Tricky Hem Lengths: The Midi and Ballerina (2024)

Hem lengths fall in and out of fashion, and this year, they’re longer for spring and fall.

Which can be good or bad, depending on how tall you are. If you’re a fan of the longer lengths, take note: they can be tricky to pull off.

Let’s start with the good news: more coverage.

When temperatures dip, you want to stay warm. Longer lengths in cozy fabrics allow you to do that. Plus, if you prefer more modest clothes, skirts to your calf instead of your thigh keeps you from feeling exposed.

Note: While all clothes shown are chosen because they meet our editorial standards, we may receive a commission if you buy through our links at no additional cost to you.

Proportion and Hem Length

We’ve talked about proportion before and the ancient Greek ideal of the 8 head body.

Everything boiled down to math for them, including how to dress.

So they visually divided the body into eight head-size lengths:

1 Head to neck
2 Neck to bust
3 Bust to waist
4 Waist to hips
5 Hips to mid-thigh
6 Mid-thigh to knee
7 Knee to mid-shin
8 Mid-shin to bottom of foot

…to allow people to find clothes that suited them and create visual balance based on their particular proportions.

Is everyone 8 heads tall?

No.

Would your head length fit at these exact points on your body?

Not necessarily. That’s why it was considered the “ideal.”

But if you use these points as a proportional frame of reference when dressing, it will help you identify where things should be hitting on your body.

So when you look in the mirror, if a length isn’t hitting at the right spot, you know you either need to have it tailored, or go find another piece that hits where it’s supposed to.

With these body points in mind, here are where dress and skirt hem lengths should hit:

Micro – high thigh
Mini – mid-thigh
Above knee – 1 to 2” above the knee
Knee length – at the knee
Below knee – 1 to 2” below the knee
Midi (or tea length) – mid-shin
Ballerina – between mid-shin and ankle
Maxi – ankle
Floor Length – floor length to an inch above

The Most Flattering Hem Length

The most universally flattering hem length for women is knee length.

It allows for the classic one-third/two-third proportion, which offers 1/3rd bare leg to 2/3rds coverage from neck to foot.

This visually breaks the body in thirds and shows the most flattering part of the leg.

Knee lengths are appropriate for most daytime and some evening functions.


Dolce & Gabbana	Calvin Klein	Calvin Klein

Longer or shorter hem lengths change the proportion.

Micro and mini lengths visually cut the body in half, while midi and ballerina lengths create a 3/4 (or 6/7ths) proportion from neck to foot. It’s a lot of material and can be tough to pull off, particularly if you’re petite.


Dress the Population	Stylewe

Which is why I don’t recommend this length if you’re shorter than 5’4” (1.63 meters). It’s just too much fabric for your height.

The above the knee length is the most flattering for petites because it makes the legs look longer and the wearer look taller.

But if you’re petite and want to wear a longer hem, stop at below the knee. It will echo the midi length without overwhelming you.


Lauren Ralph Lauren	Lauren Ralph Lauren

For those of you over 5’4”, make sure the hem hits at the correct spot on your leg: either mid-shin for midi lengths, or between mid-shin and ankle for ballerina styles.

Precision is required for the correct proportion here; just some random length between your knee and ankle won’t do.

Remember Greek heads and body points when you’re looking in the mirror, and buy or tailor the hem to the correct length.


Midi Length Stylewe	Ballerina Length Stylewe

The Best Shoes for Midi Length

Now I said earlier that the longer hem lengths were back in fashion, but this isn’t the first time midi and ballerina lengths have been popular.

A look back at the last 100 years shows they go in and out of style roughly every 20 years.

Long Hems and Statement Shoes

So why the fashion history lesson?

Look at the shoes traditionally worn with this length: flats, kitten heels, or boots.

But with statement shoes being so popular the last few years, stylists keep trying to pair them with these longer lengths.

It doesn’t work, in my opinion, because it throws off the proportion: 6/7ths clothes with 1/7th “look at me” shoes is just too much drama for one outfit.

It pulls attention straight to the feet and keeps it there.


Chloe	Frame	Faithfull the Brand

With shoes like these, no one will be paying attention to your face or what you’re saying; they’ll be too busy mentally pondering the imbalance of your ensemble to pay attention.

Remember: the mind seeks balance and symmetry. If it doesn’t get it, it immediately goes to work trying to figure out what’s wrong.

You don’t want that.

Create balance and symmetry by going old school with the shoes at this length: plain and simple.

Flats, pumps, and boots in a color equal to or darker than your hem, or flesh-toned shoes that visually lengthen the leg and foot.

Save the statement shoes for mini and knee-length hems instead.


Lanvin	Cefinn	Galvan	Rixo

So what’s the bottom line?

Fashion is a visual art which means that the basic Principles of Art apply.

Use proportion, balance, and symmetry when assembling outfits.

Think like an ancient Greek and do the math to make sure your ensembles add up – especially with tricky proportions like the midi and ballerina hem lengths.

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Diana Pemberton is an image consultant and author of Signature Style Blueprint.Need some help streamlining your wardrobe and creating a signature style that turns heads and opens doors? Signature Style Blueprint can help.

As an image consultant with a deep understanding of fashion principles, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the article about hem lengths. The information provided aligns with established fashion principles and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of proportion, balance, and symmetry in dressing. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts mentioned:

Proportion and Hem Length: The article emphasizes the importance of proportion when choosing hem lengths for skirts and dresses. It refers to the ancient Greek ideal of the 8-head body, where the body is visually divided into eight head-size lengths. Each section corresponds to a specific body part, helping individuals find clothes that suit their proportions and create visual balance.
Recommended Hem Lengths: The article provides a detailed guide on where dress and skirt hem lengths should hit based on the eight head-size lengths. The recommended lengths include Micro, Mini, Above Knee, Knee Length, Below Knee, Midi (or tea length), Ballerina, Maxi, and Floor Length.
The Most Flattering Hem Length: The article suggests that knee length is the most universally flattering hem length for women. It explains that this length allows for the classic one-third/two-third proportion, visually breaking the body into thirds and highlighting the most flattering part of the leg.
Consideration for Height: The article acknowledges that height plays a crucial role in determining the appropriate hem length. It recommends above-the-knee lengths for petites, as it elongates the legs and makes the wearer appear taller. For those over 5'4", precision is required to ensure the hem hits at the correct spot for midi and ballerina lengths.
Shoes and Hem Length: The article discusses the historical popularity of midi and ballerina lengths, noting that they go in and out of style approximately every 20 years. It advises against pairing statement shoes with these longer lengths, as it can disrupt the overall proportion and draw attention away from the outfit.
Footwear Recommendations: The article suggests that, traditionally, flats, kitten heels, or boots are suitable for longer hem lengths. It advises against pairing statement shoes with midi and ballerina lengths, advocating for plain and simple footwear in colors that match or complement the hem.
Fashion as a Visual Art: The article concludes by emphasizing that fashion is a visual art, and basic principles of art such as proportion, balance, and symmetry should be applied when assembling outfits. It encourages readers to think like an ancient Greek, using mathematical principles to ensure that outfits achieve a harmonious balance.

In summary, the article combines historical fashion knowledge with contemporary style advice, providing a well-rounded guide to navigating hem lengths and proportions in modern fashion.


Alice + Olivia	Elie Tahari	Adrianna Papell	Calvin Klein