Maxi Dresses for Petites

Created by emalove 5/12/08

I've been on the hunt for summery maxi-dresses to wear on my upcoming vacation to Key West...I usually prefer shorter sundresses, but I love wearing long ones on vacation. I don't know why...they just say "vacation" to me! Being small (both height/weight wise), I find that maxi-dresses that are too billowy, unstructured, and/or hit the floor look overwhelming on me. I've found some cute ones in every price range that don't hit the floor (you can see your feet/shoes in every one of these styles), have a little bit of structure, and aren't too flowy...I think they'd look fab on ladies who are petite.

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Cuppitycake 4 years 43 weeks

THANK YOU THANK YOU for this post! I'm getting married in a month....and we are going to St. Lucia for our honeymoon. I have been shopping for my wardrobe for this, and wanted a Maxi-dress sooo badly but everything overwhelms me (I'm very small boned and don't even hit 100lb. mark). These dresses are GREAT and help me a LOT in my quest! Thanks again!!!!!

Bebeshopper 4 years 48 weeks

Maxi dresses say vacation to me too. They just seem to cozy and relaxing. I'm short, but I usually have too much "boobage" for the way most of the maxi/sun dresses are cute on top nowadays. My husband likes them that way :), but me, not so much. The Rachel Pally is cut nicely on top. Not too "scooped out". I may have to look into that one.

chiclet 4 years 50 weeks

and i love your compilation.. target has a few fantastic finds too! love that eyelet maxi dress!!

chiclet 4 years 50 weeks

im 5'4 and very thin.. i love maxis! this would be my fave maxi.. halter>creates an illusion of a bigger bossom :), red and in paisley prints.. this is an authentic 70's dress i got 5 years ago from an old shop in town. and am so happy the style got around.. good thing i didnt pass it to somebody else before maxis got back in town!

bizzybee 4 years 50 weeks

The dresses are very cute. I'm tall-ish and I prefer the slightly shorter length too. I find them easier to move in and also cooler - especially on very hot days. Proportions vary and what looks good on one may not on another, but if you're petite maybe pairing a floor length maxi with high heels as they've done in the Joie photo might work.

hippiecowgirl 5 years 3 days

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I love this style, but being 5'2" I've had tons of trouble finding styles that look good. This is a great list.

emalove 5 years 5 days

I'd much rather wear a mini-dress for sure, HanBug!!! I just want a maxi (or two) for my vacation...and NOT a super-long, sack-like one. I think VS has the most options...

HanBug 5 years 5 days

I love the yellow dress, as it is shorter. I think that maxi dresses do tend to drown petite ladies. I think if you are petite it is much better to wear a cute mini dress instead!

Tullia 5 years 6 days

love maxidresses! the peacock one looks perfect for me! Victorias Secret has some nice ones, huh?

Marci 5 years 1 week

I'm also not petite,but love the suggestions. All of these dresses are really nice!

VSug 5 years 1 week

I'm not petite, but I love your suggestions!

emalove 5 years 1 week

Yeah, Target is hit or miss with their dresses...I've found some cute ones there in the past, but a lot of them aren't made well and do have that sack-like effect. Which is exactly what I'm trying to avoid! I think those billowy, flowy ones look like giant sacks on short/shorter girls.

coachluvr33 5 years 1 week

I would like to get one of these for vacation too. I bought one at Target that was terribly unflattering. I don't have much of a bust and it was made just straight across at the top. Not flattering at all. I returned it and will be looking for some like these that have scoop or v-necks in the front to create a little hourglass shape instead of a sack effect.

emalove 5 years 1 week

Littlemissme, you might be right about that. I just think the ones that go straight to the floor look TERRIBLE on me. I think they look amazing on girls who are a little taller though. I'm only 5'3ish and 110 pounds...I look like I'm wearing a sack when I wear ones that have no structure and hang all the way to the floor. I have a couple that are this length and I feel like they flatter my body so much more.

Shopaholichunny 5 years 1 week

gorgeous picks. LOVE the elizabeth and james one! :LOVE:

littlemissme 5 years 1 week

Hmm...I actually thought the other way around; that a floor length dress elongated your body :ponder: And if the dress' hem is a bit shorter like these, it will "cut" your body off :? Maybe I'm wrong....either way these dresses are so pretty! I really like all of them :)