What Wedding Dress to Choose if You're Petite?

You're getting married soon, and it has been months of planning for your wedding. You've even created a timeline. The appointment at the registry office, budget, venue and reception place, catering—everything is sorted. Now, it's time to find your wedding dress. For this magical event, which is such an important moment in your life, you need to look beautiful and elegant. But hold on, you’re petite, standing at under 1.60m, and you’re not sure which dress to choose. Don't worry, there are plenty of styles that will enhance your look. Here are some tips to help you make your choice.

Dresses to Avoid If You’re Petite

What kind of wedding dress should a petite woman avoid? The first tip any expert would give you is to steer clear of excessive fabric. The goal is to elongate the silhouette of a petite woman. So, avoid dresses that compress your figure instead of enhancing it. Voluminous wedding gowns adorned with bows, ribbons, and frills are not recommended. Crinolines, long trains, classic strapless dresses, and mermaid styles tend to make you appear shorter. Remember, the dress should help you look taller as you shine on your special day!

Choosing a Wedding Dress Based on Your Body Shape

Selecting the right wedding dress also involves considering your body shape, even more so when you are petite. If you have a less defined waistline, you have an H shape. To highlight your figure, go for straight and flowing styles while avoiding fitted cuts at the waist. Empire dresses and v-necklines will look fabulous on you if you have a smaller bust.

Women with an A shape have a wider hip and narrow shoulders. Bohemian flared dresses that are cinched at the waist and feature boat or V-necklines will suit them perfectly. Round-shaped women with a type O body should avoid bulk and prefer flowing designs. A lovely shawl can hide fuller arms and add elegance to your outfit. If you're lucky enough to have an 8 shape, your rounded shoulders align beautifully with your hips and you have a well-defined waist. However, avoid empire dresses that won’t emphasize your delightful and voluptuous figure. Instead, go for flowing fabrics and fitted styles. The X shape is typically slender. You have a smaller bust, a slim waist, and your shoulders line up with your hips. Dresses with deep necklines or shorter styles will flatter you. For a V shape, which is athletic yet feminine, avoid American armholes. Flared and short wedding dresses are ideal as they enhance femininity. For more information on wedding dresses suitable for each body shape, check out our detailed article here.

Perfect Bohemian Wedding Dresses for Petite Women

Bohemian wedding dress

Empire Dress

Tight under the bust and high-waisted, the bohemian empire wedding dress will delight petite romantic women. If you’re wondering what kind of wedding dress to wear when you’re petite, this one fits perfectly. Derived from Greek dresses, its cut is suitable for smaller busts. Made from lightweight and airy fabric, it caters well to those with a less-defined waist. You're in luck, as you can easily find this style in the 2020 collections from various brands and designers. For a more poetic touch, the empire dress comes with wide lace straps that beautifully highlight dainty shoulders. As for accessories, you don't need much—just some long earrings adorned with off-white flowers to accentuate your delicate neck. Think about tying your hair back for this look.

Sheath Dress

This dress style is particularly feminine, giving a sensual silhouette to the wearer. It has the advantage of elongating the frame of petite women. However, it may not suit an O shape or women with wide hips as it is fitted. There are beautiful lace sheath dresses with varied designs that will give you a refined appearance.

Short Dress

Nothing beats a lovely short wedding dress to stand out. Besides being modern and chic, it is practical for those who enjoy freedom of movement. Great for summer as it shows off your legs. Ideal for petite women who can easily accessorize it. Beautiful heeled sandals or pretty open-toe pumps will work perfectly. Women with an O shape may prefer a midi-length wedding dress, which falls just below the knee. Midi short dresses will delight vintage and retro fashion lovers.