You look amazing! Don't let the adorable comment get to you.

WOw - you really look great! I probably wouldn't use the term "adorable" here, but I get what Marley is saying. I have to admit that I use "cute" a lot on the forum but totally mean it in a good way. Kind of like Angie's "huggable."

I think some people have limited vocabularies. Love this look.

This is a great outfit, Una. Maybe some people need to expand their vocabulary:) just saying.....

This does not read as "adorable" to me. But as a fellow short person, I get that quite a bit too. Like you, I don't take offense but it's not my favorite description either. I'm guessing, like others have mentioned to me, that the unfitted nature of the shift dress may read as more gamine. I wouldn't let it stop you from wearing it though!

I find the conversation so interesting.

The outfit overall doesn't read as "adorable" to me -- but yes, it has "adorable" elements to it. Your height combined with the swingy style, combined with the knit, combined with the tights. But I would call it "fun" and "mod" more than adorable.

And I do think that Alexandra has hit on something. "Fun" and "mod" read as a bit gamine. And gamine includes elements of the adorable. And so....

Ultimately, though, I suspect IK is right. People have limited vocabularies.

I see no twee, just fabulousness.

I think IK has it right... people just don't know what to say. My DH describes everything he likes that I wear as "cool".

But the thought of you being "adorable" makes me chuckle. For all the right reasons. This looks great on you, wear it again proudly!

Well, like it or not, you are adorable. Maybe that's what they were commenting on. (Small women get called 'cute' and 'adorable' more often). Cute woman + pretty but short dress = adorable! Lol

Actually that's not the word I'd have used to describe your outfit. It's not cutesy or twee in any way -- it's chic and fun. The colour gives it a more serious edge, too. I agree with Suz about the 'gamine' element of outfits like those.

I grappling with this issue a bit. Short women tend to look good in short skirts. We have less leg to show, and a short skirt actually makes you look taller. The trouble is, they are cute. High school girls wear them for that reason. Especially as I get older, I'm leaning away from anything that skews too 'cute'.

For what it's worth, I think you have styled that dress in a way that isn't too cute -- wearing it with dark tights and short black boots makes it more your style. I think it's fabulous!

I didn't expect to wake up to such an interesting discussion here! First, let me make clear that I am not at all offended by adorable. I think it's the fate of the short to be called that now and then. Also the shoes and tights may be a tad elfin. And the dress is a little swingy and more girlish than people are used to seeing from me.

I have certainly called some of you adorable before - E's nostalgic knits, and I think jackiec posted a cuddly oversized sweater look. I think oversized looks, certain menswear outfits, cuddly clothes and of course plain old cutesy style can be adorable.

I enjoyed this outfit and appreciate all your wise and deliberately stated words!

You know, I think I'm a candidate for limited vocabulary too, here on the forum. I guess I'm mostly saying amazing, fab, great, fantastic... it's difficult to get the nuances right if you're not communicating in your native language. Better to stay on the safe side.

I had to see this post because of the title, since I wouldn't normally associate the word "adorable" with your outfits...I think of cool or edgy first. But I do like this softer look for you, with the color choices and footwear giving a bit of edge.

I also agree it's the fun-mod factor. I think it is a "youthful" look more so than edgy, so that may be why the dreaded adorable popped up. Not too young or twee, but more fun than RATE or punk or dark, even though it's dark!
If it were a real problem for you, you could make big efforts to avoid it, and work hard to mitigate any sense of cute or fun, but I also agree with others, that you haven't had a style meltdown or veered offroad or anything, and it's a good look for dresses in cool weather, so I'd roll with it.

You look great, not twee, not girly.