How to Choose a Versatile Midi Dress
No fall wardrobe is without the midi dress. It’s a staple in every woman’s closet because it can transition between seasons.
Some pieces, in the right fabric, can even work year round. But how do you find the right dress that you can wear, dressed down or styled up, in any season?
Shopping for a Midi Dress
A midi dress is any dress that falls below your knees and just above your ankles. These dresses can come in any shape, style, and fit. They can flatter any body type, regardless of height. It’s the perfect dress for any woman and even any occasion.
You’ll find midi elegant dresses for formal events, body-hugging midis for a sexy night out, and workwear midis for board meetings.
There are heaps of midi frocks to shop for, so you need to be a bit strategic with your choices. You’ll want to pick pieces that match your unique style and the size of your closet. Although it’s tempting to buy every pretty dress you see, they may not all fit in your closet.
Shop with the following tips in mind.
Pick your midi style.
What type of midi dress is more to your liking? Midis can be tight fitting, as in a bodycon dress; they can be loose and flowy, like a smock; they can also be a slip.
Some midis are styled in the era of ‘50s dresses, also called petticoat midis. This vintage style midi features a fitted bodice and a flared skirt, perfect for cocktails and formal occasions, like a wedding or an award ceremony.
Go for a neckline that flatters.
The hemline for midi dresses stays the same, but the neckline will vary. You will have a few options, and what you choose will naturally lean toward your personal style.
How many types of necklines are there to consider? As many as 25, such as:
- Boat neck
- Square neck
- Asymmetric
- Sweetheart
- Halter neck
- Turtleneck
- Off-shoulder
- Scalloped
- V-neck
- Crew neck
- Queen Anne
- Spaghetti
- Paper bag
- Scoop neck
- Cowl neck
Your choice of neckline will also reflect where you’re going to be wearing your midi dress. For example, the wide and shallow line of the boat neck creates a demure look that’s perfect for a dressy Sunday dinner whereas the sultry asymmetric neckline is suitable for date night.
Focus on the waist.
The ideal waistline can highlight your best features or create a silhouette that flatters. What are your options?
- Cinched waist – this waistline cinches and defines your curves.
- Empire waist – an empire waist starts at the highest part of the ribcage, just under the bust. It’s perfect for “lengthening” the legs.
- Straight cut – also known as no waistline, this is perfect for minimizing the midsection. It’s also a good choice if you want to feel as comfortable as possible when running errands, meeting friends for long, lazy lunch or playing with the kids at the park.
Other types of waistlines are the natural waistline and the drop waist.
Think about how the midi will fit in with your current wardrobe.
Once you’ve got your type of midi, neckline, and waistline figured out, take an inventory of your closet and see whether your midis your eyeing will work with whatever is in your closet.
Yes, shopping is awesome. But you would not want to spend more money than is necessary and cram your closet with new pieces because the midis you buy need other new clothes to be dressed down or made dressier.
Ideally, you’ll have a closet of staples, like a denim jacket (to dress down a floral midi dress), a tailored blazer (to turn a strapless fitted midi into workwear), or a leather jacket (to transform a bias cut satin midi into a cool outfit for a concert).
Accessorizing Your Midi
A midi dress can be casual or formal, depending on the accessories you style it with. From the jewelry and luxury bags to the shoes and belts, accessories can turn one outfit into a sartorial goldmine for any occasion.
When going casual, you’ll need the following pieces to go with your midi dress:
- Comfortable yet stylish shoes (e.g., flats, sandals, or sneakers)
- Multifunctional bags (e.g., totes with straps, everyday handbag, or basket bag)
When going formal, try a few posh pieces with your midi:
- Low-key elegant jewelry (e.g., pearl earrings, platinum gold bracelets, or statement ring)
- Small, structured bag (e.g., top handle tote, geometric clutch, or micro bag)
- Stunning shoes (e.g., kitten heel slingbacks, knee high boots, or stiletto heel pumps)
A midi dress is so versatile, it should be a staple in your wardrobe. Because it can come in different silhouettes, fits, and fabrics, you can dress it up or dress it down, depending on where you want to wear the midi.
From formal events to everyday fashion, choose midi dresses that will help you get more out of owning one or two pieces.