Knee length summer dresses with waist tie or elastic. Not clingy!

[Justkoko]

Where are all the stylish dresses? 5ft3 so midi usually end up at ankles and swamp me.
Just looking for a simple shape, jersey or linen would be fine, open neckline, but must come in at the waist, either with elastic or a thin tie belt. Just covering knees ideally, not too long or it overwhelms me. Everything seems to be in garish prints, I can't find a single thing. There used to be lots of these type of dresses about.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/haneth-denim-midi-dress

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/helleborine-organic-cotton-above-ankle-dress

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/sand-patterns-organic-cotton-summer-dress

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-puff-sleeve-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp60784951?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I like this one from M&S.

And this too.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-pintuck-midi-relaxed-dress/p/clp60778464?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I know - another one that's longer than you want ... but a good shape for your figure? https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-midaxi-waisted-dress/p/clp23070531?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

In fact, I may be purchasing that Ro & Zo one myself ...

Elasticated waist & petite, at Whistles in sale?

https://www.whistles.com/product/leopard-cotton-midi-dress-40184.html

https://www.whistles.com/product/broderie-midi-dress-39858.html

https://www.whistles.com/product/tiger-flame-midi-dress-40020.html

Cotton, short???! https://www.whistles.com/product/cotton-frill-mini-dress-40101.html

Not sure if you'd consider shirred. https://www.whistles.com/product/shirred-bodice-v-neck-dress-39969.html

https://www.whistles.com/product/abstract-squares-midi-dress-39736.html

https://www.whistles.com/product/midi-short-sleeve-dress-40172.html

A PP mentioned Apricot - I've had a few dresses from there (I'm 5ft 3ins).

https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/tiered-utility-midaxi-dress/Am1989-Khaki.html

This linen mix one?

https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/linen-blend-shirt-midi-dress/J039811-Navy.html

This would probably be around knee length on me.

https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/scattered-squares-shirt-mini-dress/D179718-Khaki.html

Sézane do great summer dresses. I’m 5’ 7 and find their sizing a bit short in the bodice and arms (though their trousers are long) so might fit you?

I bought this recently from Hobbs - will wear it with white trainers or tan leather sandals https://www.hobbs.com/product/petite-sandra-dress/0224-5885-9045L04-BEGONIA-RED.html#navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=sale&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=category0&prefv1=Dresses&prefn2=petite&prefv2=Petite&prefn3=refinementColor&prefv3=Pink%7CRed&pid=0224-5885-9045L04-BEGONIA-RED&pos=17

I haven’t RTFT yet but this?
I'm thinking of buying this from Next - Love & Roses Black Notch Neck Mini T-Shirt Dress
https://www.next.co.uk/style/SU894631/V23180

I get what you mean OP as I’m the same height as you, small frame and feel swamped in maxi and most midis which look like maxi on me. I bought a few midi dresses from Sézane which fit me perfectly. I’ve also one from George at Asda which I’ve had a few years now but is the perfect fit.

I’d try petite ranges op. And plenty of shops like markies do dresses in short length.

the issue is midi is the current style, knee is quite dated, but if you try a midi dress in a petite size, it may come to the length you wish.

Thanks so much to all. Managed to find a boden knee length jersey dress, but in the long length option it's about where I want it to be! Also, Apricot, there's quite a lot I could buy there! Found a midi that fits just right in New Look. This may be a brand I come back to.
I just used to pretty much shop at Oasis back in the early 2000s. I liked pretty much everything there, it was always cut right with neat fitting shoulders etc. I went off it when it changed and started to look like a boohoo website or something. So much now is oversize or dropped shoulders etc. I know it's the fashion but it doesn't suit me at all. So any brands that aren't too expensive, but are cut to skim your frame rather that cling to or hang off it, I'm interested!

Came here looking for the same thing. 5'3" and pearshaped so I look good in a traditionally A-line skirt that skims out from the hips and falls just above or just below the knee. Looking for strappy summer dresses like that. EVERYTHING is so long, and often even longer than you expect because the models are so tall. If you can get a shorter skirt it's always something with sleeves, or an awful pattern, I agree.

This infernal maxi cut (which we're apparently calling 'midi', but it isn't on me!) looks so dowdy on me, like someone's thrown a full length paper bag over my head. They can be pretty ofc but they're not practical - I went for a walk in one yesterday and I was tripping over it.

A few places do mini dresses but I no longer have the thighs for that unfortunately (or rather, things that would have been a reasonable length on me ten years ago are now indecently short because of all my middle).

I just want to feel pretty in a flowery summer dress, goddamn it.