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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want the 'midi' length trend to bugger off?

137 replies

natwebb79 · 26/06/2018 21:05

So many gorgeous dresses ruined by the fact that they stop mid-calf. I can't be arsed to wear towering heels to compensate. Wharever happened to good old fashioned 'just above the knee'?

OP posts:
SumAndSubstance · 26/06/2018 22:12

Yup, another vote for midis here! I'm fairly short and my knees are nothing to write home about, but full length makes me look like a dalek.

nocoolnamesleft · 26/06/2018 22:12

Love midis. Maxis seem to assume that all women are 5 ft 10 tall, and like wearing high heels. I'm not that tall, and can't walk in high heels. Midis are a great length.

AynRandTheObjectivist · 26/06/2018 22:21

Like anything, midis can be frumpy if the cut and colour and fabric and print is wrong. If it's all right they can look beautifully demure and feminine. I appreciate not everyone likes them or suits them, but the ones that are in right now really aren't frumpy.

Pa1oma · 26/06/2018 22:23

I was wearing this dress today but in another colour - is it midi? Or would you class this as "just below the knee?" I'm never sure. I'm 5 ft 7 and age 40. I always feel swamped in maxis and as if I will trip over. I always wear a wedge shoe if its below the knee or above otherwise I feel odd and flat footed. But dies "midi" mean the middle if the calf? I think you need some kind of heel for that length tbh, unless you're very tall.

AIBU to want the 'midi' length trend to bugger off?
SchnitzelVonKrumm · 26/06/2018 22:24

Below the knee, not midi IMHO.

AynRandTheObjectivist · 26/06/2018 22:25

That's below the knee.

Time40 · 26/06/2018 22:28

I just look ridiculous wearing midi length with flats and have to walk a fair bit at work. I'm 5'4" and without heels they just make me look odd

Are you sure you do, OP? I'm the same height, and I wear midi length with flats all the time. I think it looks quite nice.

BlondeB83 · 26/06/2018 22:28

I love midi! So much classier than just above the knee!

Pa1oma · 26/06/2018 22:28

Ok I thought perhaps I was a midi-wearer, but obviously not!

Peanutbuttercups21 · 26/06/2018 22:32

I can't win this game...

On my 6ft frame, a midi often sits just on the knee, and knee length is above knee/ mid-thigh...

But maxis fit me (they often seem.designed for 6ft-ers), but I never wear them as they feel fancy dress on me.

Can all you midi lovers link a few nice ones on here?

DrCoconut · 26/06/2018 22:32

M-I-D-I - Midiiiiii. Thanks to this thread I now have an ear worm from my early 90's teens going round my head.

AynRandTheObjectivist · 26/06/2018 22:33

You need endless legs to get away with midi with flats. I definitely can't. Most women in midis benefit from a heel.

SleightOfMind · 26/06/2018 22:34

I’m 5,5 and have been loving floaty midis with comfy brogues.
Go for super soft leather though or you’ll get blisters.

Peanutbuttercups21 · 26/06/2018 22:38

Aynrand, but midi and flats is so much cooler! Midi and heels is so 80s, bad-80s !

MmeButtox · 26/06/2018 22:41

My knees are fat, but my calves are toned. Shortish midi is helpful!

AynRandTheObjectivist · 26/06/2018 22:41

Aynrand, but midi and flats is so much cooler! Midi and heels is so 80s, bad-80s !

I don't think most women have the legs to get away with midi and flats. At least I don't. Flat boots, perhaps, but it's too hot for that right now.

I don't think the midis that are in right now are 80s style. The ones I've seen are based more around the 1950s vintage look that's been so in for the last ten years. With a wedge heeled, low cut shoe I think they can look really lovely. In winter, a knee high boot.

The midis everyone thinks are frumpy are those straight, sensible, beige ones, and the only thing that makes them look even worse is pairing them with a flat shoe.

blackteasplease · 26/06/2018 22:43

I love midi. Lots of lovely swish!

Velvete · 26/06/2018 22:43

I love midi I think it is much more flattering than just above the knee which now looks very dated.

AynRandTheObjectivist · 26/06/2018 22:45

I wish I could find just below the knee, everything is just above and my knees are awful. Midi and maxi all the way for me this summer.

wellthatsjustgreat · 26/06/2018 23:10

I have fluid on the knee. MIDI is perfect. #imgettingold Grin

Pimmsypimms · 26/06/2018 23:26

YABU...I have the dumpiest of knees and hate them on show. I don’t always want to go for a maxi, so love the inbetweenness of a midi!

redcaryellowcar · 26/06/2018 23:31

Yabu midi for me, I'm tall, is knee length and normal knee length is too short!

Rainbunny · 26/06/2018 23:32

I like above the knee lengths and also right at-the-knee-lengths but when the hem hits below the knee, mid calf as so many "midi" length dresses do on me it's hideously unflattering! I've bought a couple of dresses this length thinking I could take them up an inch or so but then the silhouette of the dress looks off. Only a tall skinny women (MM comes to mind) can get away with that style I think.

I think I'm beginning to show my age in terms of fashion trends though. I saw this picture of the actress Dakota Johnson and just want to know "Why oh why pants like that??" What about that look am I not getting?

AIBU to want the 'midi' length trend to bugger off?
Rainbunny · 26/06/2018 23:36

This is what I would consider a midi length btw.

AIBU to want the 'midi' length trend to bugger off?
RabbitsAreTasty · 26/06/2018 23:41

I look dumpy in above the knee dresses. I look hot in midi pencil skirts. I swear they make my legs longer and thinner.