Lesson 1: Create an Unbroken Line
One of the oldest tricks in the petite style book is creating a long, uninterrupted vertical line, and Biles is a devout follower. She frequently employs monochrome dressing—wearing a single color from head to toe—to give the illusion of added height.
Think of her recent appearance at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year awards, where she wore a glittering, form-fitting white gown. By not breaking up the body with contrasting colors, the eye travels smoothly up and down, creating a taller, more statuesque silhouette. The same principle applies to matching sets, another Biles favorite, which unify the top and bottom half of the body into a cohesive, elongating whole.
Lesson 2: Raise Your Waistline
High-waisted silhouettes are a petite person's best friend, and Simone Biles’s wardrobe is proof. By raising the perceived waistline, high-rise pants, skirts, and dresses visually lengthen the lower body. This trick effectively redraws your proportions, making your legs appear miles long. While some petite women fear being overwhelmed by wide-leg pants, Biles shows that a high-waisted, wide-leg cut can powerfully enhance a natural waist when styled correctly. The key is balance: pairing a high-waisted bottom with a cropped or tucked-in top prevents the fabric from swallowing your frame and keeps the focus on that flattering, elevated waist.
Lesson 3: Don't Be Afraid to Show Some Leg
A flash of skin in the right place is a powerful tool for elongation. Biles masterfully uses high slits in her gowns and dresses. A slit that travels up the thigh, like in the blush pink gown she wore to the MTV Video Music Awards, draws the eye upward and breaks up a solid field of fabric, preventing a long dress from visually shortening her. This was a crucial element even in her custom-designed wedding ball gown, where a leg slit added length and kept the voluminous design from overwhelming her small frame. The same logic applies to shorter hemlines. Dresses and skirts that hit above the knee showcase more leg, another simple way to create the illusion of height.
Lesson 4: Use Cutouts and Necklines Strategically
It’s not just about what’s there, but what isn't. Strategic cutouts and thoughtful necklines guide where people look. Biles often chooses gowns with interesting torso cutouts or deep V-necks. These details draw attention to the upper body and face, shifting the focal point upward. At the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, her one-shoulder feather dress created an elegant, diagonal line that was both dramatic and lengthening. Similarly, a halter neck, like the shimmering gown she wore in Madrid, can make shoulders appear narrower and the torso longer. It’s a lesson in using fashion to direct the narrative—and the gaze.
Lesson 5: Embrace Tailoring and Structure
Perhaps the most important lesson from Biles is that fit is everything. While she's a world-class athlete, on the red carpet she moves away from flowy, unstructured garments that can swallow a petite, muscular frame. Instead, she often opts for pieces with structure and impeccable tailoring. At the 2025 Met Gala, she wore a tuxedo-inspired minidress with a crisp collar and defined shape that was both playful and powerful. This demonstrates a key principle: fitted clothing doesn't mean tight, but rather clothing that is proportionate to your body, defining the waist and shoulders without adding bulk. Whether it’s a structured blazer or a gown tailored to perfection, the right fit ensures you wear the clothes, not the other way around.
