Should I chop this maxi dress? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Should I chop this maxi dress?

Ariadne

Veteran

I bought this dress for a casual-ish wedding last summer. It's very beautiful (looks better on me than on the model!) and I'd like to get more wear out of it. I'm considering having it hemmed to midi length for more versatility. I'd like to wear it as a day dress this summer, and I know Angie is not a fan of casual maxi dresses. What do you think? Would it work better as a midi dress?

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Ariadne

Gaylene

Veteran

I'd vote yes. That dress would look lovely at the midi length, and I could see it being much more versatile. It's too pretty to just hang in the closet!

AJ

Veteran

How about a high-low hem?

deb

Veteran

I would.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Well I love maxi dresses, so I think it looks great and I would wear as is! But if you're not wearing it because it's a maxi, then I would consider shortening to a high-low or midi. Can you post a pic of you wearing the dress and pinned up?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

It depends if midis look good on you. If it were me, I'd keep it as a maxi or shorten to knee-length, but that's just because I know that length works best on me.

Ariadne

Veteran

I can't get pics because DH is away with our camera, but I'll try when he returns. The high-low hem idea is intriguing. I love high-low hems.

If I keep it as a maxi I'll need to hem it by a few inches if I want to wear it with flat sandals. Right now the length requires heels.

CocoLion, I'm also considering knee-length; like you, I know that length works on me. I've actually never worn a midi dress before.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

That is a great dress!

I would shorten it to whatever length you have found works best on you or fills a need in your wardrobe. For instance, if it were me, I'd take the hem up to just below my knee because I have such a hard time finding dresses that are long enough hit that spot and not a spot above my (not so pretty) knees.

I don't know why but even though my life is very casual, I don't find myself reaching much for the one maxi skirt I have. I think the length is challenging, even with a bit of height -- my legs feel too constrained or something. I can see why you'd want to get more use from your dress!

Astrid

Veteran

This is a beautiful dress! I like the idea of shortening it to just below the knee. Midi length for beginners.

Anonymous

I would do a hi-lo hem first, but then leave the option to take it to just below knee length. Then you could reinvent it as a knee length dress if you get tired of the hi-lo.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That is a fabulous dress and I can easily imagine it looks great on you. I would definitely hem it -- figuring out the length that is best for you. Hi-low would be so much fun!

missvee

Veteran

I love it as is, but if you're not wearing it, then by all means have it shortened. Check out the BCBG website - they have a lot of dresses featured - short, long, and hi/lo. You might get some inspiration there.

Liz A.

Veteran

I would worry about the silhouette of that dress at midi length. Midi seems to look best a bit slimmer.

Ariadne

Veteran

I have the same concern, Liz. Bu, then again, t I think Angie wears full midi skirts if I recall correctly?

I need to try to pin it up and see what I think. I'm leaning towards a high-low hem to start.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

It depends on what you like and will wear. I love maxi's and will wear them, plus I enjoy having the option of wearing skirts/dresses of different lengths. Does the maxi length look good on you? If it does, it would be a fun summer dress.

rachylou

Veteran

I love the idea of a high-low hem!

But I like maxi "patio dresses." I could just as easily say leave it as is.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

What a beautiful dress! If it is languishing in your closet, I think you have your answer. I like both the hi-low suggestion and a midi or knee length.

unfrumped

Veteran

If you just don't want to wear heels, you could hem to casual sandal maxi.
But if you think you want a more typical dress length, then just at low kneecap or below--assuming you like that when you pin it up to try--would be great and you could wear it with any variety of footwear.

Debbie

Veteran

Love the dress Definitely shorten it if you will wear it more.

Susie

Veteran

That's a great dress; I like it as is. I would keep it maxi but hem it a bit to wear with flats.

Ariadne

Veteran

I do love it at maxi length and I think it looks very nice on me. I just feel like it's a bit too dressy, somehow, for everyday wear. I should try styling it a bit more before I make any decisions, though. I know DH loves it as is, which is one strong reason to consider hemming it just enough to wear with flat sandals (right now it pools on the ground with flat sandals).

Rachylou, that's exactly what the style name was - "patio dress".