PS I am talking for DD's wedding.

I'm 5'2" and always have felt I look my best in one that hits me just below the knee. And I mean just below the knee, not a half inch longer/shorter. But that might just be me.

Shirley

I agree with Shirley. I'm 5'2" also and that length doesn't make me look like a teeny-bopper or a dumpy old lady. What month and time of day is the wedding? How formal is it?

I agree with those above. I'm 5'3' and feel best with something just at the bottom of my knee. I wore a longer dress to my son's wedding, and although I felt comfortable, later in the wedding pictures, I saw it was a little long and wish I had had it shortened.

I'm having the same problem Connie! I need something for my son's weeding and it's making me crazy! I went through this with my other son's wedding too. I hate to look frumpy and most lengths around the knees make me look short and stumpy. I am 5'3 and hate wearing dresses! I wore a long dress for wedding and after looking at the pictures I felt the same as socks12345. I really hate wearing dresses and hate shopping for them even more! I'm waiting for the fall colors to come out now...got tired of looking! Good luck!

Also 5'2"...and like dressy dresses aout 2-3" below the knee, with 2-3" heels. The heels will make your legs look longer.

Patti the wedding is in late Oct. I am sure DD will say wear whatever you want, but I think the bridal party will look formal enough! LOL I don't really want a floor length evening gown, just a nice dress or blazer and skirt set. I did see a cute long sleeved dress but it was well below the knee but above the ankle and that was why I asked about length. I loved the look and then thought oh but it will look funny on someone my height.
Its not that I need to get the dress today or anything, but want to get it right the first time and not second guess a longer length! LOL I always second guess myself.

A style higher cut in the front would give you leg extension. I actually have this dress. I think it was about $225.
{{!gwi}}

I am facing this dilemna too..DGD is getting married this summer and I have to figure out what to wear. I would be most at home in blue jeans, but somehow that just doesn't work. I'm thinking a jacket/skirt outfit (I have a seamstress friend who will be happy to alter anything necessary) and I too find that just below the knee is the most flattering. Anything I find that even remotely fits is going to be too long! I'm 5'4", and everthing ready-made is built for 5'8". A model I am not!

I love that dress, Gayle!

Yes that's a beauty, Gale - is that you all glamorous?
I personally like to wear a dress just above my knee as I am in the short club, too. I am 5'4, if I am going to hem a dress I cut it right at my knee. By the time I turn up a hem and then turn it again to do the hemming, it is just the perfect length.
Heels are a must, even if they are only 1 1/2 to 2 inches - it will make such a difference in lengthening the look of your legs...
Suzan J

I'm 5'2" and I find just below the knee skirt lengths make my legs look shorter than they are. For my children's weddings I've worn long, ankle length dresses and they made me look taller and slimmer.

I generally prefer pants over dresses and for my DD's wedding in May I've selected a champagne chiffon 3 piece pant outfit. The pants are a bit fuller at the ankle, the shell is sleeveless with beading at the neckline and hem and the topper is a sheer chiffon open tunic with long sleeves with beading at the wrist and down the center openings.
It gives the feel of a hostess cocktail outfit. It's a different look and not for everyone but the wedding is small and it's at 2:00. My daughter is wearing a white, ankle length dress without a train. The MOG is wearing something along those lines so we're compatible in outfits.

I kinda like these 2 outfits. Have you checked online for MOB outfits for ideas?

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where and what time is the wedding?

our ds2 was married in mid oct, at ford museum/greenfield village chapel, while it was a late afternoon wedding, we did have a hall dinner to go to after. i wore a beaded top and pant set. (we were lucky, it was fairly warm) the other 2 moms wore dressy (as in cocktail) but short dresses. both dads were asked to wear tuxes, so we were committed to more formal wear.

Wedding is here in ND and the weather in late Oct is not hot! LOL I'd say we'd be lucky to have a 50 degree day. They meet with the minister tomorrow night if the time is ok with him the wedding is at 5:30.
I love the pics! Who knows, I may end up in a pant suit. I did wear one for the first DD's wedding.

I too, am 5'3". Just read an article in our daily paper about petite dresses aren't really being made the correct length for us short folk.
It went on to say-by wearing all one color, even if it's a 2-3 piece outfit, you'll appear taller. The correct length is JUST below YOUR kneecap for a short dress, and wear a mid size heel. The article stated that mid calf should be a no no for us-better to go full length than midi.

The skirt length for petite (and regular size) dresses assume that torso, leg(inseam) lengths, shoulder width and bra cup size are in sync.

Most women aren't built with geometrically synchronized parts.

I LOVE that pantsuit pictured above, that's the kind of look I would go for if I was shopping. Those dresses are nice, too, though.

Good luck deciding, Connie! You just need to go shopping and bring a friend with a camera. Wear some heels and have your friend snap some quick shots. Then you can look them over later and decide which one suits you best.

I am 5 foot tall exactly-if I see a dress on the hanger that looks short-it is usually perfect for me. I love the dresses that are more shape defining other than a straight cut dress, because regardless of height or weight they tend to keep us petite ladies from looking frumpy. Knee length or just slightly above is what I like best for my height. A strappy heel shoe-if you can tolerate the heel always helps. Good luck

Sjarz,
I of course that is me. LOL! That girl is probably a Size 2. Mine is a size 6. Unfortunately, I'm a size 8 now. I gave the dress to my Daughter.

Gayle

I am 5'2 also but I have always loved ankle length dresses on me for some reason they are my fav....Stacy

I really love the black and white outfit in the above post...I am just 5' and know what you're going through..I think just below the knee is good with a heel if you can wear them...Most of our weddings have been formal with long dresses and I didn't have a problem with that....My sister is short and rather round, wore a pants outfit like the one above and looked great...It was pants but had a sheer layer over it to look like a skirt.....
I also think, when you go to look or buy, what you feel most comfortable in, is the way to go.....Good luck...

Why are so many of us 5'2"? I am!! I agree with just below the knee, as well!!

Well, I'm not 5'2" - I'm 5'2 3/4" (don't short me that 3/4"!)

I think there are more things to consider than just height. I have large (okay, huge) calves, so I would go pants or below the calves length no matter what anyone said. I think it depends on how the dress is cut too.

If you're trying dresses on, have your shopping partner bring a digital camera along to take pics and you can get a sense of how you look right there.

Oh I would love to wear a nice dressy pantsuit.....I have found many of these that I like. I wasn't sure if it would be takcy or not. I did ask DIL to be and she said whatever I want, but she is also the type to not really tell me what she really wants! She's way too nice. I told her to be honest. My DH said I should wear a dress, it's a 5:00 wedding in October as well....and an outdoor reception, but our weather in October can still be pretty warm. I think I'll opt for a pantsuit, I would get more use out of it too. What does DH know??? LOL...I will double check with my DIL to be sure...it is her wedding!

Thank you for asking this question. I am 5'1".

My upcoming cruise has five formal dinners. I tried shopping for formal dresses last weekend. eeewwwww...(((gagging sounds)))

I haven't worn a dress in many, many years. Just couldn't figure out what length would look good on me now that I'm more "mature". Have even discouraged my kids from getting married because it would require me to have to go out and find something appropriate to wear.

So, now that that mystery has been solved, let's find a good solution for upper arm angst. :-)

Jodi-