Stylish Petite Swimwear

Women who stand 5'4 and under have special considerations when it comes to fashion. Fortunately, many designers today offer petite lines just for shorter women. If you're a petite shopper, you don't have to suffer with long armholes or clothing that balloons away from a smaller frame. Your swimwear options are just as varied, but choosing the right styles goes a long way toward creating an elongating silhouette. Whether you prefer a one-piece or opt for a dazzling two-piece paired with a mini sarong, you have plenty of stylish choices that will enhance your figure.

Best Swimwear Styles for Petites
Even if you're not concerned with appearing taller in your bathing suit, some designs naturally flatter petites better than others.

The right top: Halter tops and triangle tops create the illusion of a fuller bust if that's your aim. Square necklines also work well, especially if you choose a suit featuring details around this area. To draw attention to your upper half, wear a swimsuit that has vibrant colors on this part of the suit, while keeping the lower half solid and plain.

Bottoms: Want legs that appear longer? Then look for swimsuit bottoms that sit high on the hip. Boy cut bottoms are cute, but they can make petite legs look short and chunky. If you like swim skirts, opt for ones that are short; wearing one that hits mid-thigh isn't the most flattering look for shorter legs.

One-piece designs: When choosing one-piece suits, look for any that contain vertical details, such as stripes, ruffles or plunging necklines. Solid colors and small patterns work best. If you accessorize with a mini sarong or longer version, select one in a color that matches your bathing suit as closely as possible. A monochrome outfit is more elongating to a short frame than one that features wildly varied colors.

Accessories: A mini sarong and wide brimmed hat are smart ways to add flair to your bathing suit look. A shorter sarong allows more of your legs to show, which lengthens your overall look. Just because you're spending a day in the sun doesn't mean you can't be stylish at the same time.

What to Avoid
Once you know which styles look best on you, what should petite women avoid in swimwear?

Bandeau tops: These strapless tops tend to flatten the chest as well as do nothing to elongate a figure.

Colorblocking: A swimsuit featuring one color on top and a completely different color on the bottom will cut a petite figure in half. This may make you appear shorter than you actually are.

Horizontal stripes: When looking into stripe details, steer clear of horizontal designs. Vertical stripes and details are your friends, but stripes that travel side to side will only detract from a taller appearance.

Petite women seeking stylish casual options, including mini sarongs and other swimwear accessories, should shop FairWinds Sarongs. Create your own unforgettable fashions whatever your size and whether you're petite, average or tall.