So sorry it didn't work out, but it's fun to keep looking! It's out there just waiting for you!

I do like kay unger's silhouettes...maybe this one? Kind of reminds me of your blue dress above...and I like the hemline. Only thing is the fabric may or may not have a good hand...it might be uncomfortable. That's the problem with online shopping...you can't touch anything.

https://shop.kayunger.com/collections/all/products/kay-unger-massima-midi-dress

ETA: Oops! Sorry, not petite!

Annie, you know me.

I wore this to a wedding 2019

Sue, I bought that dress in 2018, when my choices seemed more plentiful.

My parameters: I need petite. My height now is 5 feet and half an inch. I am slowly shrinking.

I have to do petite because it is not only my height but my proportions. I can't just buy regular clothing and hem.

The Kayla dress is pretty.

Have you looked at David’s Bridal? Adrianna Papell? Both have petites.

Yes, thanks. This is a beach wedding. I prefer a chiffon flowy type dress but have become desperate which is why I tried the column dress.

I also discovered ( and Jojo concurs) that large bosomed women can't wear halter style which seems to be in right now.

I am constantly looking at all the main department store sites, WHBM, Shopstyle etc.

Adianna Papell’s actual site has less offering than the department stores.

So, while I tried the column dress, it's too formal for what I have in mind.

Do you have your heart set on pink? You look great in the dark dress in the picture you shared.

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/r-m-richards-petite-embroidered-embellished-gown?ID=8790707&CategoryID=55596

Hahaha eld!! I can't get over that! It looks fab on you too!

Believe me, I hear you about the girls...we need dresses that enhance our silhouette without exaggerating the girls! V necks, surplice wraps I find work best for me, and loose flowy skirts help balance out the top half.

And one look that is the worst for me is the jean jacket style that tends to exaggerate the top, hide the narrow waist and emphasize the bottom.

I love you in the navy blue. Better than the pale pink one that didn't work out.

Two ideas.... have you tried Rent the Runway? They have petites. You can buy them if renting concerns you (eg will it show up?)

I know the neck is low but it has gold! LIke your DD. : )

One other idea. Because you are so petite, you might find something in juniors?

ANother RTR, on a 5'2" person

would you be comfortable with a strapless or one shoulder?

Would something like what Katie wore work for you? (I loved her MOB dress, many don’t). A high low hem looked great on her and she is petite.

You look very nice in the update photo dress, but I understand. I think once the legnth was altered it would flow better.

Being bosom-y myself, I find the cross over v-neck type of dress just_terrilynn showed, along with a minimising bra, that type of dress can make the top look less 'pronounced' for myself. Has made a big difference for me on the rare occassion I have to wear a nice dress. Dresses are really hard for me as top portion is always too small if I get it to fit waist and bottom half. Grr. Separates are not always appropriate either--as my black pencil skirt days are in my rear view mirror anymore :( Bottom half is catching up with top half, haha. But you do look nice in the update dress.

Hope you find the winner soon!

I know that Lulu's is geared more towards younger women, but would this dress work? My 5' 3" daughter wore it in yellow to my son's wedding. I like that the site has reviews with actual customer's pictures in the dresses, and they usually state their height.

https://www.lulus.com/products/love-you-so-truly-rusty-rose-burnout-floral-strapless-midi-dress/1529136.html

This is a nice v-neck blush column shape gown that comes in petite sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/Alex-Evenings-Womens-Slimming-Cascade/dp/B084P4Z5QQ?th=1&psc=1

I second @mtnrdredux_gw to check out Rent The Runway. Their wedding guest section had a lot of dresses.

The thing about Rent the Runway is the pictures. I find it really helpful to see people wearing them IRL, and their height and size.

I want you to buy two of the pink and gold from RTR, and use one of them to construct a new bodice with less of a "v" neck. It will pick up on the gold in DD's dress, and you look good in deep colors. You look great actually in most everything!

When I did the search on RTR i randomly entered a size, date and it autofilled the zip. YMMV

How far in advance can you rent the dresses?

Also, I am both surprised and sorry for petite people at how limited the petite selection seems to be online. How frustrating!

Idk I’d say at least 6 mo. But for a special occasion people I know usually rent them see if they like them return them and then make an appointment to rent them when they will need them. Or frankly they buy them because they’re not that expensive usually

For sure. The renting would not work for me. Even I could do return and rent at a later time, it is too close for comfort. Anything can happen.

I was also thinking it makes sense to buy it.

Thanks.

I will be looking at RTR now more closely.

Mtn, thanks for the encouragement. Unfortunately the dresses this year all look terrible me.

Here are two other petite options in blush that I think you'd look lovely in.

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/alex-evenings-petite-embroidered-gown-shawl-set?ID=13811588

The neckline on this one reminds me of the blue dress you said you love. I think the openness of the lace at the neck would also be flattering.

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-petite-clip-dot-tiered-dress?ID=13116308

This one is less formal but I think would look so pretty on the beach. If it were me, I might take it to a tailor make it sleeveless (because I love sleeveless dresses), but totally not necessary. I think the neckline would be really flattering on you too.

Switch from dress shopping to a glamorous jumpsuit shopping. Plan on alterations.

LILLY WALK THRU JUMPSUIT

In Blush

Same dress showing detail

https://saraclothes.com/products/blush-womens-tea-length-dress-with-rosette-detail-petite-and-regular-alex-evenings-b08nwp28xw

Ooh I really like Maddielee's suggestion!

Me too! Another for the Maddie dress.

One more. With all this shopping for blush dresses, I'm loving blush (and it's not a color I would normally choose).

https://alexevenings.com/collections/shop-petite-sizes/products/dress-w-cap-sleeves-1

This time I put in a NYC zipcode and did not specify a rental date.

I got these:

I like the last one, it sort of has pink waves. You could shorten it an inch and use the fabric to make wider straps! : )

More

Love that Kate Spade daisy dress! so cute. Not on me, but on someone.

Does the dress HAVE to be blush? I'm thinking that the blush color is really not all that flattering of a color, TBH. I think your coloring is more like what they used to call "Winter" and the navy dress really is much more flattering where as the blush is too washed out looking.

I'm open. I like pink, not necessarily blush. But at this point whatever!

Have you looked at Dillards? They have a nice petites selection, though a couple of things I thought would be great for you are only available in a couple of sizes now. Also wondered if you have considered something like chiffon pants and a top. Or maybe a walk through jumpsuit. You could have the fullness of a skirt with the ease of pants on the beach. Maybe separates would make finding a good fit easier?

Lascatx, yes thanks, know Dillards. It is my main department store when I'm in Florida.

I am constantly on all the department store sites. Sometimes random sites pop up and I will look there too.

I have tried many dresses. I even just ordered an asymmetrical bridesmaid dress from Asos

If it fits, I'll post for opinions.

At this point I would try a jumpsuit. There was one but in hit pink. I don't want to stand out so prefer a pastel.

I am not fan of separates.

The glitch is that it is on the beach. If it was an ordinary venue, my selections would be broader.

I tried the column dress but really even if it fit, it wouldn't have been appropriate, as it way too heavy.

Thanks for your support.

Mtn, I chatted with RTR as you can't call them. I was told that they don't have petite but could shorten things since I couldn't find them when looking.

Where are you finding petite? Thanks.

Thanks for mentioning junior , but my chest is way too large for a junior size.

I put petite in the search engine.

BTW I looked at bridesmaids this morning and too much of it was braless. Was going to recc ASOS. Just spent some time on Farfetch (suggestion ; use the price filter LOL).

Too bad you dont want hot pink they have a lot that I liked in hot pink:

How about something like this? It does come in petites and it comes in other colors...and you could shorten it if you wanted to.

https://www.amazon.com/Kara-Womens-Petite-V-Neck-Beaded/dp/B07V3TQ1KP/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=Petite%2BEvening%2BGowns&qid=1661864137&sr=8-8&th=1

More from Farfetch, some you have to go to to see the detailing. They are all very nice and special occasion-y

I like this one too https://www.amazon.com/Alex-Evenings-Womens-Slimming-Cascade/dp/B084NYCFK4/ref=sr_1_16?crid=3CEEY45EKPJ8P&keywords=petite+evening+gowns&qid=1661864467&sprefix=petite+evening+gowns%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-16

i know some are a little out there, but wanted to give you some choice! : )

I know not your color but so pretty, Shorten the sleeves =.

another

hard to see the details on the last one above

You’re the best. Farfetch is new to me. I will look at it today.

I might wear a bright color if I was was just a guest. But don't want to this case.

ElizaJ is a great fit for me. I think you would look smashing in this one from Dillards.. (I also have a closet full of wedding guest outfits that might work for you. Happy to lend.)

And if you need something longer, this would also look fab on you:

Do you have any pre-wedding gatherings? Not what you asked for but this Chiara Boni petite dress on Posh is so pretty.

I am finding myself invested in finding the perfect dress for Eld. And I thank her that I have this fun distraction.

Eld, Please complete this short questionaire. Only if you want to. 😊

It’s my guess that it will be a sunset ceremony, because every beach wedding I’ve been to has been timed for sunset. Is this near correct?

Aproximate size (P?) ?

Preferred color?

Perferred length?

Sleeve style? (Strapless?)

eta: what style is a complete and total No?

We can do this!

These are random samples from a Canadian site I have ordered a few things from (some are likely too casual) - - but they have a separate Petites line.

Maddie, thank you. You put a smile on my face.

Approximate size: 4P or 6P ( this past year my bust size went up a cup, I think due to sagging)

All previous dresses were 4P but this year I’m finding some 4P is right on the chest.

Preferred color: I love pink and it's traditional MOB color. But, I am open to any pastel or pastel multi. Beggers can't be choosers:)

I don't want to stand out which a bright fuchia or royal blue do.

Preferred length: I think short. The midi length of this year below the knee. It winds up stopping at odd length on me. I imagine I could have it shortened.

Fit and flair seems to work best. Although those last two dresses I wore were not.

Sleeve length: I prefer sleeveless but could do cap sleeve. I'm open though. But no strapless (I'm not Katie Couric)

Deal beakers: no plunging necklines. I prefer a soft flowy material. Prefer no sequence or beading.

Mtn, yes, with what us going on with me, I need a bra!

I think that covers it!

Thank you all. I was starting to feel a bit down.

I just want to jump in and say that you look great in the pics from previous dresses. With your height, I agree, too, a short dress would work better. In addition, I think women with ample busts look terrific in a crossover, well-fitted v-neck, as Sea Sea noted, Something about visual separation... I think the straight-across neckline of the original dress you ordered does nothing for your bustline. Your figure is much too lovely for that much material.

I, too, did a quick search for petite dresses at all the big department stores... dismal selection for sure.

What about visiting department stores and area boutiques where you can perhaps try on dresses outside the box just to see how they fit? After looking at the poor selection online, I think I'd just spend my time shopping in physical stores.

I was going to say what @arkansas girl said yesterday. From the pictures you appear to be a "winter". Do you usually wear pastels or the more saturated colors of the winter palette?

Is blush a color that you feel good in? I have similar coloring and feel washed out in it unless tan.

I do love the first column dress that @pricklypearcactus posted.

I don't feel washed out in pink.And usually get compliments went I wear it.

I just don't want a a bright color for this event.