Ever wonder why the very same clothes that look so fantastic on the runway at designer fashion shows frequently don't look so good on short women? Runway models tend to be very slender and quite tall (usually 5'10" or taller), and they're considered almost like a hanger from which to drape clothing. They can easily wear clothes that are big and long and have lots of fabric in them, but a short woman wearing the same garments will look even shorter and perhaps a bit overwhelmed too.

1. Tea-Length Skirt

Because a tea-length skirt, which falls around the middle of the calf, breaks up the leg line, it can actually make a short woman look even shorter. A better choice for petites is a skirt, such as a pencil skirt, that falls somewhere around the knee.

Pictured: Light blue tea-length dress from the Oscar de la Renta Runway Fashion Show for Spring 2013

2. Garments with Turtlenecks

A short woman can look as though she has no neck at all if she wears a garment with a turtleneck. A better choice for petites is a V-neckline, which visually elongates the figure.
Pictured: Gray turtleneck dress from the Donna Karan Runway Fashion Show for 2013

3. Double-Breasted Jacket

Double-breasted jackets are bulkier than single-breasted jacket styles, which work better for petites.

Pictured: Canary yellow double-breasted jacket from the Michael Kors Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013

4. Below-Hip Sweater or Jacket

Short women will look better proportionally if they wear sweaters and jackets that fall to the top of the hip, rather than below the hip.
Pictured: Below-hip blue sweater from the Stella McCartney Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013

5. Furry or Puffy Vests

Any garment that adds bulk is a garment that petites should avoid, and a furry or puffy vest certainly fits into the bulky garment category.
Pictured: Black fur vest from the Diane von Furstenberg Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013

6. Big Sleeves

Big sleeves on a garment add bulk and detract from the sleek appearance that's desirable for short women. A better sleeve choice for petites is a fitted sleeve.
Pictured: Fuchsia dress with big sleeves from the Marchesa Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013

7. Fluffy Fur Coat

There's nothing bulkier than a big, fluffy fur coat, and a petite lady could actually end up looking more like a bear than a woman in a huge, furry coat.
Pictured: Big, fluffy fur coat from the Michael Kors Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2012

8. Poncho

Generally speaking, petites will look taller and thinner in sleek silhouettes, rather than oversized silhouettes. Short women should avoid wearing ponchos because they look big and shapeless, the opposite of sleek.
Pictured: Black and white buffalo plaid poncho from the Michael Kors Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2012

9. Garments with Excess Fabric

Garments with lots of excess fabric, which may be folded as pictured here, pleated, draped, or given some other designer treatment are best avoided by short women who will seem overwhelmed by all that extra fabric.
Pictured: Garnet dress with yards of folded fabric shown at the Marchesa Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013

10. Ballgown

Although most of us probably aren't in the market for a ballgown unless we're going to be attended a costume party, a few petites may be considering wearing a ballgown style as a wedding gown. Because the ballgown's silhouette is so exaggerated, short women should avoid a ballgown style when selecting a bridal gown and opt for a more flattering style.

Pictured: Wedding dress in the ballgown style from the Elie Saab Runway Fashion Show for Fall 2013