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I'm not petite (5'7", but I wear a small size (street size 2). I just bought a gown at a sample sale that fit me perfectly at the waist (only an inch will need to be taken in at the bust). It was one of 20+ gowns I tried on that fit within an inch or so. Go for it!
I would say no, but it depends on the dress. I'm 5'0 and ordered a petite dress. My petite dress (fit and flare) is completely different than if I just bought a dress and shortened it 5 inches. It has a higher waist and is more porportional to my (petite everywhere) body.
I would think that there are some dresses that you can massively shorten, like maybe ballgowns and you won't notice the difference on your body.
btw I think I remember hearing that dresses are made for 5'7 women wearing 3 inch heels. My petite dress was for a 5'2 woman wearing 3 inch heels so I STILL had to shorten it.
ooh btw I noticed that you're very thin too. I'm a size 4 in wedding dresses (but normally a 0) and they also told me not to order sample dresses because most can't be taken in that much at the waist. I think it depends on the sample, but most samples are size 10.
Being short and thin would have made the alterations too much for a sample dress. But there was one that I loved and almost bought! Sometimes if the price is right, the $400+ in alterations are worth it.
who knows, there might be some smaller gowns. just don't buy a really big dress and hope it can be altered. be realistic while shopping :)
I went to several stores to try on dresses, and though the largest # of samples were size 6,8,12, and 14, they all had samples in every size. I'd go, for sure! You never what you'll find!
go for the smaller sizes and you should be fine. the consultant when i was shopping helped me decide on what size to order my gown in by telling me the following "secret": the gowns are made such that they can be taken in up to three sizes without altering the look or damaging the structure of the dress. it makes sense, if you think about it, the way so much can change in the 6-12 months time between when most brides order their gowns and when they get married, and the trend is that many are trying to lose weight.
I'm your size and I found my dress at a sample sale, so I wouldn't rule it out. Might as well go and see what's available!
Honestly, I'd say no. I went to 7 or so bridal stores in the VA/DC/MD area and not a single dress I tried on came close to fitting me (and I probably tried on 100 dresses). I'm just about your size too. It doesn't hurt to look, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. Sorry to be a downer!
@PinkMagnolia: Thanks for your input! I guess I will just go to the appointment with the mindset that I probably won't find a ton of options, but it won't hurt to try! Too bad sample sizes aren't made for petite, thin girls :(
@Bride2BeeVA28: It's ok, I do appreciate your input! And wow trying on 100 dresses- did that make you crazy?! Hope you eventually found something you love :)
You can probably wear a bridal 6 in some designers if you are a closer to a 2 in mall stores (J. Crew, Banana). Altering a dress down a size is no big deal. I had to bring mine down and it wasn't big deal. Just make sure there are side seams...that makes it easier on the seamstress.
In my [limited] experience, the European designers aren't as generous as the American ones when it comes to sizing.
@AshleyR83: I'm the exact same size as you. My bodice was very ornate and VERY big. My family joked that I needed alterations or a boob job. The dress fit perfect in the waist, but needed extensive hand sewing and hemming. It cost $175 overall for alterations... (way less than cosmetic surgery 
).
ETA: The dress was size 8.
@AshleyR83: Haha, it nearly drove me crazy! I pre-shopped alone all summer and then my mom, sister, and future mother-in-law flew out in September to do a marathon weekend of dress shopping. The dress I chose was literally the last one I put on at the last store! I love it, so it all worked out. Best of luck to you in your dress search!
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Hi ladies,
I just made an appointment at a local bridal shop for a sample sale. The sales person on the phone was nice but she told me that a sample gown might not work for me because I'm petite (I am 5'2" and I'm about a size 0-2 or XS/S). I was wondering if that was true? She said most of the samples are in sizes 6-8 so they would be so big on me that the alterations would be impossible and/or defeat the purpose of what the gown should look like. I'd love to hear others' thoughts on this. Thanks in advance!