After what feels like a marathon-long winter, just the thought of switching out our drab winter wardrobe for floaty floral frocks is enough to spark joy in even the most minimal of dressers.
While the heavy knits and chunky boots that define our cold weather rotation will be severely missed for their throw-on-and-go quality, all will be forgotten as soon as we feel the sun on our vitamin D-deprived skin.
We may be pleased to see layers in our rearview, but summer dressing is no easy feat. It’s a fine art that becomes all the more exacting when it comes to office-based 9 to 5s or the steady stream of nuptials that define the season.
The solution may be simpler than you think. Dresses are a year-round favourite for their ease. You simply have one item and your look is near complete – a godsend when you’ve snoozed your alarm one too many times. But they become all the more staple when the mercury rises.
Instantly put together, floaty enough to survive sauna commutes and sporadic heatwaves, it is no surprise that we reach for our arsenal of frocks in times of sartorial uncertainty.
For those with a height of 5ft4 and under, it may not be as simple as adding one of the many high-end or high-street brands to basket. Smaller frames may find these styles dwarf their figures or drag on the floor with a trip to a tailor as an essential investment in any new purchase.
Thankfully the petite fashion market has grown in the last few years. On top of designated brands, there are ranges from retailers from ASOS to Nobody’s Child designed specifically for those with shorter statures. And don’t forget, you can always look to fashion favourites like Rixo, Kitri and Ganni with micro and midi cuts.
Shop the best petite summer dresses below
Kitri Harlow Black Tiled Floral Mini Dress
Inspired by the Cheongsam silhouette, a traditional Chinese dress, Kitri’s Halow style has a standing collar and faux ties that bring sophistication to the proceedings. Choose from three patterns including the high-impact, minimum-vibrancy black floral print that will suit even the most pared-back of aesthetics.
Buy now £140.00, Kitri
Ganni + NET SUSTAIN leopard-print organic cotton-poplin midi dress
Leopard print works for all seasons and makes for a surprisingly neutral style. It is set on this floaty frock from Ganni with a cotton-poplin fabric and a slightly fitted shirred neckline.
Buy now £235.00, Net-A-Porter
Sleeper + NET SUSTAIN Atlanta off-the-shoulder shirred linen midi dress
Sleeper’s Atlanta silhouette will form the basis of your holiday wardrobe. The endlessly versatile style is defined by its voluminous balloon sleeves and off-the-shoulder design. It comes in three colours; white, black and navy.
Buy now £279.00, Net-A-Porter
Reformation Petites Nadira Dress
Reformation has one of the most extensive petite dress offerings with styles to suit every element of the nuptials, from ceremony to reception. This head-turning number comes in a cherry red hue with a fitted bodice and wrap skirt. If you are looking for something slightly less attention-grabbing (thereby avoiding the bride’s wrath), there are floral patterns of the same silhouette too.
Buy now £298.00, Reformation
Rixo Lena Dress
Amp up the Bond Girl glamour with Rixo’s Lena Dress. A feathered trim takes this sultry LBD to a whole new level. Adorn yourself with some silver jewels and a petite evening bag and hit the roulette table.
Buy now £245.00, Rixo
Noisy May Petite ruffle strap mini slip dress in pink ditsy print
Pretty in pink and a floral print to boot, this mini slip dress has a throw-on-and-go quality whether you’re picnicking in the park or in a last-minute packing panic.
Buy now £12.00, ASOS
Reformation Petites Babette Dress
Lean into the current Balletcore obsession with Reformation’s Babette style. The halter silhouette sets a fitted bodice with a voluminous skirt and comes in either black or red.
Buy now £228.00, Reformation
Karen Millen Petite Drapey Ruched Jersey Rosette Maxi Dress
This sultry style comes in a daring red hue. The figure-hugging bodycon is an attention-grabbing design - not in the least due to the rosette adornment.
Buy now £92.65, Karen Millen
Reformation Petites Balia Linen Dress
The Balina is made for beach parties, whether you’re holidaying in Ibiza or celebrating your nuptials with your toes in the sand. It taps into the coquette aesthetic with its fitted bodice and full skirt.
Buy now £298.00, Reformation
Rixo Bowie Mini Dress
Set to be a workhorse in your summer wardrobe, this floral print number from Rixo is one you’ll wear time and time again, whether soaking up double-digit degrees in the capital or exploring far-flung destinations.
Buy now £265.00, Rixo
Abercrombie & Fitch Plunge Cowl Back Maxi Dress
Petite brides, listen up: Abercrombie has understood the assignment with this slinky maxi number made for shorter statures. It has a sexy plunge cowl back and also comes in black.
Buy now, Abercrombie & Fitch
ROTATE Birger Christensen + NET SUSTAIN Ruby recycled-cloqué midi dress
We fell in love the second that we laid eyes on this midi from Scandi favourite ROTATE Birger Christensen. From the balloon sleeves to the woven floral, this frock will have you covered for black tie dress codes. Best of all, it has an eco-conscious twist - it is made from 55 per cent recycled fibres.
Buy now £300.00, Net-A-Porter
Boden Double Cloth Maxi Tiered Dress
Throw this over a swimsuit to take you from sun lounging to beach bar-ready in an instant. The tiered design offers an elongating effect, while the crinkled cotton requires no ironing. Available in five colours.
Buy now £90.00, Boden
Nobody's Child Petite Yellow Linen-blend Maddy Midi Dress
Sunshine in sartorial form, this dress from Nobody’s Child will inject your wardrobe with joy. The mood-boosting colourway is made all the more covetable by the responsible linen construction.
Buy now £65.00, Nobody's Child
Miss Selfridge Petite poplin frill strap mini sundress with bow back in black
With endless throw-on-and-go potential, this poplin frock from Miss Selfridge is one for colourphobes. The all-black design is elevated with a bow back.
Buy now £17.50, ASOS
