If you have shorter legs like me, finding the right dresses is not always easy. Believe me, as I am 5’2″ myself. Besides, I also have a petite clothing line for women 5’4″ and under, so I hear feedback from thousands of my petite customers all the time.
The key is to make sure your dress not only fits you but also elongates your figure and gives the illusion of longer legs.
Based on my own experiences as well as feedback from my customers, I’ve put together this guide with the 12 types of best dresses that flatter women with shorter legs.
Table of Contents
Dresses with slits
Midi and maxi dress most times have too many fabrics that cover you all up and it could be overwhelming on you especially if you have short legs. The best way to therefore create a counterbalance is by wearing dresses with slits.
The slits could be at the front or the side but the point is slits on dresses would not make the eyes assume the legs are cut off. Slits on dresses could make a woman with short legs look very sexy and stylish.
Dresses with slits help the eyes get a peak into the legs which helps to give the body figure the illusion of an elongated leg and in this way helps to balance out the proportion of the body figure.
Fit and flare dresses
This type of dress is also called the A-line dress because it’s fitted at the top and flares out above your natural waistline.
The fitted section at the upper body part makes the torso look shorter and the flared section makes your legs appear longer. It’s a forgiving and accommodating dress that balances the shape of the body figure. The fit and flare dress is a highly recommended dress for short legs because it is very comfortable and flattering.
The design of the fit and flare dress is unique and an essential dress option for a woman with short legs because it sits comfortably on her and gives her the confidence she desires to appreciate her shape.
Belted dresses
Dresses with belts are generally used to highlight the waistline of the body figure but the position of the belt on the waistline has an effect on short legs. Belts on dresses should be positioned high enough as this would give the illusion of a shorter torso and a longer leg.
Also, if you have short legs it is best to use wider belts with a contrasting color from your dress because it’s the best way to draw attention to the waistline created by the belt. Belts on dresses are great height elevators that should be styled appropriately if you have short legs.
Belts on dresses help to draw the attention of the eyes to the waistline and this makes it a perfect choice of dress to make you look outstanding if you have short legs. It is, therefore, a good idea to have belts of different shades that would help elevate the look of your body if you have short legs.
Wrap dresses
One of the most universally flattering dresses for a woman with short legs is a wrap dress and this is because they are also a great way to elevate the height and still give the woman the comfort she desires for her body figure.
They should be one of the favorite dress designs of a woman with short legs and should never be left out of her wardrobe staple because they would not only elongate her legs but also give her a stunning appearance.
Wrap dresses are very classy dresses that make a woman with short legs look feminine and another beautiful thing about the wrap dress is that most of them have slits. Wrap dresses are designed to also highlight the waist and give the legs an elongated frame.
Lace dresses
Lace dresses are very beautiful dresses with sheer vibes suitable for a woman with short legs because, the linen attached to the dress, gives the eyes the illusion that the legs are longer than normal.
They are very classy dress designs that can be styled in different ways to suit the shape of the woman. They do so well in giving the body comfort and creating a balanced frame for the woman with short legs.
Lace dresses are stylish dress designs that could be worn for different occasions and can be paired with heels for a more elongated appearance.
Dress with an empire waistline
Another way to make the torso look shorter and the legs look longer are by wearing dresses with an empire waistline. This design of the dress is fitted below the bust and flares out to the other body part.
Dresses with empire waistlines are very flattering and effortlessly cool for women with short legs. They are a comfortable design that fixes the eyes at the fitted region to make the legs appear longer.
The empire waistline dress helps to ensure that the body figure isn’t cut in half at the middle but rather properly proportions the body figure.
Asymmetric dresses
The asymmetric dress is an edgy and stylish dress that is designed to be high at the front and low at the back. They create diagonal lines on your body that draw the attention of the eyes upwards and downwards to give the legs an elongated appearance.
They are very flattering on short legs because they do not end at the widest part of the calf and this helps to create a balanced proportion of the body figure. Asymmetric dresses are very beautiful and stylish for short legs.
They are an ideal option for dress style for a woman with short legs and should also be a part of her wardrobe staple.
Dresses with smaller prints
Prints on dresses are very important conditions to consider when choosing dresses for a woman with short legs.
Smaller prints on dresses can uplift the appearance of the dress and are very cool designs on dresses for a woman with short legs. Larger prints are just the opposite of smaller prints and they are not flattering on a woman with short legs and so it should not be purchased or worn.
Smaller prints on dresses create a visual effect on the figure of the body and this can make the short legs appear lengthened. Smaller prints on dresses create a visual effect on the figure of the body and this can make the short legs appear lengthened.
Vertical striped dresses
Stripes on dresses could add extra glamour to fabrics and vertical stripes are essential to naturally give the Illusion of length to short legs.
A vertically striped dress creates a visual balance by moving the attention of the eyes upwards and downwards. This visual balance gives the legs a different appearance of length and it is for this reason that vertical stripes on dresses are of better preference of dresses.
Vertical stripes on dresses are very stylish and flattering on women with short legs. They are also a recommended style option for women with short legs to slay and comfortably embrace their body figure and appearance.
V-neckline dresses
Dresses for women with short legs could be uniquely incredible if they have v-necklines. This design of the neckline is one of the best ways to make the legs appear longer.
The v-neckline dresses allow the eyes to get the illusion of long legs and this gives it the advantage of being an exclusive style idea for a woman with short legs.
They are very flattering necklines on dresses that are super comfortable and gorgeous. They draw the eyes towards the chest area by creating a vertical shape along the region that gives the illusion of a leaner and slimmer look.
Maxi dresses
The best length of maxi dresses for women with short legs are those that hit two inches above the ankles. Maxi dresses are very stylish and flattering in women with short legs because they are the easiest way to balance body proportion by creating unbroken lines along the body frame.
Maxi dresses can be worn with heels to help maximize the elongating effect of the dress. They can also be paired with flat shoes but if you intend to pair them with flat shoes, choose those with nude colors because it’s almost close to the skin colour and that’s a better way to make the legs appear longer as they’d give the eyes the illusion of a lengthened body frame.
It is best to also note that super long maxi dresses are not the best fit for short legs because they can be overwhelming on them and if not careful could reduce the confidence of the woman wearing it.
Wear dresses with hemlines that hit above the knee
Most dress designs with hemlines that hit above the knee are very simple and stylish for a woman with short legs who intends to make her legs appear longer.
Dresses with such patterns do not hit the widest part of the calf and help to balance the body proportion of the woman by not creating any form of broken lines along her body frame. They should therefore be a go-to option if you have short legs.
Avoid horizontal striped dresses
While vertical stripes are of greater preference stripes on dresses, horizontal stripes on dresses should be avoided because they would make create an imbalance in proportion in the body by causing width in the body and the illusion of reduced height.
Do not wear horizontally striped dresses if you want your short legs to appear longer. They are not the best fit and are not recommended for a woman with short legs.
