The Fingertip Rule

[MagnumPieEye]

I've recently come across what's known as the Fingertip Rule. Basically this means that the hem of your skirt should be at least three inches below the tops of you fingertips as you stand straight with your hands by your side.

I'm finding this quite restrictive. So many skirts and dresses are short and I'm 5'9. I bought a skirt in Topshop yesterday (for a tenner!) and it's very borderline re the Rule. I'm thinking I'm too old and might be too self-conscious to wear it. My legs are ok but I'm really all leg in this skirt. I would definitely be wearing it with 200 denier tights so I'd be maintaining some modesty. I'm 42 if that makes a difference.

I know the S and B board laughs in the face of rules but is there something in it?

Whose rule is it? It sounds like a pile of wank to me. I'm no style and beauty expert though

Sounds like a space filler in Woman's Own!

What?!

It sounds like a rule for school girls in about 1942. You are a grown adult, paying for your own clothes. Your skirt can be as short as you want.

It sounds like something the nuns used to tell us.

I've just tested it out on the skater-style dress I'm currently wearing. While it's a bit short for work without leggings, it's ok otherwise. The hem is about level / just below finger-tip level.

I was taught by nuns, actually. So.. yeah. Maybe that's why it doesn't sound outlandish to me.

When we were at school our skirts had to touch the floor when we knelt down. I thought fuck that! then and I to this day I wear my shirts whatever length I bloody well like (I'm 47 and therefore a grownup) I'm 5'9" too and have decent legs just bought a faux suede miniskirt from Oasis last weekend

However I can't proof read. Sorry for the typos but I'm sure you get the point

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Correct skirt length

As long as you can't see your knickers you're ok.

I though JaneJeffer's link would be this

My mum as held to the fingertip rule as a teenager in the early 60's. Wear what you like.

I had heard this rule, but as the skirt should be no shorter than your fingertips. None of this fingertips-plus-three-inches stuff. That obviously gives much more freedom for shortness!

In reality, I just make sure my knickers won't show .

Fashion rules are a load of shit.

Having said that, it would be nice to have more variety of dress and skirt length on the high street, especially for us tall women. Most 'work dresses' are mid thigh on me (5'11) - ie. not appropriate for work. Frustrating.