Finding the right length in a bamboo maxi dress
Short answer: The right length for a bamboo maxi dress ends just above the ankle or a couple of centimetres above the floor, once you have on the shoes you plan to wear with it. Measure with the shoes and not barefoot, and check the length standing still and on the move.
What counts as a maxi dress
A maxi dress reaches down to the ankles or all the way to the floor and gives a calm, long line. The length varies from dress to dress, so knowing the name is not enough when you want to pick the right one for your height and your usual shoes.
Measure with the shoes you will wear
Put on the shoes you most want to wear the dress with and stand in front of a mirror before you judge the length. A bamboo maxi dress looks different with flat sandals than with trainers or boots, and a difference of two centimetres can make it hard to walk in.
How to measure your own length
Measure from the shoulder or from the waist down to the place where you want the hem to end, and compare it with the numbers in the size guide. Use a tape measure and ask someone to help, so the figure is exact and does not depend on how you stand. See also bamboo dresses.
Height and cut decide where the hem lands
If you are short, a maxi dress can easily become too long and gather around your feet, while a tall woman may find it ends halfway down the calf. A cut with a high waist makes the dress look shorter, and a loose cut with the waist at the hip makes it look longer.
Walk, sit and take the stairs
Try the dress in motion before you decide, and walk around the room, sit down and take a few steps up a staircase. If you tread on the hem or have to gather the fabric each time, it is too long, however good it looks in the mirror.
How bamboo viscose hangs
Bamboo viscose falls softly and follows the body, so a long dress can hang lower once it has been worn and washed a few times. Allow for that by choosing a length that only just reaches the ankle, instead of one that already rests on the floor.
Hang and wash without stretching it
Hang a maxi dress on a hanger with broad shoulders, or lay it flat, so the weight does not drag the hem downwards. Wash it on a gentle cycle and skip the tumble dryer, so the length and shape hold from season to season. There is also the sale for women.
Layers, shoes and a single detail
Keep the rest of the outfit simple, so the long dress gets to be the focus. A bamboo T-shirt for women can be worn underneath as an extra layer, and a belt at the waist makes a long dress more fitted if you want more shape.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a maxi dress be?
It should end just above the ankle or a couple of centimetres above the floor once you have on the shoes you plan to wear with it. Walk around in it, so you can feel whether it is too long.
Can a short woman wear a maxi dress?
Yes, if you pick a cut with a high waist and a length that only just reaches the ankle, and you are prepared to have the hem taken up. Try it with the shoes you will wear.
How do I keep the length after washing?
Wash on a gentle cycle, avoid the tumble dryer and hang the dress on a wide hanger or lay it flat to dry. That way the weight does not pull the fabric out, and the hem keeps hanging as it should.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
