How to Pick the Right Dress Length

Picking out a dress for your next occasion, a casual event or just another day at the office? On top of choosing cuts, colours and patterns, there are also different dress lengths to consider. 

So, would a chic mini dress, a charming midi dress or a gorgeous maxi be best for you? 

In this guide, we'll unpack where to wear each of these dress types, as well as offer a handful of need-to-know styling tips, straight from the Joe Browns experts, so you'll turn heads whichever dress length you choose.

For a casual, sunny day out, whether on an ale trail with friends or a couple’s day hitting the shops, opt for your favourite blazer and pair with a bold logo tee, your comfiest jeans or linen shorts and smart shoes for a put-together look without looking overdressed. 

A perfect blazer for this is our Joe Browns Charming In Check Blazer. The elastane allows for a comfortable fit and gives a terrifically tailored look, while the pattern complements the bold logo and block colour of your tee. 

If a tee seems a little too casual but you still want to stay casual then check out a best selling henley, such as a Joe Browns Versatile Henley. The block neutral colour fits in stunningly with the rest of the ensemble while the absence of a collar keeps it nice and casual. If you’re an accessory advocate - reach for the Noah Scarf to create a lovely layering moment when paired with a Packed with Personality Waistcoat.

If your legs are one of your best assets, you’re sure to look and feel fabulous in a stylish mini dress. If you’re looking to accentuate your figure further, add some elegant heels to lengthen those lovely legs even more and prepare to step out in style and confidence! Then, up the trendiness some more with oversized sunglasses and statement accessories for the ultimate glamorous finish. 

The short style of a mini dress is also a great opportunity for some dynamic layering. Pair it with a long cardigan or trenchcoat jacket for a mini dress outfit with real flair.

Want to wear your mini dress somewhere a little more professional, like the office? Pairing your dress with tights or leggings allows you to keep the look conservative while still enjoying all of the mini’s chic style. This is also a handy trick to keep warm while wearing your mini dress in winter. 

Learn more about styling dresses through the seasons in our guide.

A midi dress is easily one of the most versatile dress styles out there, lending itself effortlessly to both casual and formal occasions alike. The length of a midi dress can vary from on the knee to mid-calf. This dress length is so adaptable, it really is the dress that suits nearly every occasion on your calendar. 

Whether it’s a more casual knitted midi dress worn for work in winter, an A-line midi dress at a spring garden party, or a velvety midi worn to dinner, this cut does it all. 

The midi dress can be styled just right for your occasion. Make it casual with trainers, or dress it up with heels. Look cosy with a fluffy cardigan, or sharp and sleek with a blazer. 

If you’re wearing your midi dress to a slightly fancy soiree, dress it up with glamorous jewellery and the perfect shoe-and-handbag combo. For something more relaxed, like a lunch or a shopping trip, wear your midi with boots and a leather jacket for a stylish look that’s sure to attract admiration without feeling too formal. 

Need more tips? Visit our guide on how to style a midi dress.

The midi dress can be styled just right for your occasion. Make it casual with trainers, or dress it up with heels. Look cosy with a fluffy cardigan, or sharp and sleek with a blazer. 

If you’re wearing your midi dress to a slightly fancy soiree, dress it up with glamorous jewellery and the perfect shoe-and-handbag combo. For something more relaxed, like a lunch or a shopping trip, wear your midi with boots and a leather jacket for a stylish look that’s sure to attract admiration without feeling too formal. 

Need more tips? Visit our guide on how to style a midi dress.

The midi dress can be styled just right for your occasion. Make it casual with trainers, or dress it up with heels. Look cosy with a fluffy cardigan, or sharp and sleek with a blazer. 

If you’re wearing your midi dress to a slightly fancy soiree, dress it up with glamorous jewellery and the perfect shoe-and-handbag combo. For something more relaxed, like a lunch or a shopping trip, wear your midi with boots and a leather jacket for a stylish look that’s sure to attract admiration without feeling too formal. 

Need more tips? Visit our guide on how to style a midi dress.

The midi dress can be styled just right for your occasion. Make it casual with trainers, or dress it up with heels. Look cosy with a fluffy cardigan, or sharp and sleek with a blazer. 

If you’re wearing your midi dress to a slightly fancy soiree, dress it up with glamorous jewellery and the perfect shoe-and-handbag combo. For something more relaxed, like a lunch or a shopping trip, wear your midi with boots and a leather jacket for a stylish look that’s sure to attract admiration without feeling too formal. 

Need more tips? Visit our guide on how to style a midi dress.

Heading to a formal event in your magnificent maxi? Add a sumptuous fur coat, glittering jewellery and a charming clutch handbag. If you want to add some real flair, elbow-length gloves are an exquisite choice. For shoes, heels never fail for a formal event, but some sophisticated slip-ons are a wonderful option, too. Try ballet flats or mules.

Going for a boho look with your maxi dress? Add a denim jacket for a beautifully bohemian texture clash, pairing with wedged sandals in summer and delightfully clunky boots in winter. 

For more free-spirited fashion tips, visit our boho style guide.

If you’re pairing your maxi with heels, ensure that the dress will be ankle length when your heels are on. This way the skirt of the dress won’t get caught up in your footwear, and you can show off your stunning shoes. 

Heading to a formal event in your magnificent maxi? Add a sumptuous fur coat, glittering jewellery and a charming clutch handbag. If you want to add some real flair, elbow-length gloves are an exquisite choice. For shoes, heels never fail for a formal event, but some sophisticated slip-ons are a wonderful option, too. Try ballet flats or mules.

Going for a boho look with your maxi dress? Add a denim jacket for a beautifully bohemian texture clash, pairing with wedged sandals in summer and delightfully clunky boots in winter. 

For more free-spirited fashion tips, visit our boho style guide.

A dress worn to work should typically be no more than two inches above the knee. Midi dresses are a lovely business casual workwear choice, especially with a blazer to add structure, tights and, of course, smart shoes. 

A dress worn to work should typically be no more than two inches above the knee. Midi dresses are a lovely business casual workwear choice, especially with a blazer to add structure, tights and, of course, smart shoes.