The Times - UK (2022-05-25)

6 Wednesday May 25 2022 | the times

fashion

Maxi, midi,

mid-knee

— how to

dress for

your height

There’s no ‘right’ hemline for now, but

navigating styles is a minefield. Here’s

how to nail it, however tall (or small)

you are, says Charlie Gowans-Eglinton

B

are-leg weather is here,

and with it, the annual

summer hemline

debate: is yours a

mini, mid-knee, midi,

midaxi or maxi?

Minis are the height

of fashion thanks to

standout versions on the catwalks

at Prada and Miu Miu, while the

mid-knee (literally hitting the

mid-point of the knee) is a more

wearable take that will still feel like

breezy freedom on those really hot

days. Midis are marvels of versatility

— flats or heels, summer or winter —

and are bestsellers on the high street.

Midaxis, hovering just above the

ankle between midi and maxi, are

great for showing off just a sliver of

ankle and a great pair of shoes (and

avoiding sopping up puddles), while

In the UK that’s 5ft 3in, but look

online and you’ll find everything

displayed on models who are 5ft 7in

and over — and high-fashion catwalk

models are taller still.

My 65-year-old mum is bang on

average height at 5ft 3in. I’m above

average at 5ft 6in. Having a fashion

editor’s burgeoning wardrobe, I often

end up passing little-worn pieces on

to her. Dresses sold as midis are

maxis are the ultimate in chic

summer holiday waftiness.

The joy is that this season there

isn’t one right answer. You can wear

any and all of the above, and if adding

a pair of heels leaves your maxi

trailing a few inches off the ground,

call it a midaxi and you’re back on

trend. But all this can feel like a

moot point if you’re petite. Or even,

actually, if you’re of average height.

Mini

Mid-knee