Petite celebrities

Filed under: Fashion

Petite celebrities Anderson/bauergriffinonline.com; EMPICS Entertainment; Getty Images

Even though good things come in small packages, that doesn't necessarily mean it's easy to dress a petite body shape. While blessed with the ability to wear a variety of styles and prints, if you're 5'3 and under you need to watch out for excess fabric that can dwarf your slight frame and choose garment length wisely to elongate - not shorten - your figure.

We've put together a gallery of stylish petite celebrities whose fashion choices can offer a few tips for the rest of us (and right in time for holiday party season). Check out how these diminutive ladies make the most of dressing for their petite figures.

Petite celebrities

Sarah Jessica Parker
 5'3 and tiny all over, SJP elongates her frame by wearing a block-colour maxi dress and matching cape.
Christina Aguilera
 By wearing similar-hued sparkly metallic shoes to match her embellished dress, Christina creates the illusion of adding inches to her 5'2 frame.
Fergie
 Petite frames look great in mini skirts and statement prints (smaller is better so as not to overwhelm a slight frame). Fergie, 5'2, works the look perfectly and gives herself an added height boost with stilettos.
Jada Pinkett
 At 5'0, Jada knows how to work a colour-blocked ensemble. The key is in the cut and length of each garment (the asymmetrical neckline lengthens her upper body and the trousers are boot cut to elongate the leg), which work to make her look taller and longer.
Hayden Panettiere
 Trouser shape is key for petite women - Hayden's boot-cut, leg-lengthening jeans in a light denim hue are just the right option to create a longer line.
Reese Witherspoon
 Reese keeps it chic and simple in a ruffled cocktail dress and bare legs (flesh-coloured peep-toes make them look even longer). The 5'2 star wisely chooses an embellished frock but not one with too much going on (which can dwarf a smaller frame).
Audrey Tautou
 The French star adds some bulk to her tiny frame with this elegant boucle coat.
Amanda Seyfried
 A bit of feather and tulle embellishment and an empire line make this dress a flattering choice on 5'3 Amanda.
Eva Longoria
 Eva showcases her 5'2 frame in a body-hugging Victoria Beckham dress - a figure-flattering option that highlights her curves and also elongates her line since it's a solid hue.
Lady Gaga
 It's hard to believe this larger-than-life performer stands at 5'1. While she doesn't seem overly concerned about fashions to suit her body type (or any body type, for that matter), she knows how to draw the eye upwards with her attention-grabbing headpieces and hair.
Christina Ricci
 Ricci keeps it simple in a figure-flattering tailored skirt (perfectly cut for her 5'1 frame) with a high-waist.
Hilary Duff
 Even off-duty, the pregnant star wears a flattering shape for her 5'1 frame - long, layered tops, fitted black trousers and black heels.
Shakira
 Shakira goes glam on the red carpet in a jewel-embellished dress with a dramatic long skirt and sweetheart neckline - the overall effect is ethereal and elongating for the 5'2 singer.
Jennifer Love Hewitt
 The 5'2 star is famous for pouring her curves into body-con dresses - this one draws the eye gaze up towards her ample bust.
Lea Michele
 The Glee star works her 5'2 frame on the red carpet in this plunge V-neck column dress which creates a neverending line.
Judi Dench
 At 5'1, Dench ensures she makes a splash on the red carpet in a dramatic, embellished evening coat.
Anna Friel
 The 5'2 star makes the most of her shapely legs by flaunting them in a flattering, block-colour mini-dress.
Lucy Liu
 Lucy adds volume to her small frame in a structured, strapless tartan dress and platform pumps.
Jodie Foster
 Jodie keeps her lines long and lean with structured tailoring and basic black.
Michelle Williams
 Saccharine colours and shapes can make a small frame seem childlike, but Michelle avoids this problem by opting for a feminine prom dress in a grown-up golden hue.
Natalie Portman
 Natalie dresses her baby bump (and 5'3 frame) in a flattering block-colour column gown.
Rachel Bilson
 This 5'1 star is known for her red carpet savvy. Here, she chooses a well-fitting structured blazer and high-waist, floor-sweeping maxi.
Nicole Richie
 Nicole knows that delicate accessories draw the eye gaze up without overwhelming a slight 5'1 frame.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
 Teaming a dress with matching shoes elongates the body line, while showing off a bit of leg makes Sarah look taller.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
 These diminutive fashion plates are 5'1 and when they're not embracing granny chic they can really rock a red carpet. A block colour dress elongates, while a tailored jacket adds structure to a petite silhouette.