What Wedding Dress to Choose When You're Petite?

Are you getting married soon? You’ve been planning your wedding for several months now. You’ve even created a timeline. The appointment at the registry office, the budget, the venue for the reception, the catering – everything is sorted. Now it’s time to find your wedding dress. For this magical event, which is so important in your life, you need to look beautiful and elegant. However, if you’re short, under 1.6 metres tall, and unsure of which dress to choose, don’t panic! There are several styles that will enhance your figure. Here are some tips to help you with your choice.

Dresses to Avoid When You’re Short

What wedding dress should you choose when you're petite? Let's look at what styles to avoid. The first piece of advice from an expert would be to steer clear of excessive materials. The idea is to elongate the silhouette of a shorter woman. So, you’ll want to avoid dresses that shorten your appearance instead of enhancing it. Bulky wedding dresses with bows, ribbons, and frills are not recommended. Full skirts, long trains, classic strapless gowns, and mermaid styles tend to shrink your look. As you can see, the dress should make you appear taller; you want to shine in front of your guests!

Choosing Wedding Dresses According to Your Body Shape

Choosing the right wedding dress also involves considering your body shape, especially when you're petite. If you have a less defined waist, you’ve got an H-shaped body type. To flaunt your figure, opt for straight and flowing designs while avoiding tightly fitted styles. Empire line dresses and those with necklines will suit you wonderfully if you don’t have a full bust.

Women with an A-shaped body are broader in the hips and narrower in the shoulders. Flared bohemian dresses that cinch at the waist, along with boat or V-necklines, will suit them beautifully. Plus-sized women with an O-shaped body should avoid bulkiness and prefer flowing designs. A lovely shawl can cover larger arms while adding an elegant touch to your outfit. If you're lucky enough to have an X-shaped body type, your rounded shoulders align beautifully with your curvy hips and you have a well-defined waist. However, avoid empire dresses, as they won't accentuate your harmonious and voluptuous figure. Instead, go for flowing fabrics and fitted cuts. The X shape is generally slender. You have a small bust, a narrow waist, and your shoulders align with your hips. Plunging necklines and shorter dress styles will suit you well. For a V-shaped body, sporty yet feminine, avoid American armholes. Flared dresses and short styles are ideal to enhance femininity. For more information on suitable wedding dresses for each body shape, check out our comprehensive article on the subject here.

Perfect Bohemian Wedding Dresses for Short Figures

Bohemian wedding dress

Empire Dress

Fitted just under the bust with a high waist, the bohemian empire wedding dress will delight petite romantic women. If you're wondering what wedding dress to wear when you're short, this one is perfect. It gets its name from Greek dresses, and its cut is ideal for smaller busts. Made from a light and airy fabric, it suits a figure with a less defined waist. You're in luck; you'll easily find this style in the 2020 collections from brands and designers. For a more poetic touch, the empire dress can feature wide lace straps that will beautifully flatter slender shoulders. In terms of accessories, keep it simple; long earrings adorned with cream flowers will enhance your delicate neckline. Consider tying your hair back for this look.

Sheath Dress

Particularly feminine, this style provides a sensual silhouette for the wearer. It has the advantage of elongating the figure of a petite woman. However, it's not suitable for O-shaped body types or women with wider hips, as it is fitted. There are some stunning sheath dresses in fine lace with varied patterns that can give you a refined look.

Short Dress

Nothing quite compares to a lovely short wedding dress for a unique style. Not only is it modern and elegant; it’s also practical for those who like to move freely. Perfect for summer, as it reveals the legs. Ideal for petite women who can easily accessorise it. Beautiful heeled sandals or stylish open-toed shoes would be perfect. Women with an O shape should opt for a midi dress, which falls just below the knee. Midi short dresses will delight lovers of vintage and retro fashion.