Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Anyone else hate midi dresses?

57 replies

MidiDressesWhy · 23/02/2023 22:44

I honestly can't wear a midi dress. I'm short and they make me look so frumpy. My legs are also my best asset so if I hide most of them I have nothing to offer!

My sister is getting married in June and once you take out the midi dresses there is barely any choice out there, I can't find anything at all.

Is anyone else the same and has recommendations of shops with a good selection of shorter dresses suitable for a wedding?

Thank you so much in advance

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 23/02/2023 22:48

I love midi dresses but I'm 5ft8 so the length works on me.

Next have loads of knee length and above dresses

www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/length-knee-length-kneelength-length-mini-use-weddingguest-isort-score?p=3#3455

What kind of wedding is it? Spring/summer/fancy/low-key/indoor/outdoor.....

MidiDressesWhy · 23/02/2023 22:54

Thank you! It's more of a country wedding so not too fancy, I think pretty and potentially floaty is what I'd be going for. It's in June in France so should be quite warm.

I also have a bit more of a tummy after having my baby a few months ago so need that area slightly concealed.

OP posts:
helly013 · 23/02/2023 22:57

Are there any dresses you've seen that you could have altered to take the length off? Another month or so the wedding season will start kicking in so should be lots more options.

LookingOldTheseDays · 23/02/2023 23:00

It is a very unflattering length, to be sure! I'm tall and they manage to make me look dumpy.

Ireadthenewstodayohboy · 23/02/2023 23:25

Try John Lewis 😂

MidiDressesWhy · 23/02/2023 23:58

@FatAgainItsLettuceTime the first 2 are what I had in mind, I really like the first one despite it being nothing like I usually wear (I basically only wear black, navy and grey, no pattern, so that's another hurdle! But weddings are my opportunity to push the boat out)

The others are lovely but I think I need to rule out sequins and satin as it's too fancy for the kind of wedding, and I rule out long sleeves too as I get too hot!

Thanks for the idea @helly013 it's a good point I keep that in mind if I find a midi one I like!

I've googled various things and this one keeps coming up, I do like it:
www.johnlewis.com/yumi-rose-print-wrap-over-sleeveless-skater-knee-length-dress-navy-multi/p109094414

I wonder if it would still be a bit long for me though.

OP posts:
PoloMintPatty · 24/02/2023 00:02

Coast petite on Debenhams website have a few lovely "weddingy" options but might be too floaty for what you describe

RestingMurderousFace · 24/02/2023 00:38

LookingOldTheseDays · 23/02/2023 23:00

It is a very unflattering length, to be sure! I'm tall and they manage to make me look dumpy.

Same. I'm 5'9 and size 10 and they make me look wide as a house.

MidiDressesWhy · 25/02/2023 21:14

The John lewis one got delivered today, the material is so nice, but it's midi on me despite looking knee length on the model so i don't think it works. Back to the drawing board!

Anyone else hate midi dresses?
OP posts:
MistySkiesAreGone · 25/02/2023 21:53

Bombshell? Phase Eight?

worriedandannoyed · 25/02/2023 21:55

I thin it looks like a nice length - it will look different with some heels on. Lovely dress!

tobi21 · 25/02/2023 21:57

what about a jumpsuit or playsuit?

MissAtomicBomb1 · 25/02/2023 22:39

I'm with you OP. I think they make pretty much everyone look frumpy. They've become a bit of a mum uniform around here worn with a leather/denim jacket & white trainers. I just don't think the billowing fabric flatters anyone as it hides the good as well as the bad (don't get me started on the scamp & dude horrors either)
For shorter dresses:
Next petite
M&S are really good at the minute
Zara - the shirt dresses they did last were really flattering for shorties

I think the midi has had it's day so hopefully lots of shorter dresses will be along soon!

PoloMintPatty · 26/02/2023 09:45

I know I suggested Coast petite up thread but do Hobbs petite have anything that works?

PoloMintPatty · 26/02/2023 09:49

MidiDressesWhy · 25/02/2023 21:14

The John lewis one got delivered today, the material is so nice, but it's midi on me despite looking knee length on the model so i don't think it works. Back to the drawing board!

This is lovely I think. Is it literally just the length that's the issue? Can you take to a dressmaker and get a little length off if?

I'm petite and I've done that with a Phase Eight dress before that was perfect but just too long.

StephenDedalus · 26/02/2023 09:52

That dress is fine, it's a safe choice for a wedding but you're young & have nice fugure & could be braver if you wished.

I find the shape & pattern a bit staid I'm 53 & I wouldn't wear it. But I'm not the one who will be wearing it so if you love it get it taken to to knee length or whatever length you prefer. The shape of the dress can def take shortening without affecting proportions etc

sealon82 · 26/02/2023 10:03

All Saints have some really nice dresses but try Vinted.

MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 26/02/2023 10:12

I think it looks good on you, though I do like a midi length. I don't like maxi dresses on anyone and I don't have the legs for a mini, so midi is always my preference.

Ihateboris · 26/02/2023 10:12

The midi dress is so unflattering. I was looking for just above the knee and couldn't find any. I ended up getting the midi dresses and had them taken up.

GoldilockMom · 26/02/2023 10:24

I’m like Roman originals at the moment lots of shorter dresses in there - one of my favorites

Anyone else hate midi dresses?
evemillbank · 26/02/2023 10:33

Nope I love them!

marysomethingabout · 26/02/2023 10:34

I don't like the floaty ones, they look like they should be knee length or full length instead!

But I love the bodycon ones (with Spanx for me sadly!) they make the midi length look okay.

WandaWomblesaurus · 26/02/2023 10:36

MidiDressesWhy · 25/02/2023 21:14

The John lewis one got delivered today, the material is so nice, but it's midi on me despite looking knee length on the model so i don't think it works. Back to the drawing board!

If that is what the dress looks like on you it (and you) are gorgeous.
Sorry but I love how it looks, it's so feminine and flattering!

UnattendedPotato · 26/02/2023 10:43

MidiDressesWhy · 25/02/2023 21:14

The John lewis one got delivered today, the material is so nice, but it's midi on me despite looking knee length on the model so i don't think it works. Back to the drawing board!

It's very pretty, why not have it shortened to your ideal hem. It would look great just above the knee.