15 best petite maxi dresses for women to buy in 2023
SEARCHING for the best petite maxi dresses? We’ve done the hard work for you and found 15 of this season’s most coveted styles.
When it comes to summer, there’s nothing easier than throwing on a maxi dress: it’s a length that looks great whether for day or night, is comfy to wear and can be worn to suit all tastes and styles.
If you’re short or petite-sized, however, getting the length and fit right can be tricky – and often cost more money in alterations, once you’ve found your dream maxi.
Luckily though, there are plenty of brands and retailers with specific petite ranges to ensure that you find the perfect-fitting maxi dress, without it trailing way past your feet.
Check out our roundup of the best petite maxi dresses below, whatever your style and budget.
Best petite maxi dresses at a glance:
- Best overall: Joe Browns Women’s Beaded Strappy Maxi Dress
- Best casual dress: Roman Women Halterneck Maxi Dress
- Best for simplicity: New Look Petite Black Bandeau Maxi Dress
- Best for an event: New Look Petite Pink Satin Ruched Halter Maxi Dress
- Best animal print: Oasis Petite Animal Print Shirred Dress
1. Joe Browns Women’s Beaded Strappy Patterned Maxi Dress Casual
- Joe Browns Women’s Beaded Strappy Patterned Maxi Dress Casual, £65 from Amazon – buy here
Joe Browns is a brand that really comes into its own in the summer: its boho leanings are just perfect for laidback, sunny vibes and look timeless every season.
This maxi is a perfect example: the green paisley print is just the right amount of retro while still looking contemporary, thanks to the gold bead accents on the straps.
It passes the petite test too, with one reviewer on the Joe Browns website writing: “I am very short (5”) and dresses do not normally fit but this was perfect for me. Lovely design and colour too.”
2. Roman Petite Women Paisley Halterneck Maxi Dress
- Roman Petite Women Paisley Halterneck Maxi Dress, £23 from Amazon – buy here
Roman Originals is a great place to shop for petite clothing: this keyhole neck maxi is available in the brand’s petite range as well as its standard sizing.
It’s available in several colourways and style variations but our eye went straight for this navy and ivory print which is really striking and statement.
Although the fit is quite relaxed, the design features a contrasting pattern to highlight your waist – perfect for ensuring that petite frames aren’t drowned out.
“So pretty and feminine! Great quality”, says one five-star review.
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3. New Look Petite Black Bandeau Maxi Dress
- New Look Petite Black Bandeau Maxi Dress, £22.99 from New Look – buy here
Every wardrobe needs a simple black maxi like this one.
The plain colourway and simple silhouette allow it to be styled in countless ways – perfect for making your holiday packing go a long way.
The bandeau style will also look great with a denim jacket or even layered over a t-shirt.
4. New Look Petite Pink Satin Ruched Halter Maxi Dress
- New Look Petite Pink Satin Ruched Halter Maxi Dress, £39.99 from New Look – buy here
In a beautiful soft pink hue and satin finish, this New Look number will look dreamy at a garden party or wedding this summer.
Featuring a ruched halter neckline and fit-and-flare design, it’s perfect for a floaty and romantic style.
Just bear in mind that reviews say it’s quite thin, so you might want to layer a slip underneath.
5. New Look Petite White Floral Flutter Sleeve Midaxi Dress
- New Look Petite White Floral Flutter Sleeve Midaxi Dress, £29.99 from New Look – buy here
Flutter sleeves are ultra flattering if you want a bit more arm coverage from your maxi – plus the floaty style is great for staying cool and breezy.
With its mid-maxi length, this cute number will be a go-to this summer: just check out that ditsy floral print!
6. Oasis Petite Animal Print Crinkled Shirred Maxi Dress
- Oasis Petite Animal Print Crinkled Shirred Maxi Dress, 27 from Debenhams – buy here
We’re always a fan of leopard print: it’s one of the easiest ways to add statement and personality to any wardrobe.
This petite maxi by Oasis has a comfy shirred bodice and a flowing skirt: just add layered necklaces and your favourite sandals for a stylish summer brunch look.
7. boohoo Petite Gingham Pom Pom Shoulder Maxi Dress
- boohoo Petite Gingham Pom Pom Shoulder Maxi Dress, £20 from Debenhams – buy here
Gingham is back for another summer and looks just as good as ever.
Available in black and white or pink and white, this petite maxi by Boohoo features pom detailing and bows across the back of the straps for added interest.
8. Warehouse Petite Ruffle Sleeveless Maxi Dress
- Warehouse Petite Ruffle Sleeveless Maxi Dress, £45.50 from Debenhams – buy here
This ruffle detail maxi from Warehouse’s petite range would be perfect for a garden party or wedding guest outfit.
It’s a great way to do ‘sleeveless’ while still having some arm coverage.
9. Boohoo Petite Cut-Out Ruffle Linen Maxi Dress
- Boohoo Petite Cut Out Ruffle Linen Maxi Dress, £20 from Boohoo – buy here
Buy this linen maxi and take it on holiday: stat.
Featuring plenty of ruffles and a cutout section on the waist and back, it’s also available in lime green and classic black.
10. Boohoo Petite Snake Print Beaded Hanky Hem Dress
- Boohoo Petite Snake Print Beaded Hanky Hem Dress, £22.40 from Boohoo – buy here
Balearic boho vibes, are incoming.
The beaded detail on this Boohoo maxi really elevates an otherwise laidback hanky hem silhouette into a thing of beauty. We can just imagine it on a beach in Ibiza – or your nearest roof terrace bar.
11. Boohoo Petite Porcelain Tiered Maxi Dress
- Boohoo Petite Porcelain Tiered Maxi Dress, £17.60 from Boohoo – buy here
We’ve included several Boohoo picks here and that’s because its petite range is specifically designed to fit those 5’3’’ and under, so you definitely won’t encounter any trailing hems.
This strappy maxi is lovely whether for daytime or evening, with a striking green porcelain print that has bags of style.
12. Boohoo Petite Ladder Knit Beach Maxi Dress
- Boohoo Petite Ladder Knit Beach Maxi Dress, £24 from Boohoo – buy here
Summer holiday booked? Don’t forget to pack a cute beach cover-up!
This crochet-style ladder knit maxi is perfect for throwing over your bikini for a glam beach-to-bar look.
Plus it’s made with recycled cotton.
13. Dorothy Perkins Petite Navy Tiered Tie Shoulder Maxi Dress
- Dorothy Perkins Petite Navy Tiered Tie Shoulder Maxi Dress, £31.20 – from Dorothy Perkins – buy here
This is one of those classic maxis you can wear for all sorts of occasions: the plain navy style makes it ultra-versatile to dress up or down.
The model is 5′ 3″ tall and wearing flats, so you can be sure that the length will require no altering.
14. Dorothy Perkins Petite Black Ditsy Tiered Tie Shoulder Maxi Dress
- Dorothy Perkins Petite Black Ditsy Tiered Tie Shoulder Maxi Dress, £27.30 from Dorothy Perkins – buy here
Love black but want to inject a tiny bit more colour into your summer wardrobe? Try this ditsy floral maxi!
The fitted bodice and full skirt are ultra comfy and flattering, with tie shoulder straps completing the sweet look.
15. Wallis Petite Pleated Wrap Maxi Dress
- Wallis Petite Pleated Wrap Maxi Dress, £66.50 from Wallis – buy here
Got a wedding or al fresco special occasion? This pleated maxi is the perfect pop of colour.
On-trend in Barbie pink, the breezy chiffon and floaty sleeves are ideal for warmer temperatures – plus the self-tie belt allows you to wear it as cinched in as you like.
Do long dresses look good on short people?
Absolutely! If you’re small, it might seem logical to avoid floor-sweeping styles that will drown your frame.
However, it really does all come down to fit and correct proportions: brands which carry petite ranges are your best bet, as their dresses will be designed to suit your frame perfectly.
And if you opt for a style with a high waist, it can even help to elongate your body and give the illusion of height.
How long should a maxi dress be for my height?
Maxi lengths should hit the ankle bone, ideally.
This is long enough to be classed as ‘maxi’ rather than midaxi or midi, while still allowing enough space from the floor so that the skirt doesn’t trail in the dirt – or trip you up!
If you’re shopping in standard size ranges rather than petite, a good trick to finding the right maxi length for your petite frame is to select dresses which stop just above the model’s ankle bone.
What height is petite in the UK?
It can be a common misconception that petite ranges are for slimmer, smaller builds. However, the sizing is more specific to height and proportions: petite women, of course, come in all dress sizes.
Most petite size ranges are designed for women with a height of either 5’4″ (163cm) and under, or 5’3″ (160cm) and under.
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