Please help

[hummingbirds2]

Hi,
Sorry not sure on the correct section for this but am really struggling to find short length dresses that are suitable for day wear/out for meal. I'm 5'2 and quite petite. Size 8 ish and late 30's. I don't like heels so looking for dresses can wear with white trainers or flats. Appreciate help as I don't have a clue and keep pitching it wrongly. Thank you

How short do you want the dresses to be - knee length or mini?
Which sort of shops do you like and what is your budget?
Are there any styles that don't work for you?

What sort of figure do you have?
Petite just means 'under 5'3"' to me, even though it probably really means delicate frame.

Thank you for replying. I guess knee length or just above? I need to get a couple of dresses so not insane prices. But say £60 or below is fine. I'm not sure how to describe my figure. Quite athletic maybe but had c section with overhang from that, so nothing that's too obvious on that area, as I feel self-conscious about that. Smallish waist I guess. Boobs size 30F. Hips are wider than waist. Sorry not sure if that makes sense. Colour wise am medium tanned level naturally but paler in winter. Dark hair but it's highlighted blonde. Thank you for any help.

New Look do a petite range that is worth a look.

Oh and small bone structure.

I know you said short length but this would be nice for the day with trainers https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/petite-black-poplin-strappy-midi-dress/p/868906801

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/petite-white-floral-haltern-ruffle-hem-mini-dress/p/864599319

Have you looked at M&S?

Thanks @hummingbirds2 . I was really just bumping your thread , but I think you'll probably look better in something that has a bit of shape to it.

New Look is often better than you'd expect it to be. I'd avoid halter neck, as they might make you look top heavy. I might be projecting there

This M&S dress?

Next and Monsoon are probably good bets.

Petite Pink Floral Belted Waist Mini Dress | New Look
Buy Roman Petite Spot Print Stretch Jersey Dress from the Next UK online shop
Buy Mini Angel Sleeve Shirt Dress from the Next UK online shop
Embellished Shell Print Short Dress Pink (monsoon.co.uk) not petite but pretty

Community Clothing

Are these any good? Only slightly above your budget but cotton or linen and made ethically in the UK.

Thank you so much. Just looking now x

Hi, sorry I don't know how to reply to individual posters. But yes I like this m and s dress thank you. I like fitted waist wise, it's more over pelvic area I'm wary. Thank you

I've not been in New Look since I was a teenager but I'll certainly take a look. How is there sizing?

Nifty - thank you I will also look at next petite and I like the shirt dress you added.

You are more than welcome @hummingbirds2 .
Type the at symbol (@) and it displays a list of usernames then you pick the username.

New Look stends to be true to size, and what they stock depends on where the store is. M&S definitely stock varies from store to store.

I quite like Zara but the sizing is all over the place, which is a bad sign, and the stores are usually messy.

Uniqlo is pretty good. Their clothes tend to fit me and I'm not tall. (under 5'4)

I tend to buy a lot of my clothes second hand, but the charity shops near me are good and cheap.

@KirstenBlest I've just been on uniglo and liked some of theirs. Can I ask what would be size 8 in their stuff/ what is sizing like?
Thank you

Uniqlo has a sizing guide on the page, where you enter some details like height bust etc. I'd guess you'd be an XS or S. I find that sleeves are not long on me. I'm usually an S there. The quality is good for the price. Their T-shirts and hoodies seem to wash well and last.

Hi OP

I think I’m not dissimilar shape to you, but a size up ( so size 10 and a 30FF). I’m finding it hard to find dresses this year as well.

Just to mention one thing I’ve noticed is dresses like the shirt dress the waist is often too low on me and isn’t flattering. The proportions seem wrong ( unless it’s properly petite). I now tend to look for more empire line/higher waists. Generally also found shorter dresses look better ( which seems strange to me as I’m older than you and at first worried they were too young which is ridiculous!).

Other shape that I’ve found worked surprisingly is some of the more short shift shape dresses ( as can see legs and arms so don’t look tent like) BUT usually bought in a size down. Others that I’ve been surprised work are the short floaty ones, but not if they have too much volume on the sleeves - 3/4 work best. This https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-tie-neck-mini-dress/p/clp60594471 for example was surprisingly flattering.

This is too expensive but gives an idea of the shift with a bit of shape style that also seems to work
https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/dresses/products/linen-smocked-t-shirt-dress-pink

That M&S one is very pretty, not keen on the Jigsaw one.
I only searched for Petite but some of the standard ones would probably be fine.

Another not-petite one
Ivory Simone Vine Jersey Dress, Dresses | FatFace.com