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As I'm starting to purchase dresses for my summer trip, I thought I would share some of my favorite petite dresses for the warmer months. A lot of these dresses are petite-approved based on customer reviews and the size guide. If you don't love these picks, keep an eye out for more dress inspo at the end of the article with my favorite stores that carry petite dress collections. Okay, lets get into the best summer dresses for petites!
This is actually from the petite section at Abercrombie. The cinched waist does it for me plus I love all-things striped for the summer time. (Also comes in plain black).
This petite linen dress is from Reformations petite collection. The puffed sleeves also give it a very European princess vibe to it hehe.
If you're going to Europe this summer, check out these cute and comfortable dresses for Europe.
This petite dress is made from 100% linen so it's super lightweight and breathable for warmer months. Love the way they styled it with the cuff bracelets and sun hat.
Comes in petite sizing!
Chic, modest, yet eye-catching. This dress from Reformation is designed to fitted at bodice with an a-line skirt. Made from 100% viscose which is breathable for the warmer months.
Related: Check out these petite linen pants for summer.
This petite summer dress is from Doen which typically runs small. Their styles are very timeless and many customers are loyal to them because of how well made their dresses are.
Definitely petite friendly. A lot of customers who are under 5'4 are saying the length and fit was good. This would be a great dress for a tropical vacation to Hawaii or Mexico.
One specific buyer said, "What an awesome dress! It fit me exactly the way it looked on the model; I’m 5’1, 100 lbs, and ordered XS. You can adjust the neckline/ sides through the top laces. No side boob issues for me (30D). I bought the blue and it is not see through. Great to wear during hot or sticky weather."
Really good reviews on this dress from Abercrombie! It looks like it would be from Zimmerman or another high end brand. One buyer said, "Such a cute dress, the fabric is breathable, it has pockets and great for summer."
Cos has the cutest dresses for summer. Love this shade of pink. Pair with starfish earrings and brown leather sandals.
Related: check out these 17 petite linen dresses you won't have to tailor!
A great dress for petites! This is short on the model, so will fit like a maxi dress for us. Comes in several different colors too if you're looking for something more vibrant.
One verified buyer said, "This is my fifth time buying this dress (wine). I'm 5'2 so it's like a maxi length. The short version hits just below the knee. It's very soft and comfortable, easy to put a sweater on over it when it's cold. Really twirly. I'd like lighter colors, not sure what's up with these dark additions for spring time. But I love this dress. I would love this silhouette with short sleeves."
A good summer staple. Made from 100% cotton which is perfect for the summer months. This is from Banana Republic Factory so everything is 40% off plus an extra 25% off on orders over $100!
Its giving summer in Tuscany ☺
Related: Check out these comfortable mary jane ballet flats all under $200!
Petite Studio NYC only makes clothing for petites! This comes in size XXS too. Definitely check them out - they have a big selection of summer dresses, basics, denim, knitwear, and more.
If you have not heard of Doen yet, you can thank me later. The brand was founded by Santa Barbara-born sisters, Margaret and Katherine Kleveland, and a Collective of five women. It is a women-run business offering collections inspired by a nostalgia for the coastal California of decades past. Not to mention each dress is meticulously crafted to pass on for generations, the garments evoke a timeless whimsy and an unapologetic femininity.
Customer who are above 5'4 said this dress is short, so it should fit our bodies nicely. This dress is from Astra Resort - an emerging brand that you probably have seen on your Instagram feed. They're known for making vibrant and sparkly summer dresses.
Comes in petite sizing and other prints/colors.
A customer who is 4'11 said, "I thought this dress was a romper. When I saw it was a dress and polkadots I had to try on. I love polkadots. This dress fit like it was made for me. So comfortable. First summer dress fo the season and one of my favorites. Don't hesitate to buy. I'm petite and the XS regular fit. I'm 4'11 and 116 lbs for reference."
Related: Check out these petite maxi skirts!
Pair this with brown sandals and statement earrings.
Another great find from Reformation - comes in white too. This is kinda giving St John vibes with the big statement buttons.
Love this color for summer. Pair this with a chic clutch, pearl choker, and strappy sandals. It also comes in black and white.
Obsessed!! This looks like it could be $400 from Fwrd or Neiman Marcus. The cherry on top is that this has an open back too. (belt not included)
Had to put an amazon dress in here for my amazon lovers. I like this dress because you can wear it as a mini dress by scrunching it up, or a midi dress by pulling it down. Comes in a lot of different colors too.
One buyer said, "Seriously…just add to cart. Most flattering dress I own. It feels like it was made just for me! It’s so hard to find good fitting clothes being 5’1” & petite. This midi dress is perfection. I ordered size XS even though small was recommended. It’s very stretchy. I’m glad I went with my normal size. If you want a more loose fit, order one size up."
This is petite-friendly based on the customer reviews. One buyer who is 5'1" said, "The perfect summer dress! This was so much nicer than expected in every way. I typically wear an XS but due to reviews I ordered this in an XXS which fit well, but I feel like an XS would’ve worked too. The yellow is gorgeous. If I could change one thing, I’d add pockets."
I'm obsessed with the print and fit of this dress!! If you don't love this style, definitely check out their other dresses.
Related: Check out these comfortable walking sandals for your next summer vacation!
Matteau is a modern lifestyle company based in Australia. Their styles are very timeless and durable with their sizes running on the smaller side for petites. This petite sundress would pair nicely with a cute pair of slides and pearl earrings.
Check out Doen for good quality and unique dress designs that are perfect for summer.
The White Company also very cute and modest petite summer dresses. Since they are a company based from London, their sizes run on the smaller side.
GAP has petite sizing for summer dresses!! They have a mix of cute/trendy designs as well as more chic/timeless styles as well. Definitely check them out if your 5'2 and under.
Obviously had to include Revolve in here. They have timeless dresses but also vibrant and trendy styles as well.
Loving these bright colors for summer 2024
There are a lot of retailers that don't sell petite sizing which makes it so difficult to find clothing that actually fits us right. Luckily, there are a handful of stores now that create petite collections which saves us trips to the alterations. Here are just a couple:
Abercrombie & Fitch: They have a dedicated petite section with dresses tailored to smaller waists and heights! They even have petite denim with lengths ranging from "extra short" and "short". No wonder they have had such a big come up in the recent years.
Petite Studio: they're based in New York and solely only make petite clothing, hence the name. They're known to have high quality summer dresses, knitwear, denim, and more. Definitely worth checking out.
Reformation: this brand is big on making sustainable and eco-frindly clothing. Their styles are more on the simple side, but they also have trendy prints and styles as well. They have an entire collection catered to petites ranging from tailored pants, summer dresses, and denim.
Free People & Anthropologie: this retailer offers a bohemian-inspired aesthetic with a huge selection of items ranging from summer dresses, denim, shorts, tops, and even accessories. Most of their clothes, mainly dresses, have the option of choosing petite
J. Crew: I love J. Crew because most of their styles are simple and versatile and can be worn all year round. The third dress on this list is from J. Crew and comes in petite plus other colors as well. I also love how their timeless designs can be dressed up or down for any summer occasion!
When it comes to styling summer dresses, I like to go the simple route.
Opt for a lightweight maxi or mini dress with your favorite pair of flats or strappy sandals. Finish off with sunglasses, a big shoulder bag, and a necklace of your choice. I'd go with a layered pearl choker.
If you're wanting to dress up your summer dresses, go for a neutral colored dress. Pair it with pointy toe sling-backs, a chic clutch, and delicate earrings. Remember, comfort is key especially during the warmer months!
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! 💓
Comments
These dresses are way off base for
Petite women. They are either too long,
Too short or too frilly. I am 74 and
Always prefer knee length dresses,
Simple styles and easy care fabric.
These dresses are not realistic.
I was 5’ 32-24-34 just about my entire life, 105 lb. I am now 4’11” and a grandmother. I weigh 116 and age has changed my shape and yes I have a dreaded stomach. I feel like crying because I have nothing pretty to wear. I found a darling dress short on Amazon for my granddaughters rehearsal party. I looked good and dress was made in one piece with top coming down in a V front and back. Covered the tummy. I shopped for clothes on my lunch hours when I worked years ago. I want to look nice but want a dress or two help.
All the comments above express all of my opinions. I am 77 years old , still love fashion but unfortunately theses styles would not work for me.
The dresses look beautiful on the models, and several of them I’d love to wear. BUT with the one exception of the Amazon dress, not really affordable choices for “regular folks” like public schoolteachers. Bummer!
Older 5’ petite, 93 lbs.
