Midi length dresses and skirts, both flared and form fitting, are trending now and for the next couple of seasons. It’s important to get the footwear right in order to wear them with panache and avoid looking and feeling dowdy. Petites, don’t despair because you can wear midis. Refer back to my shopping trip with gorgeous Laura, where we successfully fitted midis on her petite self by looking for the right shape and length. 

Pictures speak louder than words so below are visuals of midi dresses and skirts to accompany each footwear option.

1. Heeled Platform Loafers: The lower the colour contrast between your legs or hosiery and the loafers, the longer the leg line. This is a trendy pairing.
2. Knee-High Boots: The model is wearing low heeled boots with this frock and it’s worth watching the video to see the dress and boots in action. Tall high heeled, wedged, and platform boots will also work. By all means wear flat riding boots with a midi that defines your waist if you already have a relatively long leg line.
3. T-Strap Mary Jane Pumps: Super retro and of course, the socks are optional. They don’t need to be four inches high (2.5 to 3 inch heels are just as fab).

4. Flat Hiking Boots: This more grungy take on the midi ensemble is hard to pull off, but fun with a little youth or spunk on your side. Tucking into a waisted midi will lengthen your silhouette. You might find the proportions more flattering with a form fitting midi and/or with “haute hiking boots” that have a substantial high heel.
5. Heeled Sandals: The photo shows platform sandals, but most heeled sandals, cage heeled sandals, or heeled sandal wedges will work. Heeled peep-toe sandal booties are a more fashion forward choice.
6. Pumps: This is the easiest footwear option to pair with midis. Pumps can be low heeled (kitten), high heeled, stiletto, stacked, wedged or platform. I wore three inch stacked heel pumps with my form fitting midi dress and flared midi skirt.

7. Ankle boots or booties: These work particularly well in low heeled styles when the colour is low contrast against your skin or hosiery. The snug fit around the ankle creates a more streamlined effect. Form fitting booties, like I recently wore with my harem pants, are another great choice.
8. Platform Booties and Monster Wedges: Note how streamlined the booties fit around the ankle, which I think is key. Also, the bookended black bootie and outfit work particularly well.
9. Calf Length Boots: I’d be weary of this combination unless you have a naturally long leg line. Here, it’s important to define the natural waist, thereby lengthening your legs and minimizing that “stumpy” feeling.

Most of the photos show high heeled footwear, but that’s not your only option. I cannot walk in three inch heels all day so I wear low heeled pumps, booties, ankle boots, and knee-high boots with my midis. I also fully intend to wear casual flat riding boots with midis, but haven’t done so yet. Ballet flats will also work if you keep the midi on the shorter side with a very defined waist. Again, look at how our petite and curvy Captain Dress sports the look.

Feel free to ask further questions in the comments section and I’ll answer them as best I can.

Earrings are no longer part of my style and I have only worn them on two occasions in the last 14 years. When I regularly wore earrings as a teen and gal in my 20’s, they were usually small pearl studs, silver studs, or small hoops. I have never worn oversized earrings, but I do love the look on others. When a gal wears a pair of chunky statement earrings that suits the scale of her frame, her hair, and outfit, the effect is dazzling and divine. 

The descriptive name “door knocker” put an instant smile on my face, let alone the dramatic aesthetic of the design. I vote yay if your lobes can handle the weight of the earrings. What’s your verdict?

I posted an assortment of sleeved dresses last week, but I am still marveling at the availability and variety of gloriously sleeved dresses in stores at the moment and need to post 14 more. I’ve seen most of these dresses on my clients and can vouch for their fit. Lengths and price points vary, as does sleeve styling, colour and fabrication. Some of the styles are available in petites and in a few different colours. 

• Muse Peek-A-Boo Colorblock Dress: I looked really curvy in this dress, and it hit me just above the knee (I stand at regular height). The asymmetrical inset adds a fun and firty feature to the “Star Trek” design. It’s also available at Macys stores. 
• Evan Picone Short Sleeved Striped Cowl Neck Dress: The texture rich knitted fabrication is divine. It does run short, although lovely on petites. The silhouette adds curvature to a straighter frame, yet accentuates a curvy frame. It’s form fitting in a non-clingy way and looks good worn as a tunic with leggings or skinnies. Machine Washable. 
• INC Printed Three Quarter Sleeve A-Line Printed Dress: Bohemian fab in bright blue. The broad black line down the centre front is vertically attractive. It’s an easy go-to item with hose and black boots. Machine Washable. 
• Chaus Wrap Front Dress: If you love wrap styles, this one is for you. Hourglass-y deluxe and very comfortable. Machine Washable. 
• Adrianna Papell Pleated Jersey Sheath Dress: This is the type of dress my clients look for when it comes to covered yet alluring, easy and flattering holiday attire. Adrianna Papell does a version of this dress each year and it’s a winner. It’s made of a substantial knit that feels streamlined, luxurious and tailored. It’s also available in black. 
• Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Button Tab Ponte Knit Dress: Nice tulip skirt silhouette. I can see this on a black haired lady with black opaques and black heeled booties. 
• Presley Skye Butterfly Print Silk Crêpe de Chine Dress: I love this dress, which is why I recently featured it in a work wear ensemble. I felt elegant and on trend in the silhouette and urge all taller ladies to try the style (I would have to hem it a little shorter). It’s ’70s glam and looks amazing with a cropped furry waistcoat and heeled knee-high boots. 
• Maggy London Draped Jersey Dress: The front ruffle lies quite flat so don’t let it put you off. A lovely length for taller gals and a delicious colour to boot. 
• ASOS Motel Indiana Silhouette Rose Chiffon Knee Dress: Playful, youthful and pretty. It moves in a graceful and fun way as you stride (watch the video). 
• ASOS Printed Midi Dress with Twist Front: Another great ’70s inspired dress for ladies who like soft fabrics, earth tones, and dainty patterns. Retro and lovely. 
• Ann Taylor Sequin Shoulder 3/4 Sleeve Dress: This one is fab in a “Mad Max” kind of a way. It’s a body conscious style, but the ruching helps make the frock feel more substantial. It’s sold out online, but you might have luck in stores. 
• Maggy London Palm Print Jersey Dress: Fabulous print, but surrenders the waistline so be warned. Super with knee-high boots and a swing coat.  
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Michaela Silk Shirtdress: This style is very fashion forward and drapes like nobody’s business. Watch it in motion on the video. It also looks fab belted at the waist. Sublime.  
• Target Convertible Shirt Dress: You might need to size up here, and the fabric is thin. But great for mild Autumn days and available in assorted colours. I was quite impressed with the fit. Machine washable.

I can’t stress this point enough: you will completely change up the vibes of these dresses with different footwear, jewelry, handbags, hosiery, headgear and hairstyles. It looks like we are having a good dress season so far. Long may it last.

A mini skirt or dress finishes at least 3 inches above the top of the knee. Many minis hit women mid thigh, and styles shorter than that are called “micro minis”. Midi skirts and dresses finish below the knee, either just covering the knee or calf length. Lengths that finish between the mini and midi are “knee-length”.

I have one A-line mod mini dress that I wear with hose on fancy occasions. I also have a polka dot bubble dress that doesn’t quite qualify as mini, but it’s short compared to the rest of my skirts and dresses. Personally, I’m not fond of short, tight mini skirts or dresses. I love to see a women’s gorgeous legs but much prefer the vibe of flared mini skirts, either with flats, heels or boots. As for micro minis, I bat for Team Short Shorts, although I do not wear them.

I have many midis. Even before the mainstream trend I had three in my wardrobe. I enjoy both form fitting and very flared midis, keeping them an inch or two below the knee. If I wear a three inch heel, I can wear longer midis. I find this length extremely elegant and retro, especially when worn with modern and edgy outfit touches. I am Team Midi all the way.  

Over to you. Are you Team Mini or Team Midi? Tell us why. No batting for both Teams, and Team Knee Length is sitting out the game today.