Is there a "rule" on acceptable skirt lengths in the office?

[hattyyellow]

Please help! I work from home 90% of time so can exist in jeans etc.

I have a big work meeting on Friday with very trendy arts agency plus some of their very traditional Trustees. I am supposed to be preparing a presentation but am instead worrying about what to wear..

I ordered this dress online from Gap but having tried it on it feels a little short for office wear. Is it? I have been out of the daily office fashion stakes for so long that I have no idea what is suitable or not!

It's about the same length on me as on the model but rides up a bit when I sit down..

All my work suits look very dull in comparison - I had hoped this would meet my internal brief of slightly cool but comfortable (a total of 6 hours of travelling plus 5 hour meeting)..

www.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=57373&vid=1&pid=770631

Any advice gratefully recieved - something in my head feels that a work skirt should be knee length. I was planning to wear it with Gap grey woollen ribbed tights and some kind of long sleeved top underneath, plus flats of some kind..

'Trendy Arts Agency' seems to be the key point here.

If you have very thick tights then you are suitably covered, IMO. It's not as if you are talking to peop from a stuffy old-fashioned law firm.

This is why I like ASOS - they show you pictures and say 'this model is a size 8 and 5'10' so you can judge how long things would be on your (non-size-8 non-5'10) body.

Looks an acceptable length if worn with opaque tights. I personally wouldn't wear it to work with sheer tights. AFAIK that would be perfectly fine. Perhaps you could accessorise with some colours otherwise might be very dark?

I wouldn't wear anything that short to a meeting with a client or whatever I'm afraid.

I think with thick tights, and a top under it so you aren't showing a lot of skin it will be fine

No that's fine. I am wearing some thing very similar today with black tights, a long sleeveless cardigan and knee boots! And I don't work for a trendy arts agency

Absolutely fine with woolly tights when working for a trend arts agency! I work in banking and it's a no-no there but one of my friends works in magazine publishing and she can wear things like this without issue. Even when they have more 'traditional' clients coming in for a meeting, they don't raise an eyebrow as it all depends on the industry you're working in! I think it's a lovely work dress, it's not like your flashing skin all over...

Yeah, that's fine. I would go for thick coloured opaque tights to brighten it up (and fit in with the whole Trendy Arts Agency thing).

How tall are you? THat model is probably taller than most, and she's wearing heels.

It looks fine to me. A smart dress.

The rule at one place I used to work was that skirts had to be no shorter than where your fingers come to if you stand with your arms straight down at your sides.

Looks OK to me given the environment you describe

Absolutely fine I would think given your job.

I met a friend for lunch recently (who is a Director of a creative agency) and she was wearing short tailored shorts over opaque tights and high lace up ankle boots. Sitting in reception waiting for her is like watching a catwalk show!

In my old job (as a stuffy lawyer) there is no way I could have got away with that, but then workwear was very presecriptive and practically a uniform.

That's a lovely dress.
I think that with opaques and flats it will be OK. With sheers and killer heels, then it may send a different message.
How about wearing a Statement at the upper body area to pull attention in that direction instead of the hemline.

"skirts had to be no shorter than where your fingers come to if you stand with your arms straight down at your sides."

Blimey. Just tried it and it's not very long, is it! Or have I got short arms?

norma that is pretty short - and is also how a man tells if a jacket is the right length (although they do have to bend their fingers so you probably get an inch or two on the jacket!)

Thanks so much all, this is really helpful. I'd tentatively say an overall "yes" vote then?

The other complicating factor is that one of the agency directors is an old boyfriend from school days. I haven't seen him since I was 18 and can honestly that I am happily married with no burning desire to embark on a passionate fling with him!

But you know how you go to a school reunion and you want people to think "she's turned out well" even though you have no sexual interest in them?

Well, I'd just like to look, well, nice, on trend and a wee bit glam without looking over the top..just for my own self-esteem as I spend so much of the week in jeans and boots with my small children!

Ramble ends.

Opaque tights, smart flats if you're long legged. Will be fine. Take a cute cardi for arm coverage if you feel exposed.