MIDI
Midi is a medium length in which a skirt or dress ends around mid-calf, between the knee and the ankle. It is the most versatile and elegant of lengths: restrained enough for the office and formal occasions, yet modern and relaxed for everyday. Midi has an interesting quirk — it is arguably trickier than mini or maxi because it crosses the calf at a 'delicate' point, so it needs the right balance with footwear to avoid visually shortening the legs. With heels or boots, midi looks slender and refined. It is a length often called the most 'grown-up' and timeless.
Compare “Midi” with another term
Meaning, origins and distinction — side by side.
Distinction
Both terms describe length rather than cut, so they apply to skirts and dresses of any silhouette. Midi ends somewhere between the knee and the ankle, most often at mid-calf; it is the most versatile and office-appropriate length. Maxi reaches the ankle or the floor, covering the legs entirely, and reads as festive, bohemian or evening wear. Midi is more practical and understated, while maxi is more dramatic and full of movement, sweeping as the wearer walks.
