Shortened midi dresses - YouLookFab Forum

About a week ago I posted on three dresses that I bought, of which two were very long midi dresses on me (at only 165cm tall, about 10cm shorter than the store models).

I got back my dresses from the seamstress, and also got a dress bought last year but not worn much because I meant to get it shortened and never got around to it. I hope I got the lengths right, because it felt that I may have gone too far in shortening them too much.

I initially tried the dresses on with my work pumps, but to be honest, the midi length and flared skirts with pumps, it felt matronly. Perhaps it is these particular pumps that are the issue...I sort of need to work that one out. When I popped on my boots, they felt more current and the midi dresses more fashionable.

With the pink dress, Janet recommended wearing it with a belt and I got this gold belt to wear with it.

Interested to hear if you think the shortening is an improvement and if I got the lengths right. Of course these dresses will need to be worn this way, but in the future, I can work out the best length for me.

Anchie asked me what toppers I would wear with the midi dresses, so I took a few photos with my new toppers, a coat, a belted blazer and same blazer worn open as a coat and my faux fur jacket.

Photo 1 - black dress with pumps
Photo 2 - python dress with pumps
Photo 3 - close up of python dress print
Photo 4 - black dress with knee high suede boots
Photo 5 - python dress with cream boots
Photo 6 - flamingo dress (with belt) and cream boots
Photo 7- flamingo dress close up (with belt)
Photo 8 - flamingo dress with blue coat
Photo 9 - flamingo dress with stars jacket open
Photo 10 - flamingo dress with stars jacket belted
Photo 11 - flamingo dress with leopard faux fur

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Custom Find

by Bijou

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5 years ago

lynn

Veteran

I think the length is great on all of them! You look beautiful.

Janet

(website)

I think they look great! And the gold belt with the flamingo is inspired - a bit unexpected and very nice!

Christina F.

They look great to me! Enjoy!

kellygirl

Wow! They are perfect! You look lovely as always!!!

Runcarla

Well done, Bijou. Perfect length.

Bijou

So glad that you like the shortened lengths. I guess my eye had adjusted to the longer lengths, so Iwas worried that I had shortened them too much.

Anonymous

Yes I like the length too, and the gold belt! Coatwise I'm not sure. I like the blazer unbuttoned weight wise best, since the dress seems thin fabric, but think I'd like a white or cream with that beautiful flamingo color

lyn67

All 3 look great at their new length but I so can understand your worries for wearing them with classic pumps and feeling a bit more matronly than when wearing with trendier booties and boots. I often feel the same way but have more luck when trying a dramatic pointy toe rather than the round or almond one here-and/or an angular block heel. Other shoe option would be sneakers(but think you don't really want to go there for work:-)) but then, there are the wider strap/ankle tied/buckled wedge/block heel more substantial sandals- and perhaps the cut out (on toes-and/ or heels) bootie sandals (Brooklyn used them often to her spring/summer skirts).

Suntiger, that is good advice regarding coats.

Lyn67 thanks for the feedback on shoes and heels. I will have to try different options.

Stagiaire Fash

I like the lengths but am not so sure about the footwear. How about a snappy pair of flat loafers?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

KILLER all round. Love it all, and can't pick a fave. VERY nicely done, sweet Bijou.

A good hack can make all the difference.

Bonnie

My favorite is #4. You look much better in that dress than the model does. I do like the way the model is wearing the python dress so maybe try the black accents like the stock photo.

taylor

Oh! Fabulous
Great length and I love how you have styled them !

nemosmom

The new lengths are perfect!

ophelia

Just a word of caution. I know most people here are pro-alterations, but they can affect the "flow" and lines of the garment. My mom had two midis (which I coveted) that she shortened to knee length, against my warnings, and the skirts were just...wrong. They became puffier and just looked stunted. (She then offered them to me but I didn't want them either!)

Brooklyn

I think they look great! I especially like the black floral. I know what you mean about pumps + midi, it’s one of the reasons why I avoid pumps. I think Lyn is right about the details. You might feel better in a pointy pump or a pump that has studs or a more dramatic heel for example. I see some shoes around at the moment that have cut out heels that look quite dramatic. (I have no idea whether they are comfortable!)

fifthandfinest

Active Member

The length is great. I especially like the black floral one.
I hear you re the pumps looking a little mumsy (you pull it off, but I would have the same concerns on me too). I think your ankle boots bring it way up to date and look fabulous.

Jaime

Fantastic! Flamingo is my favorite because who could resist that color. I think the snakeskin would also look good with a belt sort of like the stock pictures (thick black, not necessarily with a bag!).

Back to the pumps, I echo Brooklyn and Lyn's suggestions. I love wearing these pumps with dresses:

Zappos

Calvin Klein Georgette

Top Pick

Amazon

Franco Sarto Franco Sarto Women's Caleigh Pump

You could try pointy toe flats, too.

Some great feedback on the shoes to wear with midi dresses. I have these less classic pumps that may be good to try.

Oh those should work well

jussie

Goodness I’d like to see those aqua court shoes with the flamingo dress!!

Mermaid shoes! Mermaids and flamingos

anchie

Wow, love the shortened dresses, all look good. And such fantastic selection of shoes.

I love those aqua pumps, especially the heels. If any heel is going to solve the “matronly” problem, those will do it!

Jessikams

That floral dress is SO PRETTY on you!!

Jussi & Suntiger - I am quite excited to try the mermaid shoes with the flamingo dress, because you can never have too much colour!

Fashintern - it is funny how the wrong shoes can just make things not look right. I do love the aqua pumps - whenever I wear them people comment on my shoes.

Jessikams - I really like the floral dress much more now it is shortened - in fact I only picked it up yesterday and ended up wearing it to work today. I can see that dress getting worn a lot now I have had it altered.

Lesley

I love them! So hip with the mod white boots!

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