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The Best Knee-Length Dresses for Women Over 50

The hunt for a casual dress is never an easy one. I’ve been sharing quite a few dresses lately, and I have to say, they’re starting to grow on me. They’re a great one-and-done option for many ladies and cooler than pants or shorts in the hottest weather. A reader asked me to share more options, so today, I’m going to focus on the best knee-length spring and summer dresses.

SHIRRED SHEATH DRESS petite M – This dress was featured in a recent try-on I did at Talbots!

Casual Knee-Length Dresses

I know that many of you are looking for budget-friendly, casual dresses that can work for a variety of occasions. You’ll be shocked to know that all of the knee-length dress options below are from Amazon.

Why You Should Wear a Knee-Length Dress

Once I hit fifty, the length of things became more important. My knees aren’t what they once were, and the kneecaps have a fair amount of sagging skin that I prefer to cover. Just below knee length or even midi length is long enough to make sure things are covered all around while still showing a little bit of leg. As someone that is petite, so many dresses can end up being too long on me. This is where that knee length tends to hit the sweet spot that I’m comfortable with.

SHORT SLEEVE FLORAL KNEE LENGTH DRESS WITH POCKETS size M / LOW BLOCK HEEL SANDALS / CRYSTAL AND FRESHWATER PEARL NECKLACE SAVE 15% off WITH THE CODE AWSL

I don’t think you would ever guess that this dress came from Amazon. I’ve shared this blue dress before, and many of you have discovered it’s a great option at an affordable price. I dressed it up with a pair of low-block heels, making it appropriate for a wedding, shower, graduation, dinner, and so much more. This print is called ‘Floral16’, although you can find it in many other colors and patterns. S-3X.

COTTON /LINEN BLEND DRESS WITH ROLL SLEEVES size M / JACK ROGERS FLAT SANDALS / MESH BRACELET / CABLE HOOP EARRINGS

This next dress is a casual option for spring and summer. The fabric is lightweight, so it would be wonderful to wear on a hot summer day. You can pair it with a pair of sandals (I picked my Jack Rogers) for an effortless yet put-together look. This dress ran tight across the chest, so I suggest you size up. Available in sizes S-XXL.

SHORT SLEEVE A-LINE KNEE LENGTH DRESS size M / LOW WEDGE SANDALS WITH ELASTIC STRAP / STATEMENT CUFF BRACELET c/o SAVE 25% WITH THE CODE JENNIFER 25 / STATEMENT DROP EARRINGS c/o SAVE 25% WITH THE CODE JENNIFER 25

The print on this dress is out of my comfort zone, but I’m trying these on for you, not me, and I want you to see lots of options. This short sleeve button-down knee-length dress is very comfortable and breathable. I pulled the pretty gold tones out of the dress by styling it with a pair of low gold wedge sandals and a statement gold cuff bracelet. It’s available in several other colorways, but I am wearing the ‘Boho Floral Green’. Available in sizes S-XXL.

SHORT SLEEVE SUMMER DRESS WITH POCKETS size M / JACK ROGERS FLAT SANDALS / LAGOS STERLING PENDANT

This is the same as the first dress above but in a solid color. It’s a great go-to, versatile dress with a wrap v-neck and a pleated waist. I selected this beautiful purple-gray color which I think is lovely for spring and summer. I like that these pockets are more hidden than some other styles. Pockets can sometimes add a little extra bulk to your hip area if you aren’t careful. Available in sizes S-3X.

3/4 BALLOON SLEEVE DRESS size M / DR SCHOLL’S SNEAKERS ON LEFT / SIMILAR DENIM JACKET ON LEFT / NECKLACE ON LEFT SIMILAR DENIM JACKET ON RIGHT / FRESHWATER PEARL NECKLACE ON RIGHT save 15% with code AWSL at checkout / DR SCHOLL’S SLIPON SNEAKERS ON RIGHT

Up next, I have this striped t-shirt midi dress. It hits a little lower than the knee. It has a 3/4 sleeve, but I decided to style it under some of my favorite jackets. I also paired it with two different pairs of casual sneakers. Which ones do you prefer with it? I thought both of these more casual looks would be cute for a lunch date or a day of shopping. Available in sizes S-XXL.

LONG SLEEVE POLKA DOT DRESS WITH POCKETS size M / LOW BLOCK HEEL SANDALS / FRESHWATER PEARL NECKLACE SAVE 15% WITH THE CODE AWSL

This last dress is a long sleeve polka dot dress. The material is soft and stretchy, like a comfortable t-shirt. The polka dot pattern is making a comeback right now, and I thought the long sleeves make this dress a great option for those of us who don’t like to show our arms or easily get cold with the AC blasting. It is available in sizes S-XL, as well as in a reddish brown and dark green.

Additional Knee-Length Dresses I’ve Tried Recently

EFFORTLESS TIE DETAIL JERSEY DRESS size petite M
CASLON LONG SLEEVE LINEN BLEND DRESS size S
JARDIN DRESS size 8 / 3 STACKED PEARL NECKLACES save 15% sitewide with the code AWSL

Would you wear a knee-length dress?

Knee-length dresses are ideal for all sorts of occasions and are a great option for spring and summer. The knee length is conservative enough to make sure everything is covered while still showing a little bit of leg and keeping you cool in the hot weather. This was my first experience ordering dresses from Amazon, and I’m very pleased. Have you ordered clothes from Amazon?

Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

33 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this post! I am looking for comfortable and affordable dresses for an upcoming trip to Turkey and Greece. I am really liking your Amazon selections. I, too, prefer my dresses just below the knees. Have you washed the v-neck purple-grey rayon dress with the empire waist? If so, how did the material hold up? I prefer the rayon to the polyester, but some rayon doesn’t look so great after washing and drying. Do you hang it to dry?

    1. I did not keep that dress so I’m not sure of the washing.

  2. Beverly Jo Anderson says:

    I ordered the $35 Amazon dress in navy blue. I tried it on last night and I love it! Great material and fit. Iā€™m 5ā€™8, 138lbs, small chested and it fits perfectly with the hem falling right below my knees. This dress šŸ‘— purchase is for a wedding. If I needed more dresses I would definitely order the black and white polka dot. šŸ‘šŸ»šŸ˜Š

    1. Iā€™m so glad it worked for you! Itā€™s a great style

  3. HelloJennifer! You hit it out of the park with this post! My sister has been looking for good natural fiber dress options, so she will have a field day with this post! I make my own clothes and like to live in dresses all spring and summer. I think at the knee is just right for staying cool, leg veins, be damned! Thanks for the inspiration.

  4. Frances B says:

    I like the top of the knee length of the first shirred dress and the effortless tie detail dress. At 5ā€™1ā€, it is my best and most versatile length. I can wear flats,
    1 1/2ā€ wedges, or low heels with that length. When I wear a slim skirt at a ladylike below my knee length , it makes me look frumpy unless I wear heels. I love the one and done ease of dresses and wear them all the time so it is important to me for a casual dress to look good with flat shoes and sandals. Now that I am retired, I reserve the heels for special occasions.

    I would have liked a view of the balloon sleeve dress that showed the sleeves rather than two views of the dress under a jean jacket that did not allow me to see how the dress actually looks.

  5. You’re showing some really cute dresses here! You wear them well. I have to contend with a protruding stomach, so I look for styles that skim over the stomach. Not easy to find. I think the tiered dresses are hard to wear. I’m not sure what they do for people, meaning,; not many can pull them off.
    My favorite on you is the side tie blue on blue floral. So pretty!

  6. Sadly, I don’t wear any dresses or skirts and neither do any of my friends. Maybe it’s our age, our legs LOL, or possibly our location. Most events and restaurants are super casual here, often too casual in my view. If I had your legs I would surely give them a try! I really like the look of the wrap dresses on you, especially the blue floral.

  7. I was not able to find either of the short sleeve dresses you modeled You looked so well in that style ,it inspired me to try them also. francine h

    1. There is a hyperlink under every image which takes you to the item to shop

  8. I like dresses in the summer months. They’re cooler than shorts/top.
    I’m very particular about the length. I think that first blue/white dress is too long. I want my hem to end mid-knee or right below. If it ends at the spot where your calf is wide I think it makes the person wearing the dress look wide.

  9. I love you in dresses, especially the curvy ones. And youā€™ve got such great legs!
    I like dresses in summer. Theyā€™re so cool to pull on

  10. Jennifer- I wear a petite xs. Sometimes a regular length xs if itā€™s a short dress. It seems you only show petite dress over $100! Is that because only higher priced brands make my size? Iā€™ve certainly had a problem finding dresses that fit or just need hemming and arenā€™t too cutesy.
    Iā€™m going to a wedding in the fall and need something
    Appropriate that isnā€™t as
    Dressy as mother of the bride. No sequins! Oh help!

    1. What sort of venue is the wedding? How dressy is it?
      You may need to pay more for a dressier dress.

  11. I still donā€™t find dresses as flattering as 3 piece pants dressing. I think itā€™s because thereā€™s really nothing going on at the neck and too much going on at the waist and midsection. On a short person I feel the dresses draw the eye down, and with three pieces, there is more of a choice of collars to draw the eye back up to the face. guess Iā€™ll always feel more confident with my legs covered.

  12. I really hate dresses, but I must admit they are cooler in the hot days of summer.
    You modeled so many cute styles that I feel I need to try some of these great looks and see if I can fine a few for my closet. Thank you.

    1. Some gals just donā€™t like dresses, I get that. I do t wear them often but I love how cool they are in hot weather.

  13. I have recently returned to wearing dresses and find them very comfortable. My question is about wearing a slip. On a more sheer dress (light weight linen) is it ok to wear a pair of slip shorts or should I try and find a half slip? Ten years ago, the answer would definitely have been a half slip, but it doesnā€™t seem to be such an issue now. Thanks šŸŒø

    1. I prefer a slip because they camouflage the outline of my thighs. My favorite is 100% cotton that I find on Etsy. Iā€™ll look for the link for you.

  14. I have never seen so many cute dresses in one place! I think there is something for everyone. I like that they come from Amazon. I’m still not a fan of dresses but last year I bought a t shirt dress for summer and I did like wearing that. When you asked which shoes we thought looked better, I like the blue jean jacket outfit. Thanks for all your work šŸŒ¼

  15. Janice, try looking for ‘ slip shorts’ for under your skirts and dresses, there are many styles and fabrics, and they are a staple in my closet, can also try the short legging style that comes to the thigh, and in a larger size are really comfortable.

  16. this is so weird because this is a comment I made to a completely different posting of yours. Maybe it came in iwth some of the dresses you’ve shown before? Anyway, in this selection, I really like the balloon sleeved dress. The chest pocket is a little strange in the stropes (although I’d try it), but is much less noticeable in the solidsa and some of the other patterns. Interesting how the color of the denim jackets change the look. Thanks for showing.

  17. I like knee length dresses, Iā€™m a pear,so the fit and flare style is my favorite shape. The blue print Amazon dress does a great job balancing your figure, as it would mine , the lavender color is pretty on you. I have not ordered clothes from Amazon .

  18. Thanks for this post. I have not bought many dresses for casual wear in the last couple of years, but now I am tempted! You asked which styling of the t-shirt dress readers preferred. I like the tie shoes with the blue jean jacket. When I wear slip on tennis shoes with dresses it seems to draw my eye directly to my (big) feet. Wondering how the striped and linen Amazon dresses wash. You look great in many of these–and your hair looks fabulous!

    1. Shellia McCormick says:

      Hi–try the Hey Dudes. They look a little like what we called “Boat Shoes” in the 70s, but they keep my feet from looking so “fat” I call them. I think it’s more my ankles but the Dudes seem to feel like tennis shoes, but not draw attention to my feet.

  19. I love dresses and so happy to see so many options available now. I like all the dresses you model today. The only problem with the dress from Amazon is there are so many pretty choices. It is so overwhelming to me. I tend to be indecisive. I have ordered a few over the head shift dresses in nice prints from Amazon that are inexpensive but nice. I also like my packable quilted Amazon jacket.

    1. The choices can be overwhelming! I agree.

  20. I appreciate these affordable options! Iā€™ve been looking for some nice summer one-and-dones. Iā€™m on the hunt for maxi skirts too that donā€™t look too Laura Ingalls.

    1. Iā€™ll be hunting up some skirts too. The Laura Ingalls look has never appealed to me.

  21. Linda McCarthy says:

    Thanks for all the research! I just ordered the blue linen blend. I love a casual dress for the summer, itā€™s so easy. I enjoy your posts, you do a great job!

  22. Thank you for these dress try ons! I have always loved dresses for summer but Iā€™m also struggling with crepey knees and veiny legs. Iā€™ve stocked up on pants for the summer but I would love some more dresses. Iā€™m 5ā€™3ā€ and short waisted so I often need a petite in dresses. I look best in either knee length or maxi length, but Iā€™m embracing midi lengths. The struggle is real! The choices are overwhelming, and there seems to be very little in my winter colors apart from black and white. I love the blue patterned Amazon dress on you!

  23. I love the look of dresses! You know, I believe no matter a woman’s size, she looks better with figure flattering clothing and not trying to hide under volumes of material, IMHO. For example, you look beautiful in all of the dresses, but I thought you looked best in the figure enhancing Talbots sheath dress with the tie. Even if we don’t have the waistline we once had, it doesn’t hurt to try and enhance that area, again IMHO.

  24. Pat Patterson says:

    Hi Jennifer, I can honestly say, I havenā€™t bought a dress in about 10 years !! I really need to purchase one or two especially a basic black dress. I never feel like a dress looks good on me, but, I am going to give a lot of effort to find a least one which definitely has to be knee length. Iā€™ve had both knees replaced.
    Have a great day.

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