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Shopping for clothes has never been easy for me, namely because I’m pretty short — 5’3″ to be exact. But while you might think I’d struggle with pants the most, I’ve had one too many issues with summer dresses. So many silhouettes and patterns make me disappear, to the point where the dress is wearing me rather than the other way around.
I’ve spent years trying to find the best designs that accentuate my petite frame and even help me look a little taller, so I know exactly what will make other petite women feel like a million bucks. If you’re ready to exude confidence and look amazing, keep reading for the best summer dresses for petite frames.
15 Summer Dresses That Don’t Swallow Petite Frames
1. Our Favorite: Babydoll dresses are a solid choice for petite frames. They hit you in all the right places, accentuating your waist while also making your legs appear longer.
2. Flowy & Flattering: Some looser fitting dresses can make petite gals look like a sack of potatoes. This relaxed shift dress isn’t restrictive or bulky, so you can confidently wear it out.
3. Midi for Minis: Midi dresses oftentimes end up looking like maxi dresses for those under 5’4″. Luckily, this ruffled pick lands right below the knee — no hemming required!
4. Ideal Neckline: Once you slip into this floral stunner you’ll want to wear it all season long. The halterneck creates a continuous line, elongating your stature to help you look taller.
5. Cute and Casual: What’s better than shorts and a T-shirt? A wear anywhere T-shirt dress. The fun waist bow ensures the garment shows off your shape.
6. Petite Party: One thing we especially love about Lands’ End? The brand offers petite sizing in their dresses, including this summery cotton maxi, which is currently on sale at Nordstrom!
7. Floral Fantasy: Loud patterns can often drown out petite frames. However, when they’re paired with silhouettes that lengthen your figure — like this Petal & Pup design — you end up looking almost as tall as a supermodel.
8. Drop Waist for the Win: Drop waist dresses can make petite frames look longer. This strapless pick was made for elevated events, like weddings or dressy summer brunches.
9. She Was a Skater Girl…Not actually, but she was wearing a skater dress! This silhouette — and particularly this athletic pick — always looks amazing on petite frames.
10. Fits Like a Glove: The Skims Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress has gone viral for numerous reasons — including for how it helps petite women appear longer and leaner.
11. Stretchy Denim: This top-rated Quince denim dress comfortably stretches to hug your curves, and ultimately makes you look about five inches taller.
12. Get It While You Can: The angular hem on this casual jersey dress from Quince shows off a little more leg, which — you guessed it — stretches out your frame. The brand is discontinuing it soon, so be sure to add a few colors to your cart.
13. Color Block Cutie: While loud patterns aren’t always the best choice, a little colorblock number won’t overpower petite women. We love this shift dress that was made for the summer months.
14. Dress It Up or Down: Some of the best pieces you can add to your closet end up being the most versatile ones. Take this floral wrap dress — pair it with heels and you have a fancy fit, or wear it with sneakers to make your overall look more casual.
15. Vacation Ready: A beach dress that flatters your figure? We’ve got you covered with this boho-inspired design.
