I'm 5'2", and these are the best wedding guest dress styles for short women (2024)

If you are petite like me (I’m 5’2″), when wedding season comes around, you may want to start to plan early on what to wear to a wedding!

What are the best wedding guest dresses for you as a petite girl obviously depends a lot on the type of wedding you are going to, but from my own experience over the years, these are the best options for short girls like us and can be worn to most weddings!

A Line Floral Dresses

A-line dresses are a classic choice for wedding guests, and they’re especially flattering on short women. The flared shape of an A-line dress creates balance and proportion, making your legs look longer.

A-line dresses are often considered to be flattering on short women because of their flared shape. The flared shape of an A-line dress creates balance and proportion, making your legs look longer. This can help to visually elongate the legs and create a more balanced silhouette, which can be especially beneficial for short women who may want to create the illusion of longer legs.

Additionally, A-line dresses tend to be fitted at the waist, which can help to create a defined waistline and enhance the natural curves of the body. This can be especially flattering on short women, as a defined waistline can help to create the illusion of a longer torso.

Opt for a knee-length or midi A-line dress in a lightweight fabric like chiffon or silk for a chic, summery look.

Satin Maxi Dresses

Maxi length dresses are one of the top choices for petite dresses for wedding.

Have you read somewhere that petite women should only wear short dresses? Are you refraining from maxi dresses because of that?

If so, you are totally missing out.

Maxi dresses could be very flattering to short women because they form an unbroken vertical line that elongates your petite frame.

For weddings, having a maxi dress is especially handy because you can style it to be formal or less formal, depending on the wedding dress code.

If the wedding dress code says “black tie-optional” or “co*cktail attire”, wear a maxi dress with your favorite high heels and a nice evening clutch will make you shine through the night.

If the wedding invitation says “beach formal” or “casual”, you can pair them with flats or dressy sandals for more comfort.

Silk Wrap Dresses

Wrap dresses are a versatile choice for wedding guests of all heights. The adjustable tie allows you to cinch the waist and create a flattering silhouette.

Choosing a wrap dress made of silk will not only give you a comfortable, elegant look but also make the outfit look more expensive.

Besides, silk is a lightweight and flowing fabric, which can help to create a graceful and elegant silhouette. This can be especially beneficial for short women, as the fluidity of the fabric can help to elongate the body and create the illusion of longer legs.

Slit Dresses

A slit can help to create the illusion of longer legs. A slit that falls just above the knee can help to visually elongate the legs and create the illusion of more height.

This can be especially beneficial for short women, as it can help to create a more balanced and proportionate silhouette.

Besides, a slit can add a touch of sexiness and glamour to a dress. A slit can be a subtle yet effective way to show off some skin and add some drama to an outfit. This can be especially flattering on short women, as it can help to enhance their natural curves and add some visual interest to their look.

Pastel High Low Dresses

High-low dresses are a fun and unique option for wedding guests.

These dresses have a shorter hemline in the front and a longer hemline in the back, creating a chic and asymmetrical silhouette.

Besides, the high-low hemline can create visual interest and draw the eye down, creating the illusion of more height. This can be especially beneficial for short women, as it can help to create a more balanced and proportionate silhouette.

They can be worn with heels or flats and can be accessorized with a variety of jewelry, bags, and shoes to suit the event.

Choose a high-low dress in a pastel color or eye-catching print to stand out at the wedding.

Tea Length Dresses

Tea length the safest and most versatile choice for you in the wedding season.

A tea-length dress is one whose hemline falls “above the ankle and below the knee.” Originally, the tea hem fell just above the ankle, but the modern tea-length dress is more likely to hit 3 to 4 inches above the ankle, in the mid-calf region.

In other word, the other popular name for this length of dresses is the “midi dress“.

Tea length dresses are suitable for most types of wedding dress codes. As a wedding guest, dressing appropriately for the occasion is the number one priority. So, you want to avoid anything too short or too revealing. Midi dresses are the length acceptable in most weddings.

Lace Midi Dresses

Normally, the midi length is harder to wear for petite women, because your legs might look cut off which would make you look shorter.

The good news is the lace compromises that risk because the fabrics are more airy and light.

Besides, lace is a romantic and feminine fabric that can add a touch of sophistication and elegance to any outfit. A lace midi dress can be a chic and stylish choice for a wedding guest or other formal occasion, and it can be dressed up or down depending on the event.

Knee Length Shift Dresses

Shift dresses can be a good choice for petite women attending a wedding as a guest, as they are a relaxed and easy-to-wear style that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

A shift dress that falls just above the knee or at midi length can be a good choice for petite women, as it will help to elongate the legs and create a balanced silhouette. Avoid choosing a shift dress that is too long, as it may swamp your frame and make you look shorter.

Avoid Boxy Dresses

It is critical for petite women to avoid overly bulky or boxy dresses.

Dresses that are too bulky or boxy can make petite women look drowned in fabric, which can make you appear shorter.

Instead, if you are short, always choose a dress that is fitted at the waist and falls in a relaxed and flowing silhouette to balance out your petite frame.

Avoid Loud Prints

While there is nothing wrong with wearing a wedding guest dress with a pattern, it is generally a good idea to avoid overly loud or busy patterns if you are petite.

Large patterns or patterns with multiple colors can be overwhelming on a petite frame and can make you look shorter.

Choose a dress with a smaller, more subtle pattern or a solid color to create a more balanced look.

Avoid Anything White or Ivory

I know this sounds too obvious-but I still want to stress it.

The reason is obvious as the color white is traditionally worn by the bride to symbolize purity and innocence. As a result, wearing a white wedding guest dress may be seen as inappropriate or disrespectful, as it could be seen as trying to upstage the bride or draw attention away from her.

So, as a wedding guest, it is a big no to wear anything white, or close to white, such as ivory!