If you are short like me (I’m 5’2″), it is important to find casual dresses that flatter your height. Since there are so many different dress styles, I’ve put together this guide to go over everything you need to know about choosing the right sun dresses if you are petite.
Table of Contents
What to Look For
Dresses that look effortless on tall women might not look good on petites. Therefore, it is important to learn what style of casual dresses look good on petite women.
Here are a few tips based on my own trial and error to help you find the best dresses.
- Choose dresses that come in petite sizing. Their fit and length suit short women properly.
- Fitted dresses and dresses that make your waist look smaller are great for petites.
- For women with short legs, go for long dresses to make yourself look leaner.
- Choose patterns that add height to your body such as vertical stripes.
- Deep V-necks are great to make your torso look longer.
Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses are a great choice for petite women. They elongate your body and make you look leaner. Petite women come in every size and maxi dress suits all of them.
Maxi dresses come in different patterns such as florals, animal prints, stripes, etc. They are perfect for a summer day out.
The V-neck style is particularly good for petites as it keeps your body in balance. Heavy fabric on the neck and shoulder area can make you look shorter. Therefore, we recommend going for a V-neck. It is an effortless way to achieve a lean body.
Pair the maxi dress with heels to look taller.
Knee-Length Wrap Dresses
Knee-length dresses are the best for petite women. They show off your legs and make them look longer. They suit short women like magic so you must give them a try.
In knee-length dresses, the wrap-around style is quite trendy nowadays. It looks amazing on a casual day out and makes you look fashionable.
Another perk is that it makes your waist look smaller and your body instantly looks leaner. The fashion goal for petite women is to look leaner effortlessly. With a wrap-around, you achieve this fashion goal in no time.
Choose big floral patterns or solid colors for a wrap-around dress. They will suit your body type a lot.
Pair the wrap-around dress with wedges for a casual day out. They will be comfortable to walk in and make you look tall as well.
Belted Shirt Dresses
Shirt dresses are a perfect balance between casual and dressy.
My favorites are those that come in with a belt (most of them do), because they are very flattering to us petites.
The key is to make sure the placement of the belt is above your natural waist. Because they sit higher on your torso, it gives the eye the illusion of longer legs!
Above the Knee Cotton Dresses
Mini dresses are the perfect way to make your legs look longer. They lie right above your knees and you get the chance to show off your legs.
Go with flowy fabrics because they make your waist look smaller while keeping you comfortable.
Being comfortable in a casual dress matters a lot as it makes you look confident as well. This casual dress style is a must-have in summer.
Go for floral prints for a beach day or solid colors for a casual hangout. Both of them look mesmerizing on petite women.
You can pair the dress with heels or sandals according to the occasion.
Side Slit Midi Dresses
Want to up your fashion game? Then try out a side-slit bodycon dress. It will surely turn everyone’s heads toward you and make you look alluring.
Full-length bodycon dresses with side slits look absolutely gorgeous on petite women. They will make you look confident in your body type. Bodycon style fits your curves perfectly and instantly makes you look taller.
The side slit reveals your leg and gives the illusion of a longer leg. This way, you instantly add height to your body.
Choose dark colors for a side slit bodycon dress. It will suit you like no other and make you look elegant, chic, and stylish in no time.
Simple strappy heels will look perfect with a side slit bodycon dress. This outfit is your best bet for a night out or a date night.
Empire Waist Dresses
The reason empire waist design is so flattering for petite women is that they make your waistline start higher on your torso.
A typical empire waist design has the waistline start just a couple of inches under your chest, which create the illusion of longer legs.
If you have shorter legs like me, you will immediately notice they makes you appear taller and leaner.
Side Ruched Dress
Any ruching details on a mini dress are extremely flattering on petite women. You might find ruched dresses not so casual but they are a must-have for short women. You can style them up and down in various ways.
Pair the dress with heels and you are good to go for a date night. Whereas you can wear the dress with flats and a denim jacket for a casual look. This dress will make you look organized and fashionable even on a casual day.
The side ruching is perfect as you can adjust the length and fitting of the dress. You can keep it as mini or long as you want according to your body. This way, you achieve a leaner look suitable for your body type.
Solid T-Shirt Dress
What’s more casual than a t-shirt dress? T-shirt dresses are extremely comfortable and they look cute as well. They are a perfect choice for a casual day out or to run some errands. You can style t-shirt dresses in various ways.
The T-shirt dress length is perfect for petite women. They make you look leaner instantly and suit your body type.
Choose solid colors for a t-shirt dress such as gray, black, dark blue, etc, and look mesmerizing in no time.
You can wear a blazer over it to dress up. Complete the look with white sneakers and you will look super chic.
A line Dresses
A line is one of the most flattering silhouettes for petites because they give you a waist definition instantly.
Since aline dresses fit slim on your torso and flare out under your waist, you will automatically appear to have a smaller waist. For women who do not have a natural waist definition (like myself), this is one of the best designs!
You can go with any length you feel most comfortable with, and pair with heels if you want to double the slimming and lengthening effect.
Vertical Print Dresses
Not all prints look equally good on petites. For example, large horizontal prints are going to make you look larger horizontally.
Your goal should be to add length to your body instead of width. Adding width by choosing such dress styles will make you look shorter.
Final Thoughts
Now you know what kind of casual dresses look good on petite women.
Being petite isn’t easy because you have to find styles that complement your body.
Getting dresses that make you look lean isn’t an easy task. It takes a lot of hits and trials before you figure out what style of dress is suitable for you.
