Thursday: midi length and demure

Here's a crucial question for fashionistas who, like me, are a bit on the (ahem) shorter side: midi length, a do or a don't? I've been agonising over this for a couple of seasons and so far I'd never taken the dip, I was too concerned it would be unflattering for my 5ft1'' height.

Little disclaimer intermission: at this point, I realise that anyone who just happened to stumble upon this page on a random search might be wondering what type of superficial and vain person I am if one of my biggest concerns is whether I should wear midi length or not... Thankfully many of you know me a bit better by now and know that I agonise over loads of other, hopefully more serious, questions, like the economic future of Europe or whether investment bankers are an endangered species, I'm just kind enough to spare you such boring ramblings on this very futile and hopefully somewhat entertaining blog.

Anyways back to the topic of the day: midi length. Over the years, I've always steered well away from this tricky length and kept my skirts around my knees (usually just at the knee, or maybe a couple of inches above, not much more...) And then the other day as I popped into COS, I just couldn't resist. Here is the result...

Interestingly I found this dress to be quite flattering, despite the midi length. The technical material and the flared shape help create a streamlined silhouette, and rather than make me look shorter I find it lengthens my shape a bit. Another thing I really like about this dress is the loose-fitting sleeves (they do come in handy when like me, you like to gesticulate to get your points across...) So first lesson about wearing midi length: it's best in an A-line shape, as much as stylists the world over would like people with my shape to stick to pencil skirts, somehow I find that straight midi length makes my legs look stompy, whilst this shape is almost slimming.

Second lesson: the higher the heels, the better. I first tried this dress barefoot at home after buying it, and whilst the dress fit nicely the result was a bit mehh, all I could think was "short legs". But I'm not one to give up, thankfully: as soon as I put on some heels, it's as if someone had given my whole body a lift. So midi length is ok, just as long as I don't wear flats or kitten heels.

And finally, here's another lesson I'm learning: it's best to keep it somewhat simple when wearing midi length. I think this look works because it's rather plain and demure, if I'd gone overboard with the bracelets, a scarf, a more elaborate coat, it would have been too overwehelming... Maybe in the Summer I can experiment a bit more, but for Winter I quite like this simple style.

So, what do you think: midi length, yay or nay?

Details of my outfit below:
- Dark navy flared midi dress, COS
- Black wrap coat, Joseph
- Black leather boots, Coccinelle
- Mini Luggage handag in burgundy, Céline