The year of the short celebrity
There was no shortage of petite style inspo in 2024 thanks to these entertainers.
Here at Short and Sweet, we’re all about navigating the world of petite fashion. Standing at 5’1”, I’ve endured my fair share of fashion nightmares — wrestling with clothes made for 6-foot mannequins, side-eyeing low-waisted jeans like they’re a bad ex, and watching "outfit formula" videos that insist I live in mini skirts and crop tops while avoiding baggy clothes and drop waists at all costs. Spoiler alert: this advice has kept my 24-year-old closet eerily similar to the one I had as a college sophomore.
They say one of the best sources of style inspiration is to find a celebrity who shares your features and body type. After all, they have personal stylists who are paid to identify how to maximize their best features, and so as I’ve sought more variety in my closet, I’ve looked to them for help.
Luckily, 2024 was a banner year for petite powerhouses in music and film — namely women. The entertainment world has always been surprisingly shorter than expected, but this year especially, a slew of petite entertainers owned the stage and the screen.
Let’s dive into their styles and what we can learn from each of them.
Sabrina Carpenter - 5” 0’
As far as celebrities known for their height go, Sabrina Carpenter is queen. She’s my ultimate fashion inspiration (and the muse behind this blog). In 2024, Sabrina dominated with hits like “Espresso” and “Taste” from her summer album (the latter of which came with a Death Becomes Her-inspired music video with the similarly statured and always fashionable Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star Jenna Ortega). She played a sold-out tour, and to cap off the year, she captivated and crooned her way through a Netflix Christmas special.
Platform shoes
Sabrina rarely steps out without heels or platforms, even in her casual looks. This isn’t a new trick — pop stars like Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga have been doing it for years — but it’s a game-changer for boosting confidence and evening proportions. Platform Converse, in particular, have become my personal ride-or-die.
That said, her doll-like aesthetic isn’t always easy to emulate. Sabrina leans into cutesy details — flushed cheeks, the shortest of skirts, and blown-out hair — while maintaining a persona that’s equal parts sexy and sophisticated. It’s a delicate balance that works wonders on stage, though feels less practical for my 9-to-5 life. Still, when I do channel her style, it’s magic.
Ariana Grande - 5’ 1”
Ariana has been my style icon ever since I realized we shared the same height. I’ve even recreated her signature ponytail, oversized crewneck, and suede boots combo — yes, it was a Halloween costume.
In 2024, Ariana not only released a stunning, era-defining album with Eternal Sunshine — she also awed audiences with her performance in Wicked, and the accompanying press tour offered plenty of style inspiration (though I’ll pass on the infamous nose-contour stripe). Ariana’s style has evolved as she’s entered her 30s and embraced a new era in her career.
Fitted clothing
These days, Ariana’s best looks gravitate toward tailored, form-fitting pieces that highlight her petite, narrow frame. The girlish, often boxy looks of her Disney days are long gone, as is her star-studded, stadium-filling pop star persona. Now, you’ll find her in sleek dresses that emphasize her waist, arms, and back. It’s a masterclass in balancing maturity and glam.
Cynthia Erivo - 5’ 1”
Cynthia has one of the biggest and boldest voices in the game, so it may come as a surprise to find she’s the same height as her Wicked co-star. I think that shock can also be partly attributed to her thoughtful style choices.
Straight lines
Cynthia’s best red carpet looks often feature structured, tailored silhouettes that include high-neckline dresses and shoulder-baring gowns that give her length. She also embraces daring, sculptural designs that make her style uniquely her own. Her fashion proves that petite doesn’t have to mean simple — it can be bold and unforgettable.
Nicola Coughlan - 5’ 1”
First of all — did you know that Nicola Coughlan is almost 40 years old? I certainly didn’t. Need that skincare routine immediately, because she is glowing.
You’ve likely seen Coughlan in beloved media like Derry Girls and Barbie, but this past year, she starred front and center in her own season of one of my favorite binge-worthy shows, Netflix’s Bridgerton. The series is known for its delightfully colorful costumes, its acoustic renditions of contemporary music — and, of course, its super steamy scenes. Coughlan’s stylist, Aimee Croysdill, absolutely delivered on the red carpet ahead of its early summer release.
Surprising sleeves
You’re likely to notice Nicola’s sleeves first when you see her jaw-dropping looks from the past year. There are far too many examples to gather into a collage. They range from puffy to sheer to structured, but they’re always interesting and fun. It’s refreshing to see arms accentuated instead of hidden on curvy women, and equally so to see a stylist lean into voluminous shapes and hair rather than attempting to shrink Nicola in any way.
Chappell Roan - 5’ 2”
Chappell Roan skyrocketed to megastardom in 2024 — in part due to her extravagant, often-themed looks styled by Genesis Webb. Her looks defy categorization — they’re theatrical, artistic, and unapologetically bold.
Breaking the rules
Chappell’s outfits remind us that fashion is art. On stage, her height feels irrelevant because her looks are larger than life. It’s a refreshing reminder that fashion, especially for short women, doesn’t always need to elongate or slim — it can simply be about self-expression.
Doechii - 5’ 2”
How could I go on without mentioning miss 5’ 2,” A-cup herself, Doechii? The rapper exploded onto the scene in late 2024 with her album Alligator Bites Never Heal, and she has only been flourishing further in 2025. I’ll stick to her 2024 looks for the purpose of this article, but her current style is not to be ignored.
Put some prep in your step
Doechii is often seen in plaid, ties, and stripes, in part due to her affinity for designer Tom Browne — a fashion match made in heaven. Like Jenna Ortega, all the vertical stripes add length, while the notably masculine influences on her style give her power.
Charli XCX - 5’ 3”
It was a Brat summer, then a Brat fall for some, but Charli XCX has made it clear that for the rest of us, Brat is a lifestyle.
Mini skirts
It’s hard not to feel inspired by Charli’s fearless approach to mini skirts. Despite my initial resistance, Charli’s looks have given me the confidence to embrace them fully again. At 31, she’s proof that mini skirts aren’t just for college parties. From the piece she wore in her “Guess” music video with Billie Eilish to the minutest of micro shorts, she shows that unabashed confidence and creativity are what truly make a look work — though a pair of knee-high black boots certainly helps, too.