There’s a particular frustration in seeing a beautiful dress, picking it up, and realizing it’s way longer than your entire body. Luckily, as a 5’2″ shopping editor, I’ve mastered how to find the best petite dresses. It starts with knowing which brands (more on that below) and silhouettes are designed to fit someone your size. (Technically, if you’re 5’4″ or 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 yours with the posted measurements for a definitive idea (unfortunately, sizing can be all over the place). Pay extra attention to adjustability features that make it easy to tweak the fit, such as adjustable straps and cinchable waists, and look for vertical stripes or pleated bottoms for a more elongated look.
To help you find some dresses for summer and early fall, I handpicked everything from wedding-ready maxis to cute budget-friendly Amazon buys below.
Our top petite dress picks
Best petite summer wedding guest dresses
Whenever I ask my friends for petite wedding guest dress recommendations, a lot of them say they don’t have any because they have to get everything tailored. “Every dress I’ve worn to weddings, I’ve had to get the bottom hemmed,” said one. Most cocktail dresses or gowns are extremely long on petite frames, and you definitely don’t want to trip over them with super-high heels. Fortunately brands like J.Crew and Abercrombie & Fitch are getting with the program and offering a variety of sizes in petite, tall, long torso, and classic. I always recommend knowing your proportions and finding a fit that you know consistently works for you. A-line petite skirts and dresses work great here, like the ASTR The Label pick below that I actually recently wore to a wedding.
Styling tip: It’s all about the hem when it comes to maxidresses for short girls. Look for A-line, pleated, or asymmetrical options.
