Trend: Shorter Skirts and Dresses (2024)

Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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My feelings are very similar to yours. I prefer midis, too – the shortest length I am comfortable with is right below the knee. I have complicated feelings regarding shorter lengths, but suffice to say that the only way I would feel comfortable wearing a mini would be with tights and tall boots, and that for going out only. So I may or may not get a single one to wear that way next fall, depending on how I feel then.

Nope, no more shorter skirts or dresses on me anymore, especially since you have to be so careful when sitting down.
I sure hope they keep the midi lengths available, but while shopping recently, I did notice that the new crop of dresses were definitely a shorter length.

I have mini skorts, but Much prefer around knee length to maxi skirts. To me they’re much more elegant, and I like to have long vertical lines in my outfits. I think of shorter skirts as “cute,” which is definitely not the vibe I aspire to.

Sign me up! I need more tunics/tunic dresses. I do have two mini skirts which I wear with black tights and boots or booties with a jacket. Love this with tall boots especially. I do prefer a length just above the knee unless I’m wearing leggings but I still have nice legs so I will go a little shorter. It’s a 90’s thing, I’m the girl in a short skirt and a long jacket!!

Nope nope nope for me. I’ve been so happy to have options for fashionable longer skirts that don’t look frumpy. Some of us just have legs that look better covered over the knee. Happy for those of you who have great legs, but alas that is not my gift.

I always wore shorter skirts as they work best with my shape. Now I will prefer the just above the knee version.

There has never been a time in my life when I was comfortable wearing a skirt above the knee, so that won’t change now. Also, as a slow adjuster, I have only recently come to love the midaxi, and want some more time to engage with it! However, I do enjoy seeing a variety of hemlines available to everyone.

I don’t mind them and do wear short skorts all summer long anyways so the effect is the same, but I rarely wear actual dresses and skirts so trends in that department don’t really register .

I’m not a fan of extremes. Neither short (mini) or long (maxi) for me. My favourite length is at the knee – a bit below or a bit above. Very boring, I know!

No short lengths for me. I like Janet’s nope nope nope. I used to wear mini skirts, but not now for this leg of my style journey.

I like switching from to another day by day. Am always glad to scoop up a true skort, one that looks like shorts in the back (as opposed to a skirt sewn over shorts—i overheat in those), because they’re easier to move around in without shocking American modesty standards.

I think some of the short skirts are cute, but personally I would rather wear midi or midaxi skirts. They look better with shoes & sandals I can wear, I think they look more graceful.
If they disappear, I’ll make my own or wear pants.

Once upon a time, yes. I didn’t mind showing a bit of leg here and there, and a just above the knee hemline can look sassy. But this is not a style I’ll be wearing now.

I’m happy to see some shorter lengths. Dresses that others might find too short are usually fine on me. Being petite has its advantages! In fact, I already had the dark floral Ted Baker in my cart and am happy to see you showing it!

No thanks to short skirts and dresses. I am much happier in midis with my longer legs and torso, as well as general style preferences. I hope the fashion industry has noted the increased disinterest in following trends that aren’t one’s preference. Options rule.

The floral skirt on the header of today’s post reminds me of a similar mini skirt I owned, but in blue, c. 1992. It was my favourite skirt at the time and I wore it with t-shirts and blue high-top Converse. If I still had it, I probably wouldn’t wear it because I think it would make me feel too exposed, particularly when sitting down. However, I still have skirts with hems finishing above the knee and I would (and will) wear them when the weather warms up, but style them differently with flats and sneakers. I do wear short skirts on the tennis court, but they have built-in matching shorts. I know wearing tennis skirts for every day is a trend (even if you don’t play tennis), and I might wear them out as such in high summer heat as I find them comfortable and cool.

I am on team longer skirts and dresses. I would only wear a short one as a tunic.

I started to wear dresses again after a very long time. I like mine to be midi or longer. Same as you, Angie, I hope they still will be available in retail.

I’m with ChristeIJ in that I’ve never liked minis on me. Just above the knee to midi is my preferred length. I’ll be sticking with those lengths!

Not a big skirt person overall, but minis work on me … but I have to admit it’s been many years since one has *felt* right on me … I’m not one to say age determines what one can wear, but in this case, for me personally (and not for anyone else, to be clear!!) I feel this might be at play … too “ingenue” maybe? I don’t know. But love the look and never say never!

My legs are probably my best figure feature, so I don’t mind showing them. I would give this trend a try, but would have to be confident that I had the appropriate supporting acts (tights, footwear etc) to go with the outfit.

I like dresses that end slightly above the knee but I will pass on anything that shows thigh! I will be constantly adjusting and checking myself, and that’s no fun.

My sweet spot is 20” for skirts and 36-38” (depending on hem width) for dresses—so short but not mini since I’m 5’1”. I rarely have bare legs and hate my knees but overall proportions work best for me at this length. I also don’t wear shorts. Midaxis are fine, too, except longer lengths tend to sweep my steep steps (yuck!).

Not my preference. Fortunately I am reasonably well stocked for dresses.

I did see a very tall girl looking absolutely inspiringly fabulous in a brocade pleated mini and lugs, but overall I’ve got a Victorian streak and my heart belongs to long skirts. I wish there were more tea-length hemlines even, besides A-line skirts…

I really dislike a short skirt–too much fussiness and tugging–but I don’t mind it as much in a big roomy dress. Still, right at the knee is my ideal.

I’m a big yay! I’ve actually never paid terribly close attention to hemline trends, but my legs are my best feature and like to show them off to a degree. I won’t wear super short minis, as it feels like I’m trying a little too hard, but I’m definitely interested in above the knee. I’m seeing SO MANY girly, ditzy floral dresses in the stores. When will it stop??

No minis for me but I like the right above the knee cap length on me. I hope all lengths will be available in retail to make everyone happy.

My sweet spot for skirt length is end of kneecap to midi to keep my knobby knees covered. Outside of a tennis dress, lots of thigh on display is not my thing. Mr. ND loves mini skirts and I told him he would probably look great in one. End of skirt length discussion.

I don’t mind shorter lengths. As another petite, what is often too short for taller ladies is right about knee length on me and I like that length. I feel like I have to wear higher heels with longer dresses to get the right proportion and I don’t do that very often. I also wear slip shorts under all dresses and skirts which makes me feel a bit more secure

I’m with Runcarla- knee length is great, including just covering my knee caps to a couple inches above. I have a few longer dresses, but do find I have to be careful how I style them so that I feel like myself. There’s also a certain longer length that hits at the widest part of my calf, and I don’t find flattering, so it’s easier for me to shop for knee length dresses and avoid that possibility completely.

I switched to midi skirts 3 years ago and probably stay with that style longer. I still have shorter summer skirt and 2 dresses in just above the knee length but hesitant to wear them .

Not sure why, but I’ve never really liked skirts at any length. I much prefer and always wear pants.

Mini skirts are not for me. I really only wear skirts and dresses in warmer weather unless a formal occasion pops up in the late fall or winter. In the summer, right above the knee to midi works! In formal dresses, I think at the knee to a bit below the knee works best for my age and size.

not a fan. i will wear short skorts because they are made to move it, otherwise i find short skirts and dresses to fussy

Right above the knee is a good length for me, but I have several items that length don’t I don’t wear a lot now, so not sure I should be acquiring more.

I like the option to wear short skirts in lieu of shorts in the summer heat, but otherwise I bat for team just above the knee. Great calves, not so great thighs!

I am not ready for this yet:-(( It really feels as if the longer lengths have been around for only a few years (and I too remember aaaalllll the years before that when even an on-the-knee length was very hard to come by if you are tall).
(It’s fab of course for those of us who love to wear shorter dresses and skirts!)
I’m hoping with you that we’ll continue to see plenty of midis and midaxis too, so that everyone is spoilt for choice:-)

Oh, the Hobbs Orelia dress is stunning, Angie!

I hardly wear skirts and rarely wear dresses, but I do like them just above the knee or just covering the knee. I also wear midis and midaxis. So I’m hoping with you, Angie, that the longer lengths stick around, too.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE knee or just above the knee lengths on me. But I do appreciate we need a variety of lengths to suit all tastes and body shapes, so hope the longer lengths don’t disappear from retail.

I am not sure- I actually prefer mid thigh or below the knee rather than just above the knee.

No thanks! I much prefer longer lengths.

Thanks, Inge. I might try it! It’s 100% viscose, which is tricky and not my preference – but I trust Hobbs quality

Minis look fresh to me, but the just above the knee styles don’t, especially the straighter styles. They still remind me too much of office wear. I’m not a mini wearer, so I’ll enjoy that trend on others. I used to wear A-line skirts just above the knee with tights and boots in winter. I might consider that again one day but at this stage I’m still happy in my midi/midaxi/maxi groove.

I don’t wear too many skirts and dresses, but I do have some that hit right at the knee or above, as well as a few midis. I have never worn a mini-skirt, so I think it’s unlikely I’ll start now, but never say never (e.g., I swore I would never wear brown again and now I love it!). I really enjoy the variety of options at retail and hope there continues to be a range, so everyone can be happy!

I’ve worn mini skirts in the past, but not this go round! If I need a dress, it looks like I’ll be buying a tunic. Done that before, so it’s fine. Fortunately, I’m pretty well-supplied with the few skirts and dresses I need at the midi length I like, and have plenty of skorts for summer. I have to say I do love seeing minis on those who wear them well.

I rarely wear skirts and dresses, but I prefer midi and maxi when I do.

I will occasionally wear a just above the knee dress but prefer longer lengths. I usually wear shorter lengths over pants or over the knee boots. Glad to see variety in all item lengths!

I’m holding thumbs that the dress will work out, Angie!

Thanks, Inge! I’ll order it next week

I prefer longer skirts but don’t mind shorter ones. That being said, I find it annoying that the dresses with long sleeves almost always have short skirts while the sleeveless dresses have long skirts. I don’t get why dresses have to be one of those two sleeve/skirt combinations and nothing else. Compared to a few years ago, it’s noticeably harder to find dresses with both long sleeves (or even just sleeves) and a long skirt, which is what I like to wear. Maybe it’s my location or where I’m shopping. :\

I prefer my dresses coming down to just above my knees because I often have to kneel and squat at my job. I don’t like my dresses touching the floor.