What to Wear and What to Avoid When You've Got a Short Torso

A big part of loving fashion is understanding your body type and what works best for you. Whether it’s determining if you’re an apple or a pear shape or figuring out how to make those new pumps a tad more comfortable for your wide feet, it’s all about personalization. That’s why we’re addressing a specific body type today: short torsos. If you’ve got a compact midsection and could use a few tips to make assembling outfits easier, scroll down for what to avoid and what to wear.

What to Avoid Wearing for Short Torsos

While most pieces can be maneuvered to work for your body type, some items work against a short torso. See a few below, and scroll down further for items that you can replace them with.

Boatneck Tops

This neckline draws an invisible horizontal line across your shoulders, which shortens the length between your neck and waistline.

Contrasting Colors

We’re not infringing on your right to wear colors. We’re merely suggesting that you avoid tops and bottoms that contrast severely because they’ll further exaggerate your shorter torso.

Cropped Jackets

You want to pick pieces that elongate your silhouette, and short jackets that showcase your mini torso won’t do that.

High-Waisted Pants

You don’t have to dig your low-riders out of the closet just yet, but high-rise pants will draw extra attention to your midsection and might make you look imbalanced. Go for mid-rise pant instead.

What to Wear for Short Torsos

Now on to the fun stuff! Scroll down for items that are great for women with shorter torsos.

Drop-Waist Dresses

Drop-waist dresses are an easy way to elongate the torso.

Shop:

Elongating Accessories

Choose pieces that draw the eye down your body, like a long skinny scarf or a pendant necklace.

Low V-Neck

Remember what we said about drawing the eye down the body? The same goes for necklines, especially if it’s an alluring plunging V-neck.

Shop our picks:

Untucked Top

Another fast and easy way to lengthen your frame is by leaving your tops untucked. Not only does it create a lean line, but it’s also a very of-the-moment styling trick.

Shop our picks:

This post was published at an earlier date and has been updated.

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