We’ve heard a lot of maxi and miniskirts and dresses, but in the past couple of years another length trend has taken over—the midi. The midi skirt really began taking over runways in 2012 when it was seen being incorporated by the likes of high-end designers including Celine and Louis Vuitton.
It wasn’t the first time we were seeing the midi skirt—it was really a popular length in the 1970s but since that reappearance in 2012, it’s been a trend that’s held on.
What’s notable about these skirts is that while they remain high-fashion, they can be very tricky to style and wear. This leads to a lot of confusion and some outfits that don’t really work well for the wearer’s body type.
Midi skirts and dresses tend to end below the knee, and that’s where the trick comes in. It can look super chic, but because of the length it can also look overwhelming and like it’s dwarfing the wearer’s body.
Here are some tips to ideally wear a midi-length skirt or dress without having it turn into a fashion disaster:
- Go for a form-fitting silhouette. Midi-length skirts can be tight, voluminous or somewhere in-between but if you’re worried about having a midi skirt that dwarfs you or makes you look like a grandma, choose a tighter cut.
- When you’re wearing a midi, if you want to automatically lengthen your legs and avoid feeling as if you’re looking stumpy, choose a nude-colored shoe. Nude-colored pumps work really well, but the same illusion effect works with any type of nude shoe.
- A really cute way to style a midi is with a crisp, tailored button up or even a chambray shirt. The structure of the shirt will balance out the length and flowiness of the skirt and create a good sense of balance that moves from top to bottom. This type of midi skirt styling works particularly well in the workplace.
- If you want a casual, breezy look, pair your favorite midi with a cropped top. This works great with a high-waist midi because you’re getting plenty of coverage and a classic style, but just a hint of sexiness that comes with a crop top. It’s a great balance for what tends to be the major coverage provided by a midi.
- Part of styling a midi in the right way comes during the selection process. If you’re a shorter girl, choose a midi that hits slightly above or below your knee. If you’re taller you have more options, but you still want to be careful when it comes to combining a very long length with a fuller skirt. If you can’t find the perfect length that works for your body, you may want to visit a tailor who can help you ensure your midi is going to be fabulous.
- Midi skirts provide the perfect time to wear your highest heels. They give you plenty of height to avoid the stumpy effect and you don’t have to worry about looking to over-the-top which can happen when you wear very high heels with a short skirt.
What are your favorite tips for styling a midi?