The length of your dress has the power to dictate the suitable event where you can wear it, your overall look, and the comfort level. However, if you want to nail a look, it is essential to choose the right dress length.
To make that decision, you need to clearly understand various aspects related to a dress’s length. What are the different dress length options available? What are some suitable lengths of dresses for different occasions? How do you measure the length of your dress? These are some of the defining questions you cannot miss out on.
But before we dive into that, let’s break down the different types of dress lengths available out there for women to wear and style.
Core Dress Lengths Explained
Dress length types can be distinguished into two major categories: long and short. But these two categories can further be divided into more subcategories.
Mini Dresses: Let’s begin with the boldest of them all: mini dresses. The hemline of these dresses typically ends well above the knees, often reaching the mid-thigh or shorter. Mini dresses are a playful and daring addition to a fashion wardrobe and are most suitable for casual settings.
These dresses can be explored in a plethora of silhouettes, each offering a distinctively unique look. From body-hugging glamorous silhouettes to more relaxed flowy fits, mini dresses come in a variety of styles suitable for casual occasions to fun parties.
Short Dresses: Compared to mini dresses, short dresses offer a more modest look with their knee length. These are not just garments but a statement wardrobe choice. A timeless fashion trend that exudes elegance, playfulness, and confidence for women of all ages and from all walks of life.
Midi Dresses: One of the most versatile of them all, midi dresses are characterised by their modest dress length that falls between the knees and the mid-calf area. Midi dresses are perfect for formal settings such as weddings, office gatherings, and formal dinners. What truly sets these mid-length designer dresses apart from the lot is their versatility. You can style and wear them for various occasions, including picnics, dates, brunches, office dinners, etc.
Long Dresses: Long dresses, also known as maxi dresses, feature a hemline that ends at the ankles. Their versatile and elegant length allows them to be suitable for various occasions, including black-tie events, weddings, picnics, brunches, beach outings, etc. Long dresses have become an indispensable part of women’s wardrobes globally, offering a universally flattering dressing option, especially with all the different types of long dresses.
Floor-Length Dresses: Floor-length dresses feature a hemline that reaches the floor, almost covering up your feet. Floor-length dresses are best suited for formal galas, dinners, and red carpets, offering a glamorous and opulent look. Floor-length gowns, too, can be explored in a variety of silhouettes and designs to achieve a look that is both fashionable and aspirational.
Why Does Dress Length Matter?
The length of a dress matters because it conveys the formality and determines how the garment complements the occasion and your style. The right length creates the desired aesthetic, whether casual or formal, while elongating your frame and balancing proportions.
Floor-length and long dresses create a sophisticated, polished, and elegant look, making them most suitable for formal events and occasions. However, short dresses and mini dresses are preferred for casual outings and everyday wear due to their playful and comfortable nature.
When you pick the right length, you can elongate your legs, help balance proportions, accentuate your best features, and create a sophisticated silhouette. Surprisingly enough, a dress’s length can help boost confidence and make you feel your best self, whether you are out for a quick grocery run or making a grand entrance on a red carpet.
How to Measure Dress Length?
To ensure you pick the perfect dress length when shopping online, it is recommended to measure yourself at home before placing the order. All you need is a trusty measuring tape and a mirror.
Place the starting edge of the measuring tape on the front side of your shoulder and allow the tape to hang. Look into the mirror and mark where you want your designer dress to end, based on your preferred length (mini, knee-length, midi, long, or floor-length). This is the ideal dress length you must look for when shopping for dresses.
Conclusion
So, now that you have all the information regarding different styles of dresses, which one to wear on what occasion, and how to measure your ideal length, go ahead and shop your heart out. Just remember, it is all about having fun and experimenting to find your ideal dress length. As long as you feel confident wearing it, no dress length is the wrong one.