Dresses should be a wardrobe staple for everyone. Their versatility along with how easy they make getting ready make them a great addition to any wardrobe. Dresses are versatile because they can be dressed up or dressed down and worn year-round. In warmer months, short-sleeve or sleeveless shorter length dresses are a great option. In colder months, long-sleeve sweater dresses paired with tights and knee-high boots are a great choice. You can find dress styles appropriate for any occasion.
Not only that, but my personal favorite thing about dresses is that they make getting ready much easier. Since dresses double as a top and bottom, you don’t have to figure out what top and bottoms you’re going to pair together to create your outfit. The work is already done for you!
However, the tricky thing about dresses is understanding what styles are best suited for your particular body type. If you have a petite frame, like me, some dress styles are very flattering on you, while others don’t really do you any favors. There have been countless times I’ve spotted a dress I liked on the hanger but tried it on only to hate how it looked on me. Unfortunately, this is often the struggle of shopping as a petite. However, once you understand what dress styles are most figure flattering on you, shopping for dresses will be much easier as you’ll have a better idea of what styles to look for and what styles to avoid. Let’s dive into the best dress styles for petites.
A-Line Dresses
An “A-line” dress is more fitted at the top and gradually flares out towards the hem creating a silhouette that resembles a capital letter A. This is a very popular style – probably because it is flattering on nearly every body type. A-line dresses are cinched at the waistline. Because of this, they define the waistline and create the illusion of an hourglass shape and balanced proportions.
Wrap Dresses
Wrap dresses are another petite-friendly style. Wrap dresses have a “wrap-around” closure that ties at the waist, so you can tighten or loosen the waist as needed to fit your particular body. The tie at the waist creates a cinched waistline, which can help balance out your proportions and make you appear narrower.
Dresses with V-Necklines
Dresses with v-necklines are a great pick for petites. V-necks create the illusion of height by elongating the upper portion of your body. However, it is important to pay attention to the depth of the v-neck. Some v-necks are extremely deep. This can make a dress overly revealing (when it’s not intended to be), throw off your proportions, and create a less flattering fit overall. Moderate v-necklines usually offer a most flattering fit for petites.
Dresses with Vertical Stripes
Vertical stripes are a petite’s best friend! Vertical stripes in fashion create the illusion of height by moving the eyes upward and downward. Horizontal stripes have the opposite effect. They move the eyes from side to side and have a shortening and widening effect. If you are trying to appear taller and leaner, opt for a dress with vertical stripes, and avoid horizontal stripes.
Cinched, Ruched or Tie-Waist Dresses
Dresses that define the waistline are great for petites. Keep an eye out for dresses that have a ruched, cinched, or tie waistline. This helps define and narrow your waistline and gives your body a well-proportioned shape. As opposed to overly flowy dresses that don’t offer any structure and tend to swallow a petite frame.
Monochrome Dresses
Dresses that are all one color can make you appear taller as the singular color creates a long, unbroken vertical line. Dresses that are all one color make it more difficult for the eye to distinguish between where the torso ends and legs begin.
Dresses With Slits
Dresses that have a slit break up the fabric, expose more of the legs, and create a visible vertical line that has an elongating effect. Though it’s a minor detail, it can make a noticeable difference for petite women wanting to appear taller.
Avoid Shin-Length Dresses
Dresses that land mid-shin can make petites appear shorter as they cut off a quarter of the visual length of your body. Knee-length or ankle-length dresses are a better alternative to achieve a more flattering fit. However, if midi dresses are your thing, try styles that have a slit in the front. This breaks up the fabric, exposes some leg, and creates a vertical line that will add the illusion of height.
Avoid Bold Printed Dresses
Bold prints can be fun and interesting, however, they can overpower a petite frame. According to the fashion industry, the smaller the body frame, the smaller your pattern should be. Patterns do a much better job of disguising parts of our body than solid colors do. Patterns can be slightly disorienting to the observer as the eyes have a hard time figuring out what parts are curving inward and what parts are curving outward. Sometimes prints are so bold that they swallow your frame completely.
There are so many occasions throughout life that require us women to wear a dress. But finding a dress that you actually like, feel good in, and is flattering on your specific body type can be quite challenging – especially if you are petite or any other size that doesn’t match the fashion industry’s “standard” size. However, understanding your specific body type and what styles are best suited for you allows you to more quickly and easily find styles that fit and help you achieve the most flattering fit.