What kind and length of long shirt or short dress should I wear with pants?

Plushpenguin

Shirts in the traditional tunic shape never really worked for me. Knee length sporty dresses over jeans look great on me, but the length makes the fact that I'm wearing an actual dress over pants particularly obvious. I love the look, but people tend to think it's weird anyway. So, how do I wear short dresses or long shirts over pants? I'm very pear shaped, flat-chested, and a little petite.

18 years ago

Dressing

6 replies

Latest reply was from AntjeH

Nicole

Veteran

I really like the look of a dress over jeans. I think length is a personal preference based on height. Since you're petite, I'd say keep the length of the dress a few inches higher than you would wear a dress w/out pants underneath.

If people think it's weird--that's THEIR issue. It always takes the general public a while to get used to seeing something different. If you like it and you think you look great in it--then go for it! I bet you dollars to donuts that someone else in your community is wishing they had the moxie to pull it off. Once they see you in it, maybe they will feel more comfortable doing the same, and then it wont be such a unique look!

18 years ago

HannahMichelle

Active Member

I love wearing dresses/tunics over jeans! Personally I think it looks better if your dress stops at least 4 inches above the knee, or like Nicole said, a few inches higher than you would wear a dress by itself. Otherwise there's too much dress and the jeans look out of place. I keep my length a little below my finger-tips which works out to be just the right balance of dress vs. jean.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There you go plush penguin. Perfect advise! This is personally one of my very favourite looks and I have been wearing it for years and years. Now add the straight legs or skinnies.

18 years ago

AntjeH

Active Member

I totally understand the initial reluctance, plushpenguin. It took me a while to get used to it as well. And now I love, love, LOVE that look! Agree with all that's been said so far (shorter length works better), and skinny jeans are best. I wear flats or low-to-medium heels with that look. Jeans tucked into boots could be very fab as well.

18 years ago

AnaElizabeth

Active Member

Can you do this even if you're short or have short legs in proportion with the rest of your body (like me), or should you avoid tunic length tops all together?

18 years ago

AntjeH

Active Member

I'm on the shorter side (5'3''), though relatively well proportioned, and I was worried that the look wouldn't work for me. But I tried it and realized that it really was just that it was "unfamiliar", not that it was unflattering. It'll help keep the tops/dresses shorter if your legs are shorter. Don't go knee length or anywhere close to it. Have fun

18 years ago

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