Alémais Mini, Midi and Maxi Dresses: Which Length to Choose

The Alémais mini dress is the brand’s most searched length, ahead of the midi and the maxi, and it is usually a loose, printed or embroidered shape in cotton, linen or silk that ends well above the knee. Alémais, the Sydney label founded by Lesleigh Jermanus in 2020, cuts its midis long, to a fit model of around 175 to 177 cm, and does most of its full-length work as gowns. This guide explains each length, plus the sundress, strapless and linen styles people search for, and what height and occasion each suits.

You will see the brand typed as “Alemais” as often as Alémais, and both lead to the same collection on our Alémais page. For a shortlist by occasion rather than length, our best Alémais dresses edit is the place to start.

The Alémais mini dress

The Alémais mini dress draws around a thousand searches a month worldwide, more than any other length. Most are relaxed rather than bodycon, with volume through the sleeve or skirt, so they feel easier to wear than the length suggests. The Arcade Mini Dress and the Grace Mini Dress are the everyday printed versions. The Chesca Mini Dress is a lighter, paler option for summer.

For something with more structure, the Marilyn Denim Mini Dress takes the brand into denim, and the Toucan Tango Halter Mini Dress has a halter neck that shows the shoulders. The Noura Fringe Mini Dress adds movement with fringing and works for a party. Shop more short styles across our designers in the mini dresses edit.

The Alémais midi dress

The Alémais midi dress is the most versatile length in the range, and the one to choose for weddings, lunches and church. Alémais cuts its midis to a tall fit model; the brand’s chart puts the Kenny Midi Dress at 126 to 139 cm long across sizes, so on someone under 160 cm a midi will land near the ankle. The Lemonis Jacquard Midi Dress uses a woven jacquard rather than a print. The Cece Silk Midi Dress is the fluid silk choice, and the Anita Midi Dress is a simpler day dress.

For craft, the Sunset Broderie Midi Dress uses broderie anglaise, and the Marva Crochet Halter Midi Dress is the brand’s crochet, a texture that searches for “alemais crochet dress” show people look for by name. More midis from every designer are in the midi dresses edit.

The Alémais maxi dress and gown

Alémais makes few dresses it calls “maxi”. Its full-length work is mostly in gowns, which is why the Alémais maxi dress search often leads to evening pieces. The Charlotte Gown is the most versatile; it works for a summer wedding as easily as for a formal dinner. The Georgie Pool Dress is a full-length day style for the beach or a holiday. The Samira Gown is a dressier option for evening.

Our best Alémais gowns guide covers the evening range in detail, and the Alémais beaded and sequin dresses guide picks out the embellished pieces at every length.

The Alémais sundress

The Alémais sundress is searched as often as the maxi, and the brand makes a lot of them. They are light, usually sleeveless or thin-strapped, and made in light fabrics for heat. The Phyllis Ballet Sundress and the Boathouse Ballet Sundress are typical of the style. The Giulia Embroidered Sundress adds embroidery for a dressier summer look, and the Nadia Sundress is a simple print. These are the dresses to pack for a holiday, worn with flat sandals and a straw bag.

Strapless and linen Alémais dresses

The Alémais strapless dress is mostly found in the evening range. The Iris Strapless Gown and the Neptuna Silk Strapless Gown are full-length, and the Golden Metallic Strapless Gown is the one for black tie. A strapless bodice needs an accurate fit at the bust, so check the garment measurements on the product page rather than relying on your usual size.

The Alémais linen dress is the opposite: relaxed and made for daytime. The Checkmate Linen Shirtdress and the Banderra Linen Shirtdress are both button-front shapes. Linen has no stretch, so if a linen dress has a fitted bodice, take the larger size when you fall between two. For more shirt shapes, see our Alémais shirts and shirtdresses guide, and to choose by colour, our Alémais dresses by colour guide.

Choosing a length for your height

Alémais shows every dress on a fit model of around 175 to 177 cm wearing an AU 6. If you are petite, a mini will sit closer to the knee and a midi close to the floor. If you are tall, the midi will land where it does in the photographs. Our Alémais size guide lists garment lengths and explains the fit statements. To see how other Australian labels handle length, compare our guides to Acler mini, midi and maxi dresses and Zimmermann mini, midi and maxi dresses, and browse longer styles in the maxi dresses edit.

Alémais dress lengths around the world

Australia

Australia is the brand’s largest search market. Minis and sundresses are the summer staples there, and midis are the default for spring racing and weddings, where a below-the-knee length is the safer choice for a dress code.

United States

US shoppers search for Alémais almost as often as Australians. Subtract four to convert: an AU 10 is a US 6. A midi suits a summer wedding on the East Coast, and the sundresses work for the Hamptons or a Caribbean holiday.

United Kingdom and Europe

UK sizes match Australian sizes number for number, and EU sizes are the AU number plus 28, so an AU 10 is a UK 10 and an EU 38. A midi is the obvious choice for a British wedding or garden party, and the longer hems suit the formal dress codes of Royal Ascot. Because the seasons are reversed, an Alémais summer collection lands in the northern autumn, so British buyers often keep minis and sundresses for winter sun.

Alémais mini, midi and maxi dresses: common questions

How long is an Alémais mini dress?

An Alémais mini ends above the knee, and the exact length varies by style. The brand shows them on a fit model of around 175 to 177 cm, so on a shorter frame they fall closer to the knee.

How long is an Alémais midi dress?

Alémais midis are cut long. The brand’s chart for the Kenny Midi Dress gives a length of 126 to 139 cm across sizes, so on someone under 160 cm a midi lands near the ankle.

Does Alémais make maxi dresses?

Alémais makes few dresses it calls maxi. Most of its full-length styles are gowns, from relaxed day gowns to beaded evening pieces.

What is an Alémais sundress?

An Alémais sundress is a light summer dress, usually sleeveless or thin-strapped, in a breathable fabric. The brand makes several each season, often in prints or with embroidery.

Which Alémais length is best for a wedding?

A midi is the safest length for most weddings, and a gown suits formal or evening ceremonies. Avoid white or ivory unless the couple have asked for it.

Should I size up in an Alémais strapless dress?

Check the bust measurement on the product page rather than sizing up by default. A strapless bodice must fit closely, and Alémais publishes garment measurements for every numbered size.