As a team with several editors and contributors under 5’4”, we believe that good things can come in small packages. Check back for our go-to places and styling advice on petite denim, workwear, and so much more.
For petite people, shopping often becomes a misadventure: Jeans and trousers are infallibly too long, spaghetti-strap tops without adjustable straps hardly ever make it to the register, and I’m still waiting for the day a midi dress doesn’t morph into a maxi on my body. And even when brands do have a petite section, sometimes the designs are just a little lackluster for my personal style. So, for a 5’0” person who loves clothes, there are few things more exhilarating than trying on something I love that also feels like it was tailored for me personally.
So I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon Anthropologie’s petite section during my hunt for some new, cute summer dresses. I was delighted by the vibrant offerings — from pretty watercolor-patterned maxis to flirty minis in fruity prints — and when I got the chance to try a few of them for myself, I was thrilled with the results. Prior to testing these out, I almost forgot what it felt like to try on a dress that actually fits, as I often find it tricky to get the right proportions in the torso and skirt. But these didn’t require any adjustments; they fit me straight off the rack — meaning no trips to the tailor.
For a boozy brunch, date night, or an afternoon at the park, Anthropologie’s breezy dresses are versatile and comfortable — not to mention look like they were made-to-fit. They were also super easy to wear with items already in my wardrobe. Below, my favorite designs and how I styled them for all kinds of summer plans.
Best Petite Anthropologie Dress For Date Night
Between the embroidered cherries and flouncy mini length, this saccharine design is perfect for dinner and a night out (my girlfriend agrees). I donned it with my tried-and-true flatform Mary Janes for a bit of a boost, and threw on a pair of mid-calf, cut-out socks. A mini handbag felt appropriate for the dress (bonus points for a chunky silver handle), and I styled it with some of my favorite silvery jewelry and black sunglasses from Jenny Bird to round out the look.
If you’re between sizes or taller than me, you might want to consider sizing up (or possibly opting for the standard size) because the length tends to run on the shorter side; the elastication across the back will ensure a snug fit even if you opt for a larger size. I was also surprised by how it fit my bust — as a nonbinary person with a large chest and gender dysphoria, I typically avoid lower-cut styles, but I was impressed by how I still felt secure in the design, even without an underwire.
Best Petite Anthropologie Dress For Brunch
I’m obsessed with this uber comfortable bubble hem dress. The light gathering along the waist and two-tone color palette make this one of the easiest dresses to pair with my all-black closet, but the basic hues also serve as a neutral base for any colorful accessory choices.
I styled it with some knee-high lace-up boots, a studded black bag, and a chunky chain necklace to amp up the edge, but this could just as easily go with your favorite pair of sneakers and a sporty handbag for a more athletic, casual look. Some oversized sunnies are exactly what I needed to navigate my way through the sunny streets to the post-night-out meal, so I opted for a black pair with silver details. And the best part: It wasn’t until I spent the whole day wearing this dress that I realized it has pockets —as if I didn’t already love it before.
Best Petite Anthropologie Dress For a Park Day
Say what you will about a drop-waist dress, but I love how it elongates my torso when it fits my frame. This gingham style hits at exactly the right spot. A cropped jacket like a bolero provides coverage on the arms and shoulders while letting the waistline stand out, and my black Nike Air Rifts are always my go-to walking shoe, but any ballet flat or narrow sneaker will do the trick.
Black is a steadfast staple in my closet (if you couldn’t tell), and I like the contrast it creates with the breezy two-tone dress, but other dark colors like chocolate brown, oxblood, or even tan create a similar visual effect. I kept accessories pretty simple with a thin, flat snake chain and a paper-white bag, but a bag charm like this Miffy keychain adds a pop of color and personality.
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Get ready to soak up the sun in style — Abercrombie & Fitch is kicking off the season with its Shorts & Swim Sale. Now through May 12, the reader-favorite brand is offering 30% off all shorts and swimwear (discount applied automatically at checkout). From playful bikini sets to denim cutoffs, your summer wardrobe is about to get a stylish refresh.
And it gets even better. You can also score 20% off nearly everything else (excluding clearance), plus an extra 15% off with the stackable code SHORTSAF. Whether you’re shopping for wedding guest dresses, activewear, or bestselling jeans, there are so many deals to dive into.
Read on for some of our top Abercrombie & Fitch sale picks, from bikinis and bubble shorts to crop tops and breezy pants.
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Abercrombie & Fitch Swimwear On Sale
Prep for Memorial Day Weekend pool parties with a fresh swimsuit. Abercrombie & Fitch is offering 30% off The Swim Shop, including new arrivals like retro-inspired one-pieces with nautical stripes to bikini sets in summer-perfect tile prints and idyllic gingham. Bonus: select cover-ups are also included in the sale.
Now for the “20% off almost everything else” part of the sale. Test-drive the season’s biggest dress trends at Abercrombie & Fitch: butter yellow, polka dots, denim, drop waists, andbubble hems. You can even score a spring wedding guest dress in a pinch, and no one will guess it was a rush situation.
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Abercrombie & Fitch Jeans On Sale
Name your favorite denim silhouette — Abercrombie probably has it. So if you’re on the hunt for ‘90s straight-cut, casual wide-leg, nostalgic low-rise, or trendy barrel-leg jeans, now’s the time to snag them at 20% off.
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Abercrombie & Fitch Tops On Sale
Get ahead on summer vacation packing by scooping up essential warm-weather tops during this sale. Look out for tropical tie-front styles, breezy linen-blend camis, preppy crochet polos, and much more. (Many even have matching bottoms, so you can pull together a full look with minimal effort.)
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Abercrombie & Fitch Skirts & Pants On Sale
Cart up a pair of seashell-printed or striped pants to tap into the fisherman aesthetic, or go for a classic white maxi skirt that works for any warm-weather occasion. No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong with these on-sale bottoms.
The quest for the perfect wedding hairstyle is a rite of passage for any bride. It’s a journey that often involves navigating through a seemingly endless sea of inspiration, where trends and traditions collide. #Hair, in general, is an online world saturated with trends like “buss down wigs” and the allure of “what lace?” closures. Add in the words “wedding” or “bride,” and I found myself drowning in a tidal wave of what seemed like countless hair choices. Cascading curls, sleek updos adorned with delicate accessories, and the ever-present promise of a flawlessly installed set of extensions—the options are dizzying. Eurocentric beauty ideals so often dominate this landscape that I, as a Black woman preparing to marry the love of my life, found myself searching for something more. It wasn’t until the idea of bridal braids surfaced that I truly felt inspired.
Throughout the initial stages of my 18-month engagement, I had several stylistic considerations. One minute, I pictured a sophisticated updo; the next, a romantic headband look captured my imagination. I even entertained the idea of a chic, straight bob. Yet, with each style, I felt a disconnection from my core identity.
As I explored bridal inspiration online, the stark absence of Black brides sporting braids became undeniable. Even when I added “Black girl” to my search, I mostly found outdated representations, such as Brandy Norwood in her iconic role in Cinderella. This limited portrayal felt both frustrating and inadequate. The lack of representation of braided wedding hairstyles highlighted an ongoing underrepresentation of natural and protective styles in a space that should celebrate diverse expressions of beauty. This reality challenged prevailing beauty standards and deepened my desire to see myself genuinely reflected in my bridal look.
On my wedding day, I wanted to feel completely present, free from the distractions of constant hair adjustments. The thought of my lace lifting, tracks showing, or worrying about my extensions while dancing filled me with unease. Confidence is essential for me, and braids promised just that—they’re effortless. Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood and attending a PWI in college, I embraced my love for dancing, often whipping my hair around like I was in a Britney Spears video. The anxiety of managing a meticulously styled updo as I moved to “Back That Azz Up” was daunting. In contrast, braids offered me a liberating alternative, allowing me to enjoy my day without hair-related worries. Plus, thinking ahead to my honeymoon, just two days later, the convenience of needing only a scarf, shampoo, and conditioner instead of schlepping a full set of styling products overseas was incredibly appealing. It was about feeling like myself and embracing each moment without hesitation.
However, the choice to wear braids at my wedding was more than just practical; it was deeply rooted in my identity. While I was embarking on a marriage with a wonderful man from a cultural background different from my own, my connection to my roots became deeply important. We knew we were going to incorporate some aspects from both of our cultures, like getting married under a traditional Chuppah, smashing the glass, jumping the broom, doing the Hora, and having a soul train line. We both wanted our wedding day to reflect our authentic selves.
I had a vision that on my walk down the aisle, I would feel not only beautiful but also deeply connected to my heritage. This desire echoed my experience when I competed in the Miss California USA pageant in 2020 as Miss Santa Monica USA. I chose to wear my hair in Passion twists for a similar reason. For me, I never want a day meant for feeling “beautiful” also to be a moment of feeling like I’m assimilating into Eurocentric beauty standards. I felt that braids help me feel aligned with my Blackness in a way that enhances my sense of beauty because I am being my authentic self. Braids have become a powerful symbol of self-acceptance, and they allow me to feel even more beautiful because, in this style, I am unapologetically myself.
So “just wear braids,” I’m sure some people would say. However, interestingly enough, it was not a straightforward decision. When I raised the idea of braids to others, I encountered instances where elders were not entirely convinced that it was the right choice. There were subtle suggestions that more “traditional” styles might be more appropriate for such a significant occasion. My husband, then-fiancé, while supportive and well-intentioned, offered the classic but ultimately unhelpful sentiment that I looked pretty in every style while I weighed my decision. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated his support, it just left the onus squarely on me to make a decision, and yet that made it feel even more deeply personal and meaningful. Months passed, and “I haven’t decided yet” became my standard response to the inevitable hair question. A reply that I soon learned was somewhat unusual for a bride.
My decision to wear braids on my wedding day was driven by a multifaceted desire for authenticity, practicality, and a profound connection to my identity as a Black woman…
Finally, approximately three months before the wedding, a moment of inspiration arrived. My clarity came from my intrigue with “Zoe Kravitz braids,” a style similar to one shared by “braid architect”, Brooke DeVard, on TikTok a year prior—a braided leave-out style. Its functionality for upcoming work travel appealed to me. It seemed like the perfect blend of chic and practical, a style that could effortlessly transition from a film set, business meeting, or date night. My braider executed the style beautifully: a nearly full head sew-in with the leave-out styled in intricate, small boho braids with human hair. Looking in the mirror, I felt an immediate sense of ease and confidence. It was then that I thought, “This will be my wedding hairstyle,” and I immediately scheduled a follow-up appointment for the week of the wedding.
When I make a decision, I make it quickly and ten toes down. However, the specific styling for the big day remained a game-time decision, a delightful mystery I chose to unravel in the moment. “It will find me,” I told my future mother-in-law, who surely thought her usually Type A future daughter-in-law was maybe unraveling.
On the morning of my wedding, my mission was simple: stay calm and soak in the joy. I wanted those precious hours before the ceremony to bubble with laughter and anticipation, not chaos. So, I opted out of professional hair and makeup, choosing instead to channel my inner artist. After all, having competed in the Miss USA/Miss Universe Organization, I was no stranger to styling my own hair and makeup. If my skills could land me second runner-up in Miss CA USA and shine on Hollywood’s red carpet, why not let them shine on my big day?
For those willing to hand the reins over to a pro, no judgment here! But for me, this was about discovering my style in real time, embracing the creativity of the moment. Hair and makeup are art forms, and on this day, I was both the artist and the canvas. I set aside ample time (the beauty of being a DIY bride) and found a rhythm as I began braiding my hair, initially envisioning a bun. But then, the braid took on a life of its own—simple yet elegant, with tendrils framing my face. I added a stunning bridal headband that brought a touch of fairytale magic, blending classic bridal elegance with a contemporary twist.
As a sweet detail, my bridesmaids repurposed pearls from our wedding décor, attaching them to bobby pins that adorned my braid. The transformation took just 20-30 minutes, and as I gazed at my reflection, I felt like a Disney princess ready to step into my new life.
Future brides, just know that this is all that matters: making it down the aisle to say your vows to your beloved in front of your people.
As I walked down the aisle, my royal cathedral-length veil was the real showstopper, and it added so much drama to my Chosen By Kyha Arta gown, which had its own train. My hair, something I spent months contemplating yet only minutes styling, was not the main focus; it was me, the bride, walking down the aisle with both of my parents by my side as I beamed.
Future brides, just know that this is all that matters: making it down the aisle to say your vows to your beloved in front of your people. I arrived at the chuppah, my father unveiled me, and I stood next to my future husband. The simplicity of my hair allowed my beaming smile to be displayed without distractions. I felt so beautiful and was not thinking about my hair or makeup for one second.
The reception and beyond only solidified my decision. Following the cocktail hour, I removed my veil, allowing my braided hairstyle to be more fully seen during our first dance. It was a moment of unveiling, not just of my hair, but of a deeper sense of self. As the reception transitioned into a lively party, I easily styled my hair into a half-updo, the braid creating natural and beautiful waves throughout my tresses. The bonus was the freedom to dance all night without any concern about my hair while being thrusted into the air during the hora, or nailing my Britney Spears choreography, or absolutely losing it to “Shake That Monkey.”
Ultimately, my braids proved to be the perfect hairstyle for my wedding day. They weren’t just a style; they were a statement. My decision to wear braids was driven by a multifaceted desire for authenticity, practicality, and a profound connection to my identity as a Black woman in a world that often elevates certain beauty standards. Choosing braids felt like a personal affirmation and a celebration of my heritage on a deeply significant day. God willing, my future grandchildren, maybe so far down the line I’ll never meet them, will look at these photos, the night our limbs on the family tree started, and they’ll see a grandmother who was boldly herself.
I am proud that I was able to honor my past, embrace my present, and step confidently into my future. For other Black brides navigating their wedding beauty choices, I hope my experience underscores the beauty and validity of embracing natural and protective styles, allowing you to feel completely and confidently yourself. Your most authentic self is your most beautiful self, and you deserve to celebrate that on your wedding day and every day.
