From Mini to Long: Get to Know Your Dress Lengths

Dress lengths run from very short to floor length, with several lengths in between that are all equally beautiful! Defining your style is simple once you find the dress length that’s right for you, so check out the tips below to get you started:

Keep it Short & Sweet

Mini dresses end at mid-thigh and are considered the shortest in length. Although typically form-fitting and sexy for semi-formal events, mini dresses can also be loose-fitting and casual, or crafted in a flirty fit-and-flare style. If you love the freedom and style of a short dress, then slip on your favorite pair of flats or heels and rock a mini dress for casual, semi-casual, or semi-formal events.

Meet in the Middle

Mid dresses, also known as knee-length dresses or midi dresses, tend to stop anywhere from just above the the knee to mid-calf. When it comes to midi dress styles, think cocktail-length dresses in an a-line or fitted cut. Dresses with mid-length skirts are ideal for any age group and most occasions from casual to semi-formal. Depending upon the style and the adornments of the midi dress, you can even wear a mid-length dress for a formal event! Mid dresses are a great choice for the busy career woman who is on the go and needs a closet full of fashionable day-to-night wear. Wear a mid-length dress with a great pair of sandals, a pair of favorite boots, sophisticated pumps, or sexy heels.

Maxi-mize Your Style

Maxi dresses rest at the ankles and are also known as full-length dresses or tea-length dresses. Great for relaxed family celebrations, barbecues, and vacations, a casual or semi-casual maxi dress is a versatile, fashionable, and comfortable choice. Are you attending a semi-formal or formal event? A tea-length dress with embellishments provides a sophisticated, yet feminine flair for fancier events. If you love boho styles, you are sure to find a full-length maxi dress to fit your needs.

Get Swept Away

Long dresses have floor-length hemlines and are styled in casual to formal designs. Depending upon the event, your long dress might be a form-fitting dress with a with a short or long train, a classic a-line long dress with a fitted bodice, or full ball gown with tulle and lace. Pageant dresses, gala dresses, bridal party dresses, and black-tie dresses tend to have floor-sweeping skirts and can vary in design from simple elegance to elaborately detailed with sequins or beads. A long dress is normally reserved for formal events, but the extravagance of the embellishments, as well as color and type of fabric, can all play a part in making a gown dressy or casual.

While there are designated lengths for dresses, keep in mind that the hemlines of dresses with the same length will vary depending upon your height and body shape. It’s always a good idea to check the dress length listed and then measure yourself from your collarbone down to get a sense of how long a dress might be on your figure.

Always be mindful of the event and the venue when picking a dress length. Showing up to a formal affair in a micro mini could be a fashion faux pas, while that same mini dress might fit right in at a nightclub. By using the dress code guidelines for your event and these tips for how to pick the right dress length, you are sure to find a dress that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful.