BA50 TalkersSkirts come in a variety of styles, shapes, textures, and patterns. Because of this, it’s easy to choose a skirt according to your particular fashion tastes. It’s also easy to buy tights, shoes, tops, and other items that pair well with all sorts of skirts.
That said, you may be wondering how to find the right skirt length for you. After all, with the countless options available on the market, there will inevitably be styles and hemlines that look better on you than others.
Fortunately, skirts have been around for a long time. As such, fashion experts and gurus have already discovered a few tricks to determine what skirt lengths look best on specific body shapes and sizes. To help you determine the perfect skirt length for your body, read on:
Using the Golden Ratio to Find Your Ideal Skirt Hem Length
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of the golden ratio, it’s a mathematical equation that’s often used to create a more harmonious visual design. By applying the golden ratio to clothing design, it can give you a clear idea of where the hem of your skirt should end to balance out your body proportions.
Using the golden ratio is easy, and it can be applied to both skirts and dresses. First, you’ll need to prepare a measuring tape that has number markings in centimeters. You’ll also need to prepare the shoes that you’re planning to use for your outfit.
First, put on the shoes so that you can account for their added height. Then, while wearing the shoes, measure the distance between your shoulders and the floor. Once you’ve got this number, divide it by the golden ratio (1.618). The resulting quotient is what’s called your golden number.
Now that you’ve got your golden number, place the first end of the tape on your shoulders. Then, check where on the tape measure your golden number would land on your body. That’s the ballpark area for your ideal skirt length. Just remember that the right skirt hem length will change depending on the added height caused by the shoes you’re wearing.
Also, bear in mind that this method only gives you a general idea of the right skirt length for you. Think of the resulting number as a recommendation rather than an iron-clad rule. After all, this method doesn’t consider your body shape, body proportion, or preferred skirt styles.
Now that you have a rough idea of what your perfect skirt length is, you can now look at the other factors that can help you narrow down your options: your height and body type.
Picking a Skirt Length Based on Your Height
For People of Short Stature
If you’re a petite individual, miniskirts or skirts that fall just below the knee will suit you well. Indeed, wearing these types of skirts can make your legs look longer, if this is the look that you desire. To amplify the elongation effect, you can wear shoes that match your skin tone. Wearing high-waisted A-line pencil skirts can also create a similar effect.
Conversely, you may want to avoid wearing skirts that go past your mid-calf. The extra fabric can overpower or drown out your short frame instead of highlighting your best features. That said, going for a maxi skirt with a slit can counter this effect, especially if you need to wear a long skirt for more formal events.
For People of Average Stature
People of average height can achieve a good balance by simply following the golden ratio. If you’re having trouble deciding what type of skirt to pick, though, you can’t go wrong with A-line pencil skirts. These skirts show off just the right amount of leg without making the garment look too short or too long on your body.
For People of Tall Stature
Tall individuals may want to take advantage of their height by going all-in with long, flowing skirts or knee-length skirts. Midi and maxi skirts, in particular, would look great on you. Your tall frame will allow you to show off a lot of volume without being overpowered by your choice of clothes.
Picking a Skirt Length Based on Your Body Type
For Thin-Boned People
If you’re a bit on the skinny side, you can wear a skirt that gives you some volume and a more distinct shape. Unless you’re aiming for an extremely sleek silhouette, try to avoid long skirts, as they may overpower the rest of your ensemble. Instead, opt for skirts made out of thicker materials to add some bulk to your frame.
For People with a Rectangular Shape
Individuals with an athletic build can look their best by wearing mini and knee-length skirts to highlight their well-toned legs. That said, if you have large calves and would like to minimize them, you may want to avoid wearing midi skirts with hemlines that fall to your mid-calf, as the hemline can emphasize that area. If you’d like to elongate your legs, go for fit-and-flare skirts that reach below the knee.
For People with a Triangular Shape
If you have wide hips and thighs, you may want to consider wearing skirts that fall just above or below the knees. This can help create a sense of balance and make your legs look longer. If you have short legs, try going for high-waisted skirts and short tops to lengthen the lower half of your body and look a bit taller.
For People with an Apple Shape
People with wide midsections may want to avoid wearing skirts and accessories (such as big belts and miniskirts), as they can draw attention to that particular area. You can instead wear full-length skirts and pleated styles to elongate your torso.
At the end of the day, the key to finding the right skirt length is to have the right mindset from the get-go. While it can help to know some basic fashion pointers, remember that the above tips are just recommendations rather than hard and fast rules.
More importantly, embrace your body above all else. Rather than forcing yourself to fit into clothes that you don’t feel comfortable in, look for clothes that work with your unique silhouette. By doing so, you can find the right garments for you. This, in turn, will ensure you look and feel your best, all with less stress and a lot more confidence.