Are you starting your wedding dress search? There are many factors to consider when shopping for your dream gown. From the fabric to the embellishments, it’s easy to get caught up in the details, but don’t forget how the dress fits your body!
For brides with smaller frames, the key is finding a gown that flatters your petite figure without being too much. Keep reading to learn more about finding the ideal dress for your frame and to see our top five wedding dresses for the petite modern bride!
Shopping Tips for Petite Brides
There are a few things for petite brides to remember for a successful shopping experience. Our True Crew rounded up their best tips:
- Bring the shoes you plan on wearing or a pair of the same height to your appointment. You would be surprised at how a few extra inches can change the look of a dress!
- Speaking of those extra inches, make sure to step off the pedestal in every gown you try. The extra height can mask things like a joint line hitting too low or a ballgown skirt that is too overwhelming for your figure.
- Think petite! While you can certainly wear a ballgown or rock an amazing train, the True Crew recommends opting for dresses with scaled-down versions of the details you love. Lighter fabrics are also a plus! Think of a finer Chantilly lace rather than a bold crocheted lace, for example.
What are the Best Silhouettes for Petite Brides?
While at True Society, we always recommend that brides wear what they feel best in and there are a few tried and true tips for finding the ideal bridal silhouettes for petite women. A-lines, sheaths, fit-and-flare or mermaid styles are the recommended silhouettes for a bride with a smaller frame.
A-lines with bodices that end at the natural waist make the legs appear longer and highlight the waist. Sheaths elongate the body and hug the curves with no breaks in the skirt, drawing the eye vertically.
For the bride who wants to show off their shape, a fit-and-flare or mermaid silhouette highlights an hourglass figure. The key is to avoid a gown with too much volume or material, as to not weigh down or take attention off the bride.
Proportions are of the highest importance when choosing gowns for petite women. Where a skirt starts to flare can make all the difference in whether a dress is ideal for the petite bride! Another flattering element to look for is gowns with structure, which helps shape and frame the body, so you don’t feel like you’re drowning in fabric.
What are the Best Necklines for Petite Brides?
When it comes to petite wedding dresses, necklines go a long way in flattering the petite figure. A V-neckline or plunging neckline draws the eye vertically, elongates the body and looks especially beautiful on petite brides with an hourglass figure. For brides with a smaller bust, a sweetheart neckline is a beautiful choice. Brides with a longer neck can wear a high neckline beautifully, while those with a shorter neck can create the illusion of a longer neck and highlight the decolletage with a strapless or off-the-shoulder style.
What are the Best Waistlines for Petite Brides?
The best waistlines for petite brides are those that work with their natural proportions. We usually recommend a bodice that highlights the natural waist to give the illusion of longer legs, but you can also opt for an empire waist, which hits just below the bust. We don’t recommend drop-waisted styles for petite brides, as styles with skirts that flare at the hips can make the legs look short.
Petite Wedding Dresses
Simple Petite Wedding Dress
Brides with petite frames look stunning in simple wedding dresses, which allow the figure to shine. Essense of Australia Style D3705 is a chic and simple wedding dress that pairs timeless elegance with modern details for a show-stopping walk down the aisle. A straight-across strapless bodice wraps around the torso for a clean and minimalist bridal silhouette before draping into a chic sheath skirt. For a traditional look with a twist, a regal detachable overskirt adds drama to this sophisticated fitting silhouette for petite brides.
Tulle & Lace Petite Wedding Dress
Petite wedding dresses are ideal in lighter fabrics that don’t overwhelm those with a small frame. Essense of Australia Style D3657 is a fit-and-flare wedding dress covered in glamorous details from the top of the beaded back to the bottom of its lace train. Sheer lace straps grace the shoulder and meet the flattering V-neckline that elongates the figure.
In the back, strands of glittering beads are placed over an illusion back insert for a sexy low-back look. Underneath, a row of fabric-covered buttons and soft ruching highlight the figure before flaring into a shimmering sequin tulle skirt. Throughout Style D3657, 3D floral lace details are placed to highlight the hourglass silhouette and lace train.
Structured Petite Wedding Dress
Essense of Australia Style D3486 is a structured wedding dress for petite brides. Sexy spaghetti straps grace the shoulders and open the neckline to a flattering contoured bodice with modern corset-style boning. The allover silver sparkle is accented with ivory lace appliques—all set upon a gorgeous champagne silver backing.
In the back, fabric-covered buttons gather at the center of the subtle ruching detail for an ultra-flattering fit-and-flare design. For a dramatic touch, the horsehair hem adds structure to the glamorous flared skirt before leading into an epic, dramatic train.
High Waistline Petite Wedding Dress
Elongate your petite frame with the All Who Wander jules gown. This glamorously chic gown is a vision to behold with a sleek column silhouette in luxurious ivory liquid crepe. A modern straight neckline is accented with thin spaghetti straps, while a subtle wrapped effect hugs the body slightly above the natural waist. Deep side cutouts with illusion tulle highlight the waist and connect the light boning of the bodice to the softly ruched V-back detail and fabric-covered buttons. The skirt drapes over the figure to form a sweeping train that is oh-so-stunning!
Sexy Petite Wedding Dress
Of course, petite bridal gowns can be sexy, and Stella York Style 7479 is proof! Designed for the bride who isn’t afraid of a little sparkle, this gown radiates red-carpet-worthy glamour from head to toe. Shimmer sequins, brilliant beading and luxurious lace strike a stunning balance in this fit-and-flare silhouette. The plunging neckline and delicate spaghetti straps highlight the décolletage, while the low back and fabric buttons bring the sexiness. The final finishing touch is the flowy and frothy tulle skirt that sparkles, catching the light with every movement.
Accessorizing as a Petite Bride
Don’t forget to finish off your amazing bridal look with accessories! Petite wedding dresses are best accessorized with pieces that highlight the bride. Think dainty jewelry and headpieces and veils with minimal embellishments.
Also, take into account the style of your dress. For example, a long cathedral veil trimmed in lace may be beautiful with a simple sheath but overpowering when paired with a lace ballgown.
Are you a petite bride looking to find the wedding dress of your dreams? Once you are ready to begin shopping, you can locate a True Society bridal shop closest to you and book an appointment. Our True Crew of bridal stylists can’t wait to assist you! Gown availability varies per store.
