Maxi/Ankle skirts - still a nay? - YouLookFab Forum

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Maxi/Ankle skirts - still a nay?

Ann in New England

I've been looking at this skirt, which also comes in petites. At just a bit under 5'4", I'm on the petite bubble. I was curious about the PSL (Proper Skirt Length) for something like this, so I searched the forum here. WOW! There was a serious amount of hatred for maxi skirts here 4 years ago. It seems to have lessened a bit 2 years ago, but still not much love. I haven't seen any recent posts to clue me in to current thinking.

I'll probably get a skirt like this because it would make a great work at home piece in the summer. But I'm thinking it might also be a great travel piece. I've got a long weekend in New Orleans next month that will involve walking, eating, and cocktails.

I'm willing to embrace my lack of height...I don't care that this will not make me appear to be tall.

Thoughts? And is the length on the model the length I should aim for?

Thanks.

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

amiable

Veteran

Good question. I like skirts that length, casual or formal, but admit that I don't end up wearing them often at all (average once per year?). I'm also tall, so don't have to worry about them making me look short.

Liz

Veteran

I love skirts that length and am very drawn to them. However, I find the proportions and shape of what top to wear with them tricky. This is definitely an item I'd suggest you buy as part of an outfit -- get the tops at the same time (or buy a maxi dress instead).

I have no idea what the "proper" skirt length is here.

Anonymous

Those long knit skirts have been huge here every summer now for a couple of years. All the young girls wear them with tanks and flat sandals - I love the look but don't have the body to wear it comfortably. Let's face it, knit skirts show everything. I've seen them worn a lot with loose fit sweaters too. The GAP already has a big rack of them, and BR had one or two in stock last time I was in. I saw them everywhere at last summer's CanGift Show in Toronto where all of the young retail buyers were wearing them - easy and comfortable, and flattering on the very slim and trim

Windchime

Veteran

What LisaP said. They were everywhere here last summer, too. I looked for one in a non-knit fabric but couldn't find any long enough. They do seem comfortable and easy for the summer. I could imagine pairing one with the peasant-style tops which are trending this season...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I tried this look a few years ago and I never felt fab in it. I also didn't find it as comfortable as other warm weather styles with a shorter, knee-length or midi skirt. The length makes movement (especially on stairs) more restricted. I agree that the proportions are tricky too. I'm 5'7" so height is not the issue, but all that length without any hint of leg showing actually makes me feel a bit dumpy, maybe because the proportion exaggerates that I am long of leg and short of torso. This makes me think that a long-waisted person may actually find maxis easer to wear.

At any rate, I say there's no harm in trying some on. Try them with the tops you want to wear because as has been noted, they can be tricky. Last summer they seemed to be everywhere! I haven't been in a store for over a month so I have no idea whether they're coming back in for spring stock. I bet Anthropologie has some.

always trying

Veteran

I think they have not been popular on this forum because Angie doesn't like them. They have been a big trend in my area for the past couple of summers, and I am seeing a lot allredy in stores this year.

I see them worn by all sizes of women, not as much by the teenage set. The thing, I think, is get one that is a little less clingy. Not something that has to stretch over hips, like size up, so it is drapey.

Diana

Veteran

I like them but am very picky about the shape. IMO for a maxi skirt a straight column shape is the most flattering, and an a-line (like the one you've shown) can be widening.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am one of the few here who fully embrace them for my boho looks... The striped one here has a modern look compared to my boho ones, so I say go for it if you like it.
Below are a few looks I've done with longer skirts...

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kkards

Veteran

i don't think i have a boho style at all, and like you i'm 5'4 on a good day, but i have a 2 maxi dresses and i love them. they're not the most fashion foward looks, but for summer days when i want easy and fast, they're great. i especially like the one i got at target last year because it has pockets!

Thistle

Veteran

I lived in them all last summer. SO comfortable and kind to my very pregnant self I am considering getting one for this summer in non-maternity wear. I would think these type of skirts would be on trend with the boho resurgence.

Sal

Veteran

I had one Maxi Dress on high rotation this summer (tank, striped, skimming but not tight) and found it a very comfortable flattering easy summer look. I did have another three in the closet but only wore one of them (in my next purge I think they both need to go sadly). I did have a knit maxi skirt but it just was a little too short on me, and I also did struggle with tops and passed it on in the end.
I do like them, I think they have a summery nonchalence.

Nina Proudman on the Australian tv show "Offspring" wears a maxi skirt brilliantly. Here is a link
https://www.pinterest.com/sear.....20proudman

Anonymous

I do kind of like the length on this because I think ankle and feet showing instead of just feet might be lighter looking.
I'm the same height as you and I never worry about how tall I look but I do keep track of how wide. I'm not sure such a large portion of horizontal stripes, especially on the bottom would be my first choice for a pattern.

unfrumped

Veteran

Skirts, as a "separate" seem more versatile but I think it's easier to get a nice grown-up hot weather look with the right maxi dress. Skirts are very tricky IMO. However, maxi dresses skew toward sleeveless styles, so I get that with a skirt you could have slouchy sweaters or T's--I want a bit of a sleeve even in summer.. But, you might try finding a maxi dress and then putting a loose-knit sweater over, ignoring the top part.

Elle

Veteran

I've always liked them for summer - breezy and more comfortable (to me) than shorts or pants. I like the length shown on the model - a bit above the ankle - but you'll have to try it on to see what works for you. Definitely take along a possible top since it can be hard to get the look right.

Maxi dresses and skirts are very popular among the twenty somethings in my city.

Gigi

Veteran

I'm a lover of maxi skirts! I am in Diana's camp: generally, if you are short, a column shape (like a long pencil skirt) is the most flattering. I find that the ones that look best on 5'2" me are quite fitted in the hips. I have one that looks pretty good that is a little looser, but there is not so much fabric at the bottom; in other words, although the skirt is a little breezy and loose, it is not an A-line shape.

It does take quite a bit of trial and error with trying maxi skirts on and pairing them with different tops to find proportions and styles that work. But if you are patient, you will eventually find something that works for you.

ETA: As far as length goes, I find the most flattering length on me to be long enough for the hem to just touch the tops of my shoes. This helps create a long vertical line for my bottom half.

Joy

Veteran

I'm not a fan although I'll take maxi skirts over maxi dresses. I have yet to see a maxi skirt that isn't more flattering at a shorter length, usually somewhere around the knee. Just pin it up or even hold it up in front of a mirror if you don't believe me. I think they need to end above the calf.

Sal

Veteran

Unfrumped, that is a great idea. I am going to try a couple of sweaters over my maxi dress that I thought I would have to put away now the weather is cooling down!!

Echo

Veteran

While I don't doubt that a shorter skirt might be more conventionally flattering, people are prepared to go with JFE with other items - why not maxi skirts or dresses, too? I took a very long time to warm to the idea enough to even try them on, but I found a fabulous maxi dress last summer and I just recently bought a long skirt. The joy of the long length is that I can wear them almost anywhere and not have to worry about crouching (I am often with young students at school, so crouching is a necessity), sitting on the floor, etc. Modestly is preserved no matter what, but it provides a nice change to wearing pants constantly. I'm not a huge fan, nor do I wear them often, but I do wear them sometimes now, when I never used to in the past.

SandyG

Veteran

I love maxi skirts and wear them every summer, neutrals and colorful. Petite at 5' 1" on my best day ever, I prefer the flow-y ones to touch the ground. It's a good, covered way to travel in the car and makes me feel boho-happy hippie chick. They're not good for security screening at airports. And it's certainly not a business look. But to me a maxi skirt represents SUMMER and I wait impatiently all year to break them out. JFE for sure!

Marley

Veteran

I know too many women who wear the maxi skirt length as kind of a cop-out. They think that it covers up (what they they think) is their "fat" legs, thick ankles, etc. - and it just ends up looking to me as the skirt's answer to the dress known as the "moo-moo." Yikes - that's kind of harsh, isn't it? (Sorry about that!)

I would love for someone to prove me wrong - and wear one in an intentional
way - that is, one that looked like a real outfit!

(Also - I do have a problem with the proportions with a maxi skirt - I think a tall woman has a much better chance of pulling it off as opposed to a shorter woman,)

jacquie

I have always worn them with either a close fitting tank or cami and a 3/4 sleeve cardigan over it. I am petite and people always think the skirts make me look taller. Be careful to not wear one too voluminous.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Personally I like the idea of them but summer in Australia is very hot and I usually end up not liking being fully covered on the legs. Plus they can be too casual for work and for evenings. Especially as I prefer them with flat sandals. But I still wear them sometimes. IMO the one in the photo would look better longer. I like them virtually scraping the floor like flared pants. Not very practical but it creates a nice long line.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

The problem I have with a lot of maxi skirts is that by covering a good 50% of your body, it puts the focus on your upper half and in particular, your mid-section. I used to wear both column and A-line maxi skirts, and my mid-section was very trim so it was a good look. Now, I have my wobbly bits which I would rather keep to myself. The only way I've made a maxi work, is wearing a slim column type that is a little shorter, so showing some ankle. Also, it is somewhat sheer so you can see some leg which adds structure to the look.