Ultimate Guide to the Best Skirts for Petite Plus Size

If you’ve been hanging around MoraRae Studio for a while, you know how much I love a good high-waisted pant.

This love also extends to a high waisted skirt.

High waisted designs are a good option for petite plus size women when they are wearing pretty much any style of skirt.

So, whether that’s an a-line cut, wrap skirt, or a mini, a high waist will work for you.

The reason why high waisted skirts are good for petite plus size is their ability to cinch your natural waistline and visually create a longer torso look.

Which in turn, helps you to look taller and will flatter your overall figure better than say a skirt that sits lower on your hips.

Wrap skirts are a skirt style much like a wrap dress or top, where you can adjust the fit by tying the ties usually at the side of your waist.

I love wrap skirts for petite plus size because they are very forgiving.

If you feel a little bloated, loosen the ties and if you are feeling like a million bucks, tie them tighter and show off your curves!

Another forgiving aspect of most wrap skirts is the extra drape of fabric that usually occurs when you wrap and tie them.

This can help to conceal tummy areas while still being able to wear a form-fitting style. 

If you haven’t tried a wrap skirt yet, I hope you’ll give one a chance soon!

Now, let’s talk about the most avoided skirt styles for petite plus size: midi and maxi skirts.

Midi skirts can often make you look shorter when you are petite. Whereas maxi skirts can have you literally tripping over hemlines.

But, I want you to know that there are ways to embrace both of these styles of skirts when you are vertically challenged.

Midi Skirts

You can wear midi skirts when you are petite plus size by selecting styles that do not stop abruptly at the mid-calf level. When skirts do this, they make your legs look much shorter.

Instead, opt for midi skirt lengths that fall just about 2 to 3 inches below the knee.

Maxi Skirts

Speaking of slits, this same advice goes for maxi skirts. Maxi skirts can often be too long and full for petite plus sizes.

So, choose a maxi skirt with a flowy, a-line silhouette or a slimmer fit.

For maxi skirts, a side slit is a great way to show off some leg.

The best maxi skirt length for petite plus size is one that stops at your ankles or 1 to 2 inches just below them.

Any longer and you will be stumbling and any shorter and you’re approaching the awkward high-water look.

I used to be afraid of mini skirts personally. I thought my thighs were too big to show off.

Plus, I always got stopped in high school for wearing skirts that were too short (which they never were) and I think this traumatized me a bit.

Now, I fully love my thunder thighs and embrace mini skirts, especially during the brutal summers we have down here in Texas. As I mentioned earlier, when you have shorter and thicker legs, it’s actually better to let them breathe and don’t try to hide them away.

When choosing a mini skirt, a good rule of thumb is to choose styles that fall just 2 to 3 inches about your knee level. If you go any shorter, baby girl, your thighs will eat that skirt and you might as well be wearing bikini bottoms.

Next up are asymmetrical skirts. An asymmetrical skirt is a skirt that has an uneven, or asymmetric hemline.

Think, high-low skirts and blanket hems.

High-low skirts had their moment in the fashion world many moons ago but that doesn’t mean that you can’t wear them anymore.

A modern way to wear a high-low hem is to choose one that goes from side to side instead of front to back. 

Another asymmetrical style is the blanket hem skirt.

This one is seeing a bit of a resurgence right now, primarily because of the Y2K fashion trend that is coming back.

If you love a good princess vibe, then full skirts are probably your favorite skirt style. Think fluffy layered tulle skirts and classic circle skirts.

A full skirt works well for petite plus size because it will cinch your waistline creating an hourglass silhouette for you. Even if you may not naturally have one.

These skirts are also the most forgiving because the fullness of the skirt is very roomy and accommodating. 

The only thing to consider when choosing a full skirt is the length. The best length is an a-line cut that lands at your knee or a midi length.

If you go too long, you will look like you’re being swallowed by fabric. And if you go too short, it will create a disproportionate silhouette, making you look short and stocky.

Last on the list is an a-line skirt, which is really more of a silhouette that can and should be applied to all of the skirt styles we’ve talked about so far.

An A-line skirt is one with a fit and flare shape. So it’s not as full as a full skirt but not as slim as a pencil skirt.

A-line skirts work well for petite plus size because they are simple styles that will still accentuate your waistline without much fuss.

Most a-line skirts are styles will fall right at your knee level, which is the best skirt length to choose for petite plus size.

This skirt’s length and silhouette will always look good and be flattering for your size and shape. Think of it as a tried and true skirt when choosing your petite plus size fashion staples.

If you choose a print for your skirt, go simple on top.

You want to balance your look and not have too many design details going on at the same time.

Remember, when it comes to petite plus style, simple is always better.

Pair a mini skirt with a longer jacket or coat.

This will create a proportionate outfit flow, by following the rule of thirds principle.

When you do this, you’ll break up your outfit into thirds.

Also, don’t layer a longer shirt with a mini skirt.

Choose a cropped top to go with your high-waisted skirt.

This one goes back to the rule of thirds as mentioned earlier, which creates a balanced and flattering outfit.

Add a pair of nude heels or shoes to elongate your leg when wearing a midi, a-line, or mini skirt.

Choose vertical design details & patterns for your skirts.

Vertical lines and details draw the eye up and down, instead of side to side.

Which creates a longer, more streamlined look.