While maxi dresses can be worn year round it seems to me that the spring and summer months are the true maxi season. While this has been a favorite fashion item of mine for more than six years now, I still get a lot of people emailing and asking how to wear a maxi dress.
Often people have these per-conceived notions about maxis. For example: You can’t wear one if you are short. You can’t wear one if you aren’t waif thin. You can’t wear one that is shapeless. You can’t wear one that doesn’t touch the floor. You can’t wear one - at all.
Well, take those notions and throw them down the drain. Here are 7 ways that bloggers have rocked the maxi trend and way you can try too.
How To Wear a Maxi Dress: (7 styles to try now)
Belted.
One of the biggest complaints about a maxi dress is that very often they lack any kind of shape or form - which makes all of us look bigger than we are. It also helps cover a variety of our less-than-desireable areas and is uber comfortable. But to give a maxi a little shape, and perhaps the allusion of a waist - add a belt. You can place it at your natural waist or higher up to give the dress a more empire-waist look. Either works. (Loving this simple look in the black dress, jean jacket and brown accents from Kendi Everyday as well as the dressier outfit from Stripes ‘n Vibes.)
Waisted.
Not a fan of the belt? Some dresses have automatic built-in waists to create more of an hourglass look to the whole outfit. Look for a dress that is cinched in a place that is flattering on your and your body shape. Also make sure the top and the bottom look proportionate.
Consider a bold waistline like Suburban Faux Pas is wearing in the bold floral dress, or a more subtle and adjustable waist like Gal Meets Glam.
Denim layered.
An easy add-on to pretty much any maxi dress is a denim jacket or shirt. It helps to break up the pattern and again create that allusion of a waist that the belt also accomplishes. It also adds a little layer of warmth for the spring days or the cooler nights. Go with a distressed jacket or a more acid-wash finish to give the outfit a little more edge. Or roll the sleeves to add your own little bit of flare.
This super simple look by Clothed Much is one I love to wear on lazy days. And the denim paired with this patterned, tapered maxi-dress by Melrod Style is awesome. Or is the denim jacket isn’t your style, try the light-weight denim shirt worn open or knotted like My Style Vita.
Shirted.
This is a new trend in the maxi dress family - a long, really long shirt dress. It buttons from the neck to the ankles, but is usually worn with the bottom buttons unbuttoned to show a little leg. I have to admit that I am pretty much obsessed with this look. The shirt dress maxi can be more flattering because the top part is usually more fitted, less boxy than a typical maxi dress. Plus you can button or un-button to your desired slit length. And, hello, it flows!
Isn’t Mia Mia Mine adorable in this dress? And, of course, I couldn’t leave out my favorite dress from an OOTD earlier this season.
Heeled.
The tricky thing with a maxi dress is that even the tallest girls can look a little short or stubby in them. Try pairing them with a pair of heels to give you a little extra height and apparent leg-length. The heels too will help the dress flow around the ankles rather than drag on the ground, making it a tripping hazard.
The stunning Mary Orton of the Memorandum, whose entire closet I would love to own, rocks this layered maxi look with a strappy heel. Isn’t this the most adorable outfit? Up Beat Soles wears her button-up maxi dress with a belt and these heels, combining a number of the pointers on how to wear a maxi dress. And lastly, Poor Little It Girl rocks a pair of nude sandals to go with this stunning cranberry-colored dress.
Color your world.
Go for dresses in colors that truly flatter you - your skin tone and hair color. If you are wearing a full, long dress in an unflattering color it can be really unattractive. A lot of people like the monochromatic look for a maxi to give a more streamlined look to the whole outfit. Dressing in all one color tends to elongate the body, drawing the eye from the feet upward. At the same time, this doesn’t mean stay away from bold colors. Go with what looks best on you.
I love the way Cuppajyo wears this vibrant maxi. It’s flattering on her and eye-catching too.
Throw proportions out the window.
There is a huge trend now of over-sized, boxy-like dresses and they are adorable. If you aren’t too worried about creating the perfect silhouette, go ahead and grab one of these dresses throwing proportions out the window. When purchasing a dress like this, I recommend going down one size in order for it to be a little fitted, while still being super flowy. Sometimes the usual size will drown you.
Loving this pink floral number from Lace and Locks. It looks like such the perfect summer dress for a fun or slightly fancy event. This bold dress from The Chic Burrow is certainly one-of-a-kind - a style and structure I haven’t seen in too many places before.
What do you think? Do you have other tips and tricks on how to wear a maxi dress?
I love all of these looks, but especially the belted and denim looks!
Chelsea | http://coffeewithchels.com
I have never heard of a Maxi dress! They are beautiful and they seem very versatile. I will have to try a few out myself.
I love, love, love maxi dresses. That’s been my “thing” since I had kids. No pants for me. Skirts and shorts are meh. Short dresses are fine, but sometimes I need a long one! And my go-to look is denim layering, with a jacket or vest.
What a STUNNING round-up! I adore a fabulous maxi - there’s nothing more fun than sashaying around a floor length number. Dreamy!
hugs, Christina
Christina | Fashion & Frills
Christina Beauchamp recently posted..Comfy, Culotte Jumpsuit (and the most perfect loafers for spring!)
these all look so great! I actually have never worn a maxi dress - I feel like they look great on other people just not sure i can pull it off.
So many gorgeous maxi dresses! So tempting to want them ALL!
I wear my denim with mine all season long, I love the floral and I love the white shirt under the maxi! So many great pics and ideas! Thanks
So much style inspo!! I love a good maxi dress!
xo Ashley
I have a ton of maxi dresses sitting in the back of my closet so these are great ideas so I can bring them back out again and make them look like new!
Love maxis, but I need proportions - loosing them does my head in. Probably because I am short and long-wasited/short-legged.
My only other real issue is length - most are a good 2-4 inches too long, and often, the fabric and/or pattern will not tolerate alterations. Because of problems with my feet, I cannot wear heels, so many pretty maxis are out for me. Not that that stops me looking!
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Rosie - One of the things I do to give mine a different look, but would work if it were too long, is knot the end. That will make it shorter and give it an interesting little element. You might want to try that on a dress you love with a length that is a little too long.
I’m obsessed with the maxi dresses right now!!! I love to wear heels with them.
Xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
I love maxi dresses year around! Thank floral one is just amazing! Thank you for sharing all these great sites!
Love these looks. All of these ladies look stunning!
xoxo, Jenny
Super cute pics!! I love floral prints so much, they are so pretty
. I am so happy we are talking maxi dresses! That means summer is almost here ! YAY
That dress of yours is really lovely. It’s a new twist on the maxi that I haven’t really seen before. I also love that orange HEELED one. Great tips.
I love the belt idea. I purchased a maxi dress last year and never wore it because I thought I looked 20 lbs heavier in it. I’m also totally digging the new super flowy ones (in your 7th style). I’d like to get a few of those to wear this spring and summer season.
I love maxi dress. This is a great collection. I need to lose 20pounds and pull some out of my closet. Thanks for sharing I love the flower one and the lime greenish one.
Dia All The Things I Do recently posted..Things I Can’t Get Enough Of Lately May 2016
I love skirted maxi’s. I can’t pull off the belt though. It either is too tight or it’s constantly turning around or falling. Drives me insane!
I always pair mine with a jean jacket! Love Kendi’s look.
i love the belted look on a maxi dress. even though i’m short i still think i can rock a maxi!
michelle mink recently posted..The Nice Guys
This is actually really helpful! I love maxi dresses (and skirts actually) but I’m not the best as knowing the best way to wear them. Now I want to go get some more belts and a denim jacket!
Jennifer recently posted..Choosing to Serve as a Family
The denim jacket is seriously the best and easiest way to wear a maxi - whether it’s a skirt or a dress.
This is so cute! I love all of these styles! I am always hesitant with maxi dresses but this helps
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