I'm 5ft 9' & tried 7 dresses under £20 – Primark's viral one showed my cheeks while ‘flattering' M&S frock was frumpy

The Sun

24-05-2025

FROM runways to affordable high street clothing ranges, we all know that the fashion industry still has a long way to go in creating a more diverse landscape.
As well as seriously failing in size - whether you have a bigger or a smaller bust and so on - there's also a serious lack of height inclusivity, something I know too well as someone who's 5'9ft.
Historically, mainstream and fast fashion brands have catered for the average height – which reaches just 5ft 4in for a woman in the UK.
This means that many trending and viral pieces garments are inaccessible to taller fashionistas like myself - especially when it comes to rocking a mini dress in summer.
While I am all for a leggy display, some of the mini frocks are often too short even for my liking - and that comes from someone who sports teeny shorts at the gym.
From short cuffs to even shorter hems, finding clothes online, or even in store, that will fit comfortably - and won't have your cheeks on show - can be challenging.
So if you're like me and are tired of having to wear maxi dresses when it's boiling hot, see which viral mini frocks, including trending Primark numbers, will cover your dignity - and the ones that will give strangers a full show for free.
New Look Tiered Mini Dress, £29.99
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While I rarely shop at New Look - purely because there isn't one near me - my fashion-obsessed friends always rave about their huge collection of summer dresses.
One of the many items that have been flying off the shelves is their Tiered Mini Dress, setting you back just £29.99.
Available in white and fiery red, this little number can be styled up or down - pair it with hot trainers and you're good to go for a sunny picnic, or team it with strappy heels and you're bound to turn heads.
But is it tall girlie-approved? Absolutely - but do make sure to wear skin-toned undies, as the material is quite see-through.
Although this summery and flirty frock covered my dignity, it's simply not the one for me - as it felt like I was rocking an apron.
Fashion fans 'need' Primark's new £14 linen trousers - there's two colours to choose from and they're great for spring
Primark Kids Gingham Check Dress, £10
It's one the latest items that broke the internet - the viral Primark Gingham Check Dress that petite fashionistas could easily pull off, despite it being sold at the kids' section.
The gorgeous mini frock, retailing for just a tenner, screams summer picnics in the park thanks to its timeless check print.
To give the adorable dress a fair chance, I picked it up in the biggest size possible - aimed for 14 and 15-year-old teenagers.
Although I somehow managed to squeeze into this teeny dress, it's safe to say it came off the second I turned around and was gobsmacked by how short it is - which shouldn't have been a shock, really.
It's a real shame, as I loved the print and the cut - but if you're anything above 5'5'', I'd suggest to steer clear of this number... unless you want to have your cheeks hanging out - quite literally.
New Look Black Square Neck Flared Mini Dress, £32.99
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This head-turning number features a timeless design that's sure to remain a hit for the summers to come - a square neckline teamed with a flowy bottom half, ideal to hide the bloating from all those cheeky Aperols.
Online, this LBD is also available in sky blue and vibrant red - perfect if you want to add a pop of colour to your summer wardrobe.
One shopper, who is 5'2'', praised the wallet-friendly frock, claiming it ''gives a lovely shape'' - but will it be tall girl-approved?
If you're on the lookout for something basic yet flirty - and comfortable - this dress is a winner.
While I wasn't a great fan with how it looked with my white Veja trainers, this LBD would look incredible paired with strappy heels, a golden necklace and statement earrings.
More importantly - it covers everything it needs to cover, while still having that cheeky and playful side to it.
Top Primark summer buys
IF you're looking for more Primark summer buys, then you've come to the right place.
Shoppers have recently been raving about the new Miffy PJs from Primark.
Others were desperate to nab the new leopard print nightwear.
If animal print is your thing, you'll want to check out the new maxi skirts.
The haltnerneck tops are perfect for summer.
If you're on a budget, these trousers are identical to a pair from Zara, but without the hefty price tag.
There's brilliant travel essentials for less than £10.
And if you plan on heading to the beach, you won't want to miss these crochet bags.
Primark Sleeveless Corset Mini Dress, £23
When in doubt - or on a budget - Primark is the go-to for millions of Brits on the lookout for last-minute garments, or Anthropologie dupes and cotton-rich bedding.
In the recent years, our favourite discount retailer has seriously upped its fashion game - and this Sleeveless Corset Mini Dress is no exception.
Setting you back a mere £23, this skater-style dress comes in cream, hot pink and floral - the latter of which caught my eye right away - and features an adorable bow detailing on the back.
The model online is only a tad bit shorter than me, reaching at 5'7ft - and the dress was already giving quite the leggy display, so it's safe to say I was rather sceptical before putting it on.
And rightly so - as while from the front it did cover my bits, you couldn't say the same about the party in the back.
Drop Waist Sleeveless Dress, £10
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After the epic fail of the adorable gingham Primark dress, I didn't have much hope for this Girls Drop Waist Sleeveless Dress, priced at just £10.
But while it was clearly too small and designed for someone who hasn't hit puberty yet, it did somehow cover my lower half - though just about.
The buttermilk yellow - one of the most trending colours of the season - complimented my tan and I liked the bottom half of the dress.
However, if you're on the taller or more athletic side - save that £10, as you won't be able to get both of arms in and you'll most likely just end up looking like an overgrown toddler.
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