Short dresses when you're tall and middle-aged!

[OvertiredandConfused]

I am 5' 10" and a large size 12 (having dropped from a size 20 a couple of years ago). My worst area is my tummy. Mid-forties but pass for a few years younger.

The pretty dresses with a nipped in / elasticated waist or the fit and flare skater style are a great shape for me. But I'm tall and the dresses are so short. I'd love to find one just above the knee rather than knicker-skimming. Any ideas? I'm not quite tall enough for Long Tall Sally! Also, don't want a figure-hugging jersey fabric as it clings in the wrong places.

Do I need to just accept that I'm too old for this style?

Have you looked at Gap Tall or Asos Tall?
I tend to steer clear of anything nipped in at the waist as it invariably becomes empire line (I am 6ft)

Consider having a false hem added. Im in my 40s and find dresses from places like oasis tend to be too short. A seamstress can usually get an extra inch for me by letting the hem down. A more expensive brand would probably have more fabric in the hem. Alternatively you could go for a tall brand and take the hem up a little.

Boden, maybe Next Tall (dont get your hopes up though!), TallGirls website...its hard on us older tallies! I only wear that style in winter over tights/with boots, to be honest. I go for longer styles (mid/maxi) in summer.

I'm 5'10" and find the Boden long length are sometimes OK, also had a couple of dresses from LTS but always check the length before buying.

Per Una sometimes come up quite long, also look on Next Tall.

Most of these though will be polyester or viscose, apart from Boden where some are cotton.

Thanks. Haven't tried Per Una for a while so may take a look there. Didn't see anything in Next but should probably check again. Boden is just so expensive these days!

I can't wear maxi dresses to work but I need to be quite smart and don't want to live in trousers in the summer, not least because we have no air con.

asos has this style dress in a mid length that would be perfect for you. This one is out of stock in your size now but there are likely others asos

Thanks peas I'll take a look.

Never really used asos - think it's a throw-back to when I was overweight.

I got a great cheapie from H+ last week. I am 5ft 10 and it sits just above the knee. Very cool and comfy over the hot weather we have had recently.

Hang on, will link

H+M, sorry

here it is I got the blue. Is much better in real life. Does not cling at all. Slightly see through when back lit.

I have this problem. I'm a sewer so I often take the hem down, and sometimes if it's a sleeveless dress you can find a bit of spare fabric (eg from internal pockets) and use it to make the straps longer. Another thing you can do is add a contrasting band of fabric at the hem. It can look great and some clothes have this anyway. Like this

Or, I get two identical dresses on ebay - presuming they are pretty cheap - and chop up the second to make the first longer.

Another option is to get a maxi/midi length and then hem up to your knee point.

If you didn't want to do any of this, an alterations person could do it.

The only dress I have that actually works and I didn't have to alter, is from Damsel in a Dress.

M & S in longer length

Autograph M & S

Have you tried peacocks? I'm 6ft and have a maxi dress from there. Won't last forever. ..but might be worth a try?

Thanks all, especially Light and AF. Not sure I can sew but getting a quote for someone to do it is a good plan for a decent work dress.

Sorry not to get back sooner - distracted by work!

god light those m&s dresses are gopping

hearts
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.asos.com/ASOS-Tall/ASOS-Tall-Botanical-Flowww.asos.com/Girls-on-Film-Tall/Girls-on-Film-Tall-Scuba-Shift-Dress-with-Printed-Panel/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4160953&SearchQuery=tall%20dress&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Multiwer-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4094267&SearchQuery=tall%20dress&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Multi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">floral but maybe too short
I have this but all mumsnet hates it
nice if you aren't too norky
depends where the waist is

Me and Em do great and very flattering dresses that are good for tall people and skim very nicely. They have a fit and flare dress that is just above the knee in the model but it's £165. They do good sales so might be worth keeping an eye on it.