smart. simple. chic.: Which Do You Prefer: A Jump for Joy or a Romp in the Sack?

Tis the season of higher hemlines and tighter textures. As a petite woman, these types of trends can be tricky. In the spirit of both trends, I've been scouring my closet for options that would fulfill another trend: the one-piece. I love a good romper or jumpsuit, even with the occasional hassle of almost completely stripping down whenever nature calls.

For petites, you need to consider three factors when purchasing a jumpsuit:

1. Length of pant - Nothing more than an inch above the ankle. Even with a nude sandal or flat, the shorter hem will truncate your legs and make you appear shorter than you actually are.

2. Width of pant leg - If purchasing a jumpsuit with a more fitted (or potentially tapered) leg, opt for something in a dark or nude color. These colors will lengthen and slim your body as long as the hemline reaches from the top of your ankle to right below your ankle. If the leg is wider, you need the length to be one to three inches below your ankle. This gives you the opportunity to wear a wedge (for a more casual look) or a thin strap high heel sandal (for a night time look) that will give you more height and proportion your body more appropriately.

Nasty Gal After Midnight Jumpsuit

3. Proportion of top-to-bottom - You MUST try on a jumpsuit. Particularly on petites, the proportions can be off and you will need to determine if you need alterations. The waistline should sit at your natural waist so that your legs look ALMOST TRIPLE the length of your upper body. The proportions would be 1 : 2.75 (top : bottom) on an average-sized woman (5'4" or taller). This is a model-type proportion, meaning that the goal for a model is to have her legs be as close to triple the length of her upper body for maximum aesthetic effect. For petites, though, a 1 : 2.5 proportion is more doable. For example, as a petite, from my shoulders to my natural waist I'm approximately 14 inches. For me to look "model balanced" in a jumpsuit the measurement from my natural waist to my hemline should be at LEAST 38 inches, making my whole jumpsuit about 53 inches total. That leaves enough room for me to wear heels that push me closer to model height. I'm 5'2" and in heels I'd be around 5'5" or 5'6". For a more tapered leg on the jumpsuit, I'd aim for a measurement of 35 or 36 inches from waist to ankle. This is more in line with petite proportions.

For petites, the additional factor should be considered when purchasing both a jumpsuit or a romper:

FABRIC! FABRIC! FABRIC! You want something that breathes and has movement. Cottons are best, with linens running a close second. The linens are harder to iron so make sure you're in natural or lighter colors to disguise the inevitable wrinkles. If you find a one-piece you love in a synthetic fabric, again, make sure the fabric is flowy or loose. The cutout trend is still popular, and can provide some ventilation for a less breathable fabric. If you decide on a strapless jumpsuit, make sure the bodice is structured so that you do not lose your shape. I don't suggest a romper for many petites, as it can look juvenile if you are very slender or inappropriate if you are very curvy. But, hey, if you're feelin' it, WEAR IT!

Below are some jumpsuit and romper options that are petite-friendly: