Maximize Your Wardrobe
with a Maxi Dress
By S.K. Ward
Photos by Daniel Valverde, Green Valley
Photography
With summer approaching, you want to have an easy and
comfortable style. Shorts and a t-shirt can be the weekend standard,
but that can get monotonous.
Trousers are the last thing you want to wear on
a 90 degree day. Looking for something simple,
casual, and still well-put together? Then consider
a maxi dress; the long flowing dress usually designed in cotton, silk, or a rayon blend. This dress
is very versatile where anyone can wear it and its
works for many occasions. So if you have a day at
the beach, you can put it in your bag and slip it on
when you are leaving the shore. If you are meeting
family or friends for an afternoon al fresco lunch,
the maxi dress is perfect summer attire. Even for
a date night under the stars, wear your maxi dress
with a small clutch purse for instant sophistication.
The maxi dress can be worn by all body types. To
ensure a successful style, it’s all about balance and
proportion. If you are tall and slim then choose a
spaghetti strap or strapless top half. If you need
more coverage, then opt for one with cap sleeves
and pair it with a shrug to cover your arms. You
can also wear a button down shirt over it tied at
the front or a wide neck top for an off-the-shoulder
look. For petite girls, fit is important so make sure
the top is not baggy, the waist is narrow, and the
bottom is a slimmer fit down your legs.
A v-neck top half will highlight your waist and elongate your body and ensure you don’t look lost or
overwhelmed by the dress. For all shapes, the hem
length is key, so have it stop at your ankles and the
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PHOCUS POINT
bottom of the dress has the widest part and most
movement. When it is this length, you can wear flat
embellished sandals, chunky wedges, or a kitten
heel in the evening. Use inexpensive hem tape
that you iron on to get the correct length and avoid
dragging. Choose solid colors or small patterns
for an elegant look or select bold patterns to get
noticed.
Style your maxi dress with interesting accessories.
The two fail safe and easiest options are bracelets
and belts. Layer bangles, arm cuffs, and snake
bracelets in mixed metals where the more the merrier. Belts define a waist on a maxi dress that may
be missing. A large belt with a buckle detail or a
skinny belt that just cinches your waist that tiny bit
makes all the difference in your silhouette. These
can really change the look and feel of your outfit
as belts give the dress more structure. So whether
your style is feminine, bohemian, or classic you
will feel like you are sailing this summer in a maxi
dress.