I would not shorten it to tea length. I personally think tea length is the most unflattering length on most figures and generally requires high heels to pull off. That’s just my own idiosyncratic opinion based on my own observations. Maxi is much easier to pull off for most women.
Also, I think the slimming effect of the dress probably comes from the continuous line that lengthens the body. You are likely going to lose that effect by shortening it.
What month are you going? We were there in September and it was really hot. I took all cotton clothes (capris, short dresses, and one maxi dress) and a small bottle of Woolite to wash a few items at the hotel and we also found a laudromat in the main tourist area of Florence. We each packed a carry-on and survived 10 days.
I wouldn’t wear this dress at this length walking with my unattractive sandals. Nottelling makes a good point about the length and slimming effect, but it does skin over all lumps and bumps at the hip and upper thigh. But I’m going to forge ahead and I will let you know how it turns out. If it looks terrible, then I’m not out a lot of money. Thumper, not sure what to make of your comment, it sort of offended me. That’s the thing with the net, you could have been just joking.
What I meant is that this alteration thing could easily cost you more than the dress. The dress is a great maxi dress. I would leave it alone. For that price, I’m sure you will get use out of it. It’s a dress I would buy and have on hand.
Maybe you can find a shorter dress to wear to the event now.
I also like the dress as shown, but given the pattern of the skirt, it seems that it could be shortened without an ill effect on the fit. Definitely don’t taper it, as it looks like that isn’t necessary.
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Your question reminded me of a story. Years ago I bought a two piece outfit, with a skirt that was about as long as shown in the photo. It looked nice, but I kept getting my shoes or sandals caught in the hem, and it was kind of a hazard of tripping and falling, so I shortened it. The skirt itself was quite A line with a flare. Although the skirt came out ok at the new length, which I think was at the bottom of my calf, it was never quite as snazzy as the original. Maybe the A line style had alot to do with that.
Like the dress in Ivory Orange, the white top is nice. Black looks like one of those inxpensive but versatile finds. Hmm.
Some women may wear maxi in Europe, but that’s like saying some here do. How often do you really see that? Ime, other than the sunniest, casual locations, more wear what some are calling tea length, “midi.” I personally think short would be cute, my girls have some full-ish skirted summer dresses. But it’s been a long, long while since I’ve worn a short skirt in a Euro city. Like, since high school. I agree you may want to get this pinned and see.
Toledo…we are going the middle of Sept. I had a friend who went last year, too, and she said it was miserably hot in places.
I can take heat but could not imagine myself walking around in the daytime in the heat with a long dress - no can do!
Is this really a thing, not having “knees” showing while visiting churches and such in Europe? I’ll be touring France in late June/early July - if I have a casual sun dress that falls just at the top of my knee is that really inappropriate?!
@abasket …I don’t know about France, but in Italy you have to have your knees and shoulders covered. The day we visit the Vatican I will wear my cotton capris. The rest of my day wardrobe are skirts…and this dress… above the knee. I will have a very lightweight sarong in my purse to put over if I want to pop in a church for a few minutes.
Thanks conmama for the info. “Sarong” is not a type of thing I own or really want to own - it’s just not me. But I’ll keep that info in mind for when I dress there.
Consider a shawl if a sarong doesn’t do it for you.
How about the Nordstrom tissue-weight pashminas? It’s a rectangular piece of cloth that can be used as a wrap. That’s what I think Conmama is talking about in using the term sarong. Don’t know why a lightweight wrap is something that you’d never consider owning; they come in quite handy.
@conmama, do you like long skirts and dresses? I know it would be a deal breaker for me, I always feel like seaweed is wrapping around my legs. Since it’s so affordable, you can easily experiment a bit.
That Nordstrom tissue weight pashmina doubles up as a blanket on the plane. 
It is not cheap, but is a really versatile piece.
FWIW, I wear my maxi dresses in HI and I do not feel overheated.
My wardrobe: no shawls, no scarfs, no pashmina, no sarong. Cardigans and that’s it for a cover up! Wrapping anything around me is just not happening! I love clothes but would be the first to admit my wardrobe is not typical of a “grown woman”. I love it though and it’s very me!
If I need to cover my shoulders it will have to be with a short sleeved tee, a lightweight cardigan of some sort or a fitness jacket. So be it!
Those French cousins may convert you yet!
I bought the sarongs on a beach in Florida…it’s really a bathing suit cover up. Light, beautiful patterns…like a huge huge scarf. I only wear it to the pool or beach, but it will be perfect to whip out of my purse and cover my knees for 5 minutes if I want to peek inside a church.
I suspect thumper’s comment about the dress is that it’s unusual to spend $20 on a dress and then spend what could be twice that in alterations that completely change the character / look of it. I’m not sure I understand why you bought a maxi if you are afraid a maxi would be too hot. I’m short and maxis would look awful on me so I just skip over them in the store! Of course you’re seeeing the dress and we aren’t but they’re just cut differently and I would be skeptical it would “cut down” to knee length well.
“Is this really a thing, not having “knees” showing while visiting churches and such in Europe? I’ll be touring France in late June/early July - if I have a casual sun dress that falls just at the top of my knee is that really inappropriate?!”
I think it’s a little safer to cover your knees - but I tend to wear capris in the summer and for touring so problem solved. I think if you are overall modestly dressed you’ll be fine. There’s a difference between a sundress with a little sweater and a mini skirt.
I had a sun dress that was cut above the knee in the front and longer in the back and I was a little out of place in an temple in India where knee coverage was required. The dress was jersey and I was able to sort of pull it down to cover my knees. But I think for France you’ll be fine. I wouldn’t wear shorts (even those that come to the knee) for touring. I like to duck into churches!