I never thought I’d be a short-fluencer, but here I am, having written about the best formal dresses for petites and fielding questions weekly about the best styling tips for shorties (hint: V-necks are your friend) and generally how to look your best when you come up to everyone’s belly button (my motto: What Would Florence Pugh Do?).

So it's only natural that I’d weigh in on my favorite summer dresses since, as we minis know, the standard to-the-floor sundress can leave us with inches of pooled fabric on the ground. My criteria for a summertime frock? I want options in terms of length, style and sexiness. (Sometimes I want to look as hot as the weather; sometimes I need something I can comfortably eat three scoops of ice cream in.)

Anything I’m buying needs to be proportional on 5'1" frame; the straps can’t be too long, the waist should hit in the right place and anything that bills itself as ankle-length can’t actually graze my toes. These four dresses achieve all that and more.

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The 16 Best Summer Dresses for Petites, Starting at $44