Spring Fashion Trend: The Maxi Dress
Yet another one of this year’s many spring trends is a repeat from last year. Long dresses were a huge hit last summer, and the trend is sticking around for Spring ‘09.
I’ve received a bunch of emails from readers wanting to know if the maxi dress will still be hot this season, and if so, how to wear it. I thought I’d answer you all with an article. If you love this trend, keep reading to learn the best ways to wear it this season.
First of all, yes, the maxi dress will be back for spring 2009 and summer 2009. It’s a trend that will definitely stick around through the summer, although it’s probably going to be less popular this year than it was last year.
High End Inspiration
Here are some amazing maxi dresses from high-end designers to get your inspiration going!
From Left: Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti, Emilio Pucci, James Perse, Alice + Olivia, Chris Benz, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli. All are available at Net-a-porter.
Budget-friendly Options
On the other side of the price spectrum, here are some maxi dresses that are just as cute for way less money.
From Left: AE Maxi Dress ($44.50), Wet Seal Boho Print Maxi Dress ($26.50), Forever 21 Color Block Maxi Dress ($27.80), Kate Moss for Topshop Stripe Maxi Dress ($125), Arden B Abstract Print Maxi Dress ($68), Wet Seal Empire Waist Maxi Dress ($26.50), Forever 21 Breezy Maxi Dress ($29.80)
How to Wear a Maxi Dress
These can definitely be tough to wear, no doubt about it! While maxi dresses are more flattering than mini dresses for a variety of figures, they can sometimes overwhelm petite figures. How to combat this problem? Here are my tips for wearing the maxi dress right.
Let the dress be the focus.
Maxi dresses are statement making pieces all on their own. You don’t need to do too much else in the way of an outfit here. Add some shoes (I like sandals or wedges best), a few pieces of jewelry, and you’re set to go. If it’s cold, you could easily pair a maxi dress with a basic cardigan.
Stick to form-fitting styles if you’re short.
If you’re more on the petite side, you need to be really careful with these dresses to avoid being swallowed up in fabric. An empire-waist style that flows away from your body with lots of ruffles is not your friend. Stick to basic, form-fitting styles that accentuate your waist and don’t have too much excess volume.
Have fun with your footwear.
Maxi dresses work best with gladiator sandals, flip flops, espadrilles, or high-heeled sandals. They’re very summery, and therefore don’t look as good with anything that has a closed toe. If you’re tall, wear a maxi dress with sandals for a comfortable, easy look. If you’re on the shorter side, go for the highest sandals you can find to add height – no one will see them under your dress!
For more tips on how to wear the maxi dress trend, see my article Summer Fashion Trend: Long Dresses.
What do you think?
Now that maxi dresses are coming back for spring 2009, I want to know what you think of them. Are you a fan of the long dress look, or do you prefer a shorter hemline? Leave a comment….
Posted on on April 8, 2009 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: Dresses, Maxi Dress, Spring 2009, Trends
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Anna
I think this trend looks good on some people, but I’m 5′1 and look ridiculous in maxi dresses! They are way too long for me and are almost something I’d need to get hemmed. But then the style of the dress would probably be ruined :( Oh well, mini dresses for me!
Taralynn
I love how maxi dresses look and never come off as “slutty” unlike some mini dresses, but I can’t wear them because I can never find ones that are not empire waist and even with heels, the dress drags on the ground (I’m 4′10″)!
Do you think it would be possible get a maxi dress tailored or would that just ruin it all together?
Kaleigh
ugh I hate maxi dresses, I think they make everyone look swallowed up, no matter your size, or else like youre trying to hide something. ill stick to my mini dresses thanks
Ali
I LOVE this trend. Specially the like boho style maxi dresses with sandals. Soooo cute! ( specially if you add a headband) I actually like it this season better than i did last summer.
Here are my favorite maxi dresses: (they are both from forever 21 and under 30 bucks!)
Ali
^^ Here are the links for the dresses:
http://i44.tinypic.com/kdq1zq.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/21o8mpx.jpg
(i guess html doesn’t show up… so you have to copy & paste, sorry.)
Chelsey
I LOVE this trend. But as long as the dress is the right material, otherwise it can swallow you. I think the tube top and halter ones look best over the spaghetti strapped, but that’s just my personal opinion. Short people can wear this. Wearing a long dress actually makes me appear taller. I’m 5′2″ and have a few maxi dresses. Yes, some do touch the ground, but that’s easily fixed with a pair of comfy wedges :-)
Jessica
I was first drawn to this trend because of an episode of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” The main character Amy gets married in a gorgeous white maxi dress. I’ve been on the hunt for a similar one ever since, and I’ve found a lot of cute ones on victoriassecret.com.
Dog-Eared
I think I’m way too small to wear those.. they seem like they’d be overwhelming even if they were body-conscious. They sure are gorgeous, though!
Veronica
I love the maxi dresses and have wanted one for a while, but I have trouble finding the right bra to wear. Most of them are low-cut and strappy and would require a strapless or low-cut bra. I have an in-between bra size (“nearly C”) and it’s hard to find bras that I don’t either spill out of, or aren’t supportive enough. I thought about layering a white tank under the maxi dress, so maybe that could work.
Zephyr
Taralynn – You could definitely have it hemmed – it would be an easy alteration and any tailor should know how to do it! Definitely an option if the dress is too long.
Veronica – Another option could be the American Apparel bandeau bra. I wear a 32C and I love wearing the AA bra under racerback tanks or any clothing item that would otherwise require a strapless bra. A tank top could work too, though. Try different things out – you never know what might end up looking cute.
Maria
i don’t like maxi dress, it totally swallows me up coz i’m just 5′2″. i prefer knee-length dresses. but this dress looks totally awesome on those tall-skinny women.
Michelle
I really like this trend…just not on me. Any way I wear it, it never fails to make me look shorter than i really am. But yay for all you taller ladies this trend is for you : )
Kirsten
At first I wasn’t 100% sure about this trend. Then last winter I found one on sale and tried it on. I fell in love with it. I am so happy that this trend is in a agian so I can go buy a few more… plus its been so cold I haven’t had the chance to wear the one I bought!
Timika
These maxi dresses are very cute.I’m not a fan of long dresses myself though.
Arielle
I’m so glad you talked about this trend! Although I like maxi dresses, I prefer maxi skirts. I wear them only being 5′4″ and like someone set above me, it does make me look a tad bit taller lol
I love wearing these because they are comfy and make me feel oh so feminine! I can’t wait until it warms up so I can start wearing them.
Jenny
I hate maxi dresses. I also hate saying “maxi dresses”. I know it’s the opposite of “mini dresses” but seriously, couldn’t they have thought of something that doesn’t remind of pads?
Short dresses are way cuter (at least on me), plus you can show off your legs and shoes. Also… doesn’t it get *hot* in the summer? lol
la petite fashionista
wow! just read the post below. Zephyr is such a cool name! Glad you’re using it :)
As for maxi dresses, I’m so short that I never thought i’d be able to pull one off! Buttt I wore a vintage maxi dress that’s been sitting in my closet forever the other night and was surprised how cute it was! I even got a lot of compliments on it. As long as you wear it with super high heels even us petite girls can rock it!
piggy
i don’t think a short person could pull this off imo T_T well at least i can’t, 4′10.5 lol i’m very very short myself ! ive seen these dresses everywhere lately and cringe.
i’m sure it looks great on other people though.
Peggy
I love the billowy-ness of maxi dresses, but I agree, it’s not good for showing off legs. Thankfully I need to hide mine ;)
I think it has full effect with TALL and WAFER THIN people with lanky frames. Otherwise, I see girls wearing them, and especially with the shorter plumper ones, it just makes you sad people can’t see their own lack of judgment.
Lo
I’m kinda in the same boat as Taralynn as in but I can’t wear them because I can never find ones that are not empire waist and even with heels, the dress drags on the ground (I’m 4?10?)! but I’m 5′2 and I tried one on at Kohls and it was dragging the ground and I almost fell down. I do think that if you (TARALYNN) bought one you could have it tailored to your liking!
Arielle
no maxi dresses do not get hot in the summer at all. they are actually quite loose and billowy…..
Missaa
Thanxs for ur posrt! I think I don’T like maxi dress cause I dunno how to wear it. But… maybe I’ll try one this summer…
Mani
I follow this site religiously now! I LOVE everything you post Zephyr, and I’ve found a lot of helpful tips too!
Anyway, I ADORE maxi dresses. I got one from Victoria’s Secret, it is empire waisted and strapless, and this beautiful fresh white color. I seriously think that I’ve found my staple dress during the spring and summer, it’s gorgeous and I love it!! <3 I want to invest in a few more, maybe some halter ones, before I go back to school.
Kristina
heyyy girls!! well for any of you that are having the length issue i have come up with a few tricks…im 5′3′ and its sort of a hit or miss with me if the maxi dress i like is too long or just right but this is how ive gone about solving the ones that are too long
1) tube top-like maxi dresses have to be made with elastic, otherwise they just would fall off…unless your super busty, but thats besides the point….anyways the elastic allows you to roll about a 1-1.5 inch flap of the material under without anyone noticing- i.e. theres no bulge of fabric and it still stays up because of the elastic. for me i only usually need about an inch hiked up anyways so this has worked for me as either a permanent solution or a temporary solution until i get the dress hemmed
2) belts. belts at the waste can naturally cinch up a few inches and viola! no need to pay for an alteration or anything! plus, you can have numerous outfits depending on the belt. Caution: only certain maxi dresses can handle belts and the belt has to compliment the dress, not be an awkward thing thats just hanging out. Also, in my experience this only works with waist high belts, not the traditional style of belt that lies on the hips.
3) get it altered! if you love it that much and you think its a timeless piece or something you will get a lot out of…most tailoring shops will do it for under 10 bucks because all they have to do is run 1 type of stitch around the bottom
4) borrow a friends sewing machine and do what is described above-for free! you can easily google or youtube how to thread and run a simple running stitch. Caution again: make sure the threading and sewing stitch you are using is compatible with the fabric. Some stretchy materials require special threads and special stitches- in that case I would advise going professional
hope it helps =)
LondonGirl
I second what Kristina’s saying about belts – and not just for the petite girls. I live in London and belts are being worn with dresses of all lengths right now. Like Peggy said, they look great on tall lanky people – I think because they emphasise their waiflikeness. Whereas on a shorter girl, or a tall non-lanky girl, the belt trick will emphasise (or create) curves as well as give the look a different accent.
I think the key is to take a couple of belts out dress shopping with you, to get an idea of what’s going to work best on your body. I was completely over the maxi dress until I tried the belt thing.
Lena Michelle
I’d like to try but i think its a bit too over at school dun u think?
plus its harder to walk with :S
for me its more like a vacation- or beach- look =)
Helvet
I do not like them at all. They are way too billowy for my tastes and kinda seem like celebrities like to wear them to hide my baby bumps. I am 5 ft 10 so short dresses for me all the way!
Sally
I love these, I can’t wait to buy one!
anne
hey,
great article and great tips guys!
I’m 5″3″ with an hourglass figure ( think small waist but 34 D chest). I love the boho relaxed vube. It’s both comfy and chic. Brown/black belts go well with most maxis, and a rusted gold can also look cool on very hippie ones. To avoid falling on your face while doing stairs or trying to get across campus in between class in 10 mins, I wear a very comfy pair of wedge flip-flops that look simple ( hence goes with everything) and is walking friendly.
To break up a very patterned maxi dress, I would go with a solid color cardigan or a light cropped jean jacket. For night, a cool black blazer or light black faux leather jacket will instantly give you a cool party look.
ally
Never until a few weeks ago did I ever think about wearing maxi dresses! I was always a fan of the mini dress, but being 5′ 3″ I didn’t think I could pull one off. However, after seeing someone at a restaurant wearing a really cute maxi dress, I decided to just try it out and see if I could wear them.
I found some really cute designer ones (a beautiful terry cloth one from C&C was a favorite) but didn’t feel like spending the money on a trend that is most likely going to fade away for spring 2010.
So, I went to TJ maxx and saw so many maxi dresses for super cheap! I got a pretty blue one that is the perfect length for my short frame for only $19. Plus, it has the whole bra situation as a part of the dress, so there’s no stress about that! I’ve already worn it once and have gotten a ton of compliments from lots of people. :)
Isis (Izzy)
I’m more on the short side, but I love maxi dresses and have always wanted to be able to be a part of this trend. Thanks for your tips on how shorter people can wear them!
=]
Tara
Loved wearing long, flowing , feminine dresses in the seventies and am loving them again! Pleasure overload!
NLP Counsellor
What an excellent blog, I’ve added your feed to my RSS reader. :-)
Anjulie
I am very short (5′.25″ to be exact) and I thought I couldn’t even get away with trying on a maxi dress let alone buying one…but I was proved wrong yesterday when I randomly tried a couple on and I loved them!!! You can easily wear a comfy wedges to add a little bit of extra height if needed! I personally like the tube top maxi dresses rather than the spaghetti strap maxi dresses!
Helen
I LOVE this trend. Specially the like boho style maxi dresses with sandals. Soooo cute! I can’t wait to buy one!
sandy
hi ppl. am plus size like a 24 but i just love them dresses, i have a big behind and my chest aint that big comparing the two :P anywho i study in asia and the country am at its already impossible to get clothes my size i have never seen a maxi dress my size so i thought maybe i ll get material and make a few :) but am not sure what type of material to use…any one? ideas will trully appriciate it.
mey
I realize this is kinda late but where I live it’s beautiful weather all year round so I figured I’d post a reply anyway. I’m 4′11 & I love these dresses so to Taralynn yes you most certainly can! Hemming mine is the only way I can wear them. The only thing I would try to avoid is the real flowy ones because as a short person they don’t look good & they’re alot harder to hem. I like the more fitted one’s especially since I’m petite with curves. Hope this helps any other smaller girls that may come along & read this! =)
Monique
I wish there were more sites online where I can easily buy Maxi dresses that are affordable. I’d buy MANY of them. I live in Cranbrook, BC Canada. Doesn’t seem to be alot of stores here that sell Maxi dresses. I am very feminine and prefer wearing dresses. Does anyone know where I can buy some online for good prices even though I live in Canada?
carrie
love these dresses finally something for the tall people i’m 5′10″. mini dresses
are way to mini on me. I live in florida too so they are great for summer or winter