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 commerce 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 for early fall and beyond.
Glamour’s petite dress edit
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Best petite fall wedding guest dresses
Wedding guest dress shopping is tricky for petite frames because most cocktail dresses 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 fall 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 and Net-a-Porter. On a budget from too many RSVPs? We found Amazon wedding guest dress picks too.
Best petite maxidresses
Yes, it’s possible to find maxidresses 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 customized fit. My go-to summer dress pick this year has been this 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, Anthropologie and Nordstrom offer petite sizing. Plus, my best Amazon petite maxidress suggestion is this satin number that I’ve worn to two fall weddings.
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 fall 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), a long-sleeve option, and more.
Best petite minidresses
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 the stretchy brown Norma Kamali dress that’s perfect for the fall season; simply add a fringed jacket and a pair of cowboy boots, and you’re good to go.
Best petite plus-size dresses
The popular Nap Dress from Hill House is beloved by Glamour editors, and the brand offers sizing up to 4XL. I also love the romantic styles from Doen, and the Rosalynn dress is made with comfortable smocking and offered in sizes up to a 2XL on the site.
Best petite dresses on Amazon
Amazon can be overwhelming to shop for clothing, but take it from us, these picks are highly rated by customers and editors who have worn them. When shopping on Amazon, my favorite trick is to keep an eye out for the material—anything made from silk or cotton is an easy yes from me.
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 shirtdress trend recently, and plenty of retailers, such as J. Crew and Banana Republic, offer styles in petite sizing.
Best petite vacation 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 colorful, 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.
