14 Ways to Not Trip in a Floor Length Dress - wikiHow (2024)

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Put the dress on without shoes to see where it falls. Walk around to see if the skirt tangles. Lift the hem with heels if you need to. Wear comfortable and safe shoes. Practice walking in your dress-and-shoes combo. Hem the dress if it’s still dragging. Choose a backpack instead of an over-the-shoulder bag. Practice good posture to center your weight over your feet. Lift your dress when going up stairs. Ensure that no one steps on your skirt when going downstairs. Lift your skirt before you sit in or get out of a chair. Avoid situations where your dress could get caught. Be especially careful on uneven or slippery surfaces. Put away distractions while you’re walking. Expert Q&ADid you know you can get expert answers for this article?Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow You Might Also Like References About This Article Did this article help you? FAQs

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1Put the dress on without shoes to see where it falls.

2Walk around to see if the skirt tangles.

3Lift the hem with heels if you need to.

4Wear comfortable and safe shoes.

5Practice walking in your dress-and-shoes combo.

6Hem the dress if it’s still dragging.

7Choose a backpack instead of an over-the-shoulder bag.

8Practice good posture to center your weight over your feet.

9Lift your dress when going up stairs.

10Ensure that no one steps on your skirt when going downstairs.

11Lift your skirt before you sit in or get out of a chair.

12Avoid situations where your dress could get caught.

13Be especially careful on uneven or slippery surfaces.

14Put away distractions while you’re walking.

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Co-authored byJordan Stolch

Last Updated: December 7, 2021References

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A long dress can be the perfect way to add a bit of glamour to your look. But how do you walk in a floor-length dress without tripping over the hem? To avoid embarrassing (and potentially dangerous) trips, make sure your dress fits you correctly. If your skirt’s too long, it could easily send you into a tumble. Be sure to also avoid trip-inducing situations (like escalators and bicycles) while wearing your floor-length dress.

1

Put the dress on without shoes to see where it falls.

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  1. This will give you a benchmark for where the dress hits. While you probably won’t be wearing it barefoot, you also don’t want to have to wear five-inch heels to lift it off the floor. A trip-proof dress should be just hitting the ground even when you’re not wearing shoes.

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2

Walk around to see if the skirt tangles.

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  1. Take a few steps back and forth. The skirt should allow you to move around the room easily. Unfortunately, some fabrics may stick to your legs, making it much more difficult to walk without tripping. If this is the case, spray some anti-static product on the inside of the dress.

    • You can buy anti-static spray at local retailers or online.

  1. Wearing heels can keep the hem of your dress from dragging. Even if it’s just hitting the floor, you might still feel that it’s too long for you. Start with a one to two-inch (2.5 to 5.1-cm) kitten heel. If you need an extra bump, move up to a three to four-inch (7.6 to 10.2-cm) heel. This should lift the dress so it’s a few inches (or several centimeters) above the ground.[1][2]

    • Only wear heels that are higher than four inches (10.2 cm) if you’ve had some practice walking around in high heels. You don’t want the heels to add to your tripping problems!

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4

Wear comfortable and safe shoes.

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  1. If your feet get tired and sore, you’ll be more likely to trip. Test out the shoes you plan on pairing with your long dress with another outfit first. If they give you blisters or -- even worse -- cause you to trip, they’re definitely not a good choice for your floor-length dress.[3]

    • Your shoes should also have a good tread on the bottom to prevent them from slipping across floors.

5

Practice walking in your dress-and-shoes combo.

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  1. Wear them around the house to get used to them. Once you’ve got a pair of shoes (or even several) picked out to go with your dress, take some time to get used to walking around while wearing them. This will allow you to see how big your steps should be in your dress. It’ll also help you feel more confident that you won’t trip when you leave your house.

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6

Hem the dress if it’s still dragging.

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  1. If a heel can’t solve your problem, it’s time to look for other solutions. If you know how to sew, hemming your dress will be pretty easy. If you’ve never really sewn before, take your dress to a professional tailor. They shouldn’t charge you too much, and the dress should be ready to wear again in just a few days![4]

    • It’s much better (and safer) to hem an overly long dress than to chance going out in it. You’re asking to trip if you decide to just go for it!
    • If you can't hem the dress, try using double-sided wardrobe tape to hem it. Fold the dress under to the length you want it to hang, then place the tape inside the fold to stick the two sides together.[5]
    • Another way to shorten the dress a little might be to put on a belt, then pull a little of the fabric over the top of the belt.[6]

7

Choose a backpack instead of an over-the-shoulder bag.

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  1. Backpacks evenly distribute the weight of what you’re carrying. If you carry your bag on just one shoulder, it could cause you to take uneven steps or even lose your balance. You may also walk faster because you’ll be less comfortable.[7]

    • You can look for “fashion backpacks” if you’re hoping to find a bag that’s attractive but still practical.

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8

Practice good posture to center your weight over your feet.

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  1. Stand up straight and keep your shoulders back and together. Pull in the muscles of your abdomen to support your spine. This will keep you balanced, helping you avoid tripping and falling no matter what you’re wearing![8]

9

Lift your dress when going up stairs.

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  1. Stairs can be a major obstacle when you’re wearing a floor-length dress. Go slowly, using one hand to gather the skirt and pull it up and off to the side. Use your other hand to steady yourself on the banister or side of the stairwell.[9]

    • Make sure your skirt is high enough that you can easily bend and lift your legs. You should also be able to see your feet so you can put them down on each stair safely.

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10

Ensure that no one steps on your skirt when going downstairs.

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  1. Gather the skirt in your hand while you go down the stairs. While going downstairs isn’t usually as much of a hazard in long dresses, the back of your skirt may drag behind you. If you’re in a crowded stairwell, lift and gather your skirt and bring it to your side. Use the banister to steady yourself as you walk down slowly.

Lift your skirt before you sit in or get out of a chair.

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  1. You're more likely to trip when you sit down or stand up. Place both hands on your mid-thighs. Gently lift your skirt a bit as you sit down. This will keep the hem from catching on the floor as you pull your chair in or out. When you stand up again, lift your skirt in the front to keep from tripping on it as you rise.

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12

Avoid situations where your dress could get caught.

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  1. Bikes, escalators, and moving sidewalks are all bad ideas. Unless you have no other choice, skip escalators. These could snag your long skirt and quickly leave you tripped up and stuck. You also shouldn’t ride your bike while wearing a long dress, as the skirt might get caught in the gears or pedals. This could cause a truly epic kind of trip.[10]

13

Be especially careful on uneven or slippery surfaces.

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  1. If it’s raining or snowing, the floors and roads will be treacherous. Go slowly and take small steps. Be sure to also take your time if you’re walking in an area that isn’t very well-lit or has lots of obstacles in it. While this would be important even if you were wearing jeans, your long dress adds an extra complication.[11]

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14

Put away distractions while you’re walking.

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  1. Don’t pull out your cellphone to answer that last text. Focus on the path in front of you so you can see any obstacles or dangers.[12] This will also give you time to lift up your long dress if you need to step over something or go up a few stairs.

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    What are some ways I can quickly shorten a dress that's too long?

    14 Ways to Not Trip in a Floor Length Dress - wikiHow (31)

    Jordan Stolch
    Image Consultant & Style Advisor

    Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM).

    14 Ways to Not Trip in a Floor Length Dress - wikiHow (32)

    Image Consultant & Style Advisor

    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow byunlocking this expert answer.

    An easy way is to put on high heels so you're a little taller. If that doesn't work, you might put on a belt, then pull a little fabric over the belt to shorten the dress. You can also use double-sided tape to create a temporary hem.

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      About This Article

      14 Ways to Not Trip in a Floor Length Dress - wikiHow (45)

      Co-authored by:

      Image Consultant & Style Advisor

      This article was co-authored by Jordan Stolch. Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM). This article has been viewed 62,820 times.

      9 votes - 77%

      Co-authors: 7

      Updated: December 7, 2021

      Views:62,820

      Categories: Dresses and Skirts

      Article SummaryX

      While a floor-length dress can add glamour to your look, you'll want to follow a few tips and tricks so you don't accidentally trip over it. A trip-proof dress should just hit the ground when you’re not wearing shoes. If it’s dragging, try to hem it up or take it to a tailor to have it adjusted. You can also try bumping up your heel-hight to make sure your dress clears the ground. If you have to go upstairs in your dress, use 1 hand to gather your skirt and pull it up and off to the side. Going downstairs, you’ll also want to lift and gather your skirt to make sure that no one steps on it and trips you up. When sitting down or standing up, gently lift your skirt to keep your hem from catching on the floor, chair, or your shoes. To learn how to avoid places where your dress could easily get stuck, keep reading!

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      14 Ways to Not Trip in a Floor Length Dress - wikiHow (46)

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      FAQs

      14 Ways to Not Trip in a Floor Length Dress - wikiHow? ›

      The fabric should just touch the floor you're standing on (Lindsay Price got it exactly right in this red Valentino) or leave a small and sexy train behind you (like Hilary Swank in this Vionnet number). Anything in between will just look like you forgot to go to the tailor.

      Tell Me More ›
      How do you walk in a long dress without tripping? ›

      So, how do you walk in a long gown?
      1. Keep your back straight. Yes, ladies. ...
      2. Gently kick your feet forward as you walk. ...
      3. Walk toe-to-heel not heel-to-toe. ...
      4. Walk slowly. ...
      5. Wear the same undergarments and shoes for your fitting as your wedding day.
      Oct 10, 2022

      Learn More ›
      Should a floor length dress touch the floor? ›

      The fabric should just touch the floor you're standing on (Lindsay Price got it exactly right in this red Valentino) or leave a small and sexy train behind you (like Hilary Swank in this Vionnet number). Anything in between will just look like you forgot to go to the tailor.

      Show Me More ›
      How do you not trip on a maxi dress? ›

      I simply take a bit of fabric from the hem of the long maxi dress and make a knot. This gathers the material so it's not dragging on the ground or a tripping hazard. You can knot it in the front or even on the side to give it a fun look.

      See Details ›
      How do I keep my dress from dragging on the floor? ›

      Bustle Up. "Having a seamstress install a secure bustle will help with ordinary movement and dancing," Butler says. Ideally, the bustle should lift your dress far enough off the ground that soil isn't an issue.

      Get More Info ›
      What dress length is most flattering? ›

      The most universally flattering hem length for women is knee length because it allows for the classic one-third/two-third proportion, which offers 1/3rd bare leg to 2/3rds coverage from neck to foot. It visually breaks the body in thirds and shows the most flattering part of the leg.

      Know More ›
      Are maxi dresses supposed to touch the floor? ›

      Some skim your foot while others skim the floor. Getting this right can make the difference between being chic and getting your feet caught up in the dress and ending up flat on your face. The perfect maxi dress should gently touch your ankles, and maybe even to the top of your foot.

      Find Out More ›
      Is a floor length dress too formal? ›

      Typically formal dresses are floor length, though midi or knee-length options can work for certain occasions. Feel free to choose the neckline of your choice (but depending on the occasion, you may want to avoid ultra-plunging options).

      Keep Reading ›
      How not to sit with a short dress? ›

      1 The right posture: Cross your legs carefully when you sit if you are sporting a short dress. Maintain your poise and don't be careless by sitting with your legs wide apart, or you could end up exposing your underwear in public!

      Learn More Now ›
      How long should a floor length dress be for 5 7? ›

      Choosing your Dress Length
      Calculate height with heels onLength you need to order
      5 feet 6 inches168 cmFloor Length
      5 feet 7 inches (this is our model height)170 cmFloor Length
      5 feet 8 inches173 cmFloor Length
      5 feet 9 inches175 cm+14 cm
      18 more rows

      Find Out More ›

      Where should a maxi dress hit you? ›

      However, for this to be a true maxi dress, the skirt should at least hit your ankles, and it can touch the top of your toes if you feel comfortable with a longer length. Maxi dresses can also float just above the feet to show off your sandals.

      See More ›
      Why do all my dresses ride up? ›

      A clingy fabric will tend to ride up, especially one with lycra in it. Go up a size to avoid this problem since the extra room in the hip area will reduce the amount of friction and the skirt will stay in place.

      Read More ›
      When your maxi dress is too long? ›

      With most maxi dresses that are too long, you can put a belt around your waist and pull the top fabric up to blouse it over the belt a bit thereby pulling up the hem at the bottom.

      Learn More Now ›
      How do you keep your stomach flat in a dress? ›

      1. Shift the show to your legs. ...
      2. Dress in one color. ...
      3. Lose your belly in midis and maxis. ...
      4. Trim your torso with an open jacket. ...
      5. Hide your belly with a closed double-breasted jacket. ...
      6. Untuck your tops. ...
      7. Go big on top, narrow on bottom. ...
      8. 8. Make a big statement somewhere else.
      Jul 7, 2022

      Read The Full Story ›
      How do you look thinner under a dress? ›

      Shapewear with tummy control help create a slenderer silhouette, especially under garments with high waists, like pencil skirts. Choose from bodysuits, boy shorts, briefs, camis, and more. Wear opaque black nylons to lengthen your legs. Opaque black tights are guaranteed to make your legs look longer and slimmer.

      See More ›
      Do prom dresses drag on the floor? ›

      The Shoes Matter

      What shoes you wear to prom matters when you wear a long prom dress. They can make or break the look. The gown could drag on the ground all night if you don't alter it properly.

      Explore More ›
      How do you look slim in a long gown? ›

      How to dress to look slimmer
      1. Choose clothing that creates vertical lines. Vertical lines can help elongate and slim your figure. ...
      2. Wear fitted clothing. ...
      3. Wear darker colors. ...
      4. Accessorize with a belt. ...
      5. Wear the right underwear. ...
      6. Layer your clothing. ...
      7. Avoid horizontal stripes. ...
      8. Wear heels.
      Feb 18, 2023

      Learn More Now ›
      Are your shoes supposed to show in a long dress? ›

      The debate on whether shoes should show in a long dress is ongoing. Still, ultimately the decision should be based on personal preference and the occasion. Whether you show or hide your shoes in a long dress, the most important thing is to feel confident and comfortable in your outfit.

      Get More Info Here ›
      How do you walk in a dress with a long train? ›

      When your gown has a train, you cannot successfully walk backwards. I repeat, you cannot step backwards without stepping on your skirt. The best way to turn around is to walk in a circle around the imaginary line created by the edge of your train. The bigger your train, the bigger your circle will be.

      Get More Info Here ›
      What length dress should an older woman wear? ›

      The ideal hemline length for most mature women will be short enough to highlight your calves, the prettiest part of your legs. That means the length will vary from the lower half of your knee to as much as 2 inches below your knee, or longer—depending on how full or narrow the skirt is.

      Get More Info ›

      What is the best dress shape for overweight? ›

      Here are the most flattering plus-size dresses:
      1. Feminine Wrap Dresses. The feminine wrap dress is the most flattering dress for plus size. ...
      2. A-line Dresses. ...
      3. Empire Dresses. ...
      4. Straight Dresses. ...
      5. Off-the-shoulder dresses. ...
      6. Peplum Dresses. ...
      7. Midi dresses. ...
      8. Fit-and-flare dresses.
      Dec 3, 2022

      Read More ›
      What dress size is most attractive? ›

      The majority of the men (nearly 86% of them) preferred a woman with a dress size 14 to 16.

      Get More Info Here ›
      How do you go to the bathroom in a maxi dress? ›

      You stand over the toilet facing the back (like a guy) but straddle either side with your legs and crouch, or sit if you can, with a bridesmaid holding the dress up from behind. Alternatively, your friends might be able to join you in an accessible bathroom and hold the dress up on all sides while you pee as normal.

      Read More ›
      What do you call a dress that touches the floor? ›

      A Floor-length gown features a skirt that goes beyond the ankles and hits the floor. This hemline is your safest bet for formal occasions with a conservative dress code.

      Tell Me More ›
      Why do people love maxi dresses? ›

      Women's maxi dresses are a hot trend that many have fallen in love with. These light, airy dresses have many advantages - they offer a romantic, sexy style that is also comfortable - and since maxi dresses are loose-fitting, they are also a bit more forgiving than many other types of dresses.

      See Details ›
      Can I wear a floor-length dress to a wedding? ›

      Women should wear a formal floor-length gown that does not reveal the ankles at the hem of the dress, but if the wedding seems a bit less formal, a sophisticated co*cktail dress may also be acceptable. Women may also wear elegant pantsuits. Men must wear a tuxedo.

      Learn More Now ›
      Can I wear a floor-length dress to a co*cktail wedding? ›

      co*cktail Attire for Women

      Floor-length gowns should be avoided since they're too formal and are better suited for black-tie weddings. The one exception here is semi-casual maxi dresses, which you can dress up with jewelry, accessories, and chic slingbacks to meet co*cktail attire requirements.

      View More ›
      Can you wear a floor-length dress to a semi-formal event? ›

      Feminine Semi-Formal Attire

      Avoid floor-length gowns and ball gowns—these are appropriate wedding guest dresses for black-tie weddings. Heels, sandals, flats, and dress shoes are appropriate footwear choices for semi-formal events; consider where the event will take place (heels on the beach may not be practical).

      Get More Info ›
      How do you walk with a long train dress? ›

      When your gown has a train, you cannot successfully walk backwards. I repeat, you cannot step backwards without stepping on your skirt. The best way to turn around is to walk in a circle around the imaginary line created by the edge of your train. The bigger your train, the bigger your circle will be.

      Show Me More ›
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