By: Stephanie Willams
When you hear the word “petite,” what images typically cross your mind? Princess-core, fairy-core, or maybe even pastels?
As a petite woman, you may feel like you have to conform to a certain trend or style. You may even feel left out if you don’t subscribe to this particular image that society depicts. But as celebrities and musical artists like Doja Cat or Willow Smith prove time and time again, you don’t have to be a stereotypical doll in a box to be considered feminine, fashionable, or beautiful. There is so much pressure to conform to trends within not only society, but especially the petite world. If you’re hyper fem, but with a sense of rebellion, then this style guide is for you.
Make a statement with pure contrast
Some unconventional ways to flatter your figure in the alt-girl world include oversized fishnets, chunky boots, and layered chains. It’s less about appealing to the mainstream and more about embracing what’s traditionally seen as “too much” or unflattering—and turning it into something striking and magical on a petite frame. The true alt-girl vibe shines through when you stop worrying about conventional proportions and start using excess as a statement on a body type that isn’t usually styled that way.
Maximalist styles create a strong presence
When mainstream culture typically sees a petite woman walk by, she is often overlooked or minimized. But when an alt petite woman who knows who she is and what her style is, she reclaims her power and commands unwavering respect. It’s all about knowing who you are, understanding your worth, and refusing to be locked inside a box that others see you as fitting into. Petite alt girls know who they are because they can be both bold and elegant through graphic prints, accessories, and chunky boots. It’s truly magical when a girl who takes up a minimal amount of space can command so much attention just by owning her style. That’s what being alt is truly all about. Beauty is ownership and control of who you are, and believing in that superpower—not about physical size or proportions.
Layering determines control of the silhouette
If you’re a petite alt girl and are aware of how to style your fits properly, you’ll come to understand that you can get away with things that other alt girls just can’t—or at least, not as effectively. With styles like cropped jackets over fishnets, wide belts over lace slips, etc., you can craft a world entirely of your own. It takes a specific strategy to properly tailor the fits to suit your petite silhouette. But regardless, being an alt girl is about bending the rules and finding your stylistic voice. It’s about breaking the mold and adhering to what you believe in rather than conforming to a set of pre-made rules.
If you love being a petite alt girl—or even just unconventionally minded and avant-garde—you should know that petite women are depicted as having it hard, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Anything different in life comes with a price, but if you know who you are and how to dominate your style—whether it’s alt or something else outside the norm—then you’ll gain respect, recognition, notoriety, and sometimes fame.