Dress length

fitness4mom

All of my girls are wearing different dresses in different shades of blue.  I want the length of each of the dresses to be similar (some ordered long dresses they are going to shorten).  I obviously don't want them too short...its not the prom, its my wedding, and it is at a very classy, vintage place.  What is the appropriate length?  Some say just above the knees, some say no shorter than 2" above (which I feel may be too short) and others have said right at the knee.  David's Bridal does not shorten any short dresses which is fantastic, however, alot of my girls are getting their dresses altered elsewhere.  Does anyone know what the proper length is for a cocktail reception?  I want to give them an exact length so they all look classy, not trashy.

MrsMuq

Do you really think anyone is going to notice the length of the BMs dresses, especially if they all have different ones? Would you pay extra attention to the hem length on a regular guest's dress....? Unless their butts are hanging out of the dress, I'm pretty sure you could just tell them knee-length and it will be fine.

Xstatic3333

I think if you say "cocktail" the girls will know what works best on their body type.  A couple of my BMs are very short, and although I would never require it they are both planning to get their (already short) dresses hemmed because it will just look better on them.  I wouldn't worry; they will want to be comfortable at the wedding, and whatever seamstress they work with will probably steer them in the right direction as well.

artbyallie

Nobody's going to run around with a ruler making sure your bridesmaids' hems all fall at the same place. Say "knee-length" and let them interpret that as they will. Anything within a few inches either side of the knee is acceptable. And seriously? You think 2" above is too short? They'll be standing up and unless they're legally little people with actual dwarfism, that's not going to be any kind of scandalously short.

Blue_Bird

So, you think your bridesmaids would choose to look "trashy" without your specific instructions?

AddieCake

I think you can probably trust them to not have it shortened to a "trashy" length. I would just tell them knee length. I'm sure the hemlines will all end up about the same with that as a guideline.

Peledreamsofrain

Eh, tell them an inch above the knee and be done.  It's not really a huge issue.  Nobody looks at the bridesmaids on the wedding day except for single guys who are wedding crashing.  And they don't have rulers.  Promises.

SummerGrl15

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_dress-length?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:6182b885-5fdb-428d-b749-f667fbe23bb9Post:157a07e4-6b5f-4a78-9e49-ce20f61cd788">Re: Dress length</a>:
[QUOTE]I think if you say "cocktail" the girls will know what works best on their body type.  A couple of my BMs are very short, and although I would never require it they are both planning to get their (already short) dresses hemmed because it will just look better on them.  I wouldn't worry; they will want to be comfortable at the wedding, and whatever seamstress they work with will probably steer them in the right direction as well.
Posted by Xstatic3333[/QUOTE]

I agree with this.

MyNameIsNot

Cocktail length is generally somewhere at or a couple of inches above the knee.  Instead of trying to get them all the same length, they'll look much better if they select a length in that range that fits their bodies.  It will all come together when they stand next to each other.