If You're 5'3" or Under, I'd Recommend These 5 Classic Jacket Styles

The official height for petite women lands at 5'3", so as someone who is 5'4.5" (or 5'5" to anyone who asks) I'm a couple of inches above being classed as officially petite. But if I were judge it upon shopping for any form of trousers on the high street, I'm definitely on the shorter side. Which is why––along with the fact I've been a stylist for over ten years––I know how to suss out the best styles for petites. And while the weather around this time in spring still requires a jacket, I've turned my skills to hunting down the very best jacket styles that won't end up swamping a shorter frame. And to see how they look (I think it's always better to see on a human for fit) I've chosen the jackets that are key for spring, and shown how some of my favourite fashion insiders (yes, they're all officially 'petite') are wearing them this season.

What did I find? Who What Wear contributor Monikh Dale has been wearing the bomber jacket that won't drown you, Dawn Tan has shown one of my key styling secrets for petites (clue: it's all about the length) and Chiara Perera found the perfect-for-petites pre-loved leather jacket for chillier days. Keep going to see the five jacket styles that are best-suited to petites.

SHOP THE BEST JACKETS FOR PETITES:

1. Suede Blazer

Style Notes: Suede jackets and blazers are continuing to be a firm favourite this season. And thanks to their streamlined silhouette, petites can wear them without feeling swamped. Oversized styles––I always think you can find some of the best ones in the men's section––will also work as the material is still thin enough to not look out of proportion.

Shop Suede Blazers For Petites:

2. Cropped Trench

Style Notes: A styling tip for petites that never fails: go cropped. And in this case, make like Dawn and go for a cropped trench—aka the hero jacket style this season. Giving the classic style a fresh new feel, look for belted waists, oversized fits and defined lapels for a style that'll never fail to look effortless.

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3. Bomber

Style Notes: Let's face it, bomber jackets can sometimes be tricky to wear. The mass of material—much like a puffer during winter—can swamp even the tallest of frames. The key to getting it right for petites? Opt for a cropped style that sits above your hips so it doesn't overpower your legs and look out for elasticated hems so you can ruch it up if needed.

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4. Collarless Blazer

Style Notes: Instead of the oversized blazers we've known and loved for years, we're seeing a lot of cinch waists and high-neck iterations instead. Collarless versions are being worn buttoned up—much how you would a waistcoat—and they look so polished, with minimal styling needed. The tighter fit also won't swamp a smaller frame.

Shop Collarless Blazers For Petites:

5. Leather

Style Notes: How amazing is this pre-loved Charlotte Simone leather jacket Chiara found? The fitted iteration combined with the cropped length makes it work for the 5'2" fashion insider. While I suggest checking resale sites for this exact style (you might be lucky) there are also so many similar shapes out there. And if you're questioning leather for spring, we should know by now that UK weather can often call for thicker layers when the sun isn't shining.

Shop Leather Jackets For Petites: