Petite? Looking for a Midi Dress? We Scoured the Internet to Find 20 of the Best

From talking to my friends who are under 5'3", I've gathered that there's often a compromise to be made in shopping for petite-friendly clothing. Either they're forced to settle on an item that isn't quite their style, or a trip to the tailor is a post-requisite (and extra cost). At 5'6", I haven't come up against this issue, exactly. Though I have taken home pieces that don't fit me perfectly, I can only imagine the frustration of having this be a regular occurrence.

Luckily, fashion is becoming increasingly inclusive both in terms of height options and with more extensive sizing ranges. While there's still a way to go, the options have opened up for all kinds of body types, and nowadays, searching for stylish petite clothing doesn't have to be a cumbersome task. You also don't need to miss out on emerging trends and seasonal It buys because you happen to be on the shorter side.

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(Image credit: @eniswardrobe)

Eni wears an ankle-length floral dress from London-based brand Cefinn.

Certain brands have really nailed the brief and put extra effort into making their clothing accessible to everyone. So I've scoured their websites to find the best petite midi dresses on offer now, suitable for whatever the foreseeable throws at you. From Reformation's love-forever classics to throw-on-and-go dresses from the nation's favourite high-street brand, you'll find a solution to your dress woes with a quick scroll through the edit below. You can thank me later.

SHOP PETITE MIDI DRESSES

Next up, I'm 5'1"—Here Are All the Autumn Trends I'll Actually Wear

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer. After receiving an Audrey Hepburn box set for her 10th birthday and subsequently swooning over the actor’s wardrobe, Bébhinn felt pretty confident she wanted a career that involved clothes. She started her first blog at age 14—the title was a pun, but we’ll leave it at that—and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine


A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor for Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and updated takes on classic designs. 


While she still loves Audrey Hepburn films, these days, Bébhinn’s sartorial taste sits closer to Annie Hall’s and Alexa Chung’s. In her spare time, she’s likely cooing over cute dogs on rescue websites, playing folk songs on her guitar and browsing bookshops for new additions to her already-overpacked shelves.