Ask Angie: (and all!) Perfect Dress Length? (Decision made!) - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: (and all!) Perfect Dress Length? (Decision made!)

Peri

Veteran

In my never ending dress search I'm pulling out this ancient long silk sheath. Except for the length (and probably the embroidered matching cardigan ) I don't see much that looks dated. Is it worth hemming? The color is beautiful...navy with a kick...and the quality is very high.

Advice? I would wear it with pointy toe flats.

1) No, forget it.
2) Hem right below knees
3) Hem at knees
4) Hem a bit above knees

Relevant...I'm not squeamish about showing my knees. They aren't pretty, but I don't think anyone's are! I'm just squeamish about showing squishy thighs!

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

At knees.

Shelly

I vote at knees.

Ankita

(website)

To be honest I love the dress at the original length, but if you're not feeling it I totally understand
I think at the knee #3 looks great on you!

donnat

Veteran

@ knees

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't see any problem thighs but like #3 the best.

Elly

Veteran

I like both 2 and 3 but I'm a crafty midi lover and sometimes give bad advice because in my head everyone has long legs.

Liz

Veteran

2 and 3 (check to see if it needs tapering, so the skirt doesn't go square on you). Does it fit OK in the torso or does it need to be slimmed there?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A little hem and side seam taper could work, Peri. I like #2 best. More elegant that #3.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So great that you will save this dress. I like it at all lengths, but tapered a bit. Especially if below the knee.

Peri

Veteran

Interesting! Tapered how? In near the hem so it doesn't go A line, or in all over for a more fitted look?

unfrumped

Veteran

I vote #2. Right below knee so it is still above calf. This dress, on you, works really well for that length and it's such a HEWI that I'd jump at the chance to have a classic, elegant dress at that length. There are loads of dresses at or above knee to be had, or ones that don't translate well to longer length.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'd say I prefer 2 or 3 but I'd like to see photos from a more straight on angle -- I suspect that the angle we're seeing shows a little more leg coverage because you're holding the camera up at chest level. I know this is tough to do in a mirror!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I like 2 as well. The just-below-knees version of midi is still current, plus it looks very nice with the other proportions of the dress.

Liz

Veteran

I'd check the seams on the torso -- I can't really tell from the pictures how it fits, but the silhouette reminds me more of sheath dresses from the 90s, when they were what (to our eyes today) looks quite loose overall.

* Skirt tapering. You can see this most easily if you lay the dress flat on a table. Side seams angled out are a-line. Side seams that are straight from hip to hem are ... um, straight. Tapered means the seams angle IN from hip to hem.

Peri

Veteran

Thanks everyone! Stopping at the tailors was the last of many errands this morning so I was reading reposes on my phone all along the way.

Seems the vote was split between #2 and #3, but since Angie gets 10 votes I went with #2. Plus, that was what the tailor picked also.

She advised taking the side seams in at the top, but not at the waist or bottom. I said yes on that too...taking in at the waist would just make my apple (that's the kindest wording but I have to say I'm currently feeling extremely unkind about it and in consequence, me) belly more obvious and she didn't agree with tapering at the hem. I will go with her advice there because of the reason Janet mentioned...I think I take lousy photos and need to work on a better set-up.

Here's hoping! This is desperation dressing for a wedding Saturday. I had high hopes for the Vince magic dress, but it is still too hot here (85) for that dress. Plus I'm still deciding...DH says it looks like pajamas, but that post is coming!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Gorgeous dress Peri, I think it will be perfect for your wedding.

I wanna see the Vince lemming dress! Mine is on it's way... also hoping it will work for a wedding in late Sept.

Aida

Veteran

Ooh looking forward to the final result! I was set to vote for #2 as well.