How to Wear a Midi Dress Stylishly

Reading Time: 5 minutes

outfit details: Retro Vibe Ruffle Midi Dress c/o Chicwish

I feel like in fashion we can all at times get caught up in the “rules”. So often I hear women saying that can’t wear something because they’re too short, have too large of hips, or feel as though they just can’t “pull something off”. When I hear women limit themselves from having fun with their style I immediately want to show them that they can wear something regardless of height, body shape, or anything else that may be holding them back. The truth is, fashion is for fun and we should be able to play with our personal styles each and every day.

In the last few years, midi lengths have taken over the skirt and dress world. I immediately jumped on the trend without hesitation because I 1) love the ease of a modest length like this and 2) am obsessed with retro inspired fits and silhouettes. It truly surprised me when I heard friends say they wouldn’t dare try a midi length for fear it would make them appear shorter, wider, or just plain old silly. My immediate response was that anyone could really carry any trend they liked, and I planned to prove that. I decided that this incredibly prim and modest midi dress would make as the perfect example that we can all take something out of our norm and transform it into something completely chic. Click through to read more on how you can (yes – ALL of you!) rock a midi dress.

How to Wear a Midi Dress Stylishly

Play with Beauty and Accessorize

One thing I’ve always known is that you can easily update an outfit simply by changing up your makeup a bit. I know – how can an outfit change by something done to your face? Well, makeup sets a tone for a look. During the summer I play with warmer tones to create a more golden glow, during the winter I play into rich matte tones, and when I want to modernize an outfit I add something that is more current and on trend. For example, this lipstick has a slightly lilac undertone to it (which I adore) and it adds a more polished finish to my overall style. In addition, I have always found that when my nails are painted I generally feel more put-together.  Nails are another excellent way to add a modern element to an outfit. I decided to go with a rose gold polish called Buy Me a Cameo by Essie.   While I am never one to layer my accessories, I do like adding subtle and easy to wear accessories to my looks. Typically this means I will add on a dainty necklace or a few rings. I purchased a sparkly black ring-set a few months back and thought they would be perfect to elevating this look and adding a bit of an edge to an otherwise very modest outfit.

Wear a Trendy Heel

Instantly take a look from simple to simply amazing with a great pair of heels. These cage heels are my go-to’s when I want to create a more interesting and modern look. Having a pair of shoes that you can easily turn to time and time again will always serve you well and it’s important to have a pair in your closest. When you look for your next heels keep a couple things in mind to ensure they’ll be a go-to item for you: 1.  Look for a pair of heels in a neutral colour. Colour is great and can add a lot of fun to a look, but some brights are difficult to mix into outfits. It’s important to have a classic pair of heels in either black, beige, or a subtle leopard print as they will really work with any outfit. 2. Pair attention to the heel height! The fact is that most of us can’t strut around in 6 inch heels all day long without feeling some serious pain. Rather than risk permanent damage to your feet, seek out heels that offer you some support and has a comfortable heel height. A great heel is an especially great option if you’re someone who feels held back to try midi skirts and dresses because of your height. While I think we all should just embrace our heights, I do understand that certain silhouettes can look overwhelming on petite frames. A great heel will create a longer line and appear more modern.

Look for Flattering Shapes

Here’s the thing, while I think we all can wear full skirts or narrow ones – it’s not lost on me that many women feel uncomfortable in billowing or slim fits. We all have our insecurities. .  I personally have had an inner battle with my hips. One day I am all Tyra Banks “love your curves!”, and then next day I am cursing my wardrobe and looking up ways to slim my hips down on Pinterest. But we can’t let those insecurities hold us back from enjoying ourselves, especially when many of those self-concerns can be overcome simply by pushing ourselves to try new looks. We need to prove ourselves wrong. But, if you’re really concerned about a slim fitting midi dress than look for one that has a bit more of a flare to it. If you’re petite and your concern is that a flared dress would overwhelm your figure than look for a midi that fits more snug against your body. I typically look for fits that either flare away from my body to create that classic retro silhouette, or I look for a fit that skims over the body in a fabric that has a lot of movement, like the dress in today’s post.