In summer, I would consider myself either a dress person or a shorts person. One of the most-worn pieces in my wardrobe this year has been a pair of cream denim Bermuda shorts from Róhe.

This particular length, just at the knee, has ended up feeling so much fresher than other proportions I own. Most of my dresses sit at a midi length and my trousers are always full length, so this subtle shift to the knee has been surprisingly satisfying

I’ve worn them with flip-flops on holiday, ballet flats in the city and even knee-high boots on cooler Spring/Autumn days. They’re so versatile, but more than that, they’ve quietly recalibrated my eye.

Which is why I’m so excited about what’s happening with skirts.

After years of midi lengths dominating, knee-length skirts are feeling subtly modern. It’s a silhouette we haven’t seen proliferate the internet for a while, and yet it doesn’t feel as unfamiliar as you might think. 

For me anyway, it’s because I’ve already adjusted to the Bermuda short. Our eyes have become comfortable with a hemline that sits around the knee, so when that same proportion appears as a skirt, it feels fresh rather than challenging.

Mrs Prada, of course, has been championing this skirt length forever, it’s one of the her most identifiable silhouettes. This season, Miu Miu, Marni, Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Calvin Klein have all embraced the hemline too. Rather than feeling corporate or staid, it feels polished, modern and quietly knowing.

Adopting this once ‘awkward’ length now, at the end of summer, is the easiest way to ease yourself into the new proportions come Autumn.

But the balance is different…

If you’ve spent the last few years wearing midi skirts and dresses, your eye is used to a certain balance. Bringing the hem up to the knee shifts that balance, so you may find yourself experimenting with different top lengths.

A favourite baby tee will feel right. An oversized, off-the-body button-down works beautifully too… the shirt almost becoming an extension of the skirt so the whole outfit reads more like an easy dress. This is my preferred way to wear it, the longer line feels satisfying.

On your feet, almost everything works: flip-flops, ballet flats, loafers or even a slim trainer. Thankfully, it’s one of those wardrobe evolutions that doesn’t require a whole new shoe wardrobe.

The only thing to be aware of is that changing the hemline changes the proportions of the entire outfit.

You may notice that the jackets you’ve always worn with midi skirts suddenly feel off and a little heavier against a shorter hemline. Keep your top longer if making the most of your longer line jackets or blazers. Or sometimes choosing a shorter jacket will feel good. Other times, adding a heeled boot is enough to restore the balance, giving the outfit some extra height and making everything click into place again.

Like most things in fashion, there isn’t one right answer… it’s simply about playing with proportions to create different moods.

Here are some of my favourites but expect a bigger offering come Autumn. 

Changing proportions is a small shift, but those are often the most interesting ones.

I’m looking forward to a new season of small but meaningful shifts and sharing them with you.

Penny.

P.S. We are now taking Autumn bookings for anyone wanting to pause, revisit their style and think about where they want to go with their wardrobe for the new season. Thank you so much to those of you who have already emailed me.

Photo credit: Faithfull