Knee length skirts are having a moment. It’s not surprising though, because it’s the most flattering skirt length for all body types.

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Getting the correct length is important.

If the skirt is too short, it may look inappropriate for particular social situations. If the skirt is too long, it might look a bit dowdy.

The key is to have the skirt skim somewhere between just above or below the knee. This way, the hem hits at the smallest point of your mid leg providing a very slimming and flattering appeal.

So, you may be wondering, how long is a knee length skirt in inches? On an average 5’ 5” woman, a skirt measures 23 inches from the waist to hemline.

The sweet spot of a knee-length hemline will vary slightly depending on whether you are over or under 5’ 5”.

If you’re under 5’ 5”, a knee length skirt should measure between 21-23”.
If you’re over 5’ 5”, a knee length skirt should measure between 23-25”.

Skirt Length Isn’t Just About the Hem

Not to complicate things, but waistlines rise and fall in fashion just like hemlines.

You’ll want to take into account the rise on the skirt - meaning: does it sit at your natural waist? Or does it sit higher or lower than that?

If it’s a high-waisted skirt, it will most likely measure longer than 23”.
If it’s a low rise skirt (sits on the hip, for example), it will measure less than 23'“.

Tips for Getting the Best Skirt Length

Do you have a knee length skirt in your closet that hits perfectly or almost perfectly?

Measure it - here’s how:

Get a measuring tape and some pins.
Try on the skirt in front of a mirror.
Take a look at where the waistline is on the skirt. Is it at your natural waist or higher/lower?
Take a look at the bottom hem. Is it falling exactly where you want it or would you like it slightly higher or lower.
If you are trying to imagine a shorter skirt, pin the hem under a bit until you find a length you like.
Now, take off the skirt. If you pinned it, leave the pins in place.
Lay the skirt neatly on a flat surface.
Using the measuring tape, measure the length of the skirt from top to bottom.
Now that you have your IDEAL KNEE-LENGTH SKIRT LENGTH, write it down and refer to it when you are shopping either online or in a store.

Shopping Tip: You can find your perfect knee length skirt measurement while out shopping. Most stores have measuring tapes on hand. Get in the fitting room, try on some skirts, and then ask to borrow the measuring tape.

What are the Different Types of Knee Length Skirts?

Knee length skirts come in a wide variety of silhouettes. From most fitted to flared, the most popular knee lengths skirts are pencil, straight, a-line, pleated, flare, and full.

Here are some of my favorite knee length skirts - they are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns; so be sure to click on the links to see them all.