The Mini Takes on the Midi for the Best Dress of Summer

There are at least two kinds of people in the world: the ones who believe that the perfect dress for the summer is a flirtatious mini. And the ones who much prefer a chic soignee midi. Which team are you on? Here at Dandelion Chandelier, we decided it was time for a head-on competition. So, right here, right now, the mini takes on the midi (or maxi dress, if you prefer) for the best dress of summer 2020. It’s. On.

Is this the summer of the mini or the midi (or the maxi)?

With all of the urgent matters of the day swirling around us, here at Dandelion Chandelier we spent the weekend pondering a deep question of existential dimensions: is the mini dress or the midi dress the iconic silhouette of the summer of 2020?

As a nation – as a global community – are we feeling the need to cover up? To sweep into a garden party with our dramatic skirt swirling around us? 

Or are we feeling sassy and chic? And ready to don what is essentially a tennis dress and wear all day every day all summer?

They say that hemlines tell us a lot about the zeitgeist and the state of our culture. Which sounds right to us, actually. And the fact that there IS NO agreed-upon hemline right now is just further proof that we are divided, uncertain, unable to commit to a plan of action. Or at a minimum, deeply ambivalent.

Happily for fashion mavens, though, this Age of Indecision leaves us free to choose.

It’s Mini v. Midi (or Maxi) for Best Dress of Summer

When it comes to a breezy beach dress for a hot summer day (or night), the decision of long versus short can be daunting. But fear not! We’ve surveyed the current offerings, and here are 10 pairs of chic frocks – one mini dress, and one midi dress. At the end, we’ll solicit your vote and declare a winner for best dress of the summer.

1, 2, 3, ready, Go!

1. Crimson Tide

 

The MINI: Asceno Santorini belted linen shirt dress ($338). The MIDI: Asceno Ibiza linen dress ($414).

2. Coral Florals

The MINI: Zimmermann Wavelength linen dress ($650). The MIDI: Agua by Agua Bendita Acacia Arrecife linen dress ($500).

3. Pink

 

The MINI: Merlette Soliman Tiered Cotton dress ($320). The MIDI: Kalita Poet by the Sea cotton dress ($613).

4. Snow White

The MINI: LoveShackFancy Augustine Broderie Anglaise cotton-voile dress ($375). The MIDI: Self Portrait Ruched taffeta dress ($440).

5. Pretty Prints

 

The MINI:  Rhode Tiffany Ruffled Heart Print dress ($395). The MIDI: La DoubleJ Bellini Floral silk dress ($1,345).

6. Sky Blue

 

The MINI: Loup Charmont Kitta organic cotton dress ($350).  The MIDI: Albus Lumen Agaso sleeveless linen dress ($421).

7. Sunshine Hues

 

The MINI: Three Graces London Sofia cotton-poplin dress ($385). The MIDI: Solid & Striped Square-neck tiered checked cotton dress ($348).

8. In the Navy

 

 

The MINI: Escvdo Misa V-Neck cotton dress ($335). The MIDI: Melissa Odabash Kyla Ruffled dress ($295).

9. Polka Dots

The MINI:  Adriana Degreas polka-dot cotton blend wrap dress ($720).  The MIDI: Zimmerman Bellitude polka-dot linen-blend dress ($640).

10. Not-so-Basic Black

 

The MINI: Aje Psychedelia Cutout linen dress ($525). The MIDI: Bird & Knoll
Alejandra cotton gauze dress ($275).

11. Olive Garden

 

The MINI: Innka Choo  Justine Taiym smocked linen dress ($355). The MIDI: Brock Collection pleated dress ($1,190).

12. Psycho Pink

 

The MINI: Emilio Pucci Beach short V-nick printed dress ($760). The MIDI: Banjanan Serafina printed cotton dress ($470).

Mini or Midi as Best Dress of Summer 2020?

There you have it! Ten head-to-head match-ups of flirtatious minis and soignee midis (or maxis, if you prefer). What’s your vote for best dress of summer 2020? In keeping with this highly fluid situation we’re living in, we’ve decided that the best plan of action is making room in our closets for both. Have fun out there!

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