Dresses for Shorty

[Jarvis]

Is anyone else a very short bride? I'm 5'0" and I'm concerned about finding a dress that wont make me look like a midget in a cup-cake dress. I know the best method is to just try a bunch on. But I was wondering if any other brides had the same problem and find a dress that helped?

[ger]

I, too am quite short. But I didn't feel like a midget in my dress. I wore platform shoes so that my dress didn't need to be hemmed, but it was fine.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r107/gerrc21/wedding%20day/100_0115.jpg

[twu]

It's best to look for a dress with an empire waist, with detailing that doesn't cut your body in half horizontally. Anything with horizontal lines in the details will visually separate your body and make you look stumpier. Look for dresses with stronger vertical elements that the will rest on. These lengthen you. Avoid dropped waists at all costs.

here's an example of how to look at it:

http://www.wod.com/ncbridal/images/gabrielle.jpg

The vertical drape on the right side lengthens the effect of the dress. The large, open space on the left side creates a longer, vertical area that tricks the eye into thinking the girl is a bit lengthier than she actually is.

Another example:
http://www.weddingsolutions.com/fashion_and_beauty/images/Dresses/large/empire_large_01.gif
Notice how the empire waist cuts the body into two separate sections, making the leg section appear much longer.


Link to read more: http://www.weddingsolutions.com/fashion_and_beauty/Dress_Styles_Empire.html

[Jarvis]

Thanks so far guys! I have a picture of my dream dress here:
http://www.brides.com/images/vendor/dressgallery/bridal/stpucchi/00_main/9279_sec01.jpg

Here's the website: http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/vendor/designer/stpucchi/detail/141365/?ff=Bride&pf=silhouette%3AMermaid&offset=142&page=16


Anyways, that actaul dress may not be as pretty on me as it is on the page :(...also, its VERY VERY VEERRRY expensive, so odds are the FH isn't going to allow it. :(

But that sort of style is what I was going for...do you think it could work?

[LMW-S]

I agree you need to go for the empire waist if you are that small! The higher up the waist appears to be, the longer your legs look which in a long dress can even out your silouette. Rather than the alternative being a dress that makes your torso appear long which will hug you in ALL the WRONG places!

[WebLady]

Shorter brides can look just as great as taller brides; I have seen it!

Regardless of your height, I think the key is to find the dress that fits you and your body type the best. Then have the dress altered/tailors to fit you properly; accentuate the good and hide the not so good ;)

I agree that the higher waistline makes your legs appear longer, but there may be other issues with this style that may not work for you. I would probably stay away from the ball gown style though. Just go try on lots of dresses that you like and find the one that suits you the best.

:goodluck:

[LMW-S]

Yes, I agree ball gown dresses on short women aren't flattering at all! Way to much fabric and too little of a person!

[Corseted]

I must have broken all the rules for short brides. I've 5 ft too but I never let that get in the way of choosing my dress. I bought a pair of 5-inch stripper platforms and just worked it. I'm about 104 pounds but I think it helps that my shoulders are not narrow and I'm not small-busted so, apart from my short legs which are lengthened by the monster platforms, there's still plenty of me to be seen in my sweetheart bustier ballgown with a ginormous train. So just try all the dresses you want and just focus on what looks good.

[TangoWedding]

Earlybird is also a cutey shorty short....she's 4'9", I think she said.

Read this thread (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=10116)...there's lots of talk about shorties and their dresses. :frogg:

[ShortyBride]

I must have broken all the rules for short brides. I've 5 ft too but I never let that get in the way of choosing my dress. I bought a pair of 5-inch stripper platforms and just worked it. I'm about 104 pounds but I think it helps that my shoulders are not narrow and I'm not small-busted so, apart from my short legs which are lengthened by the monster platforms, there's still plenty of me to be seen in my sweetheart bustier ballgown with a ginormous train. So just try all the dresses you want and just focus on what looks good.



I am 5 ft too and I also bought a pair of 5 1/2 inch stripper platforms. I weigh 95 lbs. But I wish I could wear a ballgown. I look like a BALL!!!! I bought a dress that is more like a cross between a modified A-line and a Mermaid. It makes me look so tall and gives me great shape.

[sjk1431]

I'm also 5'0" my dress makes me look taller with the buttons all the way down the back. I only got 3" heels but it won't make a difference in the foot and 1/2 difference in height.