Your definitive guide to the best petite dresses for wedding guests

As wedding season approaches, it's a time of excitement to celebrate the happy couple — unless you can't find anything to wear. Our fashion editors understand the struggle petites can feel when trying to find a stellar outfit. Fortunately, we also know where to find the best petite dresses for wedding guests.

Put your wedding season or next formal event in our expert hands. We've put together a list of our top choices so you can get back to the best part of attending a  wedding: having fun!

We have something for every wedding theme, every style and every taste. Keep reading to find your perfect dress.

Read more: Shop our editor's picks of the best drugstore mascaras

Discover our curated dress selection

Best dress for simple elegance

ASOS DESIGN Petite Midi Dress

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$68.80 at ASOS

Best petite-sized gown

ASOS DESIGN Petite Puff Sleeve Pleated Textured Midi Dress

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$64 at ASOS

Best petite cocktail dress

ASOS DESIGN Petite peekaboo midi pencil dress

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$85 at ASOS

Best maxi petite dress for wedding guests

Petite Burgundy Satin Maxi Dress

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$32 at PrettyLittleThing

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Best dress for simple elegance

ASOS DESIGN Petite Midi Dress

You save $17.20 (20%)

$68.80$86

$68.80 at ASOS

Pros & Cons

• Offers a simple silhouette 

• Features eye-catching off-the-shoulder design 

• Easy-care fabric

• White-adjacent color is the only option

• Not the most breathable fabric blend

This dress is the perfect example of how stunning simplicity can be. It features a flattering silhouette with an off-shoulder detail and excellent draping for short ladies. The cut elongates the body and looks like it was plucked from this season's runway.

A polyester blend will keep its shape and resist dust and pilling. Unlike many other formal dresses, this one is machine washable.

Best petite-sized gown

ASOS DESIGN Petite Puff Sleeve Pleated Textured Midi Dress

You save $16 (20%)

$64$80

$64 at ASOS

Pros & Cons

• Flattering silhouette

• Easy-care fabric 

• Classic detailing

• Square neckline may show standard undergarments

• Neckline may be too revealing for some

With a classic square neckline, scalloped detailing and puff sleeves, this is the perfect petite dress for wedding guests. A lightweight polyester and zip back keep the dress comfortable and easy to get on and off. The slight texture in the overlay is equally eye-catching.

The fabric is durable and machine washable. The dipped back is flattering, and the midi length works well for many different types of events.

Best petite cocktail dress

ASOS DESIGN Petite peekaboo midi pencil dress

You save $17 (20%)

$68$85

$85 at ASOS

Pros & Cons

• Features a trendy pastel green

• Easy-care fabric 

• A bold one-shoulder and slim-fit look

• Not the most breathable fabric

• No zip opening, so do makeup and hair after the dress is on

Cocktail weddings are an opportunity to be a little more flirty with your fashion. This petite cocktail dress features a slim silhouette with bold one-shoulder details. The color is a flirty green that suits most skin tones. The pastel is fresh but not too close to white.

A polyester blend fabric is durable and holds its shape throughout the evening. Despite looking very expensive, the garment is easy to care for. Toss it in the wash, and it's ready for your next event.

Best maxi petite dress for wedding guests

Petite Burgundy Satin Maxi Dress

You save $13 (28.89%)

$32$45

$32 at PrettyLittleThing

Pros & Cons

• It offers a classic, old-Hollywood silhouette

• Bold colors are perfect for evening or winter weddings

• The drape makes it easier to move around

• Satin offers no stretch and can bleed color in the wash

• Sizing only goes up to women's 10

This maxi dress features a bold satin material designed to catch the eye for evening weddings. A simple spaghetti strap neckline is attractive without upstaging the bride and is easy to style for warm weather. Add a formal jacket, and it moves easily to winter events.

The material is a polyester blend and is washable by itself on a gentle setting. A thigh slit makes sure that you can move easily whether the wedding is in a venue or outside.

Best petite formal dress for wedding guests

MISA Halter Midi Dress

$160

$160 at Banana Republic

Pros & Cons

• The simple, modest design fits a variety of event types

• Good sizing selection for a petite dress

• The fabric is durable enough for multiple wears

• Sizing may run small, so view the size chart before ordering

• The fabric does not have stretch

For formal weddings, a simple silhouette in an understated color ensures you don't upstage the bride. This Banana Republic choice features a demure halter-style neckline that shows off the shoulders and lengthens the body. 

It features a simple drape style and falls just below the knees. A hidden zip makes it easy to get on and off, and a back vent ensures you have a good range of motion. While the lining is 100% polyester to prevent static cling, the exterior is a durable rayon blend. Toss it into the wash to be ready for the next event.

Best black petite wedding guest dress

SHEIN PETITE Solid Split Thigh Cami Dress

You save $2.17 (14.98%)

$12.32$14.49

$12.32 at SHEIN

Pros & Cons

• A simple silhouette is suitable for many occasions

• Easy care, stretchy fabric is very comfortable

• 4.9 out of five-star average rating

• Limited sizes

• Legging-style material may not be exactly the right fit for formal events

This dress from SHEIN is a simple design that brings the wow factor. An extra stretchy polyester blend hugs the body and creates a flattering silhouette. The classic neckline and mid-thigh slit make this bodycon dress more comfortable to move around.

The fabric is machine washable and simple enough to fit a variety of wedding and party themes. It moves from day to cocktail to evening effortlessly and can become your favorite little black dress. Plus, if you love it, it's available in multiple colors.

What to know when shopping for your dress

From getting the right size to ensuring you aren’t breaking any wedding etiquette rules, selecting the perfect dress requires a good amount of thought. For those feeling unsure about the process, our editors answer some commonly asked questions.

Are petite sizes smaller or just shorter?

Petite sizing is designed to fit women who are five-feet-four-inches and shorter—regardless of their size. These dresses have shorter sleeves and hemlines but will reflect the sizing of the brand for regular sizing outside of those reductions. In some cases, a designer may also change the armhole placement to fit petite frames. It's important to measure and follow sizing charts to determine your true size, regardless of petite or regular sizing.

What color dress do you wear to a wedding as a guest?

As far as traditions go, guest attire should blend with the surroundings of the wedding so that the bride and groom can have all of the attention. White dresses are strictly off-limits unless the bride has given you personal instructions to wear that color. Colors that appear white may also be a poor choice for a . Some weddings may have specific color requirements included in the theme, so you should always follow the required dress code.

What do different wedding dress codes mean?

Choosing the best petite dress for a wedding guest depends a lot on the required dress code. Here are the most common ones:

• Black tie: Formal attire is required. Men will wear tuxedos, and women will typically choose floor-length gowns or other formal dresses. In some cases, an elegant mid-length cocktail gown is also suitable.

• Formal or black-tie optional: For men, this means either tuxedos or dark suits, and women can choose between formal gowns or fancy cocktail dresses. It also allows for more fun with colors.

• Semi-formal or cocktail: This is one of the most popular themes for weddings. Men wear suits, and women pull out their favorite cocktail dresses in a variety of colors. 

• Dressy casual or daytime: This is typical for afternoon or outdoor weddings. Men will often forgo full suits in favor of ties and slacks or even khaki and gray colors. Women can choose sundresses in more casual cuts and materials, including fun floral prints.

• Theme weddings or "festive" dress codes: These can be very fun. For festive dresses, think of the dress for the destination--Hawaiian prints, for example. Themes are also up to the bride and groom. However, the same rules apply here: don't upstage the bride.

What if there is no dress code specified?

Weddings are dress-up occasions unless the couple has requested a specific theme. But unless the invitation says "jeans and your favorite band t-shirt," it's best to assume that a nice dress is the proper attire. You can look at the time to determine what dress you want — a wedding at 7 pm is likely more formal than one at 3 pm. And if all else fails, we’d suggest going for at least the semi-formal level of dress — because, after all, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed at a formal affair.

Which petite wedding guest dresses are must-haves?

We love every single dress on this list and plan to add them all to our closet. However, if we must choose our favorites, these two best petite dresses for wedding guests are standout choices:

• ASOS DESIGN Petite Midi Dress: This midi dress offers the perfect blend of fun and style. It features a classic shape with a twist that can fit into most wedding themes, and the material will stand up to an entire season of events with ease.

• Petite Burgundy Satin Maxi Dress: This maxi dress features enough drama that you'll feel great but won't upstage the bride at more formal weddings. A classic cut and beautiful material allow you to add a wrap for cooler nights or leave it open for events where you need to make a splash.

Prices updated on 08/01/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.