To Maxi, or Not to Maxi: That is the Question

Photo by Jill Alexander Designs

Well, at least it’s the question when summer comes around!  I think it’s safe to say that the maxi has made a comeback and moved past the trend stage to dress basic.  Though they are long, maxi dresses generally are not formal.  They are a great casual and comfortable choice for hot and steamy weather.  However, maxi dresses can be tricky, and like many things, it’s all about proportion.

I’m going to go out on a limb here, but if you’re over 5’8”, you can do whatever the heck you please when it comes to maxi dresses!  Of course, there are taller women with shorter legs, but often your torso compensates and you can carry off this style with relatively little concern.  It’s the majority of us who are under 5’8” (and honestly, the majority of us are 5’4” and under) who need to figure this out.

And by ‘figure this out,’ I mean:  go and try some on!  If you’re on the petite side, you might look for styles that put your waist a little higher, empire-style, so that your legs will appear longer and the dress won’t swallow you whole.  Those who know me know that I can’t resist a good print or pattern, but in this case, I might be tempted to choose a maxi in a solid color to lengthen a petite woman’s figure.  That’s not to say that there aren’t some fantastic prints out there, though, so if you find one that you love, try it.

Keep in mind, too, what type of shoes you’ll want to wear with a maxi dress.  Because the dress itself is fairly casual, sandals are a good choice.  Make sure to bring the shoes you’ll be wearing with the dress to the tailor if you need to have the dress hemmed.  Some people like a maxi dress to hit the top of their foot/ankle bone, and other want it to graze the floor.  Ask the tailor to pin it both ways, so you can see which is more flattering on you.

What do you think of maxi dresses?  Still in the trend category for you, or are you thrilled to wear yours now that the weather is turning towards summer?