I'm 5'2", and This Is What I Look for in Sneakers
Welcome to the third official installment of my latest series: I’m 5’2”, and… I say official because I feel like I’ve been writing for my fellow petite girls my entire career, but I guess it was about time we made it legit. A few weeks ago, I shared my favorite tops, and before that it was my favorite jeans, so I thought the natural next step would be the best sneakers.
When it comes to sneaker shopping, my guidelines are actually pretty simple. At 5”2’, there are two main things I consider. One is that they are low-top and not too bulky around the ankles, and the other is that they give me a little extra height. However, this is not a story about wedge sneakers or flatforms. Instead, I prefer pairs in which the extra inch or two are organically included into the design so that one wouldn’t even consider the height when looking at them.
Think: pairs like Nike’s classic Air Max, the trendy Filas this little lady is modeling above, or even summer-ready espadrille sneakers. While you don’t think of them as platforms, per se, and they likely weren’t designed with strictly small girls in mind, they happen to do wonders anyway. Anyway, now that you know my tricks, simply continue on to shop my picks.
In case you missed the last posts, shop my favorite jeans here and my favorite tops here.
Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. Upon joining, she was a senior about to graduate from business school at USC. Fast-forward to 2025, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was just starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content and her Trust Me—Buy This newsletter. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to neutral, classic pieces but will always make an exception for something colorful or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a party is dressing up for one. On her downtime, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.
-
It's Now or Never—54 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Day Deals You'll Regret Skipping
Elevated basics, celeb dupes, luxe-like styles, and more on sale.
-
I'm 5'2" and Hate Baggy Jeans on Me—28 Pants, Skirts, and Shorts I'd Wear Instead
Petite women, listen up.
-
Stop It Right Now—These 39 Under-$100 Nordstrom Finds Are Incredibly Gorgeous
Kitten heels, lacy skirts, and new It sneakers.
-
Aboard a Yacht in Sicily, There's Only One Sneaker Color to Wear With a White Sundress
Learn from the best, aka Naomi Campbell.
-
I'm a Shopping Editor—These 31 Under-$50 Amazon Finds Are Giving Main Character Energy
These were really hard not to gatekeep.
-
I Shop for a Living, and These Are the 15 Pretty Nordstrom Fashion and Beauty Finds in My Cart RN
Lace-trim skirts, shimmery eye shadows, and more.
-
8 Stylish Sneakers to Wear to the Office, According to Chic Fashion Editors
I did my research.
-
I Give It 2 Days Tops Until These Viral Sneakers Sell Out (Again)
I'm not exaggerating.