Because you can't have depths without surfaces.
Linda Grant, thinking about clothes, books and other matters.
Pure Collection Ltd.
Net-a-porter UK

Thursday 14 February 2008

In which I completely disagree with Hadley Freeman

great length!
who writes:

With regard to the former, the slim and straight tunics - essentially long dresses without sleeves - are easily commercial, while the low-slung tuxedo-style trousers were some of the most flattering pieces seen all week. On the downside, the below-the-knee hem lengths, often described euphemistically as "awkward", would make anyone under 5ft 10in look like a squat mushroom, a comparison only consolidated by the muted colour palette. If Virginia Woolf were alive today, and perhaps worked in a publisher's office, her wardrobe would be sorted.

11 comments:

indigo16 said...

Completely agree. I am 5'7 and it is my favourite and most flattering length, my daughter is 5'2 and ditto for her, if its cut well its the perfect length.

Anonymous said...

I almost wonder if she's confusing below-the-knee for mid-calf....

Linda Grant said...

Even calf length can look good IF it's worn with high-heeled boots.

Anonymous said...

At 5'2", the only way I can successfully wear calf-length is to either match the color of the skirt to the boots or match the skirt, hose and shoes in color. If I get one long line, I'm pretty good; otherwise, it cuts my leg in half and makes me look even shorter. But, just below the knee works every time for me, no matter what the shape of the skirt is.

Susan B said...

Another fan here of just-below-the-knee. Aside from the flattery aspect, that length gives a fuller skirt like the one you've pictured enough fabric for nice movement. Any shorter and one starts risking the Jenny-at-the-square-dance effect.

Arabella said...

Just read this in The Guardian and heartily disagree.Love the length.

Woolf had an absolute horror of shopping for clothes and looking at herself in any garment, which is why she worked from home in an old cardigan. By the way!

Kelly said...

I think that below-the-knee can look pretty stumpy unless you have high heels to perch on. I'm 5'7" and I've yet to find anything lower than my kneecap that is flattering.

Anonymous said...

I do agree with Hadley, I'm 5'4" and hardly ever wear heels, and I don't look good in below-the-knee skirts really, I only wear them in winter with boots (though mid-calf is completely banned in my wardrobe at all times!). I do take your point about knees, but my penchant for opaque tights solves that problem nicely, in all seasons in Liverpool.

Miss Cavendish said...

I think that if this dress were any shorter, it would look too "little girly"--for me anyway--because of its full skirt.

Anonymous said...

Wow. I made this exact dress shape in red calico for 9th grade home ec.

Linda said...

I think this dress, at that length, looks elegant, proportioned, and graceful.