What Wedding Dress Should You Choose if You’re Petite?

You’re getting married soon, and you’ve been planning your wedding for several months now. You’ve even created a timeline. The appointment at the courthouse, the budget, the reception hall, the meal—everything is set. Now it’s time to search for your wedding dress. For this magical event, which is so important in your life, you need to look beautiful and elegant. But what if you’re petite, under 5’3”, and unsure about which dress to choose? Don’t panic; there are several styles that will enhance your appearance. Here are some tips to help you make a choice.

Wedding Dresses to Avoid for Petite Brides

What wedding dress should you avoid when you’re petite? An overview of what not to wear is essential. The first piece of advice from an expert is to avoid excessive fabric at all costs. The goal is to elongate the silhouette of a petite woman. Therefore, you should steer clear of dresses that shorten your look instead of enhancing it. Large, voluminous wedding gowns with bows, ribbons, and frills are not recommended. Crinolines, long trains, classic strapless gowns, and mermaid styles can make you appear shorter. As you can see, the dress should make you look taller—you want to shine on your big day!

Choosing Wedding Dresses Based on Body Shape

Choosing the right wedding dress also depends on your body shape, which is particularly important when you’re petite. If you have a less-defined waist, you have an H body shape. To look your best, favor straight and flowy styles, and avoid fitted cuts at the waist. Empire waist dresses and certain necklines look fantastic on you if you don’t have a large bust.

Women with an A body shape have wider hips and narrower shoulders. Flowy, bohemian dresses that cinch at the waist and feature boat or V-necklines suit them beautifully. Curvy women with an O body shape should avoid bulky styles and opt for fluid lines instead. A beautiful shawl can conceal fuller arms and add elegance to your outfit. If you’re lucky enough to have an 8 body shape, your rounded shoulders align well with your perfect hip curve, and your waist is well-defined. However, steer clear of empire dresses that won’t highlight your harmonious and voluptuous figure. Instead, focus on fluid fabrics and fitted cuts. The X shape is generally slim, with a small bust, a defined waist, and shoulders that are aligned with the hips. Deep V-necklines and shorter styles will suit you well. For a V body shape, which is athletic yet feminine, American armholes should be avoided. A-line and shorter dresses are ideal as they add femininity. If you want more information on wedding dresses suitable for each body shape, check out our comprehensive article on the topic here.

Perfect Bohemian Wedding Dresses for Petite Brides

Bohemian wedding dress

Empire Dress

Tight under the bust and high-waisted, the bohemian empire wedding dress will delight petite romantic women. Wondering what wedding dress to wear when you’re petite? This style is perfect. It gets its name from Greek gowns, and its cut is designed for smaller busts. Made from lightweight, airy fabric, it’s suited for women with a less-defined waist. Lucky for you, you’ll find plenty in the 2020 collections from various brands and designers. For a more poetic touch, the empire dress can come with wide lace straps that flatter narrower shoulders. As for accessories, keep it simple; long earrings decorated with cream flowers will beautifully accentuate your delicate neck. Consider tying your hair up for this look.

Sheath Dress

Particularly feminine, this style lends a sensual silhouette for those who wear it. It has the added benefit of elongating a petite figure. However, it may not be suitable for women with an O body shape or very wide hips, as it is form-fitting. There are beautiful designs of sheath dresses in fine lace, with various patterns that will give you a refined look.

The Short Dress

Nothing beats a lovely short wedding dress for standing out. In addition to being modern and elegant, it’s practical for those who like to move freely. Perfect for summer, as it shows off your legs. It’s an ideal choice for petite women who can easily accessorize it. Beautiful heeled sandals or chic open-toe pumps will be perfect. Women with an O body shape should choose a midi-length wedding dress, which falls below the knee. Midi short dresses are a hit among vintage and retro fashion lovers.