Perfect maxi length? (PML)

Janet

A question has occurred to me, even though I am not a frequent maxi skirt or dress wearer: what is the proper length for a maxi?

Should it brush the floor, like flared pants should? Or be a little shorter? Or is it ok if it just reaches the ankles? And if that's ok, should it only be worn with flats?

Angie, I know maxis aren't your favorite thing, but I'm hoping you can shine a little light on this for those who do wear maxi lengths.

So many questions...

11 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

kerry

Veteran

I think, like flares, maxis need to be extra long, grazing the floor. But then again, I only wear casual maxis so maybe the rule would be different for more formal wear. I'm also short so I feel floor-skimming elongates me.

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I like mine about as long as I like my pants although I don't think it's as crucial as ppl. I prefer a column shape though so I don't know if that length is impractical for a fuller skirt.

11 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I also don't wear them but if I did they'd be sweeping the floor, same as my wider hemlines.

11 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

And I don't worry about it. If it's not long enough to be a "maxi" then it's a long dress, and both are good in my book!

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the high-low version.

11 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I agree about just barely sweeping the floor. However, I am so particular about both maxi dresses and high-low hems that the only ones I will wear are tulip versions where one side drapes over the other, leaving a V-shaped high-low part in the front. That mostly solves the problem of the hem for me (but drastically reduces the selection!).

11 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I like them long and sweeping but this also poses a problem because I'm short.

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I wear my maxis just touching the tops of my feet. That means that like pants, you need to think about what shoes you want to wear with them. I like them just touching the tops of my feet because you get the unbroken vertical line for height (I'm short), but the skirt is not so long that you trip over it.

I think that if you are taller (I am only 5'2"), you may be able to get away with a shorter length, like to the top of the ankle, and then you can showcase some shoes. But for shorter gals, I think that the longer length looks better. I have a wool jumper (American usage of "jumper" here) that comes to the top of my ankle, and it looks kind of dumpy due to the length. I have to wear it with black heeled boots to make it look good.

I had to have some of my maxis hemmed by my tailor, and he said that he thinks just touching the top of the foot is a good length. FWIW, he told me he used to do alts for Nordstrom for 11 years before opening his own shop. So he seems to know his stuff.

11 years ago

always trying

Veteran

Sweeping the ground is stupid-they get ratty and dirty unless you only wear them indoors on clean carpeted floors.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the thoughts. I ask because I bought a really inexpensive maxi dress that fits me well, is cool and comfy, and has a nice black and white print... but it reaches the ankle on me. (I'm 5'7") I think I'm just going to take it to the tailor and have it cut down to midi length, or maybe high-low if she can do it.

I have a maxi dress from Anthro last year that I think I'd reach for more if it were shorter as well. I may see if she can make that a high-low or midi as well. As much as I like the idea of maxis for my casual life, I always feel like I'm going to trip on the hem when I go up or down steps. And I really don't need hems dragging on the gritty streets of Baltimore.

11 years ago

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