BUILDING YOUR PETITE CAPSULE WARDROBE: WORKWEAR EDITION

It is no secret that for us short girls, the mission of curating our very own petite capsule wardrobe for workwear will often be more difficult than the average consumer. Whether it’s a complete lack of petite workwear options or it’s the confusion behind what workwear styles will suit the petite frame, there seems to be far too many obstacles petite women face when wanting to create their own capsule work wardrobes.

This reality is somewhat saddening given how useful building a capsule work wardrobe can be.

To provide some context, a “capsule work wardrobe” is a recently formed term which describes a carefully curated collection of clothing items specifically designed for a professional or office environment. It consists of versatile, classic and well-coordinated pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of work-appropriate outfits. The goal of a capsule work wardrobe is to simplify the process of dressing for work, reduce decision fatigue, and ensure that one always has the appropriate attire for one’s profession.

Creating a capsule work wardrobe is about simplifying one’s morning routine, reducing clutter in one’s closets, and ensuring that one can always look polished and professional for work. It is a strategic approach to workwear that can save time, money and energy, while allowing one to maintain a polished and put-together appearance in a professional setting.

In this article, we will explore the 5 things every petite woman needs to know when building her very own capsule work wardrobe (noting our own petite-friendly styling comments and tips along the way).

1: Choose a Neutral Colour Palette for your Wardrobe

A neutral colour palette is often recommended for a capsule work wardrobe for several compelling reasons:

1. Versatility: colours such as black, gray, navy, beige, and white, can be mixed and matched easily with each other and with bolder accent colours. This versatility allows you to create a wide range of outfits from a limited selection of clothing items, maximising your wardrobe’s potential.
2. Timelessness: neutral colours are classic and timeless. They never go out of style, which means that the clothing items in your capsule work wardrobe will remain relevant and fashionable for many seasons, reducing the need for frequent updates to your wardrobe.
3. Professionalism – neutral colours convey a sense of professionalism and sophistication. They are well-suited for most workplace environments and dress codes, ensuring that you always look polished and appropriate for the office.
4. Complementing Accessories – neutral clothing provides a perfect canvas for incorporating colourful or statement accessories like scarves, belts, shoes and jewellery. These accessories can add pops of colour and personality to your outfits.

In addition to the above benefits of neutral-coloured workwear, there are in fact a few advantages that petite women can benefit from when adopting a neutral clothing colour palette: 

1. Height illusion – Neutral colours have a visually elongating effect. When worn as a monochromatic outfit or as part of an ensemble, they create a seamless, uninterrupted line from head to toe, which can give the illusion of added height (if this illusion is desired).
2. Clean and streamlined look – Neutral colours provide a clean and streamlined appearance, which can make the overall silhouette appear more elongated. This can help petites appear more proportional, if desired.
3. Less Distracting – Bold or vibrant colours can draw attention to specific areas of the body, which some petites do not find desirable. Neutral colours, on the other hand, keep the focus on the person rather than the clothing.

2: Select Versatile, Capsule Petite Dresses

Versatile dresses are an excellent addition to a petite capsule wardrobe.

When selecting versatile workwear dresses, it is important to again opt for neutral colours and classic cuts. Further, petite women in particular may wish to mindfully select dress designs which will actually flatter their figure. A few considerations to make include the following:

• A-Line Silhouettes: A-line petite dresses are flattering for us petites. This is because they create a balanced and proportional look.
• Midi & Mini Dresses: Midi and mini dresses create the illusion of longer legs. This helps to balance the proportions of the body by making the legs look longer in relation to the torso.
• Neckline Consideration – it is worth paying attention to the neckline of the petite dress. A scoop, square, or boat neckline can visually widen the shoulders and balance out your proportions.

Our debut petite workwear collection includes our 3/4 Sleeve Petite Midi Dress. which we consider to be the perfect addition to any petite woman’s wardrobe.

3: Invest in Good Quality, Well-Fitting Petite Blazers

Well-fitted petite blazers are a versatile, timeless and confidence-boosting addition to your petite capsule work wardrobe. They not only enhance your appearance but also help you meet professional expectations and create a lasting impression in the workplace.

Further, petite ladies may wish to be mindful of the following when selecting blazers for their capsule work wardrobe:

• Blazer Length: The length of the blazer is crucial. Petite ladies should consider opting for blazers that are shorter in length, ideally hitting at the hipbone or slightly above. Longer blazers can overwhelm shorter frames and make you appear even shorter.
• Shoulder fit: The shoulder fit is essential for a well-fitting blazer. The shoulder seams should align with the natural curve of your shoulders. Avoid blazers with wide shoulder pads and are oversized in their design, as they can make you appear both broader and shorter.
• Single vs double-breasted: Single-breasted blazers with a single row of buttons are generally more flattering for petite ladies, as they create a sleeker and less bulky look compared to double-breasted blazers, which can add extra fabric and weight.
• Fabric weight: Bulky or heavy-weight blazers can add unnecessary volume to the silhouette, which can have the effect of drowning or overpowering the petite frame. Try opting for medium-weight blazers instead.
• Neckline: Blazers with a V-neck or open front can visually elongate the neckline, thereby creating the appearance of a longer upper body.

Within our debut collection we have also released our Classic Petite Blazer, which meets all of the criteria of what constitutes the perfect blazer for petites. Designed and made in Australia, the Classic Petite Blazer is a timeless investment piece, and includes petite features such as the perfect hem lengths, fabric weight, and shoulder width.

4: Select a few Petite Blouses

Your petite capsule wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without selecting a variety of different petite blouses, now would it?

Blouses are generally considered an excellent choice for office attire. They are versatile, professional, and can be adapted to various workplace dress codes.

When browsing blouses for your petite capsule work wardrobe, consider selecting a few different fabrications (such as silk, crepe, cotton and satin), and remember to stick with neutral colours.

If you’re petite and are after a silk blouse for work, you might want to check out our luxurious Petite Button-Up Silk Blouse.

5: Opt for Tailored Petite Trousers

Much like blouses, your petite capsule wardrobe would be incomplete without some well-tailored petite trousers for the office.

For petites, it is preferable to select trousers with a higher waistline, as this will have the effect of making your legs appear longer (if this is the silhouette you are aiming for).

Further, given how hard it already is for us petites to find clothing that actually flatters our bodies, its best to opt for tailored, fitted trousers that will show off our figures. While the wide-leg culotte pants do look tempting, it’s almost guaranteed that loose-fitted clothing will only ever swallow us whole, creating a boxier illusion. 

Our Tailored Petite Trousers do just the trick of fitting and flattering the petite frame, all while being a perfect workwear staple piece for any petite capsule wardrobe.

These 5 tips will prove to be helpful in curating not only a functional, but well-fitting workwear wardrobe.

The key in building your petite capsule work wardrobe is to stick to high quality pieces that are versatile and timeless, stick to your colour palette, and carefully consider the style and fit of each capsule piece with respect to your petite frame.

At Mona Juliet, we believe that petite women should enjoy a variety of timeless and elegant workwear investment pieces. If you are under 165cm/5’4” and are building your capsule work wardrobe, we invite you to browse our Classics Collection.

FAQ’s

Q: What is a Petite Capsule Wardrobe?

A: A petite capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of essential and versatile clothing items specifically designed for those with a petite body frame. It includes key pieces that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits.

Q: How many pieces should be in a Petite Capsule Wardrobe?

A: There is no set number of pieces for a petite capsule wardrobe, but it typically consists of around 30-40 items. The goal is to have a small wardrobe of high-quality, versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits.

Q: What are the key pieces I should have in a Petite Capsule Wardrobe?

A: Some key pieces to consider for a petite capsule wardrobe include a few pairs of well-fitting jeans or trousers, a selection of tops that can be dressed up or down, a versatile dress or two, a couple of layering pieces like a sweater or blazer, and a variety of shoes and accessories to complete your outfits.

Q: How should I choose the right shoes for a Petite Capsule Wardrobe?

A: When selecting shoes for a petite capsule wardrobe, it’s important to choose styles that flatter your body type and suit your personal style. Opt for neutral colors that can be easily mixed and matched with different outfits. Consider having a mix of styles, such as flats, heels, and sneakers, to cater to different occasions.

Q: Can I include accessories in my Petite Capsule Wardrobe?

A: Yes, accessories are a great way to elevate and change the look of your outfits in a petite capsule wardrobe. Consider adding belts, jewelry, scarves, and bags that can be mixed and matched with multiple outfits to add variety and personal style.

Q: Where can I find outfit ideas for a Petite Capsule Wardrobe?

A: You can find outfit ideas for a petite capsule wardrobe on various platforms such as Instagram, fashion blogs, and Pinterest. Look for fashion influencers who specialize in petite-friendly styles and browse through their posts for inspiration.

Q: How can I make sure the clothes in my Petite Capsule Wardrobe fit well?

A: To ensure that the clothes in your petite capsule wardrobe fit well, pay attention to the sizing charts and measurement guides provided by various brands. Additionally, read customer reviews and feedback to get an idea of how specific items fit on petite individuals.

Q: What are some brands that offer petite-friendly clothing for a Petite Capsule Wardrobe?

A: Some recently-launched exclusively-petite brands include House of Arti, The Shortlist, Piccoli, and Mona Juliet.

Q: How can I define my waist in a Petite Capsule Wardrobe?

A: To define your waist in a petite capsule wardrobe, consider adding belts or choosing clothing items with built-in waist definition, such as dresses or tops with peplum or wrap details. These can create the illusion of a more defined waistline and flatter your body shape.

Q: Can clothes from a Petite Capsule Wardrobe be mixed and matched with other pieces in my closet?

A: Yes, the beauty of a petite capsule wardrobe is that it can easily be mixed and matched with other pieces in your closet. By choosing versatile and neutral pieces, you can create numerous outfit combinations that seamlessly integrate with your existing wardrobe.