Petite Mother of the Bride Dresses

Petite Fashion

Petite clothing is designed for women who are between 4’11” and roughly 5’4” tall. The formal definition of petite suggests that the term relates to girls or women who are slim and small in stature. Designers create petite fashions that suit women who are shorter than 5’5” but in a range of sizes.

Misses’ size clothing is ideal for women who are taller than 5’4” and it can be very difficult to alter dresses in this category to fit a petite woman. The main obstacle is the length of the torso. Altering the torso region often results in a prominent seam. The bust line is another area of concern because the bust point darts are difficult to keep in the proper place as the gown is altered.

Designs for Height

Styles intended for taller women may have some elements of style that are not flattering for shorter, slimmer women. Many misses’ designs are too boxy for a petite stature. For example, ball gown styles are ideal for taller women but often they do not suit smaller frames even when they are altered to fit.

Plus Size Petite

Some retailers offer Petite plus size evening wear to accommodate full figured women who are shorter than 5’5” tall. This type of evening wear is preferable to selecting plus size formal gowns that require alterations.

A mother of the bride dress for a petite woman should be designed specifically for someone who is shorter than 5’5” in height. This is the best way to ensure a good fit that is both attractive and comfortable.

Where to Find Petite Mother of the Bride Dresses

While petite sizes are notorious for being elusive, many manufacturers offer lovely options for women to consider. Some women love wearing formal gowns while others prefer petite cocktail dresses. Both are available from a number of reputable designers.

Barrie Pace

Barrie Pace features a stunning collection of formal dresses for women of different heights. The company’s line of petite dresses for women is diverse, offering an array of colors and styles. The customer fitting feature is an outstanding resource that can help shoppers find the perfect fit by taking a few simple measurements. Barrie Pace offers generous selections and the tools necessary to get a perfect fit.

Mon Cheri

Mon Cheri offers many different options for petite mother of the bride dresses. Each of the following lines has something unique to offer.

• Montage
• Occasions
• Cameron Blake
• Rina Di Montella
• Evenings by Mon Cheri
• Ensembles by Mon Cheri

Ensembles by Mon Cheri is an excellent choice because there are many options available. The collection includes mix-and-match pieces that come together to create a stunning assembly that is handpicked by the shopper.

David’s Bridal

David’s Bridal has an affordable collection of dresses that are ideal for a wide range of tastes. This company offers mix-and-match options as well and can easily coordinate with their lines of bridal gowns.

Selecting a Dress

There are many choices, so it is important to narrow your selection according to the color and style. The dress should be comfortable enough to carry you through the ceremony and the wedding reception, and the dress should be as comfortable as it is beautiful.

Color

The color of the dress should compliment your skin tone but it needs to work well with the bridal party, too. Bold colors can sometimes be overwhelming on smaller women, so consider whether a rich or muted tone will work with the wedding color scheme. The ideal is a dress that coordinates with the color scheme without necessarily matching the other gowns perfectly.

David’s Bridal features a color coordination section that provides guidelines. It is important to keep in mind that colors can vary significantly on different computer monitors. Different designers may have color variations as well. The "Dress Your Wedding Feature" also allows mothers of brides to see how various dress styles and colors look with the wedding party's apparel.

Designs for Petites

Silhouettes that flatter petite women include one-piece and two-piece dresses. Some women prefer to choose classic one-piece dresses while others gravitate toward two-piece dresses.

Jackets are very popular because they can be removed at the reception for a different look. The jackets can be structured or soft, depending on your specific tastes. Structured styles are ideal for slender women and softer jackets work well for full figured petites.

A-line skirts and dresses are flattering to nearly every figure, so outfits that feature this type of design are great choices. Long, full dresses may be attractive but they can practically swallow a petite woman. Simple, clean lines may work better for smaller frames.

It is helpful to try on a number of different styles to make sure that you select the most flattering dress for your figure.

Petite women can face style, color, and size challenges when they shop for petite mother of the bride dresses. By understanding what styles will flatter their figure without overwhelming the wedding, however, these mothers can beautifully complement their daughters on their special day.