I'm 5'4", and These Are the Autumn Trends I'm Actually Wearing

At 5'4", I'm considered to be the average height for a woman in the UK and America, but it's still technically considered petite. I buy pretty much 100% of my wardrobe online, so it can be frustrating when all I have to go off of is a photo of a model that's 5'8" or taller wearing a particular item, which is often the case. But as someone who has been an avid shopper for life and has been writing about fashion for more than five years, I've learned to be able to tell what works and doesn't work for my frame just by looking at an item. 

I'm certainly not here to tell you what trends to wear and not wear, as everyone's style preferences and bodies are different. I'm simply here to share what styles I'm avoiding this coming season, in case you, too, are on the shorter side and need a little guidance navigating the trends. 

Read on to find out which autumn 2019 trends I'm skipping and supporting, based on my height.

I find frilly ruffled pieces to be a bit overpowering on me (although a few here and there never hurt anyone). On the other hand, feathers are an accent that feels lighter and less voluminous. Carrie Bradshaw was on to something…

Unless I wear very high heels (which I'm not particularly fond of doing), I haven't had much luck with long, loose trousers. But the non-cropped straight-leg denim styles that are trending are quite leg-lengthening, which I can get on board with.

I find leather clothing to be a chic trend that anyone can wear. But a trend that I don't feel that way about is quilted pieces that could easily be mistaken for a duvet insert.

I've seen photos of myself with oversize bags when they were a trend in the past, and I've decided that it's not a look I want to repeat, even though they're already everywhere this season. The proportions just don't mesh with my height, so I'm sticking to other trends for now, like bags with chunky chain straps.

Capes are certainly chic on some people, but they have a tendency to swallow me. An outerwear trend I am looking forward to, though, is trench coats, especially since they can be belted at the waist for some definition.

Puff sleeves have been a major trend for the majority of 2019, but I love it so much that I plan on continuing to wear them into autumn. I find them to be much more flattering than pieces with broad shoulder pads, which is an '80s look that has returned.

Don't get me wrong—I'd happily put on a tent dress (they were all over Copenhagen Fashion Week street style) and call it a day, but as with capes, at 5'4", I'm swallowed whole. That said, two trends I'm wearing instead are maxi skirts (especially ones that are cut on the slimmer side) and boilersuits.

Next up, the biggest autumn/winter 2019 trends you need to know. 

This piece originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S.