petite women wearing draped shoulder gown gold

I'm 5'2, here's 17 Best Petite Dresses for Wedding Guests

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Time to read 7 min

Finding the perfect wedding guest dress when you’re petite isn’t always easy. At 5’2, I know the struggle of wanting something flattering that doesn’t need a million alterations. 


You want a dress that fits right off the rack, looks chic, and still feels comfortable enough to dance in all night. Whether you’re going to a beach wedding in the summer or a black tie event in the fall, the key is choosing cuts that compliment your unique body shape instead of overwhelming it. 


I pulled together 17 petite-friendly dresses that actually work for shorter girls, so you can focus on enjoying the wedding, not tugging at your dress.

my favorite petite wedding guest dresses: affordable & chic

1. 1. ASOS Design Petite Bandeau Satin Maxi Dress

I love these strapless dresses, especially for summer weddings in Tuscany. They are simple, yet so chic and can be dressed up with statement jewelry and a chic updo. The best part is that it's under $100!!


womens strapless silk chiffon maxi dress petite purple
ASOS

Related: Check out these sweaters for petites

2. Especia Mock-Neck Ruffle Maxi Dress

I saw a girl on instagram wear this dress, and had to track it down. It looks so expensive, and under$500! FYI - Anthropologie has such cute summer wedding guest dresses. Definitely check out their full collection.


elegant petite evening gown anthropologie
Anthropologie

Related: Check out these spring/summer shorts for petite women!

3. Meshki Off Shoulder Maxi Dress: Best Wedding Guest Dress For Beach Wedding

women wearing mesh off shoulder meshki gown for wedding
Hire Melbourne

Love the color and style of this dress from Meshki. It's under $200 and comes in four other colors as well. The shrug is detachable by the way!


light blue off shoulder mesh gown for petites meshki
Meshki

4. Abercrombie Giselle Drop-Waist Maxi Dress

women wearing spandex designer dress for outdoor beach wedding

Abercrombie really nailed it with this one. The drop-waist design feels effortless, and it’s one of those dresses you can actually dance in without adjusting all night. I’d style it with silver heels and drop earrings to make it shine. The only thing that may be annoying is the off shoulder design restricting your arms from dancing like crazy after 12AM.


best jersey spandex maxi dress for petite wedding guest
Abercrombie

Related: Check out my favorite comfortable loafers for walking

5. ASOS DESIGN Petite ruffle V-neck long sleeve maxi wedding guest dress

Who says you can’t find elegant dresses for under $150? This maxi dress with sleeves from the ASOS Petite collection proves otherwise. I’m also obsessed with the open back detail! If it were me, I’d style it almost exactly like the model did.


asos long sleeve petite dress for wedding guest
Asos

Related: Check out these cute tote bags that are great for work or travel!

6. Abercrombie Drop-Waist Midi Elegant Wedding Guest Dress

petite women wearing elegant dress at outdoor wedding

Butter yellow is the perfect shade for spring and summer weddings. I would pair this with a delicate shawl on the shoulders and accessorize with gold tones.


One verified purchaser said, "I got so many compliments and questions about this dress when I wore it to a wedding! It’s the perfect shade of butter yellow and fits like a glove. Such nice quality and so easy to fold down then steam! Love!!!!"


womens butter yellow midi dress for women over 50
Abercrombie

Related: Check out these petite joggers

7. Camila Coelho Strapless Maxi Dress Burgundy

I’m currently obsessed with anything in a burgundy/maroon color. This dress is super chic and comfortable and is great for a fall wedding or an outdoor wedding


Also is available in size XXS!


revolve petite wedding guest dress silk
Revolve

Related: Check out these cute Christmas slippers

8. X Revolve Surreal Gown Katie May

open back katie may gown for petite women
Gine_Love / Ebay

I can personally vouch for Katie May being petite-friendly. I wore a very similar gown to my prom back in 2017. It fit perfectly with no alterations (which is super rare for me) and was both flattering and comfortable. 


Shoutout to my mom for tracking it down, because knowing me, I probably would’ve ended up in some last minute, tacky dress. I also remember the fabric being incredibly lightweight while still hugging all the right places.


baby blue katie may gown for wedding guest
Revolve

9. Maygel Coronel Nodus Celosía Maxi Dress

women wearing comfortable flats with jeans and blouse
Hire Our Style Boutique

Maygel Coronel dresses are mostly one size (yes, even for us petite girls!), designed to be super stretchy and form-fitting. I wore a similar white Maygel Coronel dress for my engagement shoot, and despite being one size, it didn’t need any tailoring or hemming.


While it was super flattering, I’ll be honest: I didn’t think the material quite lived up to the $600 price tag. Luckily, this one is currently on sale for $336, making it more worth it.


maygel coronel spandex stretch maxi dress gold
Saks Fifth Avenue

Related: Check out these comfortable ballet flats under $200

10. Peppermayo All For Love Maxi Dress

Peppermayo has so many wedding guest options, but this one stood out. The cut-out detail makes it feel modern, and the fit is petite-friendly. Definitely worth browsing their collection if you want something fun and affordable.


peppermayo burgundy cut out wedding guest dress
Peppermayo

Related: Check out these petite wide leg jeans

11. Cassandra Off Shoulder Slinky Maxi Dress - Chocolate

women wearing cassandra off shoulder meshki dress
@victoriaburns

The fact that this is under $100 is insane. You can dress this up with bold jewelry and a very chic updo or slick back bun.


womens bodycon off shoulder dress chocolate
Meshki

You may like these rimowa lookalikes

12. Peppermayo Aullie Maxi Dress For Beach Weddings

This is a dupe of a really famous and expensive brand named Arcina Ori This comes in other colors and the back is open! Perfect for a beach wedding or any outdoor spring or summer wedding.


One verified purchaser said, "Beautiful dress and adjustable straps!"


petite dresses for beach wedding guest blue
Peppermayo

13. Chiara Boni La Petite Robe Gudrum Sleeveless Mermaid Gown

women wearing chiara gudram gown in real life

I wore a Chiara Boni gown to my brother’s Bar Mitzvah, and I can confirm it’s petite-friendly. I did have to hem it slightly, but since it has a raw hem, it’s super easy. You can either have a tailor trim it on the spot or DIY it with a pair of scissors at home!


One verified purchaser said, "This dress was amazing - tight in all of the right places and so comfortable. I felt so good in this dress!! I received so many compliments!"


petite beach wedding guest dresses over 50 pink
Bloomingdales

14. Retrofete Ester Gown

petite women wearing halterneck dress for wedding

This gown is giving European chateau vibes. I’d wear it to a destination wedding or anywhere your ex boyfriend will be attending to show him what he's missing out on.


womens silk halterneck gown retrofete
Saks Fifth Avenue

15. Norma Kamali Ribbon Sleeve Gown With Slit

women wearing norma kamali ribbon sleeve gown

I am 5'2 and ordered a size XXS - I can attest that this is petite-friendly and can be dressed up or down and styled so many different ways. It's also extremely comfortable and snatches you. 10/10


women
Revolve

16. Reformation Petites Oren Silk Dress

petite women wearing oren silk dress navy for wedding party
@tiffwang

I’m not the biggest Reformation fan, but they do have some pieces worth investing in, like this silk maxi gown for under $300. 


I’m usually extra careful when shopping here since the pieces don’t always look the same in person as they do on the model. Luckily, I tracked down a real-life photo of this exact dress, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Fun fact: this one’s part of Reformation’s petite wedding guest dress collection!


navy silk maxi dress reformation petites
Reformation

17. Abercrombie Petite Bodycon Evening Dress For Wedding Guest

Love this blue print for the summer and spring time. Just a heads-up: since it’s off-the-shoulder, raising your arms is kind of a struggle. So if you’re planning to dance all night, it might not be the most practical choice. But if you’re okay with a little less mobility for the sake of looking good, it’s 100% worth it.


women
Abercrombie

Related: Browse my favorite Fall sweaters for petites

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FAQs

What style of dress looks best on petites for weddings?

Anything that elongates your frame like wrap dresses, v-necks, high slits, or fitted waistlines. Avoid super boxy silhouettes or overwhelming layers, since they can make you look shorter. For example, I would not opt for a dress with puffed/dramatic shoulders as it will just look off on our petite bodies. Midi and maxi lengths can work beautifully as long as the proportions are right.


I personally love form fitting styles with stretchy fabrics, like Maygel Coronel dresses, which are one size and have a lot of stretch.


Chiara Boni is another great option that I have worn in the past for special events.


I’ve also had such good experiences with Katie May gowns, as the fabrics are lightweight but also form fitting. Not to mention, they are more of an affordable option on this list ranging from $250- $500.

What shoes go best with petite wedding guest dresses?

Nude or metallic heels are a safe bet since they blend in and give the illusion of longer legs. If you’re not a heel person, go for platform heels. 

Do petites always need alterations for wedding guest dresses?

Not always. Fortunately, we now have brands like Reformation Petites, ASOS Petite, and Abercrombie launching petite dress collections that are short girl friendly. If you’re under 5’3, though, you may still need a quick hem if you’re wearing a long gown.

Where can I shop for petite-friendly wedding guest dresses?

Some of the best places for petites include Reformation Petites, Abercrombie, ASOS Petite, Anthropologie, and Revolve. Many of these brands carry petite sizing and dimensions in mind, so you won’t have to worry as much about alterations.

Where to buy affordable petite dresses as a wedding guest for over 50

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Meet the author

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Kaylin Malek Khorsandi

Hi, I'm Kaylin! I focus on finding high-quality items at reasonable prices, saving you the time and effort. Each product shared has been extensively researched and reviewed to ensure you are always given the best of the best. Happy shopping! 💓

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Comments

Not one dress here is suitable if you are over 50…..

Kathy Davis

Please send me any information regarding petite clothing

Meena Nair

I am very interested in petite clothing I am 4 ’ 10

Jo

Please advise…Gala gown for a 50 year college of nursing alumni re- union in August 8,2025, in Chicago,Ill.
I am 5’4, 125 lbs., Oriental. Plan to lose the 7 lbs.weight gain I have.
Usually wears size Small to XS petite on anything. Bra 36 C Waist 29-30, hips 37-39, shoulder 14.5 to 15.Wears high waisted pants, denim and non denim.
Thanks.

Victoria Kushida

You did not mention pants for a wedding…

Maria
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