Sundress length advice? - YouLookFab Forum

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Sundress length advice?

SarahD8

Veteran

Hi folks. I scored this gorgeous paisley/floral* sundress recently on eBay. I love it but it's very long (very nearly brushes the floor when I'm barefoot) and the hem is very wide -- a combination that I feel overwhelms me a bit.

I'm thinking of giving it a chop. Yes, no? And if yes to where exactly? Sort of like so in the last picture? (I feel like a slightly below mid-calf hem could give it balletcore vibes, of which I am a fan.)

Thanks for any thoughts/advice!

*I think this type of pattern is called a Jacobean floral?

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Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

slim cat

Veteran

Very pretty dress! I like the length in the last pic - easy to wear with any kind of shoes ( flats, low heels, or espadrilles ).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Pretty dress! I like the length you've hitched it to -- above the ankle bone. Much easier to walk in and shows off the footwear.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Nice! I like the length in no 4. I think about 10cm above the ankle bone is a good length.

LaPed

Veteran

Ooh, I love the print! It looks like there are three tiers below the smocked bodice, with the bottom one being the longest by far? My inclination would be to chop the bottom tier so that it’s no shorter than the middle tier, ideally a bit longer. Might be worth measuring all of the tiers just to play around with the ratios before you trim it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

VERY pretty dress, SarahD8!

Before we debate the length, make sure the straps are the right length. Do they need shortening too?

Another vote for the shorter length in #4! More practical - and flattering to my eye

Mirjana

Veteran

I absolutely agree with others, pic #4, the most practical length.

Joy

Veteran

I like#4 best.

SarahD8

Veteran

Thank you for the vote of confidence, all! This dress is officially in my to-be-chopped pile.

LaPed, great advice to pay attention the proportions of the tiers. You're right, 3 tiers with the last one substantially longer. I agree with your suggested proportions, so I'll make some measurements before cutting.

Angie, good call re: the straps. They are actually adjustable, and I did shorten them, but I notice in the pictures that the bodice of the dress seems to be sitting low. I'm not sure if the straps slipped and need a little stitch to stay in the right spot, or if it's just the camera angle -- but in any case, I'll make sure that's sorted before I take my scissors to the hem.

Onwards!

Dana

(website)

Veteran

I'm gonna be the odd woman out here. I love it as a maxi! Yes, it's a lot of dress, but that's the style. (And it's a very modern look.)

That said, it depends on whether you were hoping for more of a traditional sundress and whether you'd get the wear out of the maxi length...

SarahD8

Veteran

Dana thank you for the dissenting vote of confidence! In all honesty I think I'll get more wear out of it at a shorter length but it's good to know I can't go wrong here.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like it at the shorter length and think it is more practical too.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I feel like the shorter length...that exact length has been "in" for many years, and so I prefer the original long look. I notice a lot of younger and trendier people doing a lot of volume.

I guess it looks good either way. And I agree with Angie about the straps, but I wonder if they would look good even a tiny bit longer, with your frame.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yeah, SarahD8, sometimes those adjustable straps don't stay put, although they are handy

Enjoy your new dress!

SarahD8

Veteran

Thanks Jaime, yes I agree with you on the practicality point!

Carol I will experiment with both the strap length and the hem length! I guess re the hem I need to decide if I want to look young & trendy (I am an old...)

Angie thank you for the good wishes!

Indigoprint

Veteran

Do you like the hack where one ties a knot with the fabric? It makes for an asymmetric hem, but it can also reel in some of the excess fabric. You can experiment with it to find your sweet spot but not make a permanent change.

Runcarla

Veteran

A shorter length gets my vote, but I have a poison eye for maxi’s

The Cat

Veteran

Another vote for a shorter length. In fact, I would prefer to see the dress a bit shorter than in pic #4.

Joy

Veteran

Yet another vote for the shorter length.