Petite Skirts and Dresses for Spring and Summer
Refresh your wardrobe for the warmer months with skirts and dresses in styles ranging from classic to contemporary. These style essentials come in petite sizes, so it’s easy to find your perfect fit. Here are our picks for the best petite skirt and dress styles to stock up on for spring and summer.
Midi and Maxi Skirts
One of the most versatile petite skirt styles you can have is the midi skirt. It falls to around knee-level, making it the ideal compromise between a mini skirt and a maxi skirt. You can wear mid-length petite skirts almost everywhere, whether you’re headed to the office or for a casual evening out. The secret is in the styling—dress it up with a silk blouse or cashmere sweater, or dress it down with a T-shirt and cropped jean jacket.
The style of skirt you choose also makes a difference in how casual or dressy you look. Denim skirts have a laid-back look that pairs well with knit cotton tops, while chino skirts complement dressier women's blouses. A khaki skirt is one of the most versatile types of midi skirt you can own, as it goes with virtually any color top.
Knit midi skirts are comfortable and fashionable, making them another must-have for spring and summer. They come in colorful prints and tiered styles, so you can create a wide variety of looks. Pair printed skirts with solid tops for a coordinated outfit that goes with sandals, pumps, or even sneakers.
If you want a dressier petite skirt style, you can’t go wrong with a pencil skirt. As its name suggests, this skirt style has a straight, close-to-the-body fit for a streamlined look. A twill ponte skirt is also good for dressy occasions.
For a boho-inspired outfit that’s great for summer, there’s the maxi skirt. Pair it with a cotton tank top or a billowy tunic, then slip into your favorite sandals, and you’re ready for anything. Maxi skirts come in solid colors and prints for plenty of fashionable possibilities.
Shirt Dresses
The spring and summer seasons are also a good time for shirt dresses. Stay comfortable and stylish all day in a T-shirt dress and denim jacket. This type of dress comes in different styles, including those with feminine features such as cap sleeves and a belted waist. There are also T-shirt dresses with dolman sleeves that you can dress up or down with sweaters and accessories.
Button-down shirt dresses are another option for spring and summer. Stay cool in a buttoned shirt dress made from chambray or poplin; both fabrics are light enough for the hottest months and machine-washable for easy cleaning. You’ll find buttoned petite cotton dresses in spring- and summer-inspired colors and prints, including soft stripes and bold florals.
Style your shirt dresses with petite cardigan sweaters for a light layer of warmth. When it comes to footwear, you can wear sneakers, moccasins, or ballet flats. Sandals are another option, depending on the season and occasion. That’s the great thing about shirt dresses—they’re versatile enough for work and play and can be styled in lots of ways.
Midi and Maxi Dresses
In addition to the shirt dress, there are several other dress styles that work for spring and summer. Shift and sheath dresses are two stylish options that you can wear with casual or dressy accessories. Although these mid-length dresses are similar, they differ when it comes to the type of fit. Shift dresses fall straight from the bodice to the hem for a relaxed look and feel, while sheath dresses have a fitted design.
Fit-and-flare dresses are another option. You’ll find this dress style in midi and maxi lengths, and it comes in a wide variety of colors and prints. The bodice of the fit-and-flare dress is snug without being tight, while the skirt has a flared, flowy look and feel. This type of dress is flattering for every body type and size, and it goes with everything from cashmere cardigans to denim jackets, depending on the look you’re going for.
Swim Cover-Up Dresses
No discussion about spring and summer petite dresses is complete without mentioning beach cover-ups. Whether you’re headed to the seashore, the pool, or your own backyard, a cotton jersey dress can be worn over your swimsuit after you get out of the water. In addition to being comfortable and fast-drying, this type of cover-up is stylish and provides enough coverage for a trip to the snack bar or beachfront café.
Petite swim cover-up dresses come in mid-length and long styles. When it comes to prints, there’s everything from colorful tie-dye to classic stripes. Wear these summer wardrobe staples with water shoes, slides, or sandals to keep your feet protected from hot surfaces.
There are plenty of options when it comes to petite skirts and dresses. Try different styles to discover your favorite outfits for spring and summer.