Best 20 Casual Summer Dresses For Petites
If you’re short like me, here are 20 casual summer dresses for petites to try right now!
If you’re short like me (I’m 5’2″), finding casual summer dresses for petites can be tricky. What looks effortless on someone taller can be ill-fitting on us. It can be so frustrating when all we want is something that feels laidback and relaxed but still looks put together. Are we really asked for too much?!
So, I scoured the internet for 20 petite summer dresses that either come in petite specific sizing or are petite friendly (usually confirmed by personal experience!) so you can place some orders and live your best summer life until it gets chilly out again. Let’s dive in!
20 Casual Summer Dresses For Petites
1. Tie Shoulder Mini Dress
This tie shoulder dress is so easy breezy – and it comes in 3 colors! It’s 55% linen and feels really lightweight. I got a size small regular because the petite was out of stock and I think it fits me really well. It’s also only $37 which is already a steal, but don’t forget to look for a discount before checking out!
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2. Smocked Tiered Dress
If you’ve been wanting a short nap dress but you’re on a budget, this smocked dress is so cute! It’s 100% cotton which makes it a great throw-on-and-go dress, no matter what the temperature is outside.
I got this in a petite small but I wish I got it in a regular small for a little extra length in the straps and skirt, so just keep that in mind when you order.
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3. Puff Sleeve Shirt Dress
This $40 dress keeps going in and out of stock – and now I understand why! It is 100% cotton, machine washable, and feels much more expensive than it is. I got a regular XS because the petite was sold out but I don’t think it’s too long when the waist is cinched!
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4. Sweetheart Corset Midi Dress
This sweetheart corset midi dress totally exceeded my expectations. It reminds me of this much pricier and fancier Staud dress and this $105 midi – except this one is only $50! It looks really nice but it’s 100% cotton and feels really wearable to everything from something really casual to a bridal shower or date night. I got it in a small petite and it fits perfectly.
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5. The Somerset Mini Dress
This classic mini dress (pictured above!) is back in 5 colors/prints and in standard, petite, and tall sizing! WOOO! I finally ordered it and the petite small fit like a dream. I wasn’t sold on this print, but the dress itself is just too good, so I’m currently eyeing the eyelet version and the linen version!!
The notched neckline makes this a little conservative too, so you could also wear it to work, depending on your office dress code. I saw someone tuck them under to create a deep v neckline, which is really cute if you want a sassier look too!
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6. The Somerset Maxi Dress
If you prefer maxi dresses, the Somerset maxi comes in petite sizing!!! Some prints/colors are sold out in petite right now, but it also comes in an embroidered version and a gorgeous cutwork version. You can obviously dress these up with heels, but since they come in petite sizing, you can also dress them down with flat sandals and a casual jacket!
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7. YPB sculptLUX Mini Dress
This active dress doesn’t come in petite sizing, but it’s petite friendly and it lives up to the HYPE! It runs true to size with a really nice thick and flattering fabric. It also has built in shorts and comes in 7 (!!) colors. I got a small and it’s perfect. I like to wear it with sneakers!
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8. Reformation Ecomove Active Dress
The active dress pictured above is old now – but there are new ones this year! They don’t come in petite sizing, but the lengths are definitely petite friendly. I’m assuming they felt like they could keep it on the short side since there are built-in shorts. No matter what the motivation, I love it!
It is made with their sleek performance fabric called EcoMove, which is really comfortable, especially in the heat. I personally love this new style and this one too!
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9. Pareto T-Shirt Dress
I looove discovering local Chicago-based brands, so when Pareto reached out to me last year offering to send me their t-shirt dress, I was SO EXCITED. It doesn’t come in petite sizing, but I got an XS and it fits me so well. Instead of being just straight up and down, it has a tapered body that subtly hugs the waist and moves away from your hips.
It’s also made responsibly in California with organic cotton from Texas – and it’s machine washable! In terms of styling, this can be worn with sneakers on a walk, with simple sandals and a denim jacket out to dinner, or with a blazer to work. SO versatile!
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10. Abercrombie Midi Dress
This dress pictured above is from last year, but this year’s version is very similar (I tried it on here!) and can be dressed up or down just like this one! At first, it feels like a shower or casual wedding dress… but I wore it with sneakers during the day and flat sandals at night Italy and I loved both looks so much! I got a petite XS.
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11. Reformation Saskia Dress
I tried this dress on last year and resisted… but it’s back this year in 6 different prints and I think I might go for it. I tried on a regular size 2 and it fit perfectly. Not too short, not too long!
I love this style because you could easily dress it up or down. It looks cute with sneakers or casual sandals, but you could also easily throw on a pair of heels and wear it to a shower or other fun summertime event!
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12. Reformation Linen Mini Dress
I bought this dress back in 2020 for bridal events and I’ve ended up wearing it a ton since then. This exact dress isn’t available anymore BUT this one is super similar besides the embroidery (so cute!) and the ties in the back. I also love this faux wrap one, this scalloped strapless one, and this one in the blue and white print. Swoon!
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13. Hill House Nap Dress
I held out on the nap dress for along time because I assumed it wouldn’t work on me, but I’m happy to report that I caved and it’s totally petite friendly! I think of it more as a maxi than a midi because of my height, but I’m fine with that. It is seriously the most comfortable dress ever and it’s so easy to dress up or down.
For a more casual look, I pair it with flat sandals or slim sneakers. Easy peasy! I sized down to an XXS in this dress and you can read about other styles I’ve tried on in this post.
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14. Quince Maxi Slip Dress
I know a slinky black maxi might not seem casual at first, but this dress can be styled so many different ways! This is one of my favorite ways to dress it down – just add flat sandals and a linen shirt. Perfect for brunch! I got a size small and you can see other ways to style it in this post and in this reel.
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15. Trapeze Midi Dress
If you’re looking for something swingy and breathable, this trapeze dress is so breezy and cute! I got a petite XS and it’s still pretty roomy. There are a bunch of ways to style this but it makes me want to be on a beach more than anything else!
16. Short Sleeve Mini Dress
I got this mini dress on a whim, and it is one of those great thrown-on-and-go casual summer dresses for petites. (Additional colors here!) It comes in petite sizing (I got an XS petite) and it is so affordable. We’re talking $34 full price, but right now it’s on sale for $25 + an extra 25% off with code BONUS.
The easy silhouette is what sold me on this one – I love that you can adjust the ties on the sides to define your waist as much as or as little as you like. It also feels so breezy and lightweight! I usually wear this with sneakers and a sling bag (as pictured above!), but it’s also really cute with a nice pair of sandals if you want to wear it out to brunch or dinner.
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17. Puff Sleeve Mini Dress
I’m a sucker for a puff sleeve and this one is so fun! The empire waist and loose skirt make it super comfortable, plus it comes in petite sizing! This version is old but I loooove the colors and prints it comes in this year. Hello red print! I got a petite xs and it worked for me but I’ve heard to size up if you have a bigger chest.
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18. High Neck Linen Blend Dress
This linen dress might not seem all that exciting but it’s such a great staple to have on hand! You can literally add whatever jewelry, jackets, shoes or accessories you want to it! I got a petite small and it’s honestly a little short on me, so if you’re 5’2″ or taller, I’d get a regular size instead of petite.
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19. Draper James T-Shirt Dress
My rainbow version is sold out, but lucky for you, this dress comes in a few other colors and they’re all on sale right now! This dress doesn’t come in petite, but because it has an adjustable tie at the waist, you can really nip it in which brings the length up to become really petite friendly!
Adam calls this my “soccer Mom dress” and honestly, I don’t disagree with him. It feels very… wholesome? It’s 100% cotton, super comfy, and looks cute with sensible shoes like sneakers. Easy peasy.
20. Cutout Maxi Dress
I have notoriously bad luck with dresses from Amazon – but this one is a winner!! It’s 100% cotton and the cutout is fun while still being totally bra friendly. But the best part is that I can wear flat sandals with it! No hemming needed! I love that it also feels really lightweight on hot days. It is definitely mean to be worn casually though, at least in my opinion!
Shop more casual summer dresses for petites below!
PS. If you liked these casual summer dresses for petites then you might also like my Nap Dress Review, How To Style A Maxi Dress 5 Ways and my Quince Review.
