Midi Dresses

What is a midi dress?

Midi dresses land between the knee and the ankle, usually grazing the middle of the calf. That in between hem is what makes the midi the most useful length in the wardrobe: long enough for an office or a ceremony, short enough to stay easy and modern. The word midi simply describes where the dress hem falls, so the family covers everything from a tailored knit column to a floaty tiered chiffon and a bias cut slip.

Midi vs mini vs maxi

Two lengths sit on either side of the midi, and the difference is easy to picture.

• Midi vs mini: the midi covers the knee for a polished line, the mini stops well above it.
• Midi vs maxi: the midi keeps the ankle free and reads sharper, the maxi sweeps the floor.
• Straight vs flared: a straight midi is sleek and workwear ready, a flared or pleated midi adds movement.
• Bodycon vs slip: a bodycon midi holds the shape, a bias slip skims and drapes.

The most versatile length

If one dress has to cross from a desk to a dinner to a wedding, make it a midi. A knit or crepe midi under a blazer works for the office, while a satin or lace version reads instantly as a cocktail dress once the sun goes down. The length flatters most frames because it draws the eye to the narrowest part of the calf, and a floral print keeps it feeling seasonal and fresh.

How to style a midi dress

A midi shifts register quickly, so the same dress can work three ways in a week.

• Daytime: a knit midi, loafers and a structured bag for the office.
• Evening: a satin midi, heels and a statement piece of jewelry for dinner.
• Weekend: a cotton midi with a denim jacket and sneakers for a relaxed day.

Getting the fit right

The one thing to watch with a midi is exactly where the hem hits your leg, since the calf is the make or break point. Aim for the slimmest part of the calf or just below it, and avoid a hem that cuts across the widest point. Check your height against the size guide because a midi on a taller frame can read as a shorter length. Take your bust, waist and hip, and size up in fitted crepe if you are on the line. Our plus size midis follow the same rule with room through the hip.

Shop the full midi edit

Explore the full midi dresses range across lace, satin and knit within our wider dresses collection, and pair yours back to a midi skirt for more of the same easy length. New arrivals weekly, and US orders over $75 ship free.