How to Choose the Best Skirt/Dress Length for Your Vertical Body Shape

Does wearing skirts and dresses have you all sorts of confused when it comes to length?

Wearing the right length can do wonders for balancing your body shape, making your legs look longer, or torso shorter, depending on your needs. So, if this is an area where you are struggling, read on to figure out the best for you.

Balancing a long torso, short legs

If you have a long torso and short legs, try to keep your skirt/dress length to above the knee. This will give the illusion of longer legs. Another option is to wear a maxi length with a high waistline to bring up the waist and lengthen the legs. You want to avoid lengths that hit a few inches below the knee as well as this will cause your legs to appear even shorter. Directly below the knee is fine, however.

I want to note that mini length is great for shorter women if you are interested in trying this length. Just be sure to keep the length no shorter than the length of your arms when you put them down by your sides. This is a good test to ensure your mini is not too short.

I also want to note that you can been considered a taller woman but still have shorter legs. It’s always best to have your vertical measurements so that you know if you have a long torso, short legs, short torso and long legs, or have a balanced body. Don’t assume just because you are 5’8” that you are considered to have long legs and don’t assume because you are 5’2” that you are long waisted with short legs. It’s all in the measurements.

I provide this analysis with the body shape analysis in all my styling packages.

Balancing a short torso, long legs

If you have a short torso, you want to drop the waistline to give the appearance of a longer torso to bring the body into balance. To do this with skirts/dresses, a dress with a mid to low waistline is a great way to lengthen the area that is short. As far as skirt/dress length, try a midi length that hits a small part of your leg, a maxi length, or length right at or just below your knee.

The key is to bring your body into balance and there is no better way to do this than with your clothing! You want your hemline to fall to an area of your leg that is smaller, so this is another easy way to remember. Lastly, a more universal area that seems to be flattering on all body vertical shapes is just above the knee, at the knee, and/or just below the knee.

Vertical shape is not something you hear about very often. But knowing your vertical shape and knowing how to properly style for it can really have an impact on your authentic style and style presentation.

I hope you now have a better understanding of vertical shape and best skirt/dress lengths for yours.

Have a great weekend!

XO,

Carrie