Whenever I ask my friends for the best petite dresses in their closet, a lot of them say they don’t really have any recommendations offhand – because they have to get everything tailored. “Every dress I’ve worn to weddings, I’ve had to get the bottom hemmed,” said one.
As someone who’s 5'2", I’ve often run into the same issue. Luckily, as a Shopping Editor, I’ve had plenty of time to learn more about which brands and silhouettes are designed to fit someone my size. (Technically, if you’re 5'4" and under, you’re considered petite).
My best recommendation? Have your exact measurements in your notes app. That way when you’re shopping online, you can compare to the posted measurements for a definitive idea (unfortunately, sizing can be all over the place). I also pay extra attention to adjustability features that make it easy to tweak the fit.
Whether it’s wedding-ready maxis, travel dresses, or cute budget-friendly Amazon buys, below are all the best petite-friendly dresses from the best petite fashion brands – for early autumn and beyond.
GLAMOUR's petite dress edit:
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1. Best petite autumn wedding guest dresses
Wedding guest dress shopping is tricky for petite frames because most cocktail attire or gowns are extremely long. Nothing’s worse than oversized dresses that I’m tripping over even with super-high heels.
I always recommend knowing your proportions and finding a fit that you know consistently works for you.
I find that my petite frame looks great in A-line skirts and dresses, and Free People has a variety of autumn wedding guest dress options suited to me. I own this FP A-line maxidress and have worn it everywhere from the office to the US Open in the past year. Of course, if you’re looking for fancier formal wedding options, I included picks from Reformation, Flannels and Net-a-Porter.
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2. Best petite maxi dresses
Yes, it's possible to find maxi-dresses that work on petite frames. The trick is to find a silhouette that hits at the ankle or top of the foot instead of the ground. A slit can help to avoid the feeling that you’re swimming in the dress, while a drop-waist option visually elongates the body and adjustable straps offer a customised fit.
My go-to summer dress pick this year has been a linen Boden dress that I pair with wedges to look playfully fancy (and not like I’m floating). If you’re looking for other styles, Abercrombie and ASOS offer petite sizing. I adore the bra-free hardware maxi dress pictured below by A&F.
3. Best petite midi-dresses
IMO, midi-dresses are the most versatile. In the summer you can pair them with strappy heels or thong sandals, and in the autumn, you can swap in knee-high boots and a denim jacket. Take a look at the options below: a tube dress, a polka-dot dress (the pattern is so on trend right now), and a gorgeous shirt dress from Reformation with capped sleeves and lace detailing.
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4. Best petite mini-dresses
If you’re petite, you really can’t go wrong with a minidress, whether you want a LBD for going out or a bubble dress for a formal event. On my wish list is a sheer, angel-sleeve mini dress that’s perfect for the autumn season; simply add a fringed jacket and a pair of cowboy boots, and you’re good to go.
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5. Best petite work dresses
When you don’t want to wear your petite jeans to the office, a dress is always a nice option. I’ve been loving the Nobody's Child petite dresses recently – particularly the burgundy chocolate brown mini adorned with red polka dots.
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6. Best petite holiday dresses
If you’re trying to make a statement when you travel, these petite dresses are as functional as they are stylish. When I’m out of office, I love throwing on something beachy and colourful, and I often reach for shorter hemlines — it’s still summer, after all. The linen options are breathable for a hot European summer in particular.
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This story originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
