be a little tricky for someone of my height, so I gravitate toward leg-elongating mini lengths. Luckily, the biggest skirt trend of the season is just that.

Wearing:Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing  Cardigan ($35); Aritzia Olive Skirt ($88); Loewe Chelsea Boots ($650)

Shop the trend:

Leather Blazers

Since it doesn't get that cold in North Carolina in the fall, blazers are my go-to jacket style. Just opt for an oversize one so that you can layer.

Wearing: Veda Bowery Leather Blazer ($398)

Shop the trend:

Loose Jeans

When the baggy jeans trend first came to be, I didn't think it would work for me, but I was wrong to hesitate. The trick is to just choose a pair with an inseam that's no longer than 29 inches if you're short like me.

Wearing: Totême hat; Daily Ritual Teddy Bear Fleece Quarter Zip Jacket ($49); Madewell x Kule Relaxed Dadjeans ($148); Clergerie Gillef Sherpa Slippers ($695)

Shop the trend:

Patchwork

Patchwork is another one of those anyone-can-wear-it trends, regardless of height. I've been throwing this jacket on to brighten up my neutral outfits.

Wearing: Ciao Lucia Marco Patchwork Jacket ($506); Agolde jeans; Prada jacket; Prada bag and shoes

Shop the trend:

Cropped Cardigans

A cropped cardigan with high-waisted jeans is my go-to outfit formula. Without fail, it always makes me look taller (especially if I wear those sneaky chunky-sole shoes I was talking about before).

Wearing: Zara cardigan

Shop the trend:

Sweater-Vests

This brand-new sweater trend is great in that you can go with a cropped or oversize style, depending on how you plan on wearing it. I'm tempted to invest in both.

On Christie Tyler: Vintage sweater-vest 

Shop the trend:

Next up, 10 fashion items that have had cult-favorite status for years.