What to Wear to a Wedding Guest: Petite Women

Wedding guest dressing for petite women hinges on proportion: hemlines that hit just above or at the knee (rather than mid-calf) and dresses with defined waists prevent fabric from overwhelming your frame within semi-formal dress codes. Look for cocktail dresses with higher waistlines or tailored fits that don't require extensive hemming, and consider slightly shorter jacket lengths if layering over a dress. Midi lengths often need alterations to avoid dragging, so knee-length silhouettes typically work best off-the-rack while still meeting the occasion's dressier-than-business standard.