Calling All Petite Women — The Best Petite Dresses Are Here To Solve All Your Dressing Dilemmas

As someone who’s been navigating the pros and pitfalls of petite dressing for over 30 years, I’d like to think I’ve learnt a thing or two about dressing for shorter proportions.

Firstly, shopping from the best petite fashion brands will make the task a whole heap easier, as you can choose from pieces specifically designed for shorter frames. Secondly, knowing which shapes and styles won’t overwhelm petite heights is key to avoiding having a meltdown mid-try-on. And finally, having the number of a great tailor can turn any style into a petite-approved fit—this, alas, is something I’m still on a quest to find, and so, I find myself gravitating towards petite-friendly styles whenever possible and, more often than not, that means the best petite dresses.

Why dresses? Well, what I’ve discovered over the years is that they offer the most flexibility when it comes to petite styling. For busy days running errands or brunch with friends, there are shirred dresses in summer and knit styles on cooler days, both of which fit snuggly on smaller frames and often come in petite-friendly lengths.

For weddings and events, while a chic trouser suit undoubtedly delivers serious cool-girl vibes, often blazers and tailored trousers can overwhelm petite heights (see, I told you a great tailor was key), and so, once again, a dress is the smart way to go. Plus, many of the best petite dresses can easily be re-worked whatever the weather through clever layering or a switch of accessories, meaning once you find a style you love, you can happily reach for it year-round.

So, what makes a great petite dress? Well, to answer that question, I’ve pulled together an edit of my favourite styles for all occasions, as well as some handy advice to make shopping for the best petite dresses just that little bit easier. Here’s everything you need to know…

What Style of Dress Is Best for Petites?

As I mentioned before, the best petite dresses come in many different shapes and styles, meaning there’s no one-fits-all dress that’s perfectly suited for petites. As a guideline, however, I’d suggest avoiding anything that’s too oversized, especially from mainline collections, as they’ll often swamp petite frames.

Dresses that fall in a single line from top to bottom, like slip dresses and strapless styles, are also a great choice, as they will streamline your shape to give the illusion of extra inches. Yet, that’s not to say traditional fit and flare dresses are off the table, either — to maximise their potential, opt for styles which flare high on the waist as this will create an optical illusion, making legs appear longer.