How Long is a Knee Length Skirt in Inches — Shopping on Champagne | Nancy Queen | Fashion Blog (2024)

Knee length skirts are having a moment. It’s not surprising though, because it’s the most flattering skirt length for all body types.

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Getting the correct length is important.

If the skirt is too short, it may look inappropriate for particular social situations. If the skirt is too long, it might look a bit dowdy.

The key is to have the skirt skim somewhere between just above or below the knee. This way, the hem hits at the smallest point of your mid leg providing a very slimming and flattering appeal.

So, you may be wondering, how long is a knee length skirt in inches? On an average 5’ 5” woman, a skirt measures 23 inches from the waist to hemline.

The sweet spot of a knee-length hemline will vary slightly depending on whether you are over or under 5’ 5”.

  • If you’re under 5’ 5”, a knee length skirt should measure between 21-23”.

  • If you’re over 5’ 5”, a knee length skirt should measure between 23-25”.

Skirt Length Isn’t Just About the Hem

Not to complicate things, but waistlines rise and fall in fashion just like hemlines.

You’ll want to take into account the rise on the skirt - meaning: does it sit at your natural waist? Or does it sit higher or lower than that?

  • If it’s a high-waisted skirt, it will most likely measure longer than 23”.

  • If it’s a low rise skirt (sits on the hip, for example), it will measure less than 23'“.

Tips for Getting the Best Skirt Length

Do you have a knee length skirt in your closet that hits perfectly or almost perfectly?

Measure it - here’s how:

  1. Get a measuring tape and some pins.

  2. Try on the skirt in front of a mirror.

  3. Take a look at where the waistline is on the skirt. Is it at your natural waist or higher/lower?

  4. Take a look at the bottom hem. Is it falling exactly where you want it or would you like it slightly higher or lower.

  5. If you are trying to imagine a shorter skirt, pin the hem under a bit until you find a length you like.

  6. Now, take off the skirt. If you pinned it, leave the pins in place.

  7. Lay the skirt neatly on a flat surface.

  8. Using the measuring tape, measure the length of the skirt from top to bottom.

  9. Now that you have your IDEAL KNEE-LENGTH SKIRT LENGTH, write it down and refer to it when you are shopping either online or in a store.

Shopping Tip: You can find your perfect knee length skirt measurement while out shopping. Most stores have measuring tapes on hand. Get in the fitting room, try on some skirts, and then ask to borrow the measuring tape.

What are the Different Types of Knee Length Skirts?

Knee length skirts come in a wide variety of silhouettes. From most fitted to flared, the most popular knee lengths skirts are pencil, straight, a-line, pleated, flare, and full.

Here are some of my favorite knee length skirts - they are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns; so be sure to click on the links to see them all.

How Long is a Knee Length Skirt in Inches — Shopping on Champagne | Nancy Queen | Fashion Blog (2024)

FAQs

How long is a knee length skirt in inches? ›

The sweet spot of a knee-length hemline will vary slightly depending on whether you are over or under 5' 5”. If you're under 5' 5”, a knee length skirt should measure between 21-23”. If you're over 5' 5”, a knee length skirt should measure between 23-25”.

What length is knee length? ›

Knee-Length. Knee-length skirts, as it is named, have hemlines that end around the knee — sometimes slightly above or below the knee.

What is a knee length skirt? ›

of clothing. : reaching to the knees. a knee-length skirt.

How many inches above the knee should a skirt be? ›

Aim for the thinnest part of your leg, which might be just below your knee cap. Depending upon how shapely and attractive your knees are, your skirt length could hit an inch or two above or below your knee.

What is the average length of a knee length dress? ›

Meet in the Middle: Mid dresses, also known as knee-length dresses or midi dresses, tend to stop anywhere from just above the the knee to mid-calf.

What skirt length is most flattering? ›

In terms of the most flattering skirt for your shape, a general rule of thumb is that it should end at the proportionately smallest part of your legs. This is often below the knee or above the ankle. But fashion rules are also meant to be broken and you should wear what makes you feel comfortable and feeling your best.

What is the length from waist to knee? ›

The waist to knee is the measurement from your waist down towards your knee, measured on the side of your body. To measure your waist to knee, locate the height of both your waist and your knee, and measure the vertical distance between them.

What is the best skirt length for a short person? ›

When picking out the best skirts for Petites, one general guideline for women under 5'4″ is to go with skirts 3-4 inches above your knee. However, for high-waisted style, you do not have to be restricted by this rule.

How many inches is knee height? ›

Elbow height average: 41 in. Shoulder height: 49 in. Knee height: 24 in. A range is often used to accommodate both tall and short people.

What goes well with a knee-length skirt? ›

Showcase Your Style

For this laid-back look, less is more. If you want to create a bolder look, combine a patterned or brightly colored knee-length skirt with a dressy blouse, a fitted blazer, and statement heels. Finish the look with accessories, such as a pair of sunglasses, a fashion scarf, or a hat.

What is the rule for skirt length? ›

Skirt length and slits:

Your skirt should come at least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee might be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit to above the knee.

What is another name for knee-length skirt? ›

Midi Skirt length

The skirt length falls between the knee and mid-calf.

What is the finger rule for skirts? ›

Many dress codes have something called a finger-tip rule for shorts and skirts, which basically means that any skirt or pair of shorts that's shorter than the fingertips will be considered an offending garment, and if caught wearing one, the wearer will either be sent home or forced to wear "loaner clothes" to cover up ...

What is the best skirt length for 5 4? ›

Best skirt length for short stature/petite women

For ladies 5'4” or less, a mini skirt that falls no more than just above knee shows more skin, making the legs appear longer. If you don't like your knees, choose a skirt with a tight hem that falls just below the knee. Flesh tone shoes will further elongate the legs.

How do you know if a skirt is too short? ›

Here are some general guidelines that you can follow to determine if a skirt is too short:
  1. Check the length: The general rule is that a skirt should fall no higher than mid-thigh. ...
  2. Consider the occasion: The appropriateness of a short skirt depends on the occasion.

Are knee-length dresses still in style? ›

The knee-covering lengths, which finish anywhere between the bottom of the kneecap to below the ankle, are taking a bit of a backseat to shorter hemlines. Mini skirts and dresses are on-trend and mainstream. Longer versions with lengths just above the kneecap are making a comeback too.

Is it OK to wear a knee-length dress to a wedding as a guest? ›

"A knee-length dress, midi dress, or even a flowy maxi dress are all appropriate; I also love the idea of a jumpsuit, suit or a patterned suit or a tuxedo with a standard necktie rather than a bow tie." As for accessories, a "colorful shoe, patterned tie, statement piece of jewelry or a fun pair of sunglasses (if the ...

How do you know if a skirt is too big? ›

The vent should always sit flat and closed when your legs are together. If you put the pencil skirt on and can twist the skirt on your body easily, you need to size down. If you can easily hold an inch of fabric on each side of your thighs, the skirt is shaped to be a little curvier than you are.

Do long skirts make you look shorter or taller? ›

There's a very common misconception that maxi skirts only look great on girls that are really tall. A well-cut maxi skirt can actually make you look taller. Choose a solid colour or patterned maxi dress that will create the appearance of a long vertical line and ensure the hemline is as long as it can go.

What is the most flattering length? ›

The most flattering proportions for dressing is 1/3 to 2/3. This is what is referred to as the golden ratio. A simple example is a top that is 1/3 the length of your outfit and the bottom is 2/3 of the length of the outfit. Or vice-versa.

What is the average knee height for a woman? ›

89 adults (82% female) aged between 25 and 62 years (mean age 47.4 years) participated in the study. The average height was 167.6cm (SD ± 9.1cm), while the average knee height and knee height as a percentage of body height was 51.1cm (SD ± 3.6cm) and 30.5% (SD ± 1.2%) respectively.

What is buttock knee length? ›

BUTTOCK-KNEE LENGTH. The horizontal distance from the most posterior point on the buttocks to the most anterior point on the knee. To measure, the subject sits erect with each knee at a right angle, with the upper leg parallel to the floor, and feet flat on the floor.

How many inches should your waist be from your hips? ›

Men should have a waist to hip ratio slightly under a 1.0 - a . 99 according to this study. Women should have a waist to hip ratio under 1.0 - a . 90 or lower.

Can a 60 year old wear a short skirt? ›

The catwalks for spring/summer have unleashed a mini revival this year. And British stylist Liz Jones says you can still wear a mini skirt even in your 60s.

How do you wear a short skirt over 50? ›

Wear Flat Shoes or Boots

Flat or low heel shoes or boots help make your short dress look less short. This works even better when your footwear and tights are the same color. I've paired low-heel black boots with black tights. There is no color break to draw attention to my legs or my short hemline.

Can 50 year olds wear short skirts? ›

You are never too old to wear a skirt. You can wear it as long as you feel comfortable in it. For a 100% comfort level, you have to find a suitable length for you. Skirts come in various lengths from full-length, mid-length, and short skirts.

How many inches above the knee is to short? ›

Length, width, fit and fabric. LENGTH: Just as with swim trunks, past-the-knees board short lengths are too teenage looking. Currently, shorts should stop at the top of your kneecaps (at the longest). Specifically, they should end 2-to-4 inches above the top of your kneecap.

How do you measure height in the elderly? ›

Clinically, the most useful measurement is the demi-span. This method is recommended by the Mini Nutritional Assessment, and, like forearm length, requires no specialized equipment. Demi-span is measured as the distance from the middle of the sternal notch to the tip of the middle finger in the coronal plane.

What is knee length short? ›

This shorts, which is also known by names walking shorts or dress shorts, ends about 1 inch above the knee. It is a semi-casual clothing; They usually have a cuff at the hem.

Are knee-length skirts in style? ›

A quick peek at the Fall/Winter 2023 runways confirm that knee-length skirts have got the designer stamp of approval.

Is a knee-length over skirt that hugs the hips? ›

The tapis is a knee-length over-skirt that hugs the hips. Tapis designs may be plain, and is usually made of opaque fabrics such as muslin and the madras cloth, and also is used for the purposes of modesty as it keeps the lower body from showing due to the thinness of the saya.

How much is too short for a skirt? ›

The general guideline is that skirts should be no higher than the top, or slightly above the top, of your knees.

How many inches above the knee should a dress be? ›

If you are tall, short, or average height, make sure your dress or skirt is not shorter than two inches above your knee. Business professional attire should be even longer. I would make sure those dresses and skirts are not shorter than one inch above your knee.

Where should a skirt sit on your waist? ›

The waistline of your pencil skirt should sit at your natural waist, the narrowest part of your midsection, roughly 1-2 inches ABOVE your belly button. At no point should a pencil skirt ride below your belly button and it most certainly should not rest at your hips. If this is happening, it is [much] too big!!

When were knee length skirts popular? ›

The 1920s. Fortunately, women's fashion started looking up after the First World War in the 1920s. The Prohibition Era was filled with knee-length skirts, dropped waists and, of course, flapper girls.

What is the dollar bill rule for skirts? ›

Must be modest. Skirt/Dress Length: must be within the width of a dollar bill above the knee or longer. This length applies to the top of a slit as well. No strapless or tank tops, spaghetti straps, or low-cut tops (front or back).

How not to sit in a skirt? ›

Press your legs and especially your knees together whenever you're sitting in a skirt to avoid exposing yourself. Try crossing your legs or tucking one ankle behind the other to help keep legs closed comfortably when sitting in a chair.

How do you look good in a skirt? ›

How to Style a Skirt
  1. Add a belt. A stylish belt can breathe life into an otherwise plain ensemble. ...
  2. Balance your outfit. Keep your outfit proportions in mind as you style your skirt. ...
  3. Bring a jacket. ...
  4. Make a statement. ...
  5. Pick the right shoes. ...
  6. Wear socks with short skirts. ...
  7. Wear tights.
Jan 20, 2022

What type of skirt is best for petite? ›

Miniskirts look the most flattering on petite women. They end at mid-thigh above your knee and make your legs appear longer. What length skirt is the best for short legs? Skirts that end three to four inches above the knee look the best on short legs.

What length skirt is best for skinny legs? ›

You're better off wearing a slim pencil skirt that ends just above the knee, and that has a slight taper since a slim skirt is more in proportion with thin legs. If you like long skirts, another option is a flowy midi or pleated midi.

What dress length is best for short legs? ›

Opt for knee-length or ankle-length skirts and dresses. Hems that hit directly at your mid-shin, cut off a quarter of the visual length of your body, making your legs appear much shorter.

Am I too old to wear a short skirt? ›

You're never too old. I've seen lots of women in their 60's wearing minis and some in their 70's, who all look pretty good. Conversely, I've seen women in their 30′s, 40's and 50's who have not looked so hot wearing them, in my opinion. There is no lower or upper age limit - it's a personal choice.

What do you wear under a skirt? ›

Wearing spandex shorts under your skirts and dresses can help you feel less exposed and more comfortable while still feeling cute in a skirt or dress. They are very useful for keeping anything from showing under the skirt or dress that is not meant to be seen (underwear).

How much fabric do I need for a knee length skirt? ›

If you are looking for a knee length skirt, 1 yard wide fabric will work. A midi skirt will take around 1½ yards of fabric, and a long skirt can take up to 2 yards of fabric depending on the style.

How much fabric do I need for a knee length circle skirt? ›

For a skirt above the knee or one that sits at the knee, I recommend 45-60 inch fabric. You will need 2.5 yards. For a floor length skirt, you will need 60-90 inch fabric and 3 yards of it.

What is official skirt length? ›

Skirt length and slits:

Your skirt should come at least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee might be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit to above the knee.

What is the standard length from waist to hip? ›

*The hip line position is a line that is level with the floor and crosses over the fullest and widest part of the buttock. The position of this line also varies for everyone but 8" down from the waist line is quite standard. There is normally a variance of 1/4" from waist to hip for each size above and below a size 8.

Which fabric is best for long skirts? ›

You can create a maxi skirt using lightweight and comfortable fabrics. Chiffon, cotton, or jersey give this piece comfort while still looking stylish.

How much fabric is needed for a knee length dress? ›

If you're using 36″ wide fabric for a longer length dress you need at least 5 yards of fabric. For wider 60″ fabric opt for 3 yards.

What are the basic measurements for a skirt? ›

Waist: Measure along the waist, make sure it's laying flat on the ground when taking this measurement. Length: The length measurement is obtained from the top of the waistline to the bottom of the hemline. Hem: This is the length of the flare of your skirt.

What are at least two types of fabric best for a circle skirt? ›

Fabric - The best fabrics to make a circle skirt have drape. This means the fabric is soft enough to be flattering and to fall in soft gathers. Look for fabrics like cotton and cotton blends, linen, rayon, and even stretch fabrics.

What is the formula for a half circle skirt? ›

remember that the circumference is the waistline on a circle skirt and you're all set! The five most used circle skirt formulas are: Full circle skirt: C = 2πr. Half circle skirt: 2C ÷ 2π

What skirt length is modest? ›

“Conservative” skirt length is probably at the bend of the knee or slightly below. Showing thigh is generally considered too immodest, but calves are pretty innocuous. Of course, this all depends on time, place, and culture. My grandmother doesn't wear skirts that go more than 6 inches above her ankles.

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