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 autumn, 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.

What To Look For When Choosing A Jacket for Petites

While what to look for when choosing a petite jacket will change depending on the style you opt for, there are a few key things it's useful to keep in mind.

Firstly, think about the length of your jacket. Cropped styles are a great choice as they won't overwhelm petite proportions. Alternatively, if you prefer something longer, look for details, like cuffed sleeves or elasticated hems, which will help to give a snug fit.

Next, think about your fastenings as these can be used to your advantage to give the illusion of a taller frame (if that's what you desire). Buttons which run from top to bottom, as well as central zips, will elongate your frame, making short heights appear taller.

Lastly, don't forget to check out the best petite brands as your first port of call. These styles are designed with petite proportions in mind, meaning you can get the best fit without the need to take a trip to the tailor.

How We Choose

As I mentioned, standing at 5'4.5" myself, I regularly make use of the best petite styling tips and tricks when it comes to shopping for myself, and so, over the years, I've tried many different jacket styles to discover which work best for my (practically) petite frame.

Each trend on this list has received my expert seal of approval (and as a result, many have made their way into my own wardrobe), and so, you can trust that these really are the best jacket styles for petite frames.

So, without further ado, here are my top picks as well as plenty of advice on how to style them, too...

The Best Jackets For Petites

• The best suede jacket for petites: Massimo Dutti Suede Leather Blazer with Topstitching, £349
• The best cropped trench coat for petites: Zara Double Breasted Short Trench Coat, £49.99
• The best bomber jacket for petites: Deiji Studios Layered Organic Cotton-twill Jacket, £415
• The best collarless blazer for petites: Monsoon Carmen Check Print Jacket, £79
• The best leather jacket for petites: Whistles Black Petite Clean Bonded Leather Jacket, £449

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.

Shop Cropped Trench Jackets For Petites:

3. Bomber

Style Notes: Let's face it, bomber jackets can sometimes be tricky to wear. The mass of material—much like a puffer coat 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.

Shop Bomber Jackets For Petites:

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, so there's no need to feel like you've missed out on this trend.

Shop Leather Jackets For Petites:

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