It's not easy being petite. For all the money you spend on clothes, often you then have to fork out even more for alterations. Hemlines drag on the floor, billowing sleeves have too much excess fabric, and don't even get me started on waistlines that couldn't sit any further from your actual waist. Fashion that is specifically made for petites is surprisingly hard to come by. So, as a 5'2" fashion editor I thought I'd do all my short girls a favour this summer and try on as many petite dresses as I could get my hands on, and then report back in earnest on the best pieces and places to shop. The results are in, and I've found a handful of brands that do really, really good dresses for petite people. You can thank me later!
From Rixo to Abercrombie, M&S to Nobody's Child, there's something across all budgets here to make getting dressed a little easier for those of us under 5'3". I've focused on dresses in particular as I usually find them to be one of the hardest items to shop for as a petite person since there are several different elements that can end up looking too oversized—the hem length, the waistline, the arm length or drop of the arm holes and the amount of fabric. They all require tailoring from your average fit if they're going to sit perfectly.
So, as we enjoy the last hazy days of summer and head into autumn, I've tracked down your new go-to brands for petite dresses and shared some of my favourite styles from them that can be worn now and into the new season. From minis that actually sit above the knee to midis that won't be confused for maxis, keep scrolling to see the brands and styles I can genuinely recommend.
1. Rixo
Look, the high street is pretty good at providing petite collections. ASOS, River Island, M&S... they all have lines tailored to shorter figures. But since we're supporters of the buy less and buy better mantra, sometimes you just need a really beautiful, great quality dress that will see you through all events and seasons. Enter: Rixo. The British brand has long been one of the go-tos for fashion insiders, and as of quite recently loads of their dresses now come in petite sizes as well—hooray!
From wedding-guest outfits to everyday cotton styles, in Rixo's own words their petite styles aren't "just cropped – every seam and stitch has been refined so the proportions are exactly right." Music to my ears. I usually find when proportions have been altered all over I need to size up in petite collections, but the wonderful Rixo seamstresses have stayed true to size (thank you!), in case it's helpful to keep in mind when you're ordering.
Style Notes: This dress fit like a glove (I'm usually a size 10 and took a 10 petite). I always appreciate design details that make the fit adjustable and this dress has a waist tie that I used to cinch in the waist around the back, just to make the fit even more perfect. Now I just need an excuse to wear it.
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Style Notes: Stop the press! I found a maxi dress that isn't dead set on tripping us up. This beautiful polka dot number (I've been obsessed with the polka trend this year) hit just where you want it to at the ankle, and while I've paired it with kitten heels here it could definitely still be worn with flat sandals for a more dressed down look. This fit a little on the big side, so if you don't have an ample chest (like me) it could even be worth trying a size down.
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Style Notes: Such a gorgeous, easy throw-on number. I'd pair this with a lovely cashmere cardi and cowboy boots in autumn too.
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2. Abercrombie & Fitch
I've always been impressed with Abercrombie's petite offering, mainly in the denim section (round up of the best petite jeans anyone?) but I was pleased to see so many of their chic dresses also have a petite length option this summer. They've currently got such a great selection of transitional everyday styles (hello, denim midis) and holiday- and heatwave-ready buys. Plus, the quality was really impressive when I tried these few pieces on. I'll be keeping a keen eye out for their autumn pieces dropping soon, too.
Style Notes: I have to say I'm really enjoying the throwback Y2K vibes of this Chloé-esque boho mini. Refreshingly, it hit just where you want a mini to hit on the thigh, and it even has cute built-in shorts to make it all the more more wearable (Lime bike, anyone?). I like the looser look personally, but I definitely could have sized down to a small to avoid the floaty fabric feeling too overwhelming.
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Style Notes: There's not much more to say about this dress other than it fit perfectly (I'm wear a medium), it was super, super comfortable and the denim felt really thick and sturdy. The perfect transitional dress that will see you through the end of summer, autumn and into spring very nicely.
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Style Notes: It's hard to find the perfect white summer dress isn't it?! Well, luckily for us petites Abercrombie have quite a few great options right now, from cute linen minis to this crisp cotton midi. I'm a big fan of the super-flattering pointed bodice which elongates the torso and nips you in at the waist (and it actually sits at the waist, for once!). Its also nice and structured (I didn't have to wear a bra here, with no fear of freeing the nipple) and the skirt is lined so not see-through at all. And it has pockets, people! The adjustable bra-like straps were the final nail in the coffin that is my credit card bill. This one was a keeper.
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3. Marks & Spencer
M&S, you continue to amaze me. The high street giant's clothing is really going from strength to strength at the moment (or am I just getting older and older?) Anyway, I've been telling every petite person I know about M&S's short trousers and jeans for a while now, but it's only recently that I've noticed they've started introducing it for loads of their great dresses too. From workwear options to affordable event-ready pieces, what would we do without you M&S?!
Style Notes: Chocolate brown and stretchy? I'm sold. The skirt is lined nicely and the drop waist feels very on-trend right now. The overall fit did feel a little on the small side, especially in the arm holes and neck. I usually take a 8-10 in regular M&S but would consider sizing up to a 12 in the petite version here. How chic would it be with a blazer and some knee high boots as well?
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Style Notes: This is one of those dresses that looks a bit 'meh' on the hanger, but when I tried it on it felt like a bit of a power dress. The petite size 10 fit perfectly here, and I could see this working for the office or smarter events from now through the whole of winter, thanks to the dark floral.
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Style Notes: Okay M&S, go off! This is such a cool, flattering and versatile dress, ready to be paired with heels or flats. I've got the petite size 10 on here which fit nicely, and it would even suit a bigger chest as there was room to spare.
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Style Notes: A style so fitted and dressy is not something I'd usually go for but, man, I felt good in this dress! M&S has gotten the proportions just right here, with the drop hem giving really chic vibes, and the fringing adding just enough wow factor to an otherwise simple black dress.
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4. Nobody's Child
The only problem with Nobody's Child petite dresses is that they sell out so quickly. That's just how popular they are. My advice is to keep a close eye on their new-in section and act fast if you see something you love. The brand just nail easy, throw-on dresses that you'll wear on repeat. The sizing usually errs on the bigger end of the scale, and this applies to the petite styles too, so keep that in mind when ordering.
Style Notes: Does anyone want to invite me to a festival so I can wear this immediately? Thanks.
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Style Notes: Such a cute transitional mini dress!! It would also work with tights and knee high boots as the air cools.
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5. DÔEN
Okay, so Dôen doesn't technically have a petite range or sizing option, but I thought it deserved a spot in this line up purely because I've found some of my very best dresses here in the past, without any alterations needed. It does require a bit of trial and error as some of the styles are longer than others, but in general the lengths hit nicely on the leg and the fitted bodices and adjustable necklines that feature on most of the brand's dress designs balance out the proportions of us short girls really nicely, whatever size you are. They might stretch the budget a little more, but these dresses are totally timeless so you can pull them out year after year, and the quality is impeccable.
Style Notes: Hands down, my favourite everyday dress. It works for any occasion, and the Quinn style sits a lot shorter than the brand's other designs. It comes in lots of lovely colour options too. Just add sandals for summer, ballet flats for spring, loafers or trainers in autumn and boots for winter. This is an extra small for reference.
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Style Notes: Us petite people shouldn't have to miss out on the prettiest dresses just because of our height. And luckily we don't have to when it comes to Doen's beautiful Emmaretta dress. The drawstring-tie neckline allows you to really adjust it to fit perfectly and the really stretchy waist is universally flattering. This is a size small for reference.
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