13 Best Petite Summer Maxi Dresses, Because We’re Tired Of Getting Everything Hemmed
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If there’s one thing to love about summer, it’s the incredible array of cute maxi dresses available. However, if you’re under 5’4″—like I am—you probably tend to skip over this adorable warm-weather trend because everything is too damn long and getting dresses hemmed is such a hassle. Rather than miss out on some of the cutest dresses of the season, though, I decided to hunt for petite summer maxi dresses—and I actually found quite a few. (If you want to do a little happy dance, feel free. I won’t judge; this is exciting!)
Best Petite Summer Maxi Dresses at a Glance
Best Overall: Cupshe Floral Print Knotted Maxi Dress, $35
Best A-Line Dress: Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress, $168
Best for a Wedding Guest: Reformation Petites Kourtney Dress, $278
Best Strapless Dress: ASOS DESIGN Petite Bandeau Ruffle Maxi Dress, $52.99
Best Satin Dress: Pretty Little Thing Satin Wrap Detail Maxi Dress, $31 (originally $62)
Best ’90s-Inspired: Madewell Petite Square-Neck Midi Dress, $69.99 (originally $118)
Best Vacation Dress: L*Space x REVOLVE Nico Dress, $125
Best in Multiple Colors: Loveappella V-Neck Jersey Maxi Dress, $68
Best Floral Print: Nic + Zoe Scribble Bouquet Tiered Maxi Dress, $218
Best for a Gala: SLNY Ombre Satin Gown, $139
The day I discovered petite clothing was truly a glorious one. I try to buy petites whenever I can—especially in bottoms—because they make my life so much easier. (Of course, as someone who also wears plus sizes in certain items of clothing, petites in extended sizes are typically not readily available. This is a completely separate issue, but I wanted to touch on it, because I’m sure some of you petite gals also fall outside the classic straight-size range.) If you’ve ever known the pain of seeing a cute pair of jeans, a jumpsuit or maxi dress that you wanted but knew it would just be too long, this shopping guide is for you.
From shift dresses in on-trend floral to options you could wear to any summer party (and probably be the best-dressed guest), there are so many ways to rock these petite maxi dresses. There’s basically a maxi dress for any occasion, so you’ll want to stock up to keep your summer wardrobe ready to rumble. It’s time to free your legs from the confines of pants and slip into summer with these 11 super cute petite maxi dresses.
What to Look for in a Summer Maxi Dress if You’re Petite, According to a Stylist
We tapped stylist, fashion influencer, and the founder of CrashGal Couture Leah Wise to help out with this one.
“For maxi dresses, when I’m shopping in person, I do the classic measurement test of holding it up to my body to see how long it is,” says Wise. “When shopping online, I always refer to the sizing guide to help determine if a garment will have the right fit. I also like to refer to the size and measurements the model is wearing in the display photos online because this also helps me determine how something might fit on me instead.”
Additionally, “something I always look for when shopping is if a brand carries a petite line because then I know the clothing is more likely to fit well since it was specifically designed for petite people,” says Wise.
Cupshe Floral Print Knotted V-Neck Maxi Dress
Cupshe, Floral Print Knotted V-Neck Maxi Dress
This dress from Cupshe is lightweight, so it’s perfect for warmer weather, and it has the cutest details like a knotted front tie for extra dimension. Plus, the under 5’5 girlies are raving about it. One shopper wrote, “Super cute dress. I am 5’1 and it falls just at the top of the foot so i can wear it with flats or heels.”
Sizes available: XS-XL
Colors: 2
Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex
Pros
Affordable pricepoint
Cons
No extended sizes
Amazon BTFBM One-Shoulder Summer Dress
BTFBM Women One-Shoulder Summer Dress
Plenty of petite shoppers have raved about this BTFBM maxi dress from Amazon’s large selection of dress options. As one reviewer wrote, “For size reference I am 5’4”, 34C, weigh about 133 lbs and ordered a small. It fits very nice and I’m very happy with it.”
Have your pick from 28 different patterns, from the above brightly colored option to more neutral shades.
Sizes available: S-XXL
Colors: 28
Material: 100% Polyester
Pros
Wide range of color/pattern options
Cons
No extended sizes
Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress
Anthropologie, The Somerset Maxi Dress
Coming in petite, standard and plus-size options, the Somerset dress is truly made for every body. This maxi has a smocked waist that accentuates curves and adds even more shape to the A-line number.
Sizes: XXS-XL
Colors: 9
Material: not listed
Pros
Comes in regular, petite, and tall
Cons
Higher price point
Reformation Petites Kourtney Dress
Reformation, Petites Kourtney Dress
I could never forget about Reformation’s petite range—all of their options are so cute! This floral pick has the classic Reformation silhouette and is oh-so-versatile. Wear it to weddings, birthdays, brunches and anything else you have on your summer agenda.
Sizes: 0-12
Colors: 3
Material: 100% viscose
Pros
Slim fit
Free alterations
Cons
Higher price point
ASOS Petite Bandeau Ruffle Maxi Dress
ASOS, ASOS DESIGN Petite Bandeau Ruffle Maxi Dress
ASOS has an impressive range of dresses for any occasion that are made specifically for petite girlies. This strapless ruffled number is so cute and can be dressed up or down.
Sizes: 00-12
Colors: 1
Material: Not listed
Pros
Specifically designed for petite
Cons
Styles sell out quickly
Pretty Little Thing Satin Maxi Dress
Pretty Little Thing, Satin Wrap Detail Maxi Dress
On Sale 50% off
I already love PrettyLittleThing because of how inclusive their sizing is, but their petite range really sweetens the deal. This satin maxi wrap dress comes in three colors, but I prefer it in black. Save this one for a fancy night out.
Sizes: 00-10
Colors: 3
Material: 95% polyester 5% Elastane
Pros
Frequent sales
Cons
Limited size range
Madewell Petite Square-Neck Midi Dress
Madewell Petite Square-Neck Midi Dress
On Sale 41% off
I loveeee the ’90s vibes of this dress. Dress it up with your claw clip (two pieces of hair pulled out in the front, of course), and your platform black slides, and you’ll be a vintage queen. Plus, it’s on sale!
Sizes: 00-16
Colors: 3
Material: 60% cupro/40% Lenzing™ EcoVero™ viscose
Pros
Designer styles at affordable prices
Cons
Items sell out quickly
LSpace x REVOLVE Nico Dress
Revolve, L*Space x Revolve Nico Dress
If you’re petite, might I suggest shopping a midi dress and turning it into a maxi? This L*Space dress hits at the perfect length and comes in so many different vacation-ready colors.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: 4
Material: 90% lyocell, 10% Elastane
Pros
Stretch fabric for customized fit
Cons
Only partially lined
Loveappella V-Neck Jersey Maxi Dress
Loveappela, V-Neck Jersey Maxi Dress
This dress is available in so many different colors and in petite sizing specifically. Customers note that it runs pretty true to size, so go ahead and pick up a few in different colors so you always have the perfect summer maxi for any occasion.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: 10
Material: 95% rayon, 5% spandex
Pros
10 color options
Cons
Cannot go in dryer
A New Day Puff Short Sleeve Midi Dress
A New Day, Crepe Puff Short Sleeve Midi Dress
Here’s another instance where a midi dress on an average-height person can become a maxi on a petite person. Since the hem of this dress cuts way above the ankles, you can still wear it as a petite maxi. Plus it comes in so many different prints and styles.
Sizes: XS-4X
Colors: 4
Material: 100% rayon
Pros
Extended sizes available
Cons
Styles sell out quickly
Johnny Was Katie Tiered Dress
Johnny Was, Katie Tiered Dress
For anyone who’s most comfortable in black but likes to experiment with color every once in a while (*raises hand*), this color-flecked maxi from Johnny Was is perfect for summer. Pair it with your most colorful pair of sandals or heels for an extra pop of color.
Sizes: XS-XXL P
Colors: 1
Materials: 100% cotton
Pros
Petite-specific sizing
Cons
Might slightly drink in wash
SLNY Ombre Satin Gown
SLNY, Ombre Satin Gown
If you struggle to find special event gowns as a petite person, look no further than the SLNY brand at Nordstrom, which carries petite sizes in gorgeous maxi gowns.
Sizes: 6-16 P
Colors: 3
Material: 100% polyester
Pros
Petite specific sizing
Cons
Styles sell out quickly
Nic + Zoe Scribble Bouquet Tiered Maxi Dress
Nic + Zoe Scribble Bouquet Tiered Maxi Dress
Tiered dresses are so cute for summer because they appear flow-y while keeping you extra cool at the same time. This floral number is perfect for the transition from spring into summer. Plus, you can even dress it up for a special event with heels.
Sizes: XS-XXL, petite-specific sizes
Colors: 1
Material: 67% recycled polyester, 33% polyester
Pros
Petite-specific sizing
Cons
No extended sizes
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