How To Find Perfect Petite Women’s Dresses

Petite is the word that is used to describe ladies of 5ft 2 and under. Shopping for petite women’s clothing can be particularly difficult not only because they cannot find the right length, therefore bust contours and darts, waists and hips of standard clothes will often fall in the wrong place as well as the length being too long. Many styles of dress can also be unflattering on petites as they make the look shorter and sometimes wider than they actually are.

Shopping in specialised Petite collections is a great way to ensure that your petite dress is completely in proportion with your body. But if you cannot find what you want don’t despair, it is possible to find petite clothes in normal collections if you look for styles like empire line which will fit most heights and can easily be shortened if necessary.

Here are just a few things to look out for when shopping for the perfect petite dress:

Petite Black Shift Dress by Debenhams

Solid colours

Solid colours are flattering on anyone but for petites they are particularly good as they make the body look longer. Anything that interrupts the line of the eye down the body is likely to have the effect of making the body appear shorter. The little black dress is probably the most perfect dress for petites as not only is it classic but when worn with black tights and shoes it elongates and slims the body.

Petite flower jersey dress by Precis Petite at John Lewis

Small scale prints

Large prints and patterns will swamp a petite frame but you can still wear bold bright patterns by choosing  a dress with a smaller scale of pattern. Ditsy florals, polka dots and abstract prints all look great on petite dresses.

Petite colour block dress by Minuet Petite at Debenhams

Stripes, vertical and horizontal lines

Any sort of vertical or horizontal line will elongate and slim the body. Look for stripes and details which run diagonally down the body of a  petite dress.

Petite linen blend floral dress by Marks and Spencers

Fitted

Over sized or baggy clothes don’t usually suit shorter people as they tend to make them look too wide and out of proportion. By choosing fitted or tailored petite dresses, you ensure that your petite frame looks amazing. Even if you are plus sized and petite, fitted dresses will help to keep your look in proportion.

Delicate details

Dresses with delicate details are perfect for petites. Embroidery, beading and other interesting details are all great ways to add interest without being too overpowering.

Petite sleeveless panel dress by Marks and Spencers

Just the right length

The skirt of a petite dress will look best if it is knee or just above. Dresses with ankle length skirts can be over powering and those that finish mid calf will have the effect of making your legs look shorter.

Blooming Florals and Summer Dresses

With Chelsea Flower show just around the corner and gardening being one of the nations favourite pastimes, it is time to indulge in some beautiful flowers and blooming floral dresses. Chelsea Flower Show, which is on 25-29 May 2010, is the world’s most famous flower show and is a celebration of the highest quality horticulture. Even if you don’t fancy popping along for a gander at the Gladioli, nosey at the nasturtiums or peek at the pansies, you can still brighten up your day with some of the summers best floral dresses and women’s floral clothing inspired by nature’s finest. If really feminine prints or bold bright colours aren’t your thing, don’t worry, this seasons florals include something for just about everyone from abstract florals to dark ditsy prints.

Eye Popping Brights

Perhaps this is just how floral dresses should be, as bright and colourful as Chelsea Flower shoes itself. With the warm sun shining brightly, why not give this seasons eye popping bright florals a try? Strapless and bandeau dresses look great in these prints like this Lila Floral Bustier Dress. For a really cute look try pairing with some lace leggings or footless tights and wedge sandals.

Pretty and Romantic

This the most typical type of floral dress. It is feminine, it is pretty and it is perfect for wearing with a faded denim jacket for one the seasons most sought after looks. Look for faded washed out flowers on cream, pale pink or yellow backgrounds. Choose from a simple tea dress style like this Aleah Floral Print Tea Dress by Boohooor more frilly elaborate style and dress them down with a pair of gladiator sandals.

Nautical Florals

True, you don’t really get flowers at sea, but if you can’t make up your mind whether to wear the seasons nautical or floral trends, why not combine the two? This seasons combination of  women’s floral clothing  with lots of other patterns but particularly stripes has a sort of retro feel to it. This floral stripe bandeau top is a great choice if you don’t want to look to girly girly.

Ditsy Prints

Just about the easiest every day floral dresses to wear are ditsy prints. The small scale of the flowers makes them a little more subtle than some of the other floral dresses. We love this cap sleeved Ditsy Floral Print Dress from Marks and Spencers. It would look great teamed with denim jacket and work boots if you want to be part of the nineties revival and resurgence of grunge. Alternatively, you can go smarter and more chic look with a tailored jacket and heels.  

Not Quite a Floral Dresses

If the the though of bright colours or floral dresses just scares you, why not try one of this season abstract floral prints, it doesn’t even really look like flowers and you can opt for black and white. This black and white floral sleeveless dress is the perfect way to do florals in a sophisticated way. We think that a mustard yellow clutch would finish off the look perfectly.