“Petite girls can wear maxi dresses too” – Rachel Stevens’ round-up of petite M&S pieces makes getting the perfect fit a breeze this summer
M&S’s new Petites Ambassador, we’re so here for Rachel Stevens' elegant picks and sophisticated styling
Buying outside of standard sizing isn't easy, but M&S has made a big push for its petite range, which coincides with the launch of its Pantheon flagship store on London's Oxford Street. To celebrate this development, the British clothing brand announced petite style Ambassadors Rachel Stevens and Dannii Minogue, who will provide a source of inspiration for shoppers.
Rachel recently took to Instagram to show off the incredible range of maxi dresses and skirts that can be found in petite-friendly lengths at the brand, from the M&S floral relaxed maxi waisted dress to its M&S satin lace insert midaxi slip skirt – she styled some with M&S’s ankle strap kitten heel peep toe sandals and a Per Una suede bubble hem relaxed bomber jacket delivering plenty of summer outfit inspiration.
Available in petite, as well as regular and tall, in sizes 6-24, Rachel's round-up of pieces makes finding the best summer dresses a breeze. People often think (incorrectly) that maxi dresses are only for tall women, but one of the best things about Rachel's ambassadorship is how she challenges style rules and shows how to make different shapes work for petite figures. Rachel even captions her video with, “Maxi dresses, perfect-fit jeans, no alterations needed, just perfect proportions. Love that!”
Available in petite, regular and tall, this dress blends comfort with effortless summer style. This maxi dress is cut to a relaxed fit, with a curved seam at the waist giving the loose shape and full skirt an elegantly draped look.
This maxi dress is a do-it-all holiday style, with its flowy fit, making it a great option for beach outfit ideas. Available in petite, regular or tall, it makes for an effortless day look that can easily transition into the evening with dressy sandals and jewellery.
Reviews for this dress call it 'bright, flattering and comfy,' which is everything we want from a bold red midi. It's made from a 'soft' jersey fabric, with an asymmetric seam creating a figure-skimming, ruched, dropped-waist effect for a contemporary finish. Available in petite, regular and tall fits.
This elegant skirt features lace inserts and a flattering midaxi length and is more versatile than you might first think. When it comes to how to style a slip skirt, the options are endless for both day and evening attire, and they work right through the year too.
Suede textures are really having a moment this year, but they're also pretty timeless, which makes this jacket a great investment piece. As Rachel did, throw it on over an elegant midi to instantly add contrast and texture, and enjoy this look into early autumn.
These peep toe sandals are available in a range of different colours, though Rachel's choice of gold really makes a statement alongside her maxi dress outfits. Shoppers not only say they're 'comfortable' but also rave about their versatility, too.
Fans were quick to congratulate Rachel on her appointment as a Petites Ambassador, with many adding that they were beyond excited to see so many pieces in petite-friendly sizes. “So happy about this, as I’m only 5ft 1 (and a half!) so welcome seeing things to fit my height and body shape,” one fan commented. While another said, “Can’t think of a better ambassador!” And a third added, “Huge petite news.”
From the roomy, floral maxi Rachel was wearing at the start of the video, to the breezy white beach dress she slipped into next, there are so many contenders for your summer wardrobe in just this short clip. Whether worn with a pair of kitten-heeled sandals for an elevated look, or a pair of the best white trainers for a more casual spin, dresses like these are the speediest answer to what to wear in the heat, making sure you’re left looking and feeling good in warm weather.
Of course, dresses aren’t only staples to add to summer capsule wardrobes, but they’re also easily adapted to work across seasons and for a multitude of weathers, too. As Rachel proved with her elegant styling, a suede bomber jacket is an easy layer to throw on over for an extra hit of warmth on a summer evening or for autumn attire.
