Is this dress too short?

Glory

Hi Ladies I think I need some input on this purchase. My return date is today if it needs to go back
This would not be work wear but just for fun. It feels lovely on but I am worried about it being too short with anything but leggings or skinnies.

I am 5'4 so it is about 2 inches above my knee whereas the model is clearly much taller than me. However, I am 56 so that might factor as well.

http://www.zappos.com/kensie-cowl-neck-dress

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10 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It looks something like the BR dress I got last winter. I only wear it with tights. But I just got two dresses that are above the knee that I intend to wear as is. And I am also in my 50s. I think it depends on comfort level with it. If you fear you won't wear it, then maybe take it back. If you love it and know you will enjoy wearing it, keep.

10 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Thanks Suz. I was pretty surprised about how short it actually is when I opened the package. I think it could be fun with boots and tights. I do love it but I work from home. I do need something for the odd night out but don't want a closet orphan.

10 years ago

Anonymous

As Suz suggested - that's a personal decision. And it's especially difficult to give advice without a visual.
But, that said, I am in the same age range and definitely wear some items a bit above the knee. Especially if they are loose and flow yas this dress appears on the model.

10 years ago

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

The design is fabulous! No, it's not short because it's lose and flowy. Only fitted pencil or bodycon dresses that length look too short to me. I'd happily keep it and wear it ALOT

10 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I think it's working out to be mostly a personal comfort & style level. Knees are not illegal at any age.

However, I think there is an interaction of the actual dress with actual wearer in which proportions can be better or worse, to my eye, so to me it's an "eye" thing. Just looking at the dress on a model does not tell me how it'll drape and where it'll fall and what body proportions I might have with a given dress. Plus footwear impact. Also, whether one is wearing sheer hose or not makes some kind of impact (I'm leaving out opaque tights because they change the dynamic for lots of above-knee skirts and dresses and often there is no longer any dilemma.)

The eye may be less critical for "fun" items, of course. To wit, my consideration of the short LOFT dress/tunic.

10 years ago

Ankita

(website)

Active Member

The dress is beautiful and I'll chime in with everyone else and say it's more of a personal choice and comfort thing. Two inches above the knee doesn't seem very short, but the real question is how do YOU feel in it? ☺
Maybe wear and walk around in the house for a while, so everything you normally would...even a bend test just to be sure how you feel and then take a final call.
The dress also seems to have a beautiful flow, so it's not going to stick to your legs.

10 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I don't think age has that much bearing; I would encourage you not to think you are "too old" for anything that you feel dynamite in. Comfort and context are more pertinent, in my mind. I think that dress is very cool-looking and would make a fabulous tunic that can double as a dress when you are in the mood for it. I have a dress that is a couple of inches above my knee that I wear in exactly that way. It's a tunic I wear with leggings, but I also wear it as a dress, with thick tights and boots (mine is a sweater dress).

Come to think of it, I also have another sweater dress that is just as short, which I wear with stockings and heels for special occasions. I love the sexy, sophisticated feel of wearing it.

And I'm pushing 60, fwiw.

10 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with unfrumped. I really need to see it on an individual's body to get a sense for it. I don't subscribe to the notion that there is a inch-based rule for what length is "appropriate" on a person. Too much depends on individual proportions, styling details, how it fits into your personal style, and comfort levels for me to begin to generalize.

10 years ago

Anonymous

I'm 54 and have a few dresses that are a couple of inches above my knees. I have good legs and don't mind wearing them as long as they're not too short. It's all in what you're comfortable with.

10 years ago

Leighways

(website)

Active Member

Really a case of the body wearing it - and the bodyimage too.

Personally I'm a bit paranoid about wearing anything above my knees, but so long as you can sit down without flashing the world I'd say go for it! Probably wear it with sjorts or tights a few times around the house to get a bit more used to it. It's not really an age thing, it's a quite conservative dress in other areas -sleeves, neckline - so a little extra leg would be fine.

10 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

My opinion has nothing to do with age. But I think you should return it because there is doubt, evident by you posting this thread, and waiting until the last day to return it. Usually something that I'm not an easy, immediate "yes" about, I end up returning. If I end up keeping something I've had doubts about in the first place, it usually does not get worn much. I give you permission to shop for something you love without any doubt.

However if you actually really love this dress and need the ok to wear something 2" above your knee at age 56, my answer is YES! Keep it. 56 is not old. And 2" above the knee is not that short. Says the woman 57 year old woman who is wearing cargo shorts way above my knee today (it's 103 F).

10 years ago

Anonymous

Maybe CocoLion is right. The fact that you have doubts about it means you probably won't be comfortable wearing it.

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I think it would be fine but I agree that it would depend on how it hangs on your body. For example, I have really long thighs so 2 inches above the knee is nothing on me even though I am short. I don't think age has anything to do with it.

But Denise's advice is wise too...

10 years ago

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