To think 'over the knee' skirts are outdated in terms of formality?

[Blahhblahhblahhhh]

I have a feeling a lot of people will say i'm being unreasonable (which is ofcourse fine as we are all entitled to an opinion).

My thoughts come from being 5'0 and how I used to hate the over knee skirts I was made to wear at school or the baggy trouser equivalent as it just made me feel shorter and they don't suit my body type at all.

Why is "over the knee" seen as more formal than a skirt which is isn't over the knee? (I'm not saying skirts that look like belts btw and just about cover the bum).

I've read articles in the past about the 'over the knee' skirt being so males don't get distracted - do you think there's truth in this?

Aren’t over the knee short skirts!

Do you mean below the knee?

@Hadjab ahhh I probably do mean "below the knee"

You're probably correct, however it's frankly absurd women should dress in order to stop men being "distracted". It's up to men to control themselves. The idea that we have to dress in accordance to this is what's most outdated about this thread.

Also what it is the deal with knees, like who decided "cover those thighs!"'

Not sure about the distraction bit, but I think below the knee skirts give you a classy look if you intend to dress formally, yes

@marigoldflower I agree "below the knee" skirts and dresses are lovely but "below the knee" doesn't suit all body types and I believe someone can look just as classy in a shorter skirt

And to highlight by shorter skirt, I don't mean ones that flash your bum

I think people in the workplace should be fully dressed!

Which to me would be trousers or a skirt that covered more than half of your leg.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing and what's wrong with thighs? Especially ones covered in black tights?

I never wear skirts, problem solved

Assuming you mean below the knee (as in knees are covered) YANBU. I'm 5ft1 with muscly calves. I either need above the knee or ankle length. Anything in-between makes my legs look weird. The couple of years when all my friends lived in pedal pushers sucked. As a teen I was desperate to fit in and wear the same. But I also wanted to look good and they just didn't suit me.

@Ahmose i love skirts but put me in a below the knee one and I look ridiculous

Whatever this means, it’s all new and baffling to me.

Fully agree with you OP. I'm short and chubby and below the knee skirts make me look dumpy and my legs about 2cm long. An 'on the knee' or just above looks much better and just as smart/appropriate for a work environment.

Same with 'midi' length skirts which, without fail, look ridiculous on me - they look like either a short skirt which is way too big for me or a maxi which I've grow out of.

Don't get me started on tights. Who decided that female leg skin was so unsightly/unprofessional/indecent?!?! Hate the bloody things and I refuse to wear them.

@WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo yes i meant below the knee Completely agree! Of course some shorter women can pull off the below the knee look, but when I put on a below the knee skirt, I look drowned!

@melononapear the below the knee skirt is definitely made for a certain body type.
I remember as a teenager feeling so insecure in my school skirt as, like you, it made my lower legs look diddy;
I feel for girls in school who still have this dress code of "below the knee". What is wrong with knees??
There can be lovely above the knee skirts which look just as nice

Assuming you mean below the knee (as in knees are covered) YANBU. I'm 5ft1 with muscly calves. I either need above the knee or ankle length. Anything in-between makes my legs look weird.

I hear you. I also need ankle length or above the knee or my legs look shapeless and frumpy. Showing the knee makes my lower legs look in proportion.

There are very few people who ca carry off a below knee skirt well. I'm tall but a bit fat and an above knee pencil skirt is the most flattering.

We had to wear hideous below knee skirts at school, rolled them up on the waist as soon as we were out of the gates.

Meant to add I envy people who look good in midi length skirts and dresses.

It's not just shorter women that this is a problem for. My school and my first place of work had a strict 'skirts below the knee' rule. As a taller woman it was almost impossible to find anything that was below the knee but not full length (which was at the time not fashionable and a pain in the arse when walking up and down stairs).

As a pp said, I'm not sure why my 'slightly above the knee worn with very thick tights' was so terrible. Both at school and in my first job we were also not permitted to wear trousers (and I am not even that old). Their suggestion was to make my own!!! (really not in my skill set)

I'm 5'6" and have muscly quads and calf's so I find that I either need short skirts (with tights in winter) so that they show off my shapely pins or I need below the knee pencil skirts to lengthen/slim my silhouette.

Anything that sits just on or above the knee just makes my legs look look like think tree trunks

Same principle in shorts!

I don't find that length of skirt or shorts very flattering to be honest but that being said, if you are only 5' then a below the knee probably will swamp you!

I knew a dress maker -not in UK who said -

Above the knew - under 30
Below the knee over 40.

I'm over 50 and prefer just below the calf! 😀

Always fascinates me how we all have different perceptions on how different items of clothing lol

Look not lol!

Don't know why people are having problems understanding the term 'over the knee'. It's a skirt that goes…over the knee. It's a pretty commonly used phrase.

Anyway, I like a longer skirt but would wear it with a casual T tucked in and Converse or chunky trainers, so not in a 'formal' way.

I like short ones too though and don't think they're any less nice or formal, especially if worn with a formal shirt or top and shoes/boots as opposed to trainers etc.