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Am I the only one that thinks midi length is unflattering?

127 replies

Oly5 · 03/06/2018 22:47

This horrible length reminds me of the skirts my mum wore through the 90s! They look rubbish on me.. and most people I see them on!
Am I the only one thinking this? I went shopping looking for maxi skirts or knee-length but was thwarted in most shops!

OP posts:
SoddingUnicorns · 04/06/2018 05:50

I can’t wear them at all, they cut me off at the most unflattering part of my leg and make me look dumpy. My mum and gran could carry them off beautifully, but they were tall and willowy with lovely legs!

peonylover22 · 04/06/2018 06:44

I’m tall and fairly slim (5ft 10 and size 12). They don’t work for me either as they cut me off at the widest part of my calves. I don’t think I have bad calves but a mid-calf hem is not good on me.
I can’t wait for this trend to be over!

Cuppaqueen · 04/06/2018 06:47

I actually bought my first midi skirt in years (possibly ever) at Zara recently - and I do like it!! I am 5'6 so would only wear it with heels. Also a blouse or top that's either tucked in or comes to just on or below the waist looks good I think. Very 1950s figure. I might be a convert ...

Summerisdone · 04/06/2018 06:51

I'm completely with you on this one, but that's because I'm only 5'1 so the length does absolutely nothing for me.
I do think the length on people over about 5'6 looks nice though.

schnubbins · 04/06/2018 06:51

I'm also tall and cannot buy anything that is a normal length for others as usually the waist line is under the bust and 'to the knee' is usually like a tunic on me .I am glad that there is midi as at least im not showing my knees.Either midi or maxi for me .

KappaKappa · 04/06/2018 06:53

I am slim but fairly short. I find the length unflattering as it makes my legs look much stumpier than they are. I wear shorter, just above the knee dresses (not mini as I feel too old!)

AuntieStella · 04/06/2018 07:05

'They cut you off at the widest part of the knee.

No they don't! That's what knee length does. And that's a skirt length which seems to have had a stranglehold for far too long.

Midi is mid-calf, and it's infuriating when knee-length skirts are billed wrongly.

I love midi skirts, and really missed them when they vanished.

KnownUnknowns · 04/06/2018 07:10

I don't like my knees on show, so my favourite skirts are always below the knee. Whether they look frumpy or not depends on the skirt and how you style it, not just the length.

ProseccoPoppy · 04/06/2018 07:11

I’m short enough (5’2”) that they tend to be quite long on me rather than truly midi, and therefore reasonably flattering. I have horrible knees so anything mini or knee length is a no no.

skippy67 · 04/06/2018 07:22

100% what Stella said. I'm 5ft 9 and size 10, and I love a midi. Calf length so accentuate my slim lower legs and ankles.

NClikecrazy · 04/06/2018 07:31

I'm 5ft3 size 6 and like them but they have to be the right length. I don't even wear heels with my midi dresses and skirts.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 04/06/2018 07:32

I love them, I'm tall and slim.

NigellasGuest · 04/06/2018 07:33

I'm slim and 5 foot 5.5, I just can't get midis to look any good, except for one I have which is assymetric and shows a lot of leg on one side!

FabalaTheGreenGirl · 04/06/2018 07:36

5"9 here and I bloody love them!

pigpoglet · 04/06/2018 08:04

I like it , I'm 5 foot with rubbish legs and maxi can look a bit formal for daytime .

SequinsOnEverything · 04/06/2018 08:13

I am 5.5 with massive calves and they look terrible on me. I still like a maxi skirt, though don't wear them that much now, mostly go for knee length or trousers.

The other problem with them and cropped trousers, is they all seem made for very tall people, so to get them to end where they should I would have to get them taken up.

butlerswharf · 04/06/2018 08:14

I love midi length it's my favourite.

butlerswharf · 04/06/2018 08:17

I'm 5'6.

LimboLuna · 04/06/2018 08:19

Most of my clothes are second hand and they keep turning up midi length. I’m short they look shit. Complete waste of money for me.
I need to get better at sewing to sort them out.

However I look great in a tight midi and sky high heels.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 04/06/2018 08:21

I can't wear maxis though - the combination of height+lots of fabric means I risk sweeping away small children, street furniture, kerbside vendors etc.

CanIBuffalo · 04/06/2018 08:22

I'm short and overweight but I make sure midi's end just below my bunchy calves. Doesn't work if you have cankles though.

Frombothsidesnow · 04/06/2018 08:25

If shops would offer more varied stock, rather than whatever is currently on the catwalk (where everything suits everyone) then we could all wear our preferred skirt lengths happily! But it always has been the case that they don't.

At 5'5" I have decent legs but midi does come exactly at that widest point of the calf, making them look like tree trunks. Also midi is what my mother wore so sadly it is just irredeemably frumpy for me!

Youcantflosstomonkeywrench · 04/06/2018 08:31

I like a midi, but, although I have good legs they can look a bit skinny IMO so a midi balances things up a bit. I like them on days when it's too warm for trousers but not hot enough for a short summer skirt or shorts.

AnnabelleLecter · 04/06/2018 08:34

I'm 5'5" and slim with nice legs. I love fitted midi's on me.
Maxi's are not so great there's always too much material and I feel like I'm drowning or about to go arse over tit.

tierraJ · 04/06/2018 08:39

My mum always wears midi skirts as she hates her legs, she's 69.

I don't want to dress like my mum (who admittedly is pretty & glam) so I wear shorter skirts or jeans (as I like my legs).