Spring is shaping up to be a season of stylish comebacks. The Fringe Element, a Polarizing Pair from the past, and more returning trends have made our list, and today we’ll see another familiar look in new light. Read on for the scoop and click here for more S/S 2014 Trending!  

  What better time than spring for a tea party? Hemlines will drop to a refreshing “tea length” this season, recalling a number of haute decades past. And, as always when we discuss a past trend that is resurfacing, we first reach back for a little historical perspective. By definition, a tea length skirt or dress falls above the ankle and below the knee. The term defined an acceptable length in the afternoon for ladies; traditional English tea time falls between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Introduced in the late 1880’s, the style did not gain wide popularity until the 1920’s. The most noted period of tea length elegance – extending well beyond china cups and crumpets - was the 1950’s.  

  This season’s modern version of the tea length look moves away from stuffy tulle and poodle skirts. A newer silhouette for 2014 is sophisticated. Whether clean and refined or sexy, à la Betty Draper in Mad Men (pictured above), we see florals, embellishments, and luxe fabrics. Below, a bit of designer inspiration, but two buy-it-now tea length finds.  

On The Runway

    Alexander Wang                             Christian Siriano                             Costello Tagliapietra                             Cynthia Rowley                             Mara Hoffman                             Rosie Assoulin                          

Shop The Trend

    Twobirds Tea Length Convertible Dress, Shopbop ($298)                               And Many More Dress, ModCloth ($95)                           Additional research by Natalie Starnes. Fashion images via individual designers and retailers.