Ankle-length dress (not tea-length) on short person?

sonanceofweeds

Okay, I'm well aware that a tea length gown on a short person isn't the most flattering, but what about ankle-length? Since it's not cutting you mid-calf, would it still make you look short? I really want ankle length, but I'm only 5'1". I also have a semi-small frame (110 lbs). Initially I was looking for a-line, floor length, but I really like the shorter styles better.

doeydo

IMO, that length of dress isn't the most flattering for petite women.  A longer length would lengthen the overall look/legline, or a shorter length (ie. knee length) would be more flattering to me.  Below are some real brides in ankle length dresses so you can kind of see what they might look like on you:

missdelilah

That first dress in the above post is actually a Justin Alexander (8465) - I know, because I stalked it online for ages before buying my own.  It's actually a tea length dress, it just becomes ankle length on a shorter woman, but it was a definite tea length when I tried it.  

I wouldn't actually recommend an ankle length dress to anyone for any occasion.  I just don't find that they're flattering on most people.  On shorter women I tend to think it looks like a tea length dress gone wrong, and on a taller it looks as though she's grown out of it.  That's just my opinion though, and feel free to ignore it.

QueerFemme

I think ankle length usually looks like the dress was supposed to be tea length, and is just too long.  It sort of reminds me of little girls playing dress-up.  I think most people are better off with tea-length, or floor length. 

JasperandOpal

The only way to know for sure is to go try some dresses on at the length you are considering and decide if that makes you look short (or get other peoples opinions). Obviously you are a short person and nothing is going to magically make you taller.  Everyone knows you are short so if you feel comfortable in an ankle length dress, I say go for it.  

I am 5'1 and my dress is not exactly ankle length but it is shorter in the front and longer in the back so my shoes show a bit in the front.  I don't find that it makes me look any shorter than I am, but my dress is sort of form fitting and quite simple which creates the illusion that I am a bit longer/taller (I think).  I think that coupling ankle length with poof (like the examples previously posted above) is a recipe for disaster on a small person because the poof accentuates the shortness of the person by making them appear as wide as they are tall (if that makes sense).

edited for clarity

chasseuse

JasperandOpal said:

The only way to know for sure is to go try some dresses on at the length you are considering and decide if that makes you look short (or get other peoples opinions). Obviously you are a short person and nothing is going to magically make you taller.  Everyone knows you are short so if you feel comfortable in an ankle length dress, I say go for it.  

I am 5'1 and my dress is not exactly ankle length but it is shorter in the front and longer in the back so my shoes show a bit in the front.  I don't find that it makes me look any shorter than I am, but my dress is sort of form fitting and quite simple which creates the illusion that I am a bit longer/taller (I think).  I think that coupling ankle length with poof (like the examples previously posted above) is a recipe for disaster on a small person because the poof accentuates the shortness of the person by making them appear as wide as they are tall (if that makes sense).

edited for clarity

This. The bolded exactly! It's not just the length but the combination with the poofy.

emmyg65

Like others said, it's a tricky length. But why not try some on and see what you think? FWIW, I'm 5'2" and I love tea length dresses.

Maggie0829

QueerFemme said:

I think ankle length usually looks like the dress was supposed to be tea length, and is just too long.  It sort of reminds me of little girls playing dress-up.  I think most people are better off with tea-length, or floor length. 

Or it was supposed to be long but then the seamstress fucked up the hem and now it is too short.

kebebb

I think ankle length dresses look like someone messed up. Tea length that's too long, or it got hemmed too much. Try on some tea length dresses if you're wanting a short-ish dress. I'm 5'2" and I'm wearing a tea length dress. It doesn't make me look any shorter than any other dress. It actually makes me look less stumpy than any of the longer dresses I tried on.

novella1186

My best friend from in high school wore a really beautiful blush pink ankle length dress to prom. We STILL talk about that dress. She looked amazing, and she's only 5'2". It was A-line but it wasn't poofy at all. I totally agree that ankle length combined with poof would be really bad. But I have definitely witnessed a short girl pulling off an ankle length dress and looking stunning. Didn't make her look any shorter. She's just short, period. 

missdelilah

Ditto PPs: go and try some things on and see what works.  And know that you can always buy a full length dress and have it shortened to ankle length if you like.  

I'd be curious to know - simply because my friends and I have always had the opposite problem to OP, being that we range between 5'10" and 6'2" - are there lines that cater specifically towards petite women for bridal and formal wear?  I know there are in street clothing, although what the options are like, I have no idea.  

BTW: when I read how tall you were in your original post, I just googled red carpet images of Melissa Rauch.  I always think she looks lovely and works really well with her height.  I'm not sure whether something like that would be at all helpful.

Liatris2010

It really depends on your proportions. The same dress on two people of the same height,  but with relatively long legs, and one with shorter legs and a longer torso is going to look really different.

buttercup1958

I think you should try it on and see what you think. I personally love dresses on the shorter side than a full length gown. But that's my opinion. Post pictures whenever you go shopping!

sonanceofweeds

Wow, you guys are awesome! Thank you thank you for all the advice!!! I'll take it all!!

Alikat9614

I really, really wanted a tea length dress though I'm only 5'2". There were none in my size where I got my dress (a place that sells designer sample gowns), so I didn't get to see what they looked like on me. I did, however, end up with a floor length tulle gown with no train. The waist sits on my natural waist and the skirt seems to elongate my... Shortness? Lol. Best of luck dress shopping! You'll never know what will look amazing on you until you try it on :-)

theartistformerlyknownas

Yeah ankle length always looks like a mistake to me. My SS is short and looked amazing in her tea length wedding dress.