How to Dress a Short Waist

Co-authored by Sarah McDonald and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: September 13, 2021 References

Finding the perfect outfit is all about striking the right balance, especially if you have a short waist. Don’t worry—there are plenty of stylish ways to flatter your body type without sacrificing your wardrobe in the process. Scroll through this list and see if any of these options appeal to you!

Method 1

Method 1 of 11:
Grab low- or mid-rise pants.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.}

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High-rise pants don’t unlock your full potential. They take up a lot of your outfit, and can leave your ensemble feeling a bit disproportional.^{[2]
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Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} Instead, grab a pair of mid- or low-rise pants instead—these make your legs look shorter and your waist look longer, which creates a really balanced outfit.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 11:
Pick empire cuts.

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Empire-cut clothing helps re-define and lengthen your waist. Unlike other dresses and skirts that sit on your hips or waist, empire cuts place the central seam directly beneath your bust. This really adds a lot of length to your figure.^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 11:
Choose garments with diagonal hems.

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Diagonal hems help your waist look a bit longer. The longer, lowest section of the shirt helps add some length to your torso, while the shorter end gives your outfit a bit of structure. Search through your closet or shop for diagonally hemmed tops to try out this cool, dynamic look!^{[5]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 11:
Dress monochromatically.

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Pick tops and bottoms in matching colors.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} Rifle through your closet and look for any pants, skirts, or blouses that are the same color. Pair up these items to create a really dynamic, cohesive outfit. The single color makes your waist look a lot longer.^{[7]
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- For instance, you might wear a navy blouse with a navy pair of slacks.

Method 5

Method 5 of 11:
Wear drop-waist garments.

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Drop-waist dresses and tops make your waist look a lot longer. As the name suggests, drop-waist dress seams fall around the hips instead of the bust or waist. This really lengthens your torso, which is great if you have a short waist.^{[8]
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Method 6

Method 6 of 11:
Try V-neck tops.

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A dramatic neckline helps lengthen your torso. This type of neckline helps make your waist look longer than it actually is.^{[9]
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Research source} Medium-length and long, dramatic V-necks are really great with a short waist.^{[10]
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- Stay away from boat-neck tops—these can make your waist look a lot shorter.^{[11]
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Method 7

Method 7 of 11:
Wear a lifted bra.

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A well-supported bra helps maximize your torso. Unfortunately, a loose, less supportive bra leaves your bust a bit droopy, which doesn’t make the most of this body type. Instead, shop for a bra that really lifts and supports your bust—this helps you really maximize your torso.^{[12]
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- It may help to double-check and re-measure your bra size before picking up any new bras.

Method 8

Method 8 of 11:
Pick out thin belts.

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Grab a belt that’s ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) or thinner. Unfortunately, belts can be a slippery slope if you have a short waist—chunky belts take up a lot of space, and really emphasize your short waistline. Instead, dig through your wardrobe for a really thin belt, which adds an extra dimension to your outfit without being over-the-top.^{[13]
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- Low-lying belts work well if you have a short waist. You tie this belt very loosely around your waist, and let it naturally dip into a flattering V-shape.^{[14]
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Method 9

Method 9 of 11:
Pick dangling accessories.

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Long accessories add some length to your outfit. Grab a long scarf or necklace, which helps change up the focus of your outfit. Pick accessories that help redirect the eye to different sections of your outfit, and draw attention away from the waist area.^{[15]
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- For example, pendant necklaces are a great accessory option.^{[16]
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Method 10

Method 10 of 11:
Don’t tuck in your shirt.

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Leave your tops draping or half-tucked. Tucking in your top can make your outfit look a bit unbalanced, which isn’t super great. Instead, let your top dangle over your waist or tuck part of it into your waistband.^{[17]
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- For instance, you can tuck your top in front of your belly button, and let the rest dangle.

Method 11

Method 11 of 11:
Avoid cropped jackets.

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Cropped jackets tend to emphasize your waist. When dressing a short waist, length is the name of the game. Unfortunately, cropped jackets sit close to your waist, and make your outfit a tad unbalanced.^{[18]
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