You know how they say that every trend comes around again? Can I just say how happy I am that tea length dresses are growing in popularity again. Delightfully retro with a modern wink, these dresses can't help but make you smile. For those of you new to tea length, it is a dress with a hem that falls somewhere between below the knee and mid-calf. And usually the skirts are very spin-worthy and full. This was the "it" silhouette in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

My favorite thing about this latest round of dresses is how well they incorporate other emerging trends, such as lace, illusion necklines, and sleeves. From very demure and ladylike to modern and sassy, this round-up of tea-length dresses will definitely have you rethinking if you really want to go with a sheath...

Something I also love about this collection of images is how differently they are styled, showing off the true versatility of this look. You can be romantic (above, right) or a little bit rock-n-roll (below).

And although a lot of tea length dresses feature sashes, I admit I'm a little partial to the polished look of a belt.

Credits (top to bottom, left to right): Justin Alexander// Justin Alexander// Serenity Bridal// Serenity Bridal// Matthew Christopher// Hayley Paige Bridal// Issac Mizrahi// Ouma// Fancy Bridal// Fancy Bridal// BHLDN// BHLDN