Midi-skirts and dresses - should I give up? (with pics)

[panticus]

Hello

I'm not much of a fashionista but want to buy a handful of nice outfits to wear over the Christmas/summer period (Southern hemisphere). The shops are full of midi length skirts and dresses but I just can't seem to get them right. I've attached a couple of pics from what I tried on today. They don't look quite right, do they?

Is there some trick to them, or should I just accept defeat and stick with my usual mid-thigh length? I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong (although I am sure the shoes and horrifyingly white legs aren't helping).

Do any of you lovely MNers have any tips on how to pull them off? Is it all about the shoes or is it just my body type that isn't a fit?

Keep the skirt! You can mix that up with so many different tops, and make the outfit look completely different lots of times!

I agree ditch those trainers!

It depends what look you what to go for..if it's edgy, black top loose t shirt, pair of sandals, couple of bracelets..

Chic..crisp blouse tucked in, belt more classy sandal or wedge, nice watch..

I was like you at first, seen all these women all shapes and sizes managing to rock a midi skirt!
It's just made me feel a bit frumpy (size 8) so didn't understand why! but I think it was because at first, it was out of my comfort zone.

With your figure you will look good in most things!

Keep us updated...love these threads!!

I don’t think those colours do much for you. Try a forest green or navy

Love the skirt and top. The waist of the dress looks like it's sitting a little too high on you, so it's just the cut of that particular dress rather than the style.

Looks fine to me!

I think you look ok but I feel the midi length overwhelms your frame a bit. I don’t like the dress either. The thing with fashion is that you think you should follow trends a lot of the time.Just wear what suits you. I bet you look great in the shorter skirts.

I have a long body and shorter legs and I look and feel better in shorter skirts. I’m much older than you so wouldn’t go bare legged anymore.

The tie waist on the dress looks too bulky. The skirt looks good on you but the top doesn't. Try something not in brown and with a slightly higher neckline: the colour is too drab and the low neck with the long hemline unbalances you a bit because it makes your torso look very short. I actually think the trainers look fine, and I say this as a trainers hater, but trainers with long skirts are in fashion and you are so tall and slim that you can carry off the casual vibe without looking stumpy. That being said, sandals would work too. But I think you can definitely rock a midi.

I think you look fab. You are just not used to seeing yourself in midi skirts and dresses. This happens me too, I feel really odd and self conscious when I try a different cut or length. Not a fan of brown clothes generally, like others say try different colours.

Firstly, you have a lovely figure. Style wise you just need to loosen it all up a bit. The midi length is good on you. The shoes are frumpy and don’t work - neither one thing nor another. Try with a white t shirt and some chunky flat brown or white leather sandals. I think the dress would be better in another colour, the shape is fine. I’m not great at accessories but I think a pair of large gold hoop earrings would be nice.

You're overthinking it, they look fine, honestly.

The trainers are too dainty - regular converse, Stan Smiths, chunky Nike airs would work better for that look. Otherwise flat leather sandals for a more elegant vibe.

The dress doesn't fit quite right. I like the skirt/vest combo but I think a less full skirt would be even more flattering, with a darker top or white t shirt.

I think you look fine. Whenever I try anything new it looks weird at first but I think it's good to break old habits sometimes. You could experiment with a slightly longer length, especially with the pleated skirt - you've got added bulk around the waist and hips so an ankle length (thinnest point of the leg) might offset it better than mid calf. That works for me, even though I'm short.

Trainers also look fine to me and I like all the browns, especially the vest top - more interesting than black I think.

I think you look great- you’re probably picking out things you wouldn’t normally notice if it’s a new style to you. Personally think the style of the dress is a little bit ageing but the skirt is gorgeous on you- although I definitely agree that it needs different shoes

Hi OP, you need a different style of dress, more floaty. The skirt is great but I agree brown is a bad colour - use khaki as a T-shirt.

Chunky trainers or chunky flat sandals and a fab pedicure.

I really relaly like the leopard skirt and top on you OP.

I don't dislike the dress, it's just a bit meh.

You have a fabulous figure.

I also don't hate the trainers with them, they're not BAD, they're just also a bit meh. Whiter, newer trainers would look good. Also as one pp has suggested gold sandals. Or black sandals?

I think different colours would help. The brown pushes it into middle aged lady territory, whereas to keep it up to date it needs to look a bit edgier. So maybe try a a black T-shirt/jumper and ask me boots with the skirt. Not keen on the dress sorry.

You look good, particularly on the skirt.
The trainers and skirt thing is a look inItself, not everyone will gel with it, but yes try chunkier ones.

The colours aren’t right on you at all and the dress is not a nice shape. You could take much closer fitting which would be a lot less frumpy.

A cosy, cable woollen jumper - preferably menswear - would improve both looks. Would make you look more chic.

You look great

I don't love the dress but it's the dress, not you! Top and skirt looks amazing - a gold bangle and some earrings would finish it off beautifully. Personally I like the shoes!

Sorry but horrible colours and they look scruffy. You have a really good figure that would look good in classic winter stuff. Mind you this is only my opinion.

I am a bit late, but a tip I have is to ensure the length of the skirt falls either right below the knee or a bit above the ankle. The first dress you are wearing ends at the widest part of your calf and that is why it is not flattering your legs.

Love witchery myself. And country road! Witchery have some good sandals
www.witchery.com/shop/shoes/sandals/60246030/Evelyn-Slide.html
www.witchery.com/shop/shoes/sandals/60244901-1/Layla-Slide.html
As do sol sana..some studded black ones look youthful and edgier...

@ineedaholidaynow I am obviously the one needing a holiday as I skimmed right by that pertinent detail
Well at least I think she is seasonally appropriate!

You are lovely and slim. Love the skirt but I'd wear it with a looser top that exposes your body less, maybe a woven cotton top with a slash neckline. Then as PPs have said either a chunkier white trainer or a delicate flat brown sandal.

The dress style I think is pretty but I think the colour makes your hair colour look rather flat (at least in the photo, it might not in real life). Again the shoes aren't quite right, they look 'sensible' rather than fashionable with skirts and dresses, bet they'd look fab with boyfriend jeans though! Again you need to go for chunkier trainers or for sandals. Only accessory required is a tan or straw bag.