Hold the Sandals—This is the Petite-Girl-Approved Shoe Trend to Wear With Dresses Now
Nicola Coughlan just wore the petite-friendly dress and shoe combination you can wear through a heatwave.
If I'm ever looking for petite styling inspiration—and, as a fashion writer with a circle of petite friends, I often am—Nicola Coughlan is always my first port of call. Wearable and always elevated, her outfits often make their way into my group chats. And now, as we settle into summer, the actor has stepped out in the dress-and-shoe combination I'll be recommending to my petite friends all season long.
Attending an event in London this week, Nicola stepped out in a petite-friendly minidress. Designed with long sleeves and a voluminous bubble-hem skirt, the playful style elongated her legs, creating a balanced silhouette. Rather than leaning into obvious sandals or Mary Janes, however, Nicola elevated the look with a pair of sleek pointed-toe heels.
The elongated toe shape extends the line of the leg, enhancing the lengthening effect of the shorter hemline. Whilst the bubble-hem dress tapped into one of the season's biggest trends, it was the sophisticated shoe pairing that made the outfit feel especially chic.
Elegant and uncomplicated, read on to shop my edit of the best bubble-hem minidresses and pointed-toe heels below.
Shop Bubble-Hem Minidresses and Pointed-Toe Heels:

Natalie Munro is Who What Wear UK’s news writer and has worked in the fashion industry since she graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of the Arts London. Natalie’s experience in the industry spans journalistic and styling roles that have seen her work for publications including British Vogue, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue Ukraine, AnOther Magazine and Elle UK.
With an interest in uncovering the latest fashion trends, Natalie takes a leading role in identifying news for Who What Wear UK. Reporting on a daily basis, Natalie focuses on trends on and off the runway, as well as street style and celebrity fashion. Natalie also creates content for Who What Wear’s social channels including TikTok and Instagram on a weekly basis.