Please excuse me while I have a tall moment. The tall moments are few and far between for me, so when you’re feeling even four inches higher, you have to celebrate it. Now, back to topic. The other week when I posted about this Pink Blush maxi dress, that I fell in love with, I expressed my struggle with maxi dresses. Being 4’10”, finding a maxi dress right off the shelf is a struggle, so I tend to stay away from them. Hemming is always an option, but it can be a pain to have to take an extra step just to wear something. However, I was left with some very wise tips in the comments of that post, that I felt it needed its own post. So thank you, to my fellow blog friends and readers; here are shortcuts and buying tips for wearing a maxi when you’re petite.
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How To Wear a Maxi Dress When You’re Petite
So, first, I’ll talk about the dress I’m wearing. It’s the navy version of this dress that I loved so much! I had that dress hemmed for the post. You want to know something tragic? I washed it and it shrunk. ahhhh! I mean, I literally paid $35 for that hem and now the dress is an awkward ankle length. Now, ankle length maxi dresses are a thing, so I’m thinking I can still pull it off, but ugh! So, if you get this maxi dress, don’t hem it first! Wash it first, then hem. This time around I was wise and did not have the dress hemmed, instead I found the tallest shoes in my closet, my Marc Fisher wedges and went about my day. Which leads me to tip #1 –
Wear Tall Shoes
I know what you’re thinking, duh. Not a groundbreaking tip, but a practical one. First thing I did when this maxi came in the mail was try on every pair of shoes I own with it to see which one just might give me enough height to wear it without hemming. The Marc Fisher wedges did the trick. The dress could still come up an inch, but man it makes me look tall! I was like, “Steven, do you see how tall I am in these pictures?!” He wasn’t nearly as excited as me. Don’t forget my next tip before hemming…
Wash It First
Even clothes that say they can be hand washed have shrunk up on me. Don’t spend the money on hemming, without first seeing if the dress will shrink at all. It’s painful when you make that mistake like I did. Once you wash it, yes you can have it hemmed, which is an obvious solution.
You Could Always Lazy Hem Too
Have you ever heard of iron on hem tape? I used to use it all the time to make little crafty things like sashes for my friend’s birthdays. Full disclosure, I’ve never actually used it to hem, because I’m scurrd. However, it is really easy to use, so I think it could be an easy to use solution for hemming. You fold the fabric, place the tape in the fold and iron. It works! I mean I could also just learn to sew…I totally wish I had that skill!
At this point you may be like, this isn’t helping me one bit…so let’s get practical…
Where to Buy Maxi Dresses When You’re Petite
When you don’t feel like putting in extra work just to wear something, you can buy a dress that works for your little self, straight from the store. My absolute favorite places to buy petite maxi dresses are:
Banana Republic, LOFT and J.Crew. I’m so thankful for their petites, most of my wardrobe comes from those three brands for the simple fact that they actually fit me.
On my last post about maxi dresses, Nikki of The Fashionable Wife mentioned that she will buy mid calf length maxi dresses and they fit perfect on her! Girl you are genius! I will also sometimes dabble in the kid’s department to see if I can find a good fit. Kid’s clothing is always hit or miss for me. Yes, I’m short, but girls don’t always have the hips of a grown woman, so that doesn’t always work!
There is just something about a maxi dress that immediately makes you look put together. I get the most compliments when I wear a maxi dress, yet I feel like I’m wearing pajamas. That’s a win for me! So, the hunt or the extra work for a maxi is always worth it! (p.s. – I totally plan to hem this dress after washing it! I want it to be even more comfortable with flat shoes!)
Do you have any more tips for wearing a maxi, or a favorite place to find petite maxi dresses? Share them with me!
-Brooke
Now, let’s…get…linking!!
NEW! I’ve started a collaborative Pinterest board for the Oh, Hey Girl! Link-Up. I would love for you to join and share your looks there too! Just send me a message on Pinterest or at Brooke@pumpsandpushups.com if you would like to be added.
Link up any post you would like to show off; your outfit, home decor, recipe, workout. Anything at all! Because, oh, hey girl! I want to see it!
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See who I link with here! (p.s. – if you have a new link up on your blog, leave it in the comments, so I can add to this list!)
Maxi dresses are hard, even for me and I am 5’4! Some are just wayyy too long, others hit me at a weird spot on my ankle. Finding a good one is like gold! Ha!
Maxi dresses are challenging and your tips are spot on. You look so tall here.
xo
Pinksole
My best friend is petite and has the hardest time with maxi dresses- definitely sharing this post with her! xo, Biana-BlovedBoston
Great tips, this maxi definitely looks amazing on you!!
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
YOU look Fabulous as ever!!! You’ve made the maxi doable on my sweet petite friends; great tips!!
I’m not so petite that things are always too long, but I’m glad you’ve got these tips for petite girls because I would be devastated to not be able to easily wear a maxi dress! You’re right, they look so put together but feel so comfy! Sorry the other one shrunk! That happened to me with one of my maxi dresses this summer too and now I can’t even wear it! Boo! (Also, I feel a little obsessed with that yellow building I keep seeing in your feed! I need to go on the hunt for more pretty buildings!)
Virginia
More to Mrs. E
You look amazing in this maxi dress! These are some great tips, especially since all of the maxi dresses I’ve ever owned are super long.
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Beautiful Maxi, and perfect for your petite frame. Navy looks gorgeous on you!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
These are great tips! I’m average height and most maxis are still too long on me. That maxi dress looks amazing on you!
Jill
Doused in Pink
Your maxi dress is beautiful, I’m glad you made it work! I’m all about the ankle length maxi dresses, they are perfect floor skimmers for my short self. I love any brands that do a petite length too – Asos and my local fave Jeanswest are good for that! Plus yes my tailor is a frequent visit, haha!
Thank you for the link up!
Hope you are having a great start to the week 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
I’ve used that tape before and it works fabulously!! Great idea!!
I have to admit that the denim raw hem is wonderful for us short people so you can just cut off to the length you want. Now I guess we just need a denim maxi—wouldn’t that be strange?? Ha ha!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I certainly do not have the same height problem with maxi dresses as you do…I can never find them long enough! But your tips are great and you do look tall and ever so marvelous in this maxi! Another cute little trick (if it hasn’t already been mentioned) is to tie a little know at the hem to pull it up a little. You can know it on the outside or gather it underneath and secure it with a hair tie to make a little bustle type effect. Always super cute and adds a little detail to the hem!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I thought it was hard enough for me at 5’2! I like a few brands, but they are UK based.One being called Precis Petite. This brand would be perfect for you.
There are some good style tips here, and your dress looks gorgeous on xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
You are just too cute! Those are the right type of shoes to wear under a maxi. They definitely give you height. I’m 5’7 and I wear those shoes…I love them! The only high heel I can walk in.
This is a great post! I love that maxi! So pretty! Great tips. I am 5’5″ and even at that still have a little trouble with maxis being too long. Peace!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
noted! I need to remember these- I just don’t buy the maxi dress because I’m too lazy to hem it.
This is a darling dress! I usually can get away with some heels if I’m wearing a maxi dress but awesome tips!
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
I love this maxi dress on you! These are such great tips, but I actually have the opposite problem. Since I’m tall, a lot of maxis fall short, especially with heels, so finding the right one can be tough.
Rachael
http://www.threadsforthomasblog.com
So true! I’m just used to every single one being way too long!
Thanks girl, that’s like the best compliment ever for this shortie, haha!
Thank you so much Biana! I hope it helps!
Thank you marta!!
Thank you so much Andrea!
I found that spot and it’s perfect, always quiet and of course yellow!! I need to find more places, instead of the same yellow spot, but it’s been making life easy, haha! It stinks so much when something shrinks, it’s like whyyyy!!
Thanks Blaire!
Thank you so much Elise!
I feel better knowing it’s not just a problem for short girls!
I forgot about Asos! They do have a lot of great petites! I haven’t heard of Jeanswest, I wonder if they ship to the US!
Yes! I just cut a pair of my jeans the other day, I was scared to death, but it actually worked! I’m glad to hear you tried the tape and it worked, I’ve always been too afraid, but I think I’m going to try it!
Such a great tip Shelbee!!! I should add that to the post!
I should see if they ship to the US, I would to try them!
They are fabulous, I love feeling semi tall in them!
Maxi dresses can be a challenge!
Thats me, I have some that just sit in my closet because I don’t feel like visiting the tailor!
Lucky girl!! 😀
That’s even harder to overcome! It’s relatively easy to shorten a dress, but you can’t add length (I don’t think). I feel for you Rachael!
Good tips! I imagine it is annoying. Of course I always have the opposite problem of them looking funny because they are too short! 😉
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Darn you shrinkage!!! Brooke, I know I told another blogger about this so if it was you I apologize for repeating myself. Did you try the trick where you soak the dress that shrunk in some water with fabric softener and then try stretching it? I did that to a dress of my daughter that shrunk and it worked. I’m nowhere as petite as you but still only 5’3″. Whenever I put on my wedges like that my husband is always like, “what if you were really this tall”…it just cracks him up. Happy Wednesday!
How fabulous is this dress on you! I’m sure it’s been a struggle finding a great maxi, because even at 5’5″ I’m tripping over them. They should be like jeans, and be available at different lengths. Just sayin! Loving those wedges you had peeking out underneath <3
Green Fashionista
Girl I am right there with ya on the #shortgirlprobs 🙂 Any dress I try on is always dragging the floor. I always say “when in doubt, knot it out” and that seems to help not stepping all over it. Love all your tips and this super cute dress!
Brittany 😉
http://www.kingdomofsequins.com
I’m slightly taller than you, so I find that the petite section at Nordstroms is almost perfect, but still, having to pay the money to get something hemmed on top of already buying it is super annoying. I have super short legs so even the petite pants I have to hem a few inches! This dress is SUPER cute on you!
I always think, oh it would be so nice to be tall, but being taller comes with it’s fashion woes too!
You didn’t tell me!! Thats a great tip, I’m so going to try it!
I’m with you girl!!
You’re so right!! I should have added that!!
I have to hem petite pants too, it’s frustrating!!
Story of my life,. I prefer Hi Lo cz of same.
Vaishali
http://www.vivaciouswish.com/2017/08/06/willing-beauty/
You look gorgeous in this maxi, Brooke… and tall 🙂 Most of the time maxi’s hit my 5’7″ frame where they’re suppose to, but depending on the brand I’ve wound up with some that are a bit too short and some that are uber long, the latter being much easier to contend with, that’s for sure.
Mary
http://marymurnane.com
First off, I had no idea you were 4’10”! I’m 4’11” – shorties unite! And I know the maxi dress struggle all to well. I have to say that these shoes are SO comfy even with the added height. You look amazing!
Liz
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Such great tips! I’m 5’2″ and usually struggle when it comes to maxi dresses!
XoXo,
Tamara – LoveofMode.com
Love your tips! Especially the washing first one! I’m 5’2” and if a particular dress is too long on me (it usually is!), then sometimes I’ll cut it myself…. but only if it’s a cheaper dress and you couldn’t tell if I messed with the bottom myself haha
Much love from Napa Valley!
Paulina | SHENSKA
I’m the same height, haha!
Great tips 🙂 I’m 5’3″ and I’ve had to tailor quite a bit, which is definitely a pain. I have notice the calf-length tip is for sure a winner. It would hit me right where I really want it to hit!
http://www.ticketforadventure.com
These are great tips even if you aren’t petite! Washing before hemming is so important!
Great tips! I love this maxi on you! Thanks for sharing!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
Really great tips! I hardly own any maxi dresses because it is difficult to find ones that don’t literally pool around my feet. This navy dress is fabulous and you certainly do look tall! 🙂
YOU look SO good in blue.
I need to try the hem tape.. i have heard about it and sounds amazing.
You are so cute! These are all great tips anyone can use when altering clothing lengths. Thanks for sharing. XO, Ellese
Rock.Paper.Glam.
You look lovely! I like Maxi Dresses, they’re effortlessly chic 🙂
xx Alyssa // STYLE VANITY
This dress is a perfect fit on you! Not to mention I love that cute yellow door behind ya! 🙂
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
These are some really nice tips. Thanks for sharing. You look gorgeous by the way.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
I never would have guessed you were that short! You dress well for your height! I love the maxi and how comfy it looks!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
I love the maxi dress and those wedges. Great tips for shortening a maxi – I’m 5’7″ and some of my dresses are a bit too long so I’ll try the lazy tape because I’m hopeless at sewing!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I like to tie a knot on some maxi’s if it’s a casual day and that helps a lot with length, too! That is such a bummer it shrunk in the wash after you hemmed it. Sigh. I love the contrast of this dress against the bright yellow background and those are adorable wedge sandals you have on!!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Adorable! I can’t believe you are 4’10” SO LITTLE! I have worn some kids maxi dresses before, but like you said, it doesn’t really fit right for a woman… Will definitely try the lazy hem someday!
Simply Lovebirds
You look great but i’m not brave enough to try it yet lol