Unfortunately in my experience Nordstrom will be zero help because they just do not have good petite options in store. And I have not found that their stylists have a clue with petite frames, very annoying. They always try to get me to wear regular and "just hem it." Ugh, no, the bodice is totally off.

Really depends on your body type and the colors you wear, but here are some ideas:

https://www.anntaylor.com/petites/petite-dresses/cata000028/petite-horsebit-midi-sheath-dress/851586.html?priceSort=DES
https://www.anntaylor.com/petites/petite-dresses/cata000028/petite-belted-pleated-midi-dress/847314.html?dwvar_847314_color=2073&pid=847314
https://www.hobbs.com/us/product/petite-leonora-dress/0225-5563-9045L04-MIDNIGHT-PURPLE.html#cgid=clothing-petite-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0225-5563-9045L04-MIDNIGHT-PURPLE&pos=0

Any sort of small dress will be fine.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.dillards.com/p/maggy-london-split-v-neck-scuba-crepe-midi-dress/519261414?sku=2317804&googleShop=Y&cm_mmc=GooglePLAs-_-Category+-+Womens+-+Performance+Max-_-null-_-EAIaIQobChMI-7ig9PCGkAMVQi_OBx0-YTvnEAQYBiABEgKlyfD_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20841622741&gbraid=0AAAAADuonHXzl8mS1wLaL36ymLESMOwg-&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-7ig9PCGkAMVQi_OBx0-YTvnEAQYBiABEgKlyfD_BwE

https://www.brooksbrothers.com/the-essentials-sheath-dress/WX00848_____NAVY_08_______.html?georedirect=false&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22876496846&gbraid=0AAAAAD_MDk2dtazbw-Jf2v7R0BpNfOaTW&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-7ig9PCGkAMVQi_OBx0-YTvnEAQYCyABEgL6gfD_BwE

skirt and top option:

https://tnuck.com/products/navy-knit-claudia-midi-skirt?variant=47442096226526&sty_de_label=%0A++++++stylitics-data-enrichment-control%0A++++&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A21846069017%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=7635486&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=47442096226526&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21846069017&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_network=x&utm_feed_id=&utm_extension_id=&utm_target=&utm_placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21846534206&gbraid=0AAAAADvuiDhaEUl89HcRa_1kuqt2991z8&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-7ig9PCGkAMVQi_OBx0-YTvnEAQYEiABEgIzMPD_BwE

The brooks brothers one is the best choice. It is a memorial service, keep it simple.

Anonymous wrote:Uh oh - the poster who insists you must wear black and nothing but black to a funeral/memorial service is going to come and lecture OP.

I come from a culture where you always wear black and nothing but black to funerals and memorials, but no, this is different. Here the family has requested a different color. OP must abide by that.

https://www.dillards.com/p/maggy-london-split-v-neck-scuba-crepe-midi-dress/519261414?sku=2317804&googleShop=Y&cm_mmc=GooglePLAs-_-Category+-+Womens+-+Performance+Max-_-null-_-EAIaIQobChMI-7ig9PCGkAMVQi_OBx0-YTvnEAQYBiABEgKlyfD_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20841622741&gbraid=0AAAAADuonHXzl8mS1wLaL36ymLESMOwg-&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-7ig9PCGkAMVQi_OBx0-YTvnEAQYBiABEgKlyfD_BwE

https://www.brooksbrothers.com/the-essentials-sheath-dress/WX00848_____NAVY_08_______.html?georedirect=false&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22876496846&gbraid=0AAAAAD_MDk2dtazbw-Jf2v7R0BpNfOaTW&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-7ig9PCGkAMVQi_OBx0-YTvnEAQYCyABEgL6gfD_BwE

skirt and top option:

https://tnuck.com/products/navy-knit-claudia-midi-skirt?variant=47442096226526&sty_de_label=%0A++++++stylitics-data-enrichment-control%0A++++&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A21846069017%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=7635486&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=47442096226526&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21846069017&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_network=x&utm_feed_id=&utm_extension_id=&utm_target=&utm_placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21846534206&gbraid=0AAAAADvuiDhaEUl89HcRa_1kuqt2991z8&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-7ig9PCGkAMVQi_OBx0-YTvnEAQYEiABEgIzMPD_BwE

Uh oh - the poster who insists you must wear black and nothing but black to a funeral/memorial service is going to come and lecture OP.

Anonymous wrote:Petite, but what's your body type?

+1

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/maggy-london-side-pleat-sheath-dress/7206375

https://us.boden.com/products/cornelia-ottoman-dress-navy. Petite

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/donna-karan-new-york-womens-3-4-sleeve-belted-sheath-dress?ID=23250737

These are navy

Anonymous wrote:DD and I are both petite, but in different ways, so no, I don't entirely understand.

Unless the family specifically wants a joyful color, I would go with an elegant navy in a petite size. If you don't already know your size in the brands you find, then yes, a personal shopper to whom you give your measurements might be helpful.

+1

Plus is this a modest venue where you can't bare your arms? More details are needed.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-petite-starburst-sheath-dress?ID=18865864#OCCASION/Work

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-petite-printed-button-front-midi-shirtdress?ID=23281728#OCCASION/Work

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/jessica-howard-petite-belted-taffeta-shirtdress?ID=22843468#OCCASION/Mother%20of%20the%20Bride%20or%20Groom%7CWedding%20Guest

Mauve sheath - a bit too business.
Orange flowers - enough said.
Stiff satin - not a wedding.

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-petite-starburst-sheath-dress?ID=18865864#OCCASION/Work

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-petite-printed-button-front-midi-shirtdress?ID=23281728#OCCASION/Work

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/jessica-howard-petite-belted-taffeta-shirtdress?ID=22843468#OCCASION/Mother%20of%20the%20Bride%20or%20Groom%7CWedding%20Guest

DD and I are both petite, but in different ways, so no, I don't entirely understand.

Unless the family specifically wants a joyful color, I would go with an elegant navy in a petite size. If you don't already know your size in the brands you find, then yes, a personal shopper to whom you give your measurements might be helpful.

Petite, but what's your body type?

Why can't you just search for petite dresses online at Nordstrom or Macys?

I have been asked to speak at a memorial service next month and need to find a dress that is not black (per request of the family). I need a dress that is either a petite or petite-friendly (i.e., doesn't require tailoring or can be tailored without completely remaking the dress -- petite ladies, you will understand what I mean here). I don't have a lot of time to shop in the next few weeks and am thinking it might be best to go to Nordstrom and work with a personal shopper. If you've worked with a personal shopper at either Tysons or Montgomery, I'd appreciate your recommendation. Also open to suggestions for specific dresses. Thanks!