Petites: can you wear maxi dresses?

[Downsizeddumpling]

I was tempted by a maxi dress in H&M with a shirted top half and straps. I’d have to wear a t shirt underneath to disguise my upper arms though.

Do maxi dresses ( not from petite ranges) work on petites?

Being under 5ft I can't wear a maxi dress at all, not even the petite range ones.

Should have said shirred! @tinytemper66 I think the dress would be calf length on someone taller but I am smaller than you and the one I like does show some of my calf so
maybe it’s a midi?

I wear midis as maxis, depends on the style though.

I look like I have raised the dressing up box if I wear a dress or skirt that is maxi or even mid calf. I am a petite 5 ft 3.

I meant raided

I wear Midi's as maxi dresses.

I look like a peasant in anything long and flowery. So no.

I'm 5'3" and live in midi and maxi dresses and skirts. Always slightly puzzled when I read on here of people of my height saying they can't wear maxi styles. I love them! If maxi is too long then midi generally works well, on me anyway.

5'3" and maxis make me look like one of those crochet dolls my grandma had to cover loo rolls.

Yes, always; occasionally a long
midi does the trick as a maxi nicely.

As long as your ankles are out, you’ll look in proportion.

Bias cut removed the dolly loo-roll-cover risk if that bothers you. Slight platform trainers add a useful inch too.

I wear the odd maxi and I am 5ft 2 - not saying they look good but I like them so that's what counts.

I think if you go for a 1930s length, as in 2/3 of your calves with lots of ankle, and not gathered, either inverted pleats or bias cut in a drapey fabric
then it doesn’t overwhelm a shorter frame.

As per the pp. I take them up a little so that they look right.

Maxis look just as good on me as on taller people. I do have to hem them though or wear with heels. I’m 5’2.

I really like them, but I only buy from petite ranges (I’m 5 foot 1). Nearly all of my clothes are from petite ranges really. I still sometimes have to get things taken up.

My maxi dresses are all from Boden, previous seasons. I don’t tend to get loads of wear out of them, so they last.

Not saying I look great, I just like wearing them.

Same, also 5'3 , especially love a midi. Maxis are always too long unless I get from petite range.

5ft 2.5 and wear loads of maxi dresses, and midi dresses too and all look fine. Not all maxi dresses are made for 5ft 7 women. I just shop around. Most are fine though.

I have this dress in several patterns www.dancingleopard.co.uk/products/dove-dress-in-bamboo

It's very very flattering. I can hold the skirt up through the belt to shorten it without looking like I'm a child wearing an adult's dress.

Nope

I look ridiculous

I’m 5ft 1 and can’t wear maxi dress or skirts unless they are from petite ranges as otherwise they are far too long and I am tripping over the bottom and look ridiculous.

I have a few skirts that are meant to be midi but they look like maxi skirts on me

I think maxi dresses look silly on everyone.

I'm 5ft 2 and wear them. Nothing too fussy though.

I think a lot depends on the cut. Voluminous looks daft, but body-skimming looks fine on me. I also think body shape matters more than height - short and angular is a different proposition from short and round.

Well to me 5ft 3 isn't that petite. I am 4ft 10 and 3/4 inches and everything touches the floor.
Many dresses have extra layers/frills or patterns on the bottom so you lose the effect when you shorten. So I just put the hanger back after checking the length.

I am 5.1" and I wear petite maxi dresses without patterns, frills, or too much fabric. Always with a flatform to add an inch or two. I think I look reasonably good in them. I have had a bit of success with Boden and Hush mostly.