the miraculous maxi dress

created on May 14, ‵08
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It’s a sweltering summer day and you’ve got some errands to run. Your kids have a play date at the park, you’ve got a lunch date with the girls, some shopping of course, and then a romantic dinner by the water. You swing open the doors of your closet and the last thing you want to step into is your tight jeans — just then you make eye contact with your maxi dress and it beckons to be worn… you happily oblige. It’s cool, sexy, flowing and versatile for all of your errands and dates for the day!

how to wear a floral patterned maxi
A floral patterned maxi dress alone is perfect for a hot summer day when all you want is one, long, flowing piece to make up your entire outfit. When choosing a patterned maxi, don’t overdo it with tons of jewelry. Opt for simple, hanging earrings. You can also ‘accessorize’ with your hair. Pamper your locks with rollers, hot or velcro (which Jean swears by), to get those oh so fabulous grecian goddess tendrils. It will fall beautifully with the free-spirited flow and pattern of the dress. If it’s too hot out, you can opt for a loosely coiled bun or simple low side pony.

  • Missoni karolina silk gown @ Net-a-Porter
  • Joie roll the dice floral maxi dress @ bloomingdale’s
  • Kenneth Jay Lane light multi hoops @ Shopbop



    • the transformable nature of the maxi
    If you decide to wear your maxi into the night, trade those flip flops for a sexier, strappy gladiator sandal and you’ll be ready to come off the beach and saunter into a romantically candle lit cafe. A belt doesn’t necessarily make your maxi day or night time worthy, but it will refresh the outfit and accentuate different aspects of the dress. Enhance a simple, solid colored maxi with a woven leather or suede belt right under the bust or loosely draped around the hips. If your maxi has gathers around the waist or underneath the bust then that’s where your belt should go. If your maxi has lots of ornamental details, a busy pattern or lots of layering and gathering then a belt is a no-no; you don’t want to wear your entire wardrobe. Finally, add a simple cuff bracelet, to top off the look.

  • terry halter maxi dress @ Victoria’s Secret
  • Joie sunny hills maxi dress @ Saks Fifth Avenue
  • Tory Burch alexis patent gladiator @ bloomingdales
  • Miu Miu woven leather belt @ Net-a-Porter
  • Kenneth Jay Lane pearl cuff @ Neiman Marcus



    • waistlines, shoes and panties, oh my!
    While some maxi’s gather under the bust or at the waistline to accentuate a curvy waist or create a waistline, other maxis shoot straight down to accentuate a thinner frame. For those maxis that are long enough to gracefully sweep the floor (creating a game of hide and seek with whatever fabulous shoes you have chosen to wear) opt for a sexy, simple gladiator sandal that contrasts the full coverage of the dress. For a shorter maxi, an open, sexy shoe will do the trick as well because you don’t want to cut off the length of the leg. Another maxi dress necessity is seamless underwear that won’t interrupt the cascading and sometimes clingy drapery of the dress. A visible panty line may distract onlookers when they should really be focussing on the outfit as a whole. Top off the look with a unique cuff bracelet.

  • tie-shoulder dress @ Gap
  • Temperley London long isaline gown @ Net-a-Porter
  • Via Spiga campus patent flat sandal @ Bloomingdale’s
  • Jeanine Payer palmer cuff @ Barneys
  • Commando: CYA bikini panty @ bare necessities


    • Keep in mind, your maxi doesn’t have to max you out!!
    From Gap to Missoni, this summer promises to maximize the availability of maxi dresses!

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    • http://stylespy.instyle.com Katrina Szish

      I AM OBSESSED WITH MAXI DRESSES — have been for years, so I am loving all the options this summer. In fact, I am so obsessed that I wrote my own blog post about them on InStyle.com that I’d love to get your thoughts on!
      http://stylespy.instyle.com/stylespy_blog/2008/04/loving-the-maxi.html

      Katrina Szishs last blog post..A Click Away: Scarlett’s St. Kilda Jewelry

    • http://stylespy.instyle.com Katrina Szish

      I AM OBSESSED WITH MAXI DRESSES — have been for years, so I am loving all the options this summer. In fact, I am so obsessed that I wrote my own blog post about them on InStyle.com that I’d love to get your thoughts on!
      http://stylespy.instyle.com/stylespy_blog/2008/04/loving-the-maxi.html

      Katrina Szishs last blog post..A Click Away: Scarlett’s St. Kilda Jewelry

    • Anya

      I love a good maxi but for being such a hot trend right now I am having a tough time finding them.

    • Anya

      I love a good maxi but for being such a hot trend right now I am having a tough time finding them.

    • http://bagbunch.com/category/brand/miu-miu/ Miu Miu Bag Lover

      I love the orange flower print dress pictured above, its a really cute summer dress, but at over $200 its a bit costly. Guess i better start saving!

      Miu Miu Bag Lovers last blog post..Prada Knot Shoulder Bag | Feminine and Functional Luxury Handbag

    • http://bagbunch.com/category/brand/miu-miu/ Miu Miu Bag Lover

      I love the orange flower print dress pictured above, its a really cute summer dress, but at over $200 its a bit costly. Guess i better start saving!

      Miu Miu Bag Lovers last blog post..Prada Knot Shoulder Bag | Feminine and Functional Luxury Handbag

    • Madeline_Rhodes

      love it, especially the color! great post!

    • Madeline_Rhodes

      It is a beautiful dress, and I'm sure that because it is so popular, boutiques and stores with lower price points will be carrying very similar items. Keep your eyes open! I assure you you'll find something similar for a lot less!

    • Madeline_Rhodes

      Come warmer months, any popular clothing sites will most likely have these wondrous dresses available and most likely on sale! Don't give up! I know Gap and Old Navy even carried the basic maxi dresses last season!

    • Madeline_Rhodes

      love it, especially the color! great post!

    • Madeline_Rhodes

      It is a beautiful dress, and I'm sure that because it is so popular, boutiques and stores with lower price points will be carrying very similar items. Keep your eyes open! I assure you you'll find something similar for a lot less!

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      I love Maxi dresses. They're all fashionable and pretty. Thanks for posting maxi dresses.

    • Lorena

      Thanks for the undie reminder… I have seen it happen so many times!

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      Indeed a great post, I could agree with most of the readers here, thank you Madeline Rhodes!

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      nice dress.

    • samsexy

      Nice informative post. Thanks.

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      It is a beautiful dress, and I’m sure that because it is so popular,

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