Wedding dress for a shorter girl?

Question

I'm 5'3, and my dream has always been to wear a really, really big poofy dress (cinerella style). But I read in a magazine that shorter girls should stay away from those or it makes them look shorter and wider. How can I pull off a bigger dress?

Answer 1

Instead of a ball gown shaped dress get an a-line that is still really big, the a-line shape will make you appear taller and still give you the cinderella dress look,
Some inspiration:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib30=272&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=J1100&moreOptions=1
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib30=272&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=JSM1063&moreOptions=1
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib30=272&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=A602&moreOptions=1
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib30=272&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=J889&moreOptions=1
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib30=272&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=A578GB&moreOptions=1

Answer 2

I'm not quite 5'3" and weigh about 115. I found that a big poofy dress really did look ridiculous on me. I can say this because I am petite: When a petite woman wears a big poofy dress, she runs the risk of looking like a little girl playing dress-up. Sorry, but that's just the cold, hard truth. The styles that look best on us petite women are: sheath, mermaid, or A-line. My dress is very sleek and fitted; it's strapless with a wrap-style bodice. It doesn't make me look any taller, but it is very flattering and proportional. I tried on a couple of A-line dresses that looked good too. You can wear a dress with a skirt that is slightly flared - just not a big puffy one. The dresses that looked really goofy on me were the ones that have a big ball-gown skirt or pick-up skirt. Instead of looking like a sophisticated, sexy 30-year old I looked like a 10-year old playing dress-up. not good.

That said, you'll never know what looks best on you until you go to a store and start trying on dresses. You may surprise yourself and find a poofy cinderella dress that looks good. But - I would advise you to not get too attached to the idea of one particular style before you try it on. You may find that the dream Cinderella dress looks ridiculous and that a style you haven't even considered looks awesome.

Good luck. Jeez, I wish wedding dresses came in petite sizes! :-)

Answer 3

I'm about the same height as you, Christine. And I got to wear my grandmother's wedding dress, which was made from the silk in my grandfather's parachute. Talk about a dress with a story!

Anyway, I did get a bustle to make the dress poof out a bit- though not much. And it looked good, and I probably could have pulled off more of a poof if I wanted to. So if you want a bell-shaped dress, go for it!

Congratulations, and good luck!

Answer 4

I think you just have to be careful with the amount of "poof" and where the poof starts.

Ok, If the poof immediately comes out from the waist line (Ballgown style) you will definately be swolled alive by chrinoline. This WILL make you look shorter and wider. BUT... if you look for an A-line or Mermaid dress... where the excessive poof falls below the natural waistline, and keeps that straight enlongating line... you wont have that stumpifying reaction. Ok, when you look at Ball gowns - usually at the waist line, the poof kinda looks like it goes up and than falls down - THATS what makes you look short. With a-lines, you keep that line straight - that enlongates.

i hope that helps. you're best bet... just go try on dresses!! Do one of each. If you LOVE that poof of a ballgown, and you feel comfortable and confident in it... bunk the magazine and do what makes you happy!

Answer 5

Your best bet is actually to try on the dresses you are interested in.
I don't think the poof is really the problem. It is the decorations that seem to be making me look shorter.
I'm 5'2 and tried on a couple dresses that had colored trim at the bottom - - those made me seem really short. But ones with more plainly decoration skirts seem to not have that same effect.
Also, I found that a huge train seemed to make me look shorter, too.

Answer 6

Girl Please,
5'3 is not that short. If u wear 3 inch heels ur 5'6.(at least for the pictures and ur first dance)
make sure the dress is cinched at the waist and it will give u a beautiful hour glass figure.
Also,if u go strappless it will make u appear taller.

Answer 7

It really depends on your overall body type. If you are slim, you may be able to pull off a bell shaped gown no problem.

You really can wear whatever you want, you just need to find a gown in a style you like that complements your figure and height. The easiet way to do this is to have a dress custom made, or to try on as many gowns as possible. Gowns you thought you'd love may look unflattering on you, or you may end up loving a style you thought you'd hate.

I am 5'3. I chose a fitted mermaid gown that flares out with a train. I had it custom made to work with my body and I will be wearing 2.5" heels. This is what I am happy with and what works best for me. If you can do it, a custom gown is *great* for petite or hard to fit women. I am petite, overall quite thin with boobs, an ample booty, and hips, so I am hard to fit! I found that a mermaid gown highlights my hourglass curves and makes me look streamlined. Avoid any gowns that have ribbons or ties under the bust, this will cut you in half and make you look short.

While it IS generally true that ballgowns "drown" petite brdies, there are no rules. It is up to YOU what you want to wear, and it is up to you to find a dress that is both flattering and in a style you like. If you go with a ballroom gown, go for something all in white with no detailing. You want to look uniform and streamlined. Have fun trying on gowns!

Good luck!

Answer 8

Wear tall heels and go for an A-Line dress instead of the big princess puffy bottom. It will still be full, but more sleek and that will add some perceived height.

Answer 9

I am a little shorter than you, and my dress was pretty " bell-like" at the bottom and it was absolutely gorgeous. Don't listen to those magazines. Try on the dresses you think you will like, and see for yourself. If you go by every word the magazines say you will drive yourself crazy. Congrats on the wedding!

Answer 10

You really need to try it on, and look at it from different angles. Different dresses and their materials drape each body differently. You never know, it might just be perfect for you. Don't rule out a whole type or group of dresses until you've tried it on.