Right off the bat I will confess—I don’t actually fit into the petite category. At 5ft6, I can generally be considered “average” height to most people, but even I can struggle with the length and fit of some clothes whenever I go shopping. It can be frustrating enough finding pieces I love and having to have them taken up or in, but when you’re also up against figuring out what to wear in the transition between spring and summer weather, getting ready in the morning can be a challenging process.

Thinking of petite shoppers and how often this conundrum must affect you, I set about asking petite fashion editors for the pieces that work best for them in the same situation. There were obvious suggestions (avoid baggy jeans, puddle pants and maxi dresses), and some I hadn’t even thought of (drawstring trousers get a big yes), and eventually we whittled it down a concise list of transitional wardrobe wonders that I had to share with you.

petite spring summer transitional wardrobe

(Image credit: @chiarasatelier)

So, if you’re tired of sweating your way through baggy jumpers or braving the chill in short skirts, keep scrolling. This is the definitive spring/summer (transitional) capsule wardrobe for petite women. You’re welcome.

How to Build a Petite Capsule Wardrobe for Spring

1. The Oxford Shirt

aymie cahill wears a striped oxford shirt, black shirt and baseball cap.

Style Notes: In our humble opinion, button down shirts always look cooler oversized. Slouchy, undone and longer in the cuffs and hems, “boyfriend” style shirts have been in every cool girls summer wardrobe for the last five years—good news for petite shoppers who can often find sleeve lengths challenging. If you have sized up to the perfect fit in the body but the arms are still too long, simply roll them up to the elbow for the effortless “I just threw this on” effect that I’ve spotted petite women nailing so well.

Shop Oxford Shirts:

2. Drawstring Trousers

Monikh wears a blue t-shirt, drawstring trousers and sandals

Style Notes: So clever once you think of it, but a chic pair of drawstring trousers are the easiest solution to find a waist that fits. Don’t faff around with tailoring waistbands, once you find a length that works for you, a drawstring pull is an instant fix that you can adjust in seconds—no belt required. In summer linen iterations are going to be your saving grace, but you can start wearing them now with some cosy layering up top.

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3. The Midi Skirt

rebecca ferrazwyatt wears a brown jacket, grey jumper, floral print skirt and leather boots

Style Notes; The beauty of the midi skirt is that no matter where it lands between below the knee and mid-calf, it always looks the perfect fit. If like my fellow editors you’re tired of wearing minis, or struggle to find a maxi that doesn’t pool around your feet, midis are still the fashion insiders’ skirt length of choice, and they’re perfect for petite women who may otherwise gravitate towards trousers for ease.

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4. The Puff Sleeve Blouse

chiaras atelier wears a puff sleeve blouse, denim shorts and white sandals

Style Notes: Big, romantic romantic blouses are having a moment right now, and they work for every body in exactly the same way. Billowing sleeves balance out proportions, and often shorter in the torso, you don’t have to contend with reams of excess fabric. Style them up to perfection with straight legged denim (more on that later), or their warm weather counterpart, knee-length jorts.