These are the most flattering petite dresses to buy now - and they are made for the summer, from £35

As a petite woman, I’m tired of the guesswork. Anyone 5’3 or under will know the struggle: sweaty hours spent in changing rooms, pooling hemlines and overwhelming silhouettes. But for this summer, instead of sifting through endless rails of dresses that were never designed for smaller frames, I’ve scoured the high street’s petite ranges to find the very best short-girl friendly dresses to shop now.

While petite lines are, admittedly, more limited, they certainly take the uncertainty out of dress shopping. Marks & Spencer, Nobody’s Child and Next are among the plethora of high street heroes with stylish petite offerings this season.

In fact, it’s hard to choose a favourite from the edit below. Take Nobody’s Child’s Charlie Dress, for example, which went straight into my basket for two reasons (beyond the petite friendly cut, of course). First, the delicious butter yellow shade is an instant mood booster. Second, the clever shirring makes it friendly for a bigger bust too, ensuring a comfortable and flattering fit on every shape.

Personally, my summer wardrobe is never quite complete without a crisp white dress, the kind that practically begs for a trip to the Med (and who am I to refuse?). FatFace’s Broderie Midi Dress is just that. Light and airy, it features a plunging neckline balanced by romantic puff sleeves for an effortlessly flattering finish.

There are office-ready options, too. PixieGirl, a brand designed specifically for petites, offers a chic shirt dress. The style combines blue pinstripes with strategic pleating to create a flattering, cinched silhouette. And, of course, Boden can always be relied upon. Their pretty ivory and green polka dot dress taps into summer’s biggest print trend, while flattering details, including puff sleeves and an elasticated waistline, ensure a comfortable fit.

Shop my top picks below.