Looking Great in a Tunic Top When You Are Petite

Most women will say that one of their go-to styles of top in their wardrobe is a tunic top. Yes, a tunic top can be comfortable and flattering. However, when you are petite you do have to make sure that they are not too long or too flowy. That can equal frumpy which is not a look we are going for here on Serious About Styling.

Today I am going to break down how to make sure you look and feel great in a tunic top going forward. But before we dive into all of those specifics there are a few other posts you might want to check out.

woman wearing a black tunic top with pink flowers and a vneck — Blouse

Finding The Tunic Style for Your Body Shape

Just like any type of clothing, there are many types and styles of tunics. Once we break it down by which style looks best on your body type it will be easy for you to find a tunic top that is figure flattering and that will help elongate your frame.

The number one thing that we have to keep in mind as petites is the length of the tunic. No matter which shape or style we wear it needs to be the correct length. The ideal lenght for a tunic for a petite woman is at the hip. If you find one that you absolutely love and it is longer than that, then have it hemmed. Sometimes just a small adjustment like that makes all the difference in the world on a shorter frame.

So let’s look at what type of details and styling you should look in a tunic top by body type.

Pear Shape

A pear shape resembles the shape of a pear. You have a small waist and are bigger on the bottom. Here are a few details to look for when buying a tunic.

the top is more A-line in shape (mimics your shape)
make sure that it hits just below your widest body part
has a neckline feature that draws the eye up to your face

This tunic with ruffled neckline is a perfect example of a tunic that would look great on a pear shape. It also comes in a sleeveless version.

Inverted Triangle

Think of an upside down triangle. Yes, your shoulders are wider than your slim hips. Things to consider are:

minimal detail at the neckline (don’t want to emphasize your shoulders)
horizontal lines or patterns are not your friend
look for a neckline that is open and some shaping at the waist area

This colorful tunic is a great example for someone with this shape of body. This belted style would also work well.

Hourglass

You’ve got curves in all of the right places. Your bust and hips are about equal and you have a defined waistline.

looks for tops with a nip in the waist (or you can have a simple dart put in a top)
try belting a tunic with a very thin belt

The top that I am wearing in this post is an example of one that works on an hourglass figure. It also comes in this beautiful fabric in greens and blues. Another example is this casual cinched waist sweatshirt tunic for a very casual look.

Rectangle

Yes, you are pretty much the same from top to bottom. Your shoulders, waist, and hips are all about the same. A tunic lover’s dream body type.

Pick a tunic and go for it. Just remember that you need to make sure it hits at the hips or a flattering lenght on you. You don’t want it to be too long.

Best Bottoms to Wear with Your Tunics

When wearing a relaxed style top you should really keep the bottoms a little more fitted. So think tapered leg pants, straight leg pants, or pencil skirts. Another great look with tunic tops is leggings.

A great place to search for all of these bottom styles with a little “extra help” is Spanx Perfect Collection and their denim. Their faux leather leggings are a winter must have with all of your tunics too. Love that they offer petite lengths in so many of their styles.

Shoe Styles to Wear With Your Tunics

Flats, sandals, wedges, and pumps are great styles to wear with a tunic and a fitted bottom. In the winter, think a pair of boots. You can check out these posts about some of the best shoes tyles for petite women that I have written.

Best Places to Shop For A Tunic

There are certain stores and websites where you can find tunics season after season. Some of these will have petite sizing as well. These are the ones that pop into my mind when looking for a tunic top.

Tuckernuck – always amazing fabrics to choose from
Chico’s
Talbots
J. Jill
Sail to Sable – fun, color options every season
L.L Bean – great for casual everyday tunics
Dudley Stephens – for the warmest fleece you can find and great color selection
Lily Pulitzer – when you want bright cheery colors
Trina Turk – another favorite when I am looking for bright colors

So now let’s take a look at some great tunic tops that I have rounded up along with some great bottoms to pair with them. You can click on any of the photos to get more information. If you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for shopping my post and I hope that this helps you find a great go-to tunic top for your wardrobe.

Thanks

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I hope this post was helpful and informative. I truly appreciate every read, share, and pin. You can also find me on Pinterest and Instagram.

Looking Great In A Tunic Top When You Are Petite