Dress Length.. Opinions?

I usually just stick shorts or legging under the dress so if it is short it isn't any big deal. My daughter is only 3 but tends to be average height but skinny. Read the size chart, but one size up usually gives enough room to grow. Usually bike shorts and leggings can be found inexpensively in the spring (Kmart, Target, Sears, etc)

I use the old trick the school teachers used when I was in Elementary school: Have her stand straight with her hands down at her sides, wherever her fingertips are is the shortest length I go (usually)...unless they are just comfy booty shorts, I am OK with those on lil' girls (ages birth-5)...hope this helps!

mid-calf / knee length is my general rule of thumb.

My daughter (5y) also always wears either leggings or bermuda style shorts under her skirts and dresses. Or the skorts (skirts with built in shorts). This serves two purposes. a) she's not showing all the boys her panties, and b) keeps the dirt out of where it doesn't need to be :)

I usually get her stuff at Kohl's or Target.

There is no such thing as the perfect fashion for a little girl. Dress her in what she likes that is also modest to your standards of modesty. There are as many different styles for little ones as there are for adults. Choose what you like.

I suggest, also, to buy the next size up to give her grow room. That means the dress will fit loosely at first and then gradually get more snug. You will know when it no longer fits well. Fit is the same for a dress as for a shirt.

You are better to go with skirts and tops vs dresses if she is long in the torso. You can also get shorts to go under the dresses. Honestly she is a little girl so layers are fun!

with my daycare kids, I have found that if the length falls at or below the knee....then the dresses hamper movement on the play equipment. We've had quite a few hem rips & tears....simply because the dress falls under the knees!

I also request shorts or leggings under all dresses. TMI, but those little panties expose butt cheeks on the slides & boy, does it burn!

My daughter has a long torso (with comparatively shorter legs).

I usually look at the size chart for whatever brand I'm looking at and buy the next size up from her total height (so I can make sure the dress fits right). Most of her casual dresses are just below the knee. So even though she is a size 6 by height I buy her size 7 dresses.

And I always buy bike shorts or monkey bar buddies to fit under her dresses so even if she shoots up in height and the dress becomes a little short she is still covered.

The loose, unfitted way some little girls' dresses are designed right now makes it possible for them to become tops after they've become too short for dresses! Hooray for this type of recycling! And hooray that dresses are back in style for females of all ages!

If you take a look at your neighbors' little girls or see them on a playground or at a school, you'll see that there isn't a "standard" length. But a little girl who wants to play needs her dress short enough to let her run and climb. I love the current idea of having little shorts or leggings underneath the dress, so she can really play, still be modest, and not have to worry about what her clothes are doing.

Some time, just for your own edification, you might take your daughter on a little shopping trip. Let her try on two or three different styles of dresses in her size and the size above, and see how they look on her. You'll want to buy as generous a size as she can look nice in now, so that she can wear it quite a while, without its looking way too long or way too big. So it'll look a little "relaxed" right now, but may fit her well by summer. Once you see for yourself, it'll be easier for you. I used to do this with my girls at the thrift store, because there's such a greater variety of things to select from. It taught me a lot.

I usually put pantaloons/leggings/shorts or the like under my little girls' dresses. That way they can climb and swing and run and tumble without everyone seeing London and France. I think the length you said is fine. I tend to like them a tiny bit longer for my girls, but what you describe will probably work, too. I love little girls in dresses! So cute!

I have the same problem (jeans kind of mom/dress kind of daughter). I say, get what fits her (maybe the next size up right now so it fits through the season) and then get her some shorts (like biker shorts or Old Navy or Osh Kosh cotton shorts) to wear under them. Then if they do become a bit too short, her butt is covered and everyone is happy.

tea length. my daughter wears them just above her knee to mid calve it just depends on the dress :)

Anything more than 1/3 below or above her knee is too long or short. If she is showing more than 1/3 of her thighs it's too much if it's more than 1/3 below her knees it sloppy looking and is just going to be in her way.

So, eyeball how long her thighs are front the groin to the knee. Just kind of mentally draw a line in your mind. It is usually right before the thigh starts getting fuller.

Then eyeball from the top of her ankle to the bottom of her knee. Mentally pick a spot.

If it looks okay and it doesn't bother her light variations can be okay.

If a dress is getting to short but the all time favorite I put the lace bottom legging style shorts under it. If it's too long I make sure she doesn't wear it to school where it runs the risk of getting ripped up. She can wear it to other places until it's the right length.

I always make sure she has shorts under any dress. I get hers at the store I work in, they are a dance booty short and are Lycra. That way her clothes slide around instead of stick to a cotton knit type short.

For everyday wear I would just make sure she has legging-type shorts on underneath (something light and comfy, the kind that look like boxer briefs) and then you don't have to worry about whether or not the dresses get too short. At or just above the knee is perfect - longer dresses are nice for formal occasions like holidays but for casual wear, you want something she can comfortably play in.

Any/all lengths are acceptable, 'Spring Attire' for 3-5yrs olds as long as they walk well enough to not trip on a longer dress.

Your daughter being a 'tomboy' should wear a dress just above the knees so she can run & play, anything longer or shorter would hinder her from having fun, a longer dress will confine her & a shorter one could show her panties when she is in her 'tomboy' mode!

You can alwayz buy a dress and/or skirt that is the length you want & take it to the cleaners or a tailor & have it 'taken in' to fit her in other areas the cost for this isn't much, I had three pairs of jeans altered for my grangirl (who has shorter legs but a larger waist) for $15.00.

If you go to consignment shops you can find bargains on good dresses that will last.

Hoppy Spring!

Just get some plain colored bike shorts that match the dresses. Then it won't matter if they get a little short. That is what my daughter that is 11 still does.

I don't know, my rule of thumb is that the hem should not be any shorter than the tip of their middle finger when you put your hands at your sides. That's the rule for dresses in school also.

I have the same issue - I own jeans and only jeans. Daughter would have a complete meltdown if I ever thought to put her in jeans instead of a dress. I think midcalf is too long and hampers things - not to mention that it will also find its way into the potty with so much dress to hold up. I like mid knee to top of knee lengths. I also put bloomers underneath.