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The Different Styles of Above-The-Knee Dresses

Before the 20th Century, hemlines never reached much past the ankle. This began to change as women entered the workforce and needed clothing to move in. By the 1970s, hem lengths came in a variety of mini, midi, and maxi increasing the choice women have in their clothing. Mini skirts and dresses began their popularity in the 1960s. 

An above-the-knee dress, also known as a mini dress, has a hem length that stops anywhere above the knee but still covers everything it needs to. They can come in a wide range of styles with different patterns, colours, necklines, and sleeves. 

Above-the-knee dresses are a fun and flirtatious length to wear for your next date night or even just for a hot summer’s day. The short hemline helps to trick your body's vertical proportions by showing off more leg it elongates your silhouette. 

Benefits of Above The Knee Dresses

Feeling sexy, flirty, and fun isn’t the only benefit when it comes to cotton above-the-knee dresses. Here are some of the best benefits of wearing a shorter hemline: 

Great for all seasons

Shorter hemlines are perfect for when the weather is warmer, and you want to keep your legs cool. But did you know that above-the-knee dresses are also a great winter wardrobe staple? They are excellent for layering and can be mixed and matched with your favourite leggings or stockings. Layering works particularly well with cotton dresses. Cotton is not only breathable, but it is also excellent at insulating. You can comfortably wear your cotton above-the-knee dress all year round.

Elongates your silhouette

An above-the-knee dress can be ultimately flattering. The shorter hemline shows off your legs and elongates your silhouette. This can be particularly beneficial if you are on the shorter side because the hemline allows for more of your leg to show off instead of cutting you short it adds centimetres to your height making you appear taller. 

Freedom of movement

Whether you are going for a night out dancing or not, above-the-knee dresses are a breeze to move in. They give you the freedom of movement in your legs without any rubbing of material. They are also excellent at keeping you cool allowing airflow around your body while you dance, run or even if you are just walking.

Effortless and versatile

An above-the-knee dress is one of the easiest clothing items to effortlessly style up or down. For casual looks they can easily be worn with sandals or sneakers, but for something a bit fancier they can be worn with heels or even boots. They are just as versatile as they are effortless. It is easy to bring out your own style in a cotton above-the-knee dress by adding accessories, layers, jackets, bags, and jewellery to match your flair.

The natural fibre of cotton is just as effortless and versatile as above-the-knee dresses. Cotton can show up in a whole range of fabrics, including denim and even lace. Cotton also doesn’t absorb odours like synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester. This means there is less washing needed for your cotton dresses and natural fabrics. They are also simple to maintain- throw in the washing machine and let it do all the work.

Doesn’t release microplastics

Synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, release microplastics into our oceans each time we wash them. Not only does this affect marine life but it also means that tiny microplastics enter our food and drinking water supply. About 35% of microfibres in the ocean are caused by synthetic materials. Natural fibres, such as cotton and linen, do not contain plastics so they are safer for our environment. 

Above The Knee Dress Styles 

Above-the-knee dresses come in a wide variety of different styles as well as different colours, patterns, and sleeve lengths. Cotton Dayz has a wide variety of styles and sizes available, including plus-size dresses. These are some of the more popular above-the-knee dress styles:

A-line

The A-line dress style is one of the most universally flattering dress styles. An A-line dress is typically almost a triangle shape. It begins fitted, usually from a cinched waist, that then flares out over the hips accentuating the hourglass shape.

Tunic

Inspired by Ancient Romans and Greeks, the tunic dress hangs from the shoulders down to somewhere between the hips and the knee. They can sometimes be worn as tops but are very comfortable to wear as dresses with their unrestrictive design.

Swing

These are dresses made to swing and dance in. A swing dress is loose fitting with an A-line shape that swings while you walk and move your body. It’s a dress that has great movement. Some skirts are more flared than others on swing dresses, but all look fantastic to twirl in. 

Bubble

Bubbles dresses have a voluminous skirt that is typically quite short with the hem stopping at the mid-thigh to just above the knee. The dress is usually slightly cinched at the waist and the hem folded and stitched, to allow for the skirt to puff out at the sides and bottom creating a balloon or bubble effect. 

Shift

These dresses are made for the movers and the shakers. Their unrestrictive design, with no cinched waist, makes them ultimately comfortable. A shift dress has simple lines that streamline the body creating a flattering silhouette. It flows from the shoulders with only very slight variances in the measurements of the bust, waist, and hemline.

Smock

Smock dresses are loose-fitting and almost resemble a long blouse. They are comfortable dresses to wear allowing movement and airflow around your body.

How to Wear Above The Knee Dresses

There are plenty of different ways to style above-knee dresses depending on the season or the occasion. The key is to know your body type and the style of dresses that will suit it. Whether you are shopping for plus size dresses or not make sure your dress is well fitted, not too big that it looks bulky and not too tight that you looked squashed into. It is also important to find a hem length you are comfortable with so that you don’t need to constantly pull your dress hem down. Above-the-knee dresses come in a range of styles, patterns, and colours. Here are a few styling suggestions:

Accessories

It is quite easy to dress up an above the dress with accessories. If you are wearing the shorter hemline to add some height to your silhouette, then avoid chunky jewellery and wear some pieces that are a little more delicate to help elongate your limbs. Also, to achieve some extra centimetres in your height, you can wear a belt. The higher the belt sits on your waist the more length it will add to your legs. Belts can also help to add shape to dresses to accentuate your hourglass shape.

Footwear

You can have almost an unlimited choice of footwear when wearing an above-the-knee dress with the bonus that you get to show it off. Sandals and sneakers work well for a casual look, while heels or boots can add some elegance and class to your outfit. If you want to lengthen your legs, try a slimmer heel with a pointy toe as chunky boots or heels may make you appear boxy as well as cut off your legs making them appear shorter. 

Layering

An above-the-knee dress is ideal all year round, particularly if you have cotton dresses with a short hemline. Layering different cotton items will help to insulate you and keep you warm. An above-the-knee dress can be worn with leggings or stockings as well as easily pair with any jumper or jacket. A short sleeve or thin strapped dress is excellent for wearing a turtleneck underneath in the cooler months for some extra warmth. There are plenty of different layers to add to an above-the-knee dress and a wide variety of colours and patterns to play with. 

Buy Cotton Dresses at Cotton Dayz 

Here at Cotton Dayz, we believe there is nothing better than feeling confident, comfortable, and absolutely fabulous in your outfits. Style isn’t restricted to age, body shape, or size, so we have a broad range of different dress styles and sizes, including plus-size dresses, with varying patterns and colours. Cotton Dayz has a wide range of dresses, tops, and bottoms available online and shipping Australia-wide and internationally.

Search for your next above-the-knee dress to keep you cool this summer, view our beautiful range of plus-size dresses to show off your curves, or hunt down a bargain in our sale.