Beauty: Do's and don'ts for shorter frames

I'm 5'1" and size 18 and I struggle to know what to wear. Can you please help me?Here are some styling tips I hope will help.

DO's

Scale is very important - ensure the size and scale of patterns, textures and accessories work with your size. It's all about balance.

Ensure the tops, skirts and dresses you wear are in proportion to your body. For example, if you were to wear a long tunic top with trousers, you may end up looking out of balance.

Wearing one colour, or tonally complementary colours, from top to bottom will add height to your appearance.

Wear heels if you can - this will add to your height.

DON'Ts

Avoid heavy, structured fabrics and big, bold patterns and accessories - they could swamp you.

Don't buy clothes that are too big, bulky or wide looking. It may give the illusion of you being shorter than you really are. Fitted clothes are your friend.

Keep away from Capri pants (short trousers) with wide hems - you're better off with a tapered style and a narrower hem. This goes for skirts as well; you're best to avoid wide skirts with lots of volume.

Avoid chunky platform shoes as they're likely to be too heavy looking for you, and also shoes with ankle straps as the strap cuts off your leg, so to speak, and can make you appear shorter.

Lisa Lyford is founder of Gorgeous Me, free DIY personal styling and makeover advice. www.gorgeousme.co.nz. Send your questions for Lisa to regionalfeatures@apn.co.nz.