Summer Fashion Trend: Long Dresses
Summer is almost here, and with it comes the return of the dress. Last year was nicknamed “the summer of the dress” by the fashion industry, but this year is shaping up to earn the same title.
This year’s version of the dress trend has taken on a fun new twist with the return of the long dress - it’s a comfortable, fun, throwback to 60’s bohemian fashion.
In the fashion industry, the long dress is known as the “maxi dress”, but I’m not a fan of that term. It’s a little too reminiscent of a feminine hygiene product, if you know what I’m saying. Anyway, maxi dress means long dress, so it doesn’t really matter what term you use.
I know most college girls these days are all about the mini-dresses, and showing as much leg as possible, but sometimes less really is more. It can be so much sexier to make your outfit focus on one body part at a time, and long dresses are a great way to show off your upper body.
These dresses are hot for summer and I know you’re going to love them as much as I do!
Runway Inspiration
Long dresses were all over the Spring 2008 Ready-To-Wear runways, and everyone from Marc Jacobs to Alexander McQueen created their own version of this hot trend. There were many different incarnations of long dresses, and here are a few of the most popular styles. (Photos courtesy of Style.com.)
Floral Prints & Sheer Long Dresses:
From Left: Marc Jacobs, D&G, Stella McCartney
Solid & Color Block Long Dresses:
From Left: Versace, Emilio Pucci, Valentino
Long Dresses With Large Floral Prints:
From Left: Michael Kors, DVF, Gucci
Long Dresses With Geometric Prints:
From Left: Derercuny, Missoni, Oscar De La Renta
How To Wear A Long Dress
While these dresses are easy to wear, they are also easy to wear the wrong way! Here are some guidelines to rocking the trend right this summer.
- Accessorize, but not too much. If you’re wearing a long dress, accept that it’s going to be the focus of your entire outfit. You want to accessorize to make things more interesting, but also want to keep it simple so that your look doesn’t become over-the-top. A few bangles or a long necklace should do the trick. Also, if a dress is too voluminous, you could add a cute belt at your waist.
- Consider your shoes. I like these dresses best when worn with flat sandals: flip flops or gladiators, because long dresses are so easy and comfortable to wear. What goes better with a comfortable dress than a comfortable shoe? If you want a little extra height, though, wedges or gladiator heels also work well under a long dress.
- If you’re short, make sure the dress is in proportion with your body - don’t think about getting one that’s way too long, unless you plan to get it hemmed or can alter it yourself! A too-long dress will make you look even shorter, and may add some extra pounds as well. Also, remember to look for a dress that’s fitted up top and doesn’t have an extremely voluminous skirt. Less fabric is a better choice for you.
- If you’re tall, this look was made for you! Maxi dresses look amazing on tall girls, and this is one trend you should definitely try out if you get a chance. Kate Moss was recently spotted rocking a long dress identical to this one at Asos, and it looked amazing on her. Like Kate, you can pretty much get away with any style of maxi dress, so long as it isn’t too short!
Long Dresses Under $100
Just because long dresses have a lot of extra fabric doesn’t mean that they’re any more expensive than a regular mid-length dress. In fact, there are tons of long dresses out there for under one hundred dollars! Here are some of my picks from around the web:
From Left: O’Neill Saffron Dress - $50, Gabriella Dress - $49.50, VOLCOM Senorita Dress
- $44, Silence & Noise Printed Maxi Dress - $68
From Left: Color Block Halter Maxi Dress - $68, Emily Maxi Dress
- $29.99, O’Neill Dove Dress - $50, Kimchi & Blue Maxi Dress - $68
Your Thoughts?
What do you think of long dresses? Are you going to be wearing them this summer, or are you sticking to the minis? Let me know what you think by taking the poll below or leaving a comment!
What do you think of the plaid trend?
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Loading ...Posted on June 16th, 2008 /
Filed Under: Fashion News, Shopping, Trends / Tags: Bohemian, Dresses, Summer 2008
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13 Responses to "Summer Fashion Trend: Long Dresses"
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I think these dresses look great - but only on certain body types, like the long n lean amazon-y kind of woman.
As a shortie, I could just see it completely drowning me. I think I’ll probably stick the shorter dress styles for now.
Wow! All of these maxi-dresses are super cute!
love the maxi dress look, but it just doesn’t sit well on me [I think it's for people who don't have boobs]
i hav few bcoz it is part of trend but i still prefer mini-dress tho.. i feel like everytime i wear maxi dress.. people notice me more lol… dunno why.. especially in college! one time i been asked ‘ r u goin to prom??’ wtf!!! LOL
I am probably going to stick with shorter dresses as well because I am short and will probably be engulfed in one of these. :( It’s a shame because I LOVE the Emily Maxi Dress from Delias.
i love the maxi but it doesn’t sit well on me too. [no boobs plus short and stubby]. but i still like it. :)
and i especially like the one in the first picture.
Emma - I know what you mean. Too much fabric is not a short girl’s friend! However, google some pictures of Eva Longoria in a long dress - she is something like 5′1 and looks great in longer dresses! It’s really the cut of the dress thats important, rather than the fact that it’s long.
Modelizer - Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that.. Although everything seems to look good on stick-thin models, doesn’t it?
Xandi - Haha, really? Yeah, some people just aren’t ready for anyone who dresses differently. I know a lot of people from my college who don’t understand fashion, and don’t get why I would wear anything except a hoodie, jeans, and flip flops every day.
Megan - I know! Isn’t it adorable? That’s one of my faves too.
i don’t really like the long dresses, well duh, i prefer the ones that can show my legs and make me look a little shorter not way taller, they do nothing for your body and it’s going to be too hot soon.
I grew up in the seventies and maxi dresses were the thing back then. Perfect for a hot summer day and could go from day to night with a few acessories. More is less! And its just a sexy girly look.
I LOVE these dresses. I think they are gorgeous for the summer time, so breezy and comfortable. It is true, they are definitely more for the long and lean types. THey have these and other really pretty summer dresses at shopgoldyn.com. definitely check it out.
Soo I just bought a dress very similar to these off that website which is posted in the above post.. lol!!! Soo ironic… I love the long dress style and hope it stays trendy for a long time to come ;)
[...] a serious case of memory loss after reading this one. That’s because I just talked about the long dress trend a few weeks ago, and now I’m going to talk about another equally hot summer trend - [...]
I have always loved long dresses, they remind me of romance, the beach and times when alot of fabric meant leaving more to the imagination. I mean, they are equally sexy to the cute short ones! Mystery is the key to the hearts of real men, at least that is what I think anyway!! But I have always considered myself somewhat of a hip chic and love dresses especially long ones!! I hope they stick around because I will be wearing them anyway even if they don’t!