Tea length skirts: need some clarification - YouLookFab Forum

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Tea length skirts: need some clarification

catgirl

Veteran

So I was about to dump a bunch of skirts on the pretext that they are not knee length and can't be hemmed for various reasons (style, expense). Then I saw Angie's response to Carey Mulligan's (and Marley's!) tea length skirt.

Could someone describe this length and if a specific style of skirt is required? It looks like it needs to be flared and a bit stiffer fabric. Shoes? Top?

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

catgirl

Veteran

This is one of the skirts I'm thinking of - it can be pulled lower on my waist without the belt. The feedback I got was that it needed hemming, but because it's pleated, that cost too much for a $2 skirt. It's a heavy cotton and very well-made, so if it's coming back into style, I want to keep it.

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Joy

Veteran

Una, the photo is very tiny so can't be seen well, but it doesn't look too long from what i can see.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for reading my mind, Una! When I saw the term "t-length skirt" in the Carrie/Marley thread, the exact same questions popped into my head. I have a gut feeling I don't have the legs to pull off the style, but I'll hope to be surprised! Variety is the spice of life and I'm ready for a new skirt silhouette.

Joy

Veteran

The Carrie skirt looks like it's just below the knee and still hits above the widest part of the calf so that her legs still look great. I'd love to see more of this length skirt in the stores and they can always be shortened. The too-short ones can only be tunics for some of us.

catgirl

Veteran

Don't know why the photo is so tiny! Here's a link to the thread where I posted the skirt, with a photo there:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....mixinghelp

kh

I love love skirts that come just below the knee. I don't like showing my knobbly knees much. It reminds me of the 40s style which I love.

I say keep the skirt.

Maya

Veteran

I love the skirt Una. To me tea length is some kind of awkward neither here nor there length that ends between knee and ankle length. I'm not a fan, but I have seen it work on the runway on super tall lanky models.

Deb

To me, tea-length is sort of from mid-calf to a few inches above the ankle. Because of its very name, I picture a tea-length skirt to be softer, made of a finer fabric and sort of dainty. Otherwise, I would probably call the same length, in a sturdier fabric/style, a "midi".

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I agree with Deb, I would classify this as a midi skirt which is very on trend right now. I think the skirt looks great on you but requires a heel.

bella

(website)

Veteran

It seems to me that a bit of volume is also essential for tea-length skirts. Maybe we need a blog post about it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Tea length skirts are calf length - not ankle length. Una, that's a lovely knee-length skirt.

This is on the short side of tea length:

http://youlookfab.com/2010/12/.....d-a-party/

I LOVE the length of tea length skirts!! But the style has to be spot on. I'm going to be very bold and say that tea length skirts *only* look good when they are very voluminous (to Bella's point). Think Madmen and All Saints. MaryK has a tea length skirt which looks phenomenal. I want it!

MsMary

Veteran

I have a couple of them, I think. This one: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....on-of-edgy and this one: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-tuesday-3. The third one went to Marley at the swap!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

This is extremely helpful. Thank you ladies!

catgirl

Veteran

Cool - thanks Angie and everyone else! Is fluffing them out with a petticoat allowed? I have one, you know. Or my girl personality does.

I am thinking I could love this look with my cropped leather jacket, in the style of Angie's photo.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Exactly, Mary. Thanks for chiming in.

Una, of course! Tulle petticoats are fabulous, but they will take away length. (My vintage ball gown pictured has a tulle petticoat).

catgirl

Veteran

Angie, in my case, I think that will help (instant hemming!). I'll have to post some for your consideration now that I know what I'm trying to do.

MsMary

Veteran

OMG, I can't wait to see the pretty skirts with petticoats!!

catgirl

Veteran

MaryK, let me just call out my inner girl... I'm excited to try this look.