To think 'over the knee' skirts are outdated in terms of formality?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

Misogyny. Patriarchy. Take your pick.

In my experience, when woman/girls are expected to cover their knees, so are men and in most cases trousers are an option for both sexes. (Eg I've never worked somewhere with a dress code where men were allowed to wear shorts to the office, all the secondary schools around here insist the boys where trousers all year round.)

If a below the knee skirt doesn't flatter your shape (and its a situation where flattering your shape should be a consideration, school uniform is not one such situation), but knees covering required, wear trousers.

Why are you worrying about this? Has someone told you your skirt is too short? Or that you are distracting the men? Surely men are not distracted by seeing some knees in black tights? Maybe in the Victorian era but not any more.
Just wear what you feel comfortable in, unless your company has a dress code.

Have you looked at any shops stock the last few years? At least over 50% of skirts and dresses even in younger trendier shops are all longer lengths skirts.

I've just hit 30, 5"1 and love a midi length. I think it can be very flattering.

Especially ones covered in black tights

'Just' above the knee and 'opaquish' tights are probably fine too

I think "at the knee" looks best on most people and you more frequently end up with "below the knee" because one length doesn't fit all heights. Nothing particularly ominous; just the inevitable result of mass-production.

Especially ones covered in black tights

'Just' above the knee and 'opaquish' tights are probably fine too

^^
Was coming back to say the same.

It’s not something that isn’t expected of men, so I don’t think it’s misogyny. Although I have little sympathy when men complain about their dress codes - which were imposed by men!

I never knew this was a thing.

Skirts below the knee are more formal. Same as men not wearing shorts. If they don't suit you wear trousers.

Men aren't considered professional or formal in shorts so I don't see how it is misogyny that longer skirts or dresses are considered more formal.

@Blahhblahhblahhhh I am still not sure whether you mean skirts ABOVE the knee are outdated or skirts BELOW the knee. Maybe I'm a bit thick!

I think that skirts way below the knee (3" or more) make the wearer look frumpy. (like on pic 1.) And as has been said, shorter/curvier women look dumpy in long skirts.

Most women look better in a shorter skirt (like the one on pic 2.) Either just ON the knee, or an inch (or several inches) above the knee.

Although I have little sympathy when men complain about their dress codes - which were imposed by men!

But presumably not the same men that are complaining.

@PreparationPreparationPrep

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! 😀

What do you wear if you're 30-40? Although I'm a fan of dressing for my shape (currently beach ball) not my age.

5'0" here and I've always looked best in skirts that sit below the knee.

Above it the knee makes me look dumpy. I look chopped into squares with legs sticking out - it's hideous for proportion on the rest of me. On the knee is the worst of all - I'm dumpy squares, but now I've got short, fat legs sticking out.

Two of the most enduring design trends since hems lifted are the 40's inspired pencil skirt and the 50's flared skirt. Both of those were and still are intended to finish below the knee, and closer to mid shin. They've stuck around and keep coming back because they are flattering to a lot of people.

If shorter suits you better, go for it, but like all things fashion, it's not a universal rule.

The idea that short skirts 'distract men/boys' may be just something your mum/dad told you to get you to wear something more conservative.

Wear whatever you feel appropriate and comfortable in.

I'm the same height as you and dont mind midi skirts with heels but below the knee skirts generally make me feel shorter and dumpier. I prefer just above the knee but feel uncomfortable in a formal setting if I wore a shorter skirt and have no idea why!

@BigFatLiar

The idea that short skirts 'distract men/boys' may be just something your mum/dad told you to get you to wear something more conservative.

Wear whatever you feel appropriate and comfortable in.

I've definitely heard of teachers saying this to school girls. Skirts too shirt. Black bra through white blouse. Etc all about the fucking men aka victim blaming.

[quote Blahhblahhblahhhh]@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[/quote]
I look dumpy in below the knee length dresses and skirts. Just above the knee is the most flattering on me so that is the length I choose.

@idontlikealdi

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.

Are you me?

Men aren't considered professional or formal in shorts so I don't see how it is misogyny that longer skirts or dresses are considered more formal
That's how I feel.If anyone started throwing around claims of 'distracting the men' then I'd be annoyed and making my feelings known though.

I find in my sector the expectations on male workwear are much more formal than women, especially in the summer.

@Blahhblahhblahhhh

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

Perhaps it comes from the pre-tights era so if the skirt was above the knee you might be revealing your "stocking tops" shock horror!

I think to answer the OPs comment that they are now outdated, gradually since formal trousers became commonplace (or the less formal accepted jeans being OK for work in many places). I also think that black tights/stockings of various thickness according to weather made short skirts somehow seem appropriate regardless of body shape.

I wish people could just wear whatever length skirt they wanted with other people having opinions on what looked more “professional” 🙄

I had to wear a below-the-knee kilt at school and looked like a right twat 😂 I’ve always been tall and skinny and it just didn’t suit me - although I think you’d be hard pushed to find anyone it did suit.

I think you should just wear whatever you feel most comfortable in.

TheRaccoon
My view is that the same standard should apply to men and women.
If men are able to wear shorts in their company dress code then shorter skirts are fine. If men are expected to be in more formal business dress, trousers, no shorts then I don't think shorter skirts matches the level of formality.

I find in secondary schools that it's the norm for men to either all be in suits, or shirt, tie and trousers, but the range of formality varies substantially among female staff. Rightly or wrongly, I think there should be a comparable standard across staff and that it should reflect the fact that we expect students to look smart.

Call me old-fashioned but I feel a bit queasy if I see an ankle.