All my short ladies

Here at Thread, I like to focus on the positive. But after looking at photo after photo of beautiful women making the same sartorial misstep at the 2010 Emmy Awards last night, I just have to say it: if you're short, floor-length formal gowns off the rack are not your friend; you've got to have them altered.

Otherwise, the proportions simply don't work for your body. Need proof?

This Oscar de la Renta would have looked better on Lea Michele with one less tier of ruffles, but she probably should have passed on the gown altogether. That's a lot of fabric for a 5'2" frame.


Sarah Hyland, in Pamella Roland, looks like she's playing dress up in her mother's clothes. (Do you see that ribbon trailing behind her?!) I give her an A for effort, though. She's young.


The drop waist seam on this Alexander McQueen is all wrong on Anna Paquin.

A short lady who got it right:

It's obvious just looking at the waist seam that Tina Fey's Oscar de la Renta was altered. Yay! Actually, her hair and makeup are great, too. This may be the best she's ever looked on the red carpet.