Best maxi dresses for short women?

[SweetDCofMine]

I'm only 5.1" and haven't dared even trying a maxi dress up until now, but actually I have seen so many short women such as myself looking stunning in maxi dresses, I'd like to have a go. I would like something casual for wearing during the day (school run, shopping, etc). I am a curvy size 8, curvy in that my butt is my 'problem' area so I wouldn't like anything too clingy but equally, I wouldn't like too much material. Could you help me find the dress for me?

I don't want to offend, but I think short women can't carry off maxi dresses.

Have a look at this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1191580-Can-you-wear-maxi-dresses-if-you-under-5-ft-3

They don't

I think only 1 percent of maxi lengths look good. And it's never on short people. (I am 5.4)

When I was in the petrol station yesterday I was behind a girl who was definately no more than 5'3" and she looked great in a T shirt style grey and black striped maxi dress with a slightly racer style back. She was wearing a black straw trilby with it and some wedge sandals - she hlooked absoloutely lovely and I think this was because it was fitted and verging on clingy.

People might disgaree but I dont think maxi dresses suit either short women or slimmer women. I just dont think its the right style for some people and it can look like its drowning them.

Higgles sounds nice if you can find a more figure hugging one. If not I would go for a different style.

I think its silly when people say short people can't wear this , tall people can't wear that etc . As long as the proportions are correct, then you will look fine . A maxi dress won't look silly on you if you buy for your figure . I'm under 5 foot , size 8 with.curves and have 3 maxi dresses. They arnt billowy , so don't have much material , and I receive a lot of compliments . I also wear long evening dresses , and my wedding dress had a really long train, both apparently are a no no is you listen to silly fashion twadle , and the photos look great !

Nell799 is absolutely right. Maxi dresses can look fantastic on short women but they need to be the right kind. (That goes for tall women too amazingly). Maxi dresses have become so popular there is now a huge variety of fits and fabrics to flatter all ages and shapes, you just need to find the right one for you.

For a petite frame, dresses with too much fabric can make you look out of proportion so best go for a dress that is fitted at the top and is not too voluminous in the skirt. It's not so much the lenght that can be an issue, but the 'flowy-ness' of it; if there's too much fabric, it can make you look like you're being swamped by the dress! The dress should not be tight or clingy though, it should just skim your figure and a single colour is better than busy patterns in my opinion.

In terms of fabrics, modal, viscose and cotton jersey usually have the right kind of flow and drop for short women.

Look at Anna Friel, Eva Longoria, Nicole Richie wearing maxis... they look amazing! Check out this blog for some useful information on how to choose a maxi dress if you're petite: clothesnpeople.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-wear-maxi-dress-if-you-are.html

Oh and in case you're wondering (and before people here tell you otherwise), short arses can also wear the so on trend maxi skirts but same rules apply

Happy shopping!!!

agree with neil
as ling as it is not billowing around you like a burkha than it will look great
one of these would suit
and at size 8 i hardly think you need to worry about your bum

I was thinking of the billowy type when I said they don't suit the short.

Agree that slinky fit would suit any height, so long as slim. And you can get away with wedges then, which can look a bit daft with long floaty maxis imo.

I disagree, I am short and when not pregnant a size 8 or 10 with curves in the right place. I look good in Maxis and if you have the right one they are VERY flattering. All this crap about short people can't wear this and that. It is about proportions. I always wear fitted maxis. They actually elongate if chosen correctly.

I am 5 foot 2 and a size 8 (albeit with a big bum!) and I have a maxi dress from New look very similar to the one linked to by ggirl but it has a vest top and a racer back.

I have compliments on it.

Of course short people can wear maxi dresses.

Thank you all for your replies, particularly AllTheGoodOnesAreTaken, very useful. I'm off shopping!!!