PetitePowerCoatMaria
What are your style hacks for shopping as a petite?
Fitted slim-fit pants with a flare at the bottom create illusion of a longer leg. High-waisted pants and skirts look really flattering for petite women, especially when combined with heels. For shoes, I prefer platforms/chunky heels/wedges. When it comes to skirts and dresses, I usually go with either super long or super short. Keep your accessories scaled to your body size. To look taller, I like wear v-neck sweaters, vertical stripes, or one color for an entire outfit!
What advice can you offer petite women who aspire to a career in your industry?
Don’t give up! It’s not easy to be so different than expectations in the fashion industry, but thankfully that’s beginning to change recently. The most important thing we can do as petite women is to embrace our size and to dare to be different. I mean, I’m definitely not getting any taller so it doesn’t matter if I accept it or not, I will always be petite! Find and work with brands that have an inclusive vibe.
What are your style hacks for shopping as a petite?
Fitted slim-fit pants with a flare at the bottom create illusion of a longer leg. High-waisted pants and skirts look really flattering for petite women, especially when combined with heels. For shoes, I prefer platforms/chunky heels/wedges. When it comes to skirts and dresses, I usually go with either super long or super short. Keep your accessories scaled to your body size. To look taller, I like wear v-neck sweaters, vertical stripes, or one color for an entire outfit!
What advice can you offer petite women who aspire to a career in your industry?
Don’t give up! It’s not easy to be so different than expectations in the fashion industry, but thankfully that’s beginning to change recently. The most important thing we can do as petite women is to embrace our size and to dare to be different. I mean, I’m definitely not getting any taller so it doesn’t matter if I accept it or not, I will always be petite! Find and work with brands that have an inclusive vibe.
What do you think is the biggest issue petite women face in the workplace? What struggles have you had to overcome?
I think the biggest issue that petite women face in the workplace is that people don't take you seriously, regardless of industry. It's almost as if being little equates to being immature, weak, fragile, or generally inadequate to the task.For me, I was rejected by most major modeling agencies because I wasn’t tall enough. So, I decided to create a brand that didn’t shy away from my height but instead embraced it as my defining feature since I knew that I was definitely not getting any taller! I was destined to be The Little Model.
Along with power positions & success, women are shattering preconceived body standards as well - curvy models have taken their position on magazine covers and petites have taken over catwalks. How do you see the industry responding to this shift?
There are some people who aren’t very receptive to the changes, because they feel threatened by women with different body types receiving so much attention. What’s more important than the models who feel threatened are the women who feel inspired by this. The Little Model is every woman who has a dream, and I want to do everything in my power to help women of all shapes and sizes realize that their dreams can become reality.
What do you think is the biggest issue petite women face in the workplace? What struggles have you had to overcome?
I think the biggest issue that petite women face in the workplace is that people don't take you seriously, regardless of industry. It's almost as if being little equates to being immature, weak, fragile, or generally inadequate to the task.For me, I was rejected by most major modeling agencies because I wasn’t tall enough. So, I decided to create a brand that didn’t shy away from my height but instead embraced it as my defining feature since I knew that I was definitely not getting any taller! I was destined to be The Little Model.
Along with power positions & success, women are shattering preconceived body standards as well - curvy models have taken their position on magazine covers and petites have taken over catwalks. How do you see the industry responding to this shift?
There are some people who aren’t very receptive to the changes, because they feel threatened by women with different body types receiving so much attention. What’s more important than the models who feel threatened are the women who feel inspired by this. The Little Model is every woman who has a dream, and I want to do everything in my power to help women of all shapes and sizes realize that their dreams can become reality.
Where does your #PetitePowerCoat take you?
Everywhere and anywhere! It’s super versatile so I can dress it up for work events and date nights, or wear casually.
What does petite empowerment mean to you?
You don’t have to be tall to tell a big story. Your height should never limit you from trying to achieve your dreams.
Where does your #PetitePowerCoat take you?
Everywhere and anywhere! It’s super versatile so I can dress it up for work events and date nights, or wear casually.
What does petite empowerment mean to you?
You don’t have to be tall to tell a big story. Your height should never limit you from trying to achieve your dreams.