WHAT IS A MIDI DRESS?

Before we dive into shopping tips and styling midi dresses, let’s first define what a midi dress is. A midi dress or midi skirt is where the hem ends midway between the knee and the ankle. Traditionally, a midi dress ends in the middle of the calf, but you never want it to stop right in the middle of the calf, as you’ll read in the midi dress styling tips below.

Keep reading to discover the best midi-length dresses, tips for shopping for midi dresses, and plenty of style advice on how to style and what to wear with a midi dress.

THE BEST MIDI-LENGTH DRESSES

The wonderful thing about midi-length dresses is that you can wear them throughout most of the year due to their length. Midi dresses look stylish in spring, summer, fall, and maybe even winter, depending on where you live. I live in Austin, Texas, so it never gets too cold here, and I have the advantage of being able to opt for dresses year-round.

The style of midi dress you purchase depends on the occasion and the season. So, let's take into account the different seasons and occasions where you might choose to wear a midi dress.

ELEGANT SPRING MIDI DRESSES

Spring is when dresses come into full force. Paisley, floral, polka dots, checkered patterns, cotton, and so many other beautiful prints hit the stores. Look for dresses in lovely pastel shades (if pastels complement your skin tone), vibrant prints, and bright spring colors.

Look for spring midi dresses with side slits and interesting necklines. Sleeves can be off-the-shoulder, long and airy, spaghetti straps, or simple sleeves.

When styling a midi dress for spring, always bring a denim or cotton jacket to wear over the dress in case it gets chilly. During early spring, it can get a little windy, so be sure to layer with a cool jacket!

I’ve linked some of my favorite spring midi dresses below this sentence! I hope they give you plenty of spring outfit inspiration!

STYLISH SUMMER MIDI DRESSES

When summer rolls around, you’ll want to wear a lighter fabric and color for your midi dresses. Think white and cream dresses. You could also go to the other end of the spectrum, opting for yellow, green, brown, or orange. Summer midi dresses are glamorous and show off more skin! They often feature spaghetti straps, off-the-shoulder designs, or sleeveless styles. I also love a midi dress you can wear to the beach or for a relaxed dinner.

Pair your summer midi dress with your hair tied in a bun wrapped in a scarf, your favorite summer sandals, a crossbody bag, and your favorite sunglasses! These are some of my favorite summer midi dresses.

FORMAL STYLISH MIDI-LENGTH DRESSES

Going to a fancy event? Yes, you guessed it! You can wear a formal or elegant version of the midi dress. The fabric, shape, and style will be different from what I mentioned above. For a formal midi dress, look for darker and deeper colors, and of course, this includes black. As you can see from the shopping options I’ve linked below, these dresses feature sequins, shine, and some styles have sheer fabric on top. Just like the formal midi dress I’m wearing in this outfit example.

For a chic event, the shoes to wear with a midi dress can be high heels in black, metallic gold, or silver. Depending on the accessories you choose, make sure the heels match. So, if you’re wearing gold accessories, go for black or gold heels. In my outfit example, my accessories are silver, so the heels I chose are black with silver details.

MIDI DRESS STYLING TIPS

There are several ways to style a midi dress, but there are a few general rules I follow regardless of the occasion or season. Since I’m on the shorter side, I make sure the outfit is stylish and suits my petite frame.

Here are the 5 style guidelines I follow when wearing a midi dress:

1. Choose a length slightly above or below mid-calf: This creates the perfect illusion of a longer dress. The metallic dress under the mesh fabric ends above the middle of the calf, but the mesh fabric ends slightly below the mid-calf, which helps distribute the fabric. If you find a similar midi dress, I recommend it. You don’t want the midi dress to end right at the thickest part of the leg, which is mid-calf. Look for a midi dress slightly above or below this point.

2. Wear sexy heels: To elongate the leg and avoid the stumpy look that a midi dress can sometimes create, wear strappy high heels. I’m talking about sexy minimal-heeled sandals that add height without the extra bulk of a clunky shoe, like the ones I’m wearing with this midi dress.

If you're wondering what shoes to wear with a midi dress, I suggest avoiding anything too clunky or heavy. By that, I mean bulky boots, platform sandals, or sneakers. Unless it’s a look you're going for, but most petite girls can’t pull off a midi dress with clunky shoes.

3. Look for a lighter fabric midi dress: When choosing your midi dress, opt for a lightweight fabric that doesn’t add too much bulk to your body. Look for a layered dress like the midi dress I’m wearing in this post. This metallic windowpane-patterned mesh dress gives the look a light and airy feel. This openness helps me avoid looking short and stocky.

4. Cinch the waist with a belt: You don’t want to wear a midi dress without defining the waist, or you’ll end up looking like a short block of fabric. Make sure the midi dress you choose looks good with a belt. Even if the midi dress you buy doesn’t come with a belt, add one. Unless, of course, you’re going for that easy-breezy summer look. If you’re attending a formal event or even going out for dinner, try experimenting with a belt and see how it changes the look.

5. Go for a solid color or the same pattern from head to toe: This isn’t a dress you want to color-block. Buy a solid-colored midi dress or one that has the same pattern from top to bottom. If you want a dress with a bit of a pattern, go for a dress with a small print. By small print, I mean a tiny floral pattern, small polka dots, or something similar. I’ve linked some of my stylish midi dress favorites for you to shop below.