Petite Fashion for Women Over 40 and 50: A Guide to Fit and Proportion

There's no rule that says what you should wear at 40, 50 or any age. What does change for many women is what they want from their wardrobe: pieces that fit properly, feel comfortable from morning to night, and work across more of life without a lot of thought.

For petite women, that usually comes down to one thing: proportion. Here's how to think about it.

Start with where the waist sits

The waist seam is the single biggest fit point on a dress. On a petite frame, a standard dress often places it below the natural waist, which can make the bodice look loose and the skirt look heavy. A petite dress with a shortened bodice puts the waist back where it belongs, whether it's a defined waist or a relaxed one.

If you like definition without anything tight, look for an elasticated or drawstring waist, like the Minette Shirtdress Petite. If you prefer an easier line, a relaxed or dropped waist, like the Greta Midi Dress Petite, skims rather than clings.

Get the midi length right

Midi lengths are easy to wear and work from weekday to weekend, but on a petite frame a standard midi can land near the ankle. Most MAYE midi styles are designed to sit just below the calf, and our petite versions are shortened so they still land there on women 157cm / 5'2" and under. That's the length that works with sneakers, sandals and a low heel alike.

Choose fabrics that do the work

Comfort and polish don't have to be a trade-off. Natural fibres and considered construction help:

• Cotton poplin holds a crisp shape and breathes on warm days.
• Soft-wash denim gives structure without stiffness, like the Montana Denim Shirtdress Petite.
• Jersey bodices with cotton skirts, as on the Mimi Midi Dress Petite, give stretch where you want it and shape where you don't.

Think about sleeves and coverage

Sleeve preference is personal. If you like more coverage, try a long-sleeve style such as the Lillie Long Sleeve Denim Dress Petite. Extended shoulders, like those on the Rumi Denim Shirtdress Petite, are an easy middle ground.

Build around a few versatile dresses

A small number of well-fitting dresses can cover most of the week. A denim shirtdress, a slip-on midi and a cotton shirtdress will take you from work to lunch to travel. Change the shoes, add a knit or a jacket, and the same dress does a lot.

• Slip-on, no zips or buttons: Greta and Mimi.
• Easy stripes: the Lola Midi Dress Petite.
• Pockets: on Greta, Mimi, Lola, Minette, Montana and Rumi.

Shop petite at MAYE

All MAYE petite styles are designed for women 157cm / 5'2" and under, re-proportioned through the bodice and skirt rather than simply shortened, and they come in the same sizes as our standard range.

Shop all petite dresses and clothing or browse petite midi dresses. Not sure how petite compares with our regular fit? Read petite vs regular sizing.