the maxi: dress or glorified nightgown?

on
Jul 23, ‵08
in trends
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We’ve all heard how popular maxi dresses are right now. Everywhere you look, people are writing about how to wear them. So, why is it that every time I try one on – I feel like I’m wearing a nightgown? It always seemed to be too much fabric for me to manage, I was practically sweeping the floor as I walked across it. At first I thought I was too short to carry off the trend, but as I watched other women wearing the maxi, I began to question who they are actually built for? They look smashing on the tall lean girls of the world, but where does that leave the rest of us? They have been promoted as the dress that is built for all body types, but we’re not convinced. I’m not completely panning the maxi dress, because it has its positives too. For starters, it’s really comfortable and easy to throw on. On the right person, it’s a seriously chic look. How many of you out there have a hard time making the maxi work? If you can make it work, please tell us how. Send us a photo of yourself making maxi magic, and you could be the topic of a post!

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  • Jeanette

    As a little girl my favorite pastime was-dressing up! I swear I wore dresses like the maxi and pretended I was Laura from Little House.You are right it does look cute on very slender bodies,aka youthful,.otherwise on a more womanly figure it looks like we are trying to play dress up.I am only 28 and I laugh at this trend,my husband thinks it is the ugly,and my 7 year old would love to own 3!

  • Jeanette

    As a little girl my favorite pastime was-dressing up! I swear I wore dresses like the maxi and pretended I was Laura from Little House.You are right it does look cute on very slender bodies,aka youthful,.otherwise on a more womanly figure it looks like we are trying to play dress up.I am only 28 and I laugh at this trend,my husband thinks it is the ugly,and my 7 year old would love to own 3!

  • http://www.realself.com/blog/beauty-cred Nancy

    I love the length of maxi’s–I’m fairly tall so it’s a good look for me and I still have a soft spot for a retro-hippie thing–BUT, I’m not always a fan of the flouncy tiered Laura Ingalls look that Jeanette referred to; it doesn’t look good when it looks more Laura Ashley than Soho-chic–and I agree, it plays better on more slender silhouettes…

    Nancys last blog post..Your whole skincare regimen in ONE little packet

  • http://www.realself.com/blog/beauty-cred Nancy

    I love the length of maxi’s–I’m fairly tall so it’s a good look for me and I still have a soft spot for a retro-hippie thing–BUT, I’m not always a fan of the flouncy tiered Laura Ingalls look that Jeanette referred to; it doesn’t look good when it looks more Laura Ashley than Soho-chic–and I agree, it plays better on more slender silhouettes…

    Nancys last blog post..Your whole skincare regimen in ONE little packet

  • http://styleobserver.com Jean V. Pratt

    When the maxi first came to my attention, I really wanted to like it. I was so disappointed when I tried one on, and another, and another! Oh well!

  • http://www.giftgirl.com Jean Vouté Pratt

    When the maxi first came to my attention, I really wanted to like it. I was so disappointed when I tried one on, and another, and another! Oh well!

  • Barchbo

    I love the idea, but it’s not a great fit for my body type though I am tall. My sister looks darling in them and there were a few at my recent wedding, too.

    Like Nancy, the flounce turns me off. The ones I like best are the halters styles that have a little shape and drape the figure. I have ONE black jersey halter-style maxi that I love for summer, but it’s hardly a go-to.

    Soo…cute for some, nightgown for others?!

  • Barchbo

    I love the idea, but it’s not a great fit for my body type though I am tall. My sister looks darling in them and there were a few at my recent wedding, too.

    Like Nancy, the flounce turns me off. The ones I like best are the halters styles that have a little shape and drape the figure. I have ONE black jersey halter-style maxi that I love for summer, but it’s hardly a go-to.

    Soo…cute for some, nightgown for others?!

  • http://www.youlookfab.com angie

    I can’t see the maxi dress working on anyone. Here’s why:

    http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/06/11/maxi-dresses-too-much-fabric-for-daytime/

    The Sex and the City slew looked equally awful in them.

    http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/07/15/the-style-of-sex-and-the-city/

    angies last blog post..Online sales this week

  • http://www.youlookfab.com angie

    I can’t see the maxi dress working on anyone. Here’s why:

    http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/06/11/maxi-dresses-too-much-fabric-for-daytime/

    The Sex and the City slew looked equally awful in them.

    http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/07/15/the-style-of-sex-and-the-city/

    angies last blog post..Online sales this week

  • http://lifeinaventicup.com franki durbin

    thumbs down….

  • http://lifeinaventicup.com franki durbin

    thumbs down….

  • http://unlikelyhousewife.blogspot.com Elisa

    I’m with you on this one. And I’ll tell you more: not only it’s NOT for all body types, I think it’s for VERY FEW body types, in fact just one: the tall and lean of the world. If the dress is super-fab and well accesorized it can be ok for some pregnant women, too (Gwen Stefani would be a good example) but I think it’s pretty universally unflattering.

    I definitely can’t wear one. With a large chest and wide hips, the dress falls more like a circus tent and makes me look even larger. Yikes.

  • http://unlikelyhousewife.blogspot.com Elisa

    I’m with you on this one. And I’ll tell you more: not only it’s NOT for all body types, I think it’s for VERY FEW body types, in fact just one: the tall and lean of the world. If the dress is super-fab and well accesorized it can be ok for some pregnant women, too (Gwen Stefani would be a good example) but I think it’s pretty universally unflattering.

    I definitely can’t wear one. With a large chest and wide hips, the dress falls more like a circus tent and makes me look even larger. Yikes.

  • http://styleobserver.com Jean V. Pratt

    Hey Angie, Great posts. I liked the impact of the SATC girls walking in wearing maxi dresses… but I still think they are impossible.

  • http://www.giftgirl.com Jean Vouté Pratt

    Hey Angie, Great posts. I liked the impact of the SATC girls walking in wearing maxi dresses… but I still think they are impossible.

  • http://styleobserver.com Jean V. Pratt

    I’m glad we’re all on the same page! The lesson is, only grab on to the trends that work well on you.

  • http://www.giftgirl.com Jean Vouté Pratt

    I’m glad we’re all on the same page! The lesson is, only grab on to the trends that work well on you.

  • http://www.grechenscloset.com grechen

    i love maxi dresses – i’m 35 a size 12, about 5’4″ with hips :-) i hem the dresses to come right to my ankle, choose a flattering style, and wear them to death. but that’s me…i love them on my body, i feel comfortable in them, and will continue to wear them. i don’t believe in “rules” when it comes to fashion or trends, i believe in trying everything first, then deciding if it works for you or not. for me, maxi dresses work…

  • http://www.grechenscloset.com grechen

    i love maxi dresses – i’m 35 a size 12, about 5’4″ with hips :-) i hem the dresses to come right to my ankle, choose a flattering style, and wear them to death. but that’s me…i love them on my body, i feel comfortable in them, and will continue to wear them. i don’t believe in “rules” when it comes to fashion or trends, i believe in trying everything first, then deciding if it works for you or not. for me, maxi dresses work…

  • http://styleobserver.com Jean V. Pratt

    Gretchen – I knew there was at least one person that could make the dress work. Glad to hear it’s you!

  • http://www.giftgirl.com Jean Vouté Pratt

    Gretchen – I knew there was at least one person that could make the dress work. Glad to hear it’s you!

  • http://www.pastryshoescollection.com/handbags/ Daddy's Girls

    it was an innocent to portray,very simple to project

  • http://styleobserver.com/2009/04/28/why-i-still-dont-like-the-maxi-dress/ Why I still don’t like the maxi dress | Style Observer

    [...] to embrace this trend, but I can’t wrapped my arms around it. I still think it looks like a glorified nightgown. To be fair, I’ve seen a few women do it well. The women who wore it well had a few things in [...]

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