The lengths we’re going to

The new long-length skirt was being hotly debated on the f’row yesterday. Not to be confused with the Missoni- esque and Studio 54 overtones of Issa’s maxi-dress opus on Saturday, the new long refers to an altogether more romantic and elegant way of doing the trend. “It’s proper lady-like-gown long,” says stylist Miranda Almond of the new length seen at Preen (in sheer, floaty printed chiffon, or heavy and encrusted with crystal ‘flowers’) and at Kinder Aggugini (left). “I started by looking at lengths from the turn of the century,” says Aggugini, who showed ankle-skimming skirts set to a fitting beat of Kate Bush. But how to prevent the look from being too costume? “Shoes are key to making it modern,” says Rebecca Lowthorpe, fashion features director of Elle UK. “Flats only work with floaty, but something more streamlined needs a great heel or boot.” Almond agrees, “Let the dress make the statement and don’t add anything else.