I'm not someone who shops a lot, and I especially hate clothes shops, and I want to kill people after more than a an hour of trailing unsuccessfully round shops, so I'm hoping someone here can help me please!

I'm above average size-wise, although not enormous, but I do have nice legs which I'm happy with. I am also short (5'2). I like wearing skirts, but all the ones I have are knee length or longer, and they're not always that flattering. I would like to wear slightly shorter skirts, but I'm having huge difficulty finding any.

I'm looking for two things really - something above the knee and plain, preferably black, that I can wear to work with bright tights and knee high boots, and something swirly and pretty/cute that I can wear for my dance nights (I do ceroc/modern jive) also above the knee. While I want shortish, I don't want tiny micro mini type things, because I am 37. About mid thigh is about my limit really.

I have run out of ideas of where to look! Everywhere seems to have either lots of skirts that are longer than knee length, or skirts that are teeny weeny tiny denim mini skirts that would barely cover my stomach. Depending on the shop I can be anything from a size 18 to 22, although I think I tend to buy things that are far too big and don't fit properly, so maybe I'm at the lower end of that. I don't want to buy online, because I want to try on beforehand, but if anyone could suggest some shops that would be worth looking in, that would be wonderful! Thank you!

You could try Dorothy Perkins or Next they both go up to a 22 and are pretty fashionable, that way if you see something you like online you can just go instore to try it on.

Thanks, I'll have a look. I have looked in both shops (not online) and there was nothing, but I'll look online and see if there's more.

Have you tried Simply Be?

No, I haven't. Do they have shops?

Simply Be don't have shops, but they do have the website and a catalogue. I've had things from them in the past and they're alright.

Thanks. I really would prefer shops, I've never had any success buying clothes online or through catalogues.

Have you tried any of the petite ranges? The skirt lengths/proportions should be right for your height. I can't remember the name of it, but I know that Debenhams has a good petite range, and also several of there shops within shops carry petite lines. I often see stuff in there that I like but can't have as they don't have the style in their regular range.

Might be worth a look as you would have access to more than one brand.

I find a lot of the petite ranges don't go past a 16 unfortunately.

Anyway, I found a suitable work skirt in Next today - I'd never have picked it out from the hanger, but the sales lady was really helpful. And also, it would appear that I am not as fat as I thought I was. Result!

Actually M&S have some nice short skirts in bigger sizes. They have those tulip shaped and body con ones in larger sizes.