By That Girl Whitney Team
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Maxi dresses are supposed to be the easy summer outfit. You throw one on with sandals and head out the door. If you’re tall and plus size, though, the “maxi” often lands at your shins. A dress designed to brush the floor turns into an awkward midi, and a midi becomes a knee-length dress that’s shorter than you’d like.
The problem comes down to how most dresses are cut. Brands design their regular lengths around an average height, then scale the width up for plus sizes without adding much length. Tall women end up with dresses that fit around the body but come up short at the hem and the waist.
You don’t have to give up on maxi dresses. Once you know how to measure for length and what to look for on a product page, you can find dresses that reach the floor and hit your waist in the right spot. This guide covers how to measure and which styles naturally run long, then shows you how to rescue a nearly-right dress.
Measuring for Dress Length
The most useful number for maxi dress shopping is the distance from your shoulder to the floor. Stand straight in bare feet and have someone measure from the top of your shoulder, where a strap would sit, straight down to the floor. If you wear sandals with a heel, measure again while wearing them.
Compare that number to the “length” measurement on product pages. Most brands list dress length from the shoulder or the high point of the bodice to the hem. If a dress is a few inches shorter than your shoulder-to-floor number, it’ll land at your ankles. If it’s much shorter, it’ll land at your calves.
Torso length matters too. Measure from your shoulder to your natural waist. If you have a long torso, dresses with a defined waist seam can hit above your waist and look like an empire style by accident. Knowing this number helps you skip dresses that won’t sit right.
Styles That Naturally Run Long
Some dress styles are more forgiving for tall bodies than others.
Tiered maxi dresses often run long and don’t have a fixed waistline, so they work for a variety of torso lengths.
Column or slip-style maxis hang straight from the shoulders without a waist seam. They give you length without worrying about where the waist lands.
Halter and strappy maxis let you adjust the straps to raise or lower the dress. A few inches of strap adjustment can make a big difference in where the hem falls.
Shirt dresses with a tie waist let you choose where to cinch. You can tie the belt at your natural waist, wherever the seams happen to fall.
Look for dresses labeled “tall” or “long” first, then broaden your search to these styles if the tall section doesn’t have your size.
Shop it: Moon Wood ruffle maxi or POPYOUNG long sleeve maxi
Where to Look for Tall Plus Size Dresses
Start with retailers that offer both tall lengths and extended sizes. Check each brand’s size chart for a tall option, since the filter isn’t always obvious on the main page.
Amazon is useful if you search smart. Try searching “plus size maxi dress long” or “tall maxi dress plus size,” then read the listed length in the product details. Reviews from tall shoppers are the fastest way to know whether a dress truly reaches the floor. Canadian shoppers can run the same search on Amazon.ca, where sellers and stock differ.
Formal and bridesmaid dress retailers often offer extra length options or custom lengths. For a wedding or special event, that can be worth the wait. Our plus size wedding guest dress guide covers formal styles in more detail.
Making a Nearly-Right Dress Work
Sometimes you’ll find a dress that fits perfectly everywhere except the length. Before you return it, consider these fixes.
Change your shoes. Flat sandals let a slightly short maxi fall lower, while wedges pull it up. If a dress is just barely long enough, wear it with flats.
Wear it as a midi on purpose. A mid-calf hem looks intentional with the right accessories. Pair it with ankle boots in fall or strappy sandals in summer.
Add a slip or skirt underneath. A floor-length slip in a matching or contrasting color adds length under a sheer or lightweight dress.
Check with a tailor. Some dresses have extra fabric in the hem that a tailor can let down. It’s worth asking before you give up on a dress you love.
Finding Your Floor-Length Favorite
Tall plus size dresses take a little more searching, but knowing your measurements changes everything. Your shoulder-to-floor number tells you which dresses will reach your ankles, and your torso length tells you where the waist will land. Combine those numbers with styles that naturally run long, and you’ll spend less time on returns.
For more tall shopping tips beyond dresses, read our tall plus size clothing guide.
Shop Whitney’s favorite plus size finds on her Amazon storefront. Follow @thatgirlwhitney on Instagram for more plus size outfit ideas.
