Wednesday, May 5, 2010

How to wear the Maxi Dress

After some questions and comments regarding the Maxi Dress, I decided to post solely on how to wear this dress and what a "Maxi Dress" is exactly.  Here goes:

ANYONE can wear a maxi dress!  Yes, anyone.  A maxi dress is pretty much just a long dress.  Most are made from stretchy knits, although some are made from cotton.  They can be strapless, halter, spaghetti strapped, or tank top style.  However, there are a few guidelines depending on your shape and size.  
Short:
Short gals can definitely wear the Maxi dress.  The trick here is to not let your dress drag the ground.  I have seen a few shorties walking around with their Maxi dress dragging the floor!  Not only is that unflattering, but it is ruining the dress...it's a no no.  Here is how you can pull it off.  Your first option is to have it professionally hemmed.  If that isn't in the budget for you, or you just don't have the time to go through all of that trouble, you can buy a knit maxi dress, cut it off to the appropriate length, and voila!  The knit doesn't ravel, so there is no need to hem...too easy right?  The last rule for all the shorties is, wear heels!  Wedges are perfect for this style of dress.  But no matter what the shoe style, just make sure it has some height to it.
Nicole Richie is super teeny, so if she can wear it, so can you!

Tall:
If you are tall like me (5'9") then you have a hard time finding Maxi dresses that are long enough.  Keep on looking though because the long ones are out there!  Opposite to the short gals, we need to wear flats or kitty heels with our Maxi's (unless you manage to come across a really long one!)
If you are tall and slender, a bold print will work perfectly, paired with a cute, flat sandal.

Heavy Set:
Choose dark colors.  Darker colors hide "chunk" much better than lighter colors, especially if the material is lightweight.  If you carry your weight in your mid section, choose a style that emphasizes the top of your dress.  For example, an empire waist with a print at the top and a dark, solid color at the bottom would be very flattering.

This one is great if you carry your weight in your mid section.  The empire waist draws attention to the top of the dress and the solid black around the midsection will disguise any "pooches"



Solid black works for ANYONE!!!

Maxi dresses are also great (and comfy) for expecting mothers...and great for those first months after you have the baby when you just can't fit into anything.  In the fall and winter, you can pair the dress with a cute denim jacket or matching cardigan.





The Maxi dress was literally made for everyone.  If you still have questions, let me know...I know we can find a good Maxi for you!  If you do end up getting one, send me a picture :)

Ciao Bellas,

3 comments:

Angela said...

Thanks so much for the tips on how to where the Maxi dress! I've always liked them, but I'm only 5'3 and don't like my thighs, so I pretty much wrote it off that I couldn't pull off a dress like this. Now maybe I'll reconsider! Thanks :o)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I love maxi dresses but haven't bought one b/c I definitely fall into the "heavyset" category these days. :s Maybe I'll give it another go.

JG said...

Awesome :) Now I know what to look for. Thanks :)

And yes, I will be in Columbus permanently no later than the 19th. So we will definitely have to meet up!