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What types of dresses are you trying on? A mermaid or trumpet silhouette may look best on you. Try to stay away from a lot of beading because it can make the dress look too busy and overwhelm your size. Also, remember that sample sizes are huge compared to your size, and they aren't gonna look right on you since they are so out of proportion. I think you still have plenty of time to find a dress.
I can tell you what has and hasn't worked for me, though it sounds like my body shape is a little different. I'm just shy of 5'4" and am very curvy. I was surprised to find that the mermaid shape really elongates me and makes me look taller - I was worried that having a dress flair out at the knees would make me look shorter, but it's quite the opposite. I am a 2 dress bride and have another dress that I've since realized is wrong for my body type. It has a natural waistline and the skirt falls from that waistline. Because I'm curvy and short, it makes me look shorter and rounder. Also, I had one designer tell me to stay away from anything tea-length - it shortens the legs.
Hope that helps!
Thanks. Who woulda thought I would have actually hated dress shopping! Other women in the rooms telling me how much I look like a child in the strapless dresses, and how my figure appears even tinier in sheath dresses does not help the self esteem. The ball gown doesnt work either. Havent tried a trumpet. I will. Will keep y'all posted. Thing is I am an island bride (Jamaica) so the dress options even at the local Davids Bridal ...arent that much. They only stock large gowns for samples. I am afraid to buy a dress I havent tried in my size. What if it doesnt fit?? Sigh...
Everyone is built differently so you won't know until you actually try them on. What looks great on someone else of your same height and/or weight may not be flattering on you and vice versa. Be open to trying on everything. While fashion experts say that petites can't wear ballgowns, that isn't true for everyone, just like some petites can't pull of a sheath look.
Im 5'1 too and i ended up with one that has kind of an empire waist but is still very fitted and has vertical seams wich gives a longer and taller look to you , also i went for a line and mermaid dresses, not ball gowns. Good luck!
If you want traditional A-Line is always a good call for a petite bride (I am 5'4 but wore 3 inch heels for the wedding). A sheath or empire waist also looks great on smaller brides. A natural waist is best, but it's what you like on you that matters (I ended up with a slight dropped waist on my dress, usually a petite no-no) Honestly, you need to go try some gowns on, but like others said, stay away from the ball gown or anything with too much beading...you want to wear the dress, not have the dress wear you! Also, these designers cut their gowns smaller, so may be worth a look if they are in your budget: Christos, Bianchi, Richard Glasgow, Jasmine and Amsale.
For something more budget friendly, J.Crew has gowns that would look great on a petite!
Good luck and ENJOY!
I am 5'2 and 105 and ended up in a vneck trumpet style dress. It worked the best for my small frame. It is Marisa STyle 710.
Also try looking at this thread:
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/petite-brides-show-us-your-dresses
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I'd stay away from sheath and go for something more fitted. Mine was A-line but I really like Erindesmar's trumpet dress.
The problem I had was that I don't have a lot up top and the widest part of my body is my hips - not sure if it's the same for you - but anything sheath just looked like a bag on me because my hips were what what was holding it out. So I needed a bit heavier material and something that accentuated my waist so you could see I had a figure and not just an 11-year olds body. I also went with a sweetheart neckline to give everything a shaplier appearance.
Casablanca dresses can be custom ordered so that the dress will be just as long as you need it. You need to ask for a hallow to hem measurement, then the dress is custom tailored. There was no extra charge for it, some shops charge around $75-100 for it. Only certain designers offer the hallow to hem, and Casablanca is one. Also, Maggie Sotteros come in petite sizes (3 inches shorter than the average size).
Hey fellow petite brides!
I'm 5'3" and 105lbs and dress shopping at times was discouraging for me because all of the sample dresses just hang off of smaller girls and it's difficult to get an idea of how a dress is really supposed to fit in the right size. I loved the mermaid shape for myself. I felt like with it being fitted through the bodice and hips I could still have some beautiful fluffy detail on the bottom without being overwhelmed which is what I felt in a lot of the ball gown, puffy dresses. I didn't try on any empire wasisted dresses though and was never a huge fan of A-line gowns. I included pics from my dress (Casablanca 1856 without straps) and then others which I thought were really flattering.
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I'm petite also, 5' 2" and about 112 pounds. I got an Alfred Angelo dress in a petite size and I love it! Its a trumpet style which made me look a lot taller. The dresses are pretty reasonably priced so you might want to check them out. Depending on how high my heels are I may not even have to have mine hemmed!
alicia- who is the maker of the second dress???
That is absolutely beautiful! I am also a petite bride 5'2 115lbs. looking for something exactly like that!
@MrsCox2B - I think her second dress is Tabrett by Maggie Sottero - it's absolutely gorgeous!! Good luck ;)
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=A604&backUrl=%2fviewBride.aspx%3fpage%3d1%26Id%3d6223
Maggie Sottero dresses come in Petite length, which is nice and what I had to order for my dress. Im not the tallest as well! ; ) Good luck!
I am in love with so many maggie dresses. I must have 10 bookmarked. :)
I'm 5'1" too. I went shopping for the first time last weekend, and was shocked that I liked Mermaid / Trumpet styles best. It gave me some curve and made me look taller than I am. I also agree with some of the other girls that too much beading or too much of any detailing completely overwhelms the whole look on a short bride. I loved some of the Pronovias mermaid styles and Mikaella mermaid styles! Good luck!!
I am about your size and finally settled on the Elizabeth Fillmore Starlet. Any of the Elizabeth Fillmores I think are perfect for a petite bride. Cora for example would be great for a summer wedding
I had the same problem looking for a dress because I'm the same height and about the same weight as you are. I ended up wearing a Casablanca 1948 dress that I got TONS of compliments on it. Casablanca was a great choice because they were able to make me a custom dress in my size (all of which cost a little more than $1000). I had to rush mine (since my wedding was in just 4 months) where the dress was custom made and altered in China so that by the time it got shipped to me, it fit me like a glove. I loved this dress because it made me look taller and leaner, which I liked whereas many of the other dresses I tried on made me look like a troll.
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YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!! I found a dress! I havent actually tried it on yet. But I got it from Once Wed . com . It arrives tommorow and its gonna look gorgeous on me. I just know it!!! Its the one...and perfect for a beach wedding (for only $250). Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!! It should be here by Monday.Pic below:
http://www.oncewed.com/18041/used-wedding-dresses/david%27s-bridal/size-4/p/?currentPage=1
I have the SAME dimensions and skin tone as this person...so I know This is how the dress will look! So excited!
I am similarly built and picked Jim Hjelm 8858:
http://www.jlmcouture.com/Jim-Hjelm/Bridal/Additional/Style-8858
Click "more views" to see both the front and back.
GetteBride my dress is going to be a mermaid corset. I'm also doing a halter because I think it can make you look taller.
MrsCox28-
She's right, this was a Maggie Sottero gown and OMG did I love the crumbcatcher top on this dress.
Thanks for the comments ladies! I get to try it on when it gets here on Friday! Whee!
My dress was sooooooooooooooooooo yummy! I had it on for an hour or two prancing around the house...tilll I even fell asleep in it wahile waiting for my aunt to come in so I could show her. I think thats a good sign ! Dont you?? I looooooooove my dress...but if I gain so much as a pound...it all goes to hell in a handbasket! Im a size 2.The dress is my exact fit! Getting the lenght alltered though...Im real petite. Its soooooooo gorgeous (*coos).....
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Ladies help! I am 5 feet 1 inch and of a very petite build (110 lbs). I am having trouble finding a nice dress. Help me. They all overwhelm. Im short AND small too. Im a size 2 in some brands and a size 4 in others. I wanna look gorgeous but how??? Our date is in July 2010 (8mths time!!!) still no dress...Freaking out. Suggestions?