How to Wear Tunics for Petite Silhouettes

Petite ladies: listen up. With all the many ways tunics are opening up the style possibilities, there’s still more to be discovered for those petite frames!

Tunics for petite ladies bring together all the benefits of tunic styling, with so many more options. Read on to discover more about styling tunics for your perfectly petite frame. 

If you want to know more about tunics, go back to basics with our guide, What is a Tunic Top and How to Style Them, but be sure to come back here for the best guidance for your fabulous frame!

Perfectly petite frames are classed as 5ft 2” (157cm) and under, regardless of their usual clothing size. This means with petite clothing collections, you can say goodbye to dragging hems, long jumpsuits and trip hazards. 

In other words, a petite size 12 dress would have the same waist, bust and shoulder measurement as a standard size 12, only shorter in length without compromising the pattern or style.

A tunic is a long top with its hemline falling anywhere from beneath the waist to above the knee. This means that there are a ton of ways to style these wardrobe saviours, and for petite frames in particular, there are more ways to style them, plus some tips and tricks that you can use to play tunics to your strengths.

Tunics are often overlooked for blouses, but we point out the differences in our guide; Tunics vs Blouses: How to Wear These Timeless Fashion Favourites. Brush up on each style's strengths and discover why you need both in your wardrobe.

Choose tunics with vertical stripes or ditsy prints that elongate the frame because these small prints create a lengthening effect along the body. Try to avoid tunics with bold prints or patterns around the midsection, as they draw attention to the area we want to minimise to create a proportioned silhouette. 

Try to choose a tunic that drapes from beneath the underbust, as this will create that perfect hourglass proportion for petite frames. Other options include tunics with embroidery detail to the front yoke or a mixed-pattern tunic that changes pattern at the underbust.

Now for accessories. They can make or break an outfit, so let’s dive into the pieces that will help elongate your frame and help you feel fabulous.

When it comes to elongating your figure with shoes, knee high boots are the ultimate way to lengthen the legs. By elongating your frame, they can make you appear taller, no matter your height! Balance this out with a long necklace. This can elongate your neck, making you appear proportional when you wear a tunic with knee high boots. 

If you’re in the mood for some layering, a cardigan or denim jacket with a slight crop can elongate your frame and cinch you in at the smallest part of the waist, creating a wonderful silhouette. 

Speaking of cinching; belts are your best friend. Spoiler alert: pretty petite frames can wear tunics as mini dresses, but more on that later... 

At Joe Browns, we believe you should wear what makes you feel great, but if you’d really like to know what styles to avoid, then fine - you’ve twisted our arm! 

Avoid tunics that have little shape, i.e. any relaxed fit or smock tunics that don’t have much shape to them. These are better suited to wearing as tops and can swallow a petite frame, making you appear shorter. The same goes for tunics without a defined seam or drape-effect, as they may not hug your figure in the right places. We want to emphasise the best bits of you, not hide them away!

Starting with the one that works exclusively for petites, tunics can easily double up as a mini dress! Either opt for bare legs or wear with a pair of tights and add a belt to really give this style a new lease of life! Tunics are all about versatility, but petites arguably gain the most versatility of this wardrobe staple thanks to the tunic mini dress style.

If your tunic is too short to double-up as a dress, add a pair of jeans for an easy, relaxed go-to style. Depending on the style of your tunic, adjust your jeans accordingly. If your tunic is tight, add a flare or bootcut pair of jeans, if your tunic is flowy with plenty of shape, keep it to skinny or slim fit jeans. 

Create your go-to beach outfit by wearing a tunic over some shorts. We already know tunics are super versatile – but did you know they also double up as a beach coverup? Save precious suitcase space on your holidays by ditching the kaftan in favour of tunics that can do so much more. Just add a pair of sandals, a beach bag, your favourite swimwear and some sunglasses and catch those rays.

Break out those heels, pour the prosecco and get glammed up with Joe Browns tunics. Tunics for petite frames make great clothes to dress down, but we love dressing them up, too! Find your best pair of heels and wear them with either leggings or tights and your tunic! 

Be sure to pack on the accessories for the boho tunics and either add a boxy blazer for a chic look or a leather jacket for an edgy vibe. For a chicer style, we love wearing them with a sleek pair of slim fit or skinny jeans and a structured cross-body handbag and some Western ankle boots.