22 Petite Wedding Guest Dresses from $38 to $329

editor@purewow.com (PureWow)
·12-min read

So, your college roommate/sister/work wife/insert person here is finally tying the knot—how exciting! Now is the time to do some wedding dress shopping of your own. (Just of the non-white variety, obvi.) But if you’re someone on the, ahem, shorter side, the idea of tracking down a dress code-approved frock for the upcoming nuptials is dread-inducing at best. Why? Because shopping for clothes that actually fit your smaller frame is really friggin’ hard. From hemlines that never hit where they’re supposed to designs that drown your torso in fabric, finding The One is a task for only the most patient of shorties. But we come bearing good news: We did some dress shopping of our own and found a slew of petite wedding guest dresses that were actually made to fit your bod. Think: warm-weather friendly minis, chic midis and stunning maxis for every theme and/or dress code you’ll encounter this wedding season. Read on for our 22 pretty, petite picks. (Try and say that five times fast.)

BEST PETITE WEDDING DRESSES AT A GLANCE:

RELATED: 19 Beach Wedding Guest Dresses that Pair Perfectly With the Stunning Seascape

1. Fame and Partners Zephyra Dress

Best for a White-Tie Wedding

There's nothing quite like a flowing skirt of matte satin to exude pure luxury—exactly what a white tie dress code calls for. We love Fame and Partner gowns because you can include your unique measurements when you order the dress, which will then be customized to fit your bod like a glove—perfect for petites!

Buy it ($329)

Size range: XSP to XLP

2. Anaya With Love Tulle One Shoulder Maxi Dress

Best for a Black-Tie Wedding

If your invite has the dress code listed as black tie, it’s time to pull all the stops. With billowing, baby pink tulle that cascades into a floor-length skirt, this one-shoulder gown will definitely earn you a spot on the best-dressed list. And similar to the maxi above, this beauty comes in petite sizing, too, so that pretty tulle won’t be bunching up at your feet on the big day.

Buy it ($114)

Size range: 0P to 10P

3. Anthropologie One-Shoulder Silk Midi Dress

Best Semi-Formal Dress

Sleek and oh-so chic, this little number puts a trendy twist on a classic silhouette. The draping on the torso is flattering on all body types and the twisted shoulder strap adds a visually appealing modern touch. The leg slit will look especially fabulous on petites and helps visually break up the segments of fabric, preventing it from appearing too boxy.

Buy it ($260)

Size range: 00P to 16P

4. J.Crew Harbour Side-Cutout Dress

Best for Casual Weddings

Another 5-star pick if you’re attending an outdoor wedding, this tiered skirt with a high neckline and cutouts across the back can easily be dressed up with heels (especially if you opt for the black or coral colorways). Writes one shorter reviewer, “I purchased this dress weary about how the cut outs would fit. I am 5’3” [and] curvy. Honestly this is one of the best dresses I’ve purchased from J.Crew!”

Buy it ($148; $100)

Size range: XSP to LP

5. Abercrombie & Fitch Cowl Neck Slip Maxi Dress

Best for Summer Weddings

This breezy midi’s silky fabric is light and airy, with style that doesn’t sacrifice on comfort. Ideal for summer nuptials, the cheerful floral pattern fits the theme, and the visually pleasing shoulder straps add a unique touch to the traditional silhouette. Customers claim that it fits true to size, so if you’re somewhere around the 5’3” or below mark, ordering this baby from the petite line will have this midi/maxi combo falling exactly where it should.

Buy it ($130; $111)

Size range: XXS to XXL

6. Ever New Petite Bow Back Mini Dress

Best for Winter Weddings

A winter wedding doesn’t mean you need to pack on the layers, and this satin mini is a fabulous example. With a collarbone-covering neckline and a long-sleeve look in the front that turns into a gorgeous low back and bow, it’s more than seasonally appropriate for chillier months. And don’t even get us started on that rich, merlot color.

Buy it ($157)

Size range: 0P to 16P

7. Reformation Winslow Dress

Best Maxi Dress

If you’re aiming for that effortlessly elegant kind of vibe, opt for this flowy Reformation number. It’s chic and timeless, with an understated simplicity that won’t make it look like you’re trying *too* hard (or worse, trying to outshine the bride). And yes, the idea of a maxi can be a bit intimidating when you’re 5’4” and under, but this baby is available in petite sizing, so the proportions have been specifically structured with a hemline made for shorter legs.

Buy it ($278)

Size range: XSP to XLP

8. Abercrombie & Fitch Flirty Drama Mini Dress

Best Mini Dress

This dress comes in three other colors, but we can’t help but fall in love with the gorgeous pattern above that vaguely reminds us of sorbet and cotton candy sunset skies. As a shortie, mini dresses are typically a safe bet, but if you really want the peace of mind that it will fit as it should, you can opt to order this from A&F’s petite line as well.

Buy it ($100; $85)

Size range: XXSP to XXLP

9. Anthropologie Elyse Bias Silk Dress

Best Slip Dress

What’s one of our most favorite tried-and-true wedding go-tos? Silky slip midi dresses. This iteration from Anthropologie marries a flattering fit with comfortability, so you’re free to dance the night away without worrying how your dress feels. We especially love this pick for shorter gals because it doesn’t have a cinched waists or body-hugging details. The looser form is not only flattering on all body types, but the proportions won’t look funky no matter how short you are.

Buy it ($120)

Size range: XXSP to XLP

10. Linsery Off-Shoulder Midi Dress

Best Off-the-Shoulder

When it comes to the perfect off-the-shoulder number, this flirty frock checks off all of our boxes. It’s sweet, feminine and those puffed sleeves and wrapped bodice have left us with full-on heart eyes. Oh, and did we mention that it’s available in 18 colors? BRB, buying all of them. And from top to bottom, the full dress length ranges from 39.5-inches to 41.3-inches, so it’ll hit at the *just right* spot on your legs.

$38 at Amazon

Size range: S to XL

11. J.Crew Squareneck A-Line Dress

Best Linen Dress

If you know you’re headed to an outdoor wedding on a scorching hot summer day, the fabric of your dress can either leave you cool, calm and collected, or in a puddle of sweat. If you’d like to avoid the latter, invest in a linen mini like the J.Crew number above and your makeup just might last till it’s time to cut the cake.

Buy it ($148)

Size range: 00P to 12P

12. Reformation Twilight Dress

Best Midi Dress

If your closet is starting to look similar to Katherine Hiegl’s character in 27 Dresses, we think it’s safe to assume that you’ve grown tired of buying clothes for weddings that you only wear once. We don’t blame you. But add this versatile beauty to your rotation and we all but promise you’ll wear it to everything from date nights to parties and, yes, especially to weddings. Oh, and those tied shoulder straps? Those are adjustable for an even better “petite” fit.

Buy it ($278)

Size range: 0P to 12P

13. Fame and Partners Backless Starlet Dress

Best Open Back Dress

Remember what we said about Fame and Partner dresses? Customizable fit, people! Even better, this elegant (with a dash of sexiness) maxi is offered in petite sizing too. Not to mention that we are fully obsessed with understated sophistication of this backless beauty.

Buy it ($239)

Size range: SP to LP

14. Flounce London Petite Wrap Mini Dress

Best Wrap Dress

Listen, if there is one thing we’re confident of, it’s that a wrap dress is always a solid and stylish choice. We’re currently eyeing this bubblegum pink style that has a more sophisticated flair thanks to flutter sleeves and a frilled hem. Depending on your exact height, it’ll fall anywhere from the mid-thigh to a few inches above the knee. But with a semi-high to low hemline, it will flatter your leg length regardless of how tiny they are.

Buy it ($83)

Size range: 0 to 10

15. Anthropologie Cut-Out Printed Slip Midi Dress

Best Patterned Dress

Here’s your daily reminder not to shy away from patterns. With whimsical swirls of orange, green and white, plus sexy cut-outs along the sides, this printed midi will turn some major heads. Plus, as far as midi dresses go, this one is one the shall we say, shorter side, so while it’ll hit below the knees on a gal with an average height, you can expect it to land a few inches below yours—totally ideal.

Buy it ($130)

Size range: XXSP to XLP

16. Abercrombie & Fitch Poplin Strapless Midi Dress

Best Strapless Dress

This floral beauty is one that you're bound to wear again and again. Whether you’re attending a summer celebration or garden party, the lightweight fabric and strapless neckline are more than fitting for any warm-weather event. Some customers do report that this one runs large, so make sure you snag it in petite sizing for the most optimal fit.

Buy it ($90; $77)

Size range: XXSP to XLP

17. Zara Tied Blazer Dress

Best Blazer Dress

Take a dress that’s office girl chic and add a little bit of wedding appropriate flair to it and you get this beauty. It’s a wrap style dress, so those ties at the sides makes it super adjustable, helping you get it to fit just right for you.

Buy it ($40)

Size range: XS to L

18. Adrianna Papell Petite Art Deco Blouson Gown

Best Art Deco Dress

Equal parts sexy and elegant, this roaring ‘20s-inspired gown is a dream. The eye-catching beading reminds us of twinkling stars—especially if you go with the navy color option. And don’t fret about the cinched waist landing at the completely wrong spot either, this one has measurements ideal for a shorter person so it’s sure to flatter your curves exactly how it should.

Buy it ($260; $157)

Size range: 0P to 18P

19. Julia Jordan Halter Neck Jumpsuit

Best Jumpsuit

If you want to mix things up, jumpsuits are a great pick for any semi-formal or cocktail dress codes. We totally get that as a petite you and pants might not have the *best* relationship, but this pick was specifically built for short legs, so no tailor required!

Buy it ($139; From $70)

Size range: 2P to 16P

20. Jessica Howard Peitite Popover Maxi Dress

Best Modest Dress

You may have a wedding in the near future that requires a more modest getup, but that doesn’t mean you need to show up in a turtleneck—and this is a fabulous example. It’s longwithout being a full maxi, thanks to the mini-length slip underneath and wrap-style overlay that’s ideal for showing a bit of leg.

Buy it ($119)

Size range: 4P to 14 P

21. Zara Satin Effect Cutout Dress

Best Cutout Dress

Sooo, is this what they mean when they say pretty in pink? Because if so, we couldn’t agree more. Personally, we think this baby is befitting of a metropolitan-theme fete, but totally understand if you were it for every event on your calendar. We adore it for shorties because of the leg slits on the side, mid-calf length skirt and top portion that won’t completely drown your chest thanks to those cut outs.

Buy it ($60)

Size range: XS to XL

22. Aloodor V-Neck Dress

Best V-Neck Dress

If you’ll be attending a more casual affair, feel free to play around with vibrant colors and lightweight fabrics. Case in point: This breezy mini accented with fun, babydoll sleeves. Oh, and it runs at about 34 inches from shoulder to leg, which means it will fall well above the knee even if you’re as close to five foot as you can get.

From $23 at Amazon

Size range: S to XXL

RELATED: The 17 Best Spring Wedding Guest Dresses (Starting at $40)

PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow's editorial and sales departments.

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