4 Types of Dresses Short Women Should Start Wearing More

Emilia Clarke, Kristen Bell, Ariana Grande, Anna Kendrick, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, and Vanessa Hudgens. What do these beautiful celebrities have in common? If your answer was in relation to their height, then you got it right. These lovelies are not as vertically gifted as other women in Hollywood, but being short has never stopped them from stunning red carpet appearances, often looking more fabulous than their taller colleagues.

So, we’re taking notes from these gorgeous women on dressing up. Particularly, what types of dresses should short women wear? Basically, the goal for dressing up short women is to wear an item with a lengthening effect and a flattering silhouette. Short fitted homecoming dresses are perfect examples.

Below are 4 dress styles that are highly recommended for short women:

Wrap Dresses

Invented by Diane Von Furstenberg in 1974, the wrap dress is a stylist’s favorite for short women. Aside from being considered a universally flattering dress type, the versatile wrap dress is just right for any occasion. Varying designs and lengths can be easily converted from daywear to evening wear and can be worn at the workplace as well as for a night out with friends.

A good quality wrap dress hugs the body at all the right places to emphasize (or create an illusion of) feminine curves, which result in a beautiful silhouette. The design helps women who do not have defined waistlines, specifically those with apple or rectangle body types. Plus, with the right length and colors, you can achieve a continuous and elongating effect. These are some of the reasons why every woman, not just the short ones, should own at least one wrap dress.

A-Line Dresses

The fit and flare dress style are always flattering to short women as well as those with pear body types. These are more commonly known as A-line dresses or skater dresses. Since it is form-fitting in the upper body but less restrictive to the lower body, it creates a flattering silhouette that draws attention away from your butt and thighs. The best length for the dress or skirt for petite women is approximately 3 to 4 inches above the knees.

Empire-Cut Dresses

Dresses that have an Empire waistline are great for petite girls. The dress style features a high waistline, typically just below the bust line and above your natural waistline. This results in an illusion of length, specifically making your torso appear shorter and elongating your legs.

The high and defined waistline can be an added feature to a skater dress style and it will be the perfect homecoming dress for a petite woman with an apple- or pear-shaped body.

Maxi Dresses

Short skirts are best for short girls, logically so. Flaunting more legs makes it appear longer and thus make one look taller than we really are. Still, wearing a long dress or a maxi can be flattering to petite girls as long as the design, the colors, and the fabrics are right.

A well-defined maxi dress is a good choice. Columns, stripes, and vertical patterns and designs can help achieve the illusion of an elongated body frame. Monochromatic dresses and lighter fabrics are recommended for short women. If you are short and have a small body frame, subtle designs and smaller prints are better so you don’t look like you’re getting overwhelmed by the clothing.

Basically, short women must find outfits that are form-fitting and appear continuously long (like an unbroken line when worn). Horizontal lines, bulky and loose styles, and busy designs should be avoided.