A TV Costume Designer Says These Fall Trends Can Overwhelm Petite Frames — Plus What to Wear Instead from $24

We spoke with ‘Elle’ costume designer Sara Byblow about the most flattering fall fashion trends for petite shoppers, and her picks include boxy jackets, track pants, chunky sweaters, and low-profile sneakers. These expert-recommended petite fall trends start at $24 on Amazon

Costume Designer-Approved Petite Fall Fashion

Burnt Earth Tones: Prettygarden High-Waisted Plaid Midi Skirt, $24 (orig. $40)

Countryside Prep: Le Bop Zadie Cropped Polo, $198

Athletic Details: Tapata Loose Track Pants, $31 (orig. $34)

Cropped, Boxy Jackets: Tankaneo Cropped Double-Breasted Trench, $36 (orig. $40)

Intentional Volume: Cicy Bell Faux Leather Bomber Jacket, $40 (orig. $58)

Tons of Texture: Zaful Cable-Knit Sweater, $32 (orig. $36)

Low-Sole Sneakers: Adidas Barreda Low Sneakers, $60 (orig. $70)

There’s nothing I love more than revamping my closet for fall. And at just 5 feet, I’m extra conscious of which seasonal trends will work for my petite frame.

That’s why I turned to Sara Byblow, the main costume designer for Prime Video’s Elle, for advice. Since Lexi Minetree, a.k.a. Elle, is 5-foot-2, I knew Byblow would have helpful insights into the pieces that’ll best suit shorter shoppers (spoiler alert, I was right).

“For petite frames, proportion is often more important than the style itself,” Byblow tells me. “It’s about making a trend work in scale by playing with volume while maintaining balance and mixing color and texture.”

Ahead, find Byblow’s must-have picks for fall. They’re all available on Amazon starting at $24.

Prettygarden High-Waisted Plaid Midi Skirt

Byblow says earth tones will be major this season — think rusty red, forest green, burnt orange, and chocolate brown. For petite shoppers especially, she recommends combining them with saturated jewel tones. “Being playful with mixing colors and patterns can help push an outfit to be more interesting on a smaller frame without adding unnecessary layers,” she advises.

This plaid skirt, which combines shades of brown and yellow, is the perfect way to try the trend — and the midi length means it can also work as a maxi skirt for petites. The pull-on style comes in five additional colors and sizes S–XXL.

Le Bop Zadie Cropped Polo

“One of fall’s biggest trends is a version of prep that feels less literal,” Byblow says. She especially loves pairing a rugby shirt with silk shorts and riding boots, and this style is one of her top picks for the season. The striped, long-sleeve shirt is designed in a soft cotton-blend jersey with a contrast polo collar and placket, and it comes in sizes XXS–XXL.

Proportion Is Key

While Byblow says many styles will work for petite frames, it’s also important to think about proportion. “Dressing for a smaller frame doesn’t need to be restrictive — but you do want to find pieces where placement of the shoulders, waist, and hem feel intentional,” she explains, adding that this can “bring depth to an outfit without losing shape.”

Tapata Loose Track Pants

Athletic-inspired styles are trending for fall, and Byblow favors track pants, nylon jackets, and sleek sneakers. “For petite frames, the look works best when pieces are scaled thoughtfully,” she says. “A cropped jacket with a fitted capri and kitten heel can create the vibe without overwhelming the frame.”

Try the trend with these loose-fitting track pants, which have a drawstring waist and bold stripes down the sides. They come in nine colors and six inseam lengths from 26- to 36-inches, plus sizes XS–XXL.

Tankaneo Cropped Double-Breasted Trench

“Boxy outerwear is here to stay,” says Byblow. “This season, we’re leaning to more cropped versions, which is great for petites in keeping proportions balanced.”

While she specifically loves the Ganni cropped trench, you can get a similar look with this more budget-friendly option. The double-breasted silhouette has wide, peaked lapels, shoulder epaulets, and adjustable belted cuffs. It comes in six neutral shades like tan, olive green, black, and charcoal gray, plus sizes S–XXL.

Add Volume in Moderation

“The most challenging looks tend to be oversized everywhere at once,” Byblow says, adding that it’s “a recipe [for petites] to disappear beneath the volume.” Instead of “a long, boxy coat worn with baggy pants and a chunky shoe,” she recommends choosing “one area for the volume and keeping the rest of the outfit more defined.”

Cicy Bell Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

Even if you’re petite, Byblow assures me that you don’t have to shy away from styles with exaggerated volume. “Oversized silhouettes can be amazing on a petite [person] when the volume is concentrated in one area,” she explains, adding that you should “make sure your proportions feel deliberate.”

One way to do this is with a cropped, roomy jacket, and Byblow’s picks include this Lioness faux leather bomber jacket and Ronny Kobo cropped windbreaker. To get the look for less, try this faux leather bomber, which has a full-zip front, baseball-inspired collar, and a shorter length that’s designed to hit right above the hips on most people.

Zaful Cable-Knit Sweater

“Texture is one of the best ways to make a fall outfit feel layered and interesting without adding bulk to smaller frames,” says Byblow, which “allows the contrasting fabrics to stand out.” Think pairing suede with satin, or chunky knits with tailored shorts.

A cable-knit sweater is one of Byblow’s favorite chunky knits for fall — like this one, with a crew neckline, dropped shoulders, and ribbed-knit trim. It’s subtly cropped, so it can work as a full-length sweater on shorter frames, and it comes in 18 colors, plus sizes S–XL.

Adidas Barreda Low Sneakers

Byblow points to “narrower and more feminine” sneakers for fall, which she says “move away from exaggerated chunky soles and more toward retro court or racing-inspired shapes.” A slimmer, low-profile sneaker is a style she especially likes for petite frames. “Petite girls can pull them off better than anyone,” she enthuses, adding that you can “pair them with literally anything.”

Byblow’s favorite low-sole sneakers this season include the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 sneakers and Alohas Tb.24 sneakers, but you can also get the look with this uber-popular Adidas style. The lace-up sneakers have the brand’s signature stripes at the sides, and they come in 15 color combinations.

Shopping

Fashion