The Petite Girl’s Guide To Nailing Floor-Length Hems

Like many a petite girl, I tend to steer clear of floor-length anything. And, it's not because I don't love these styles (on other ladies) — they just never seem to fall quite right on my short frame. Usually, I end up with a pile of fabric around my feet that nothing, save for an expert tailor (and super-high heels), can remedy. So, as a member of the 5-foot-3-and-under club, I generally defer to my wardrobe's bread and butter — flared minis, pencil skirts, and cropped pants — for figure-flattering looks that never read stumpy. Yes, with nary a Karlie Kloss gam in sight, I've all but resigned myself to a maxi-less closet.

But, what if that didn't have to be the case? What if there were a few clever shopping tricks petite gals could follow when in pursuit of these ankle-grazing numbers? Well, actually, there are: We're sharing five easy-to-follow tips — covering things like the perfect length, asymmetrical shapes, and eye-catching necklines — that'll help you nail the maxi. While we can't guarantee an end to alterations altogether, these 15 styles are definitely a step in the right direction — and you won't find yourself tripping on a too-long hem when you take it.