Last Saturday I was shopping with a size 6-8 client. Yesterday my client was size 22. They were both convinced they couldn’t wear a maxi dress.
My petite client thought she was too small and that the dress would overwhelm her. My voluptuous client thought the same thing.
It ain’t necessarily so, I told them both. I may also have come over all cheer-squad like in my support of what has become my number one summer wardrobe staple.
And guess what? I’m happy to report that they now both own one or two. And I highly suspect they’ll be wearing them. A. Lot.
Metalicus organic stripe maxi dress $199.95. www.metalicus.com
It all got me to thinking. Are there a lot of women out there who run a mile in the other direction rather than try on a maxi dress? A dress that could be their potential summer bestie. A dress that doesn’t require you to remember to shave your legs? (oops, is that just me?)
According to random poll I unscientifically conducted on Styling You’s Facebook wall last weekend, a lot of Stylers are still not so keen to go there.
In this week’s Fab Friday vlog below (click here if you can’t see the clip), I talk you through the hows and whys of finding a winning maxi dress, no matter what your height and shape. Are you with me?
Key styling tips
1. Avoid dresses billowing with metres of fabric (unless, of course you are six foot tall and of wire-like proportions … congrats you are the only person who will NOT look like a tent in these styles).
2. If you see a voluminous dress you really have the hots for, try it on in one or two sizes down from your normal size. That’s what I did with this one from Country Road.
3. DO choose a maxi dress that is a tank style or one that has a slight a-line like this one from Verily. You will be surprised how flattering they are. Ditto, this one I had one my wishlist from Sacha Drake, which I have now featured in this Model and Me post.
4. The other maxi dress style that works is a fitted style top that drops and drapes from immediately under the bust BUT – and it’s a big but – if there is a lot of fabric *draping* from under the bust you will not look streamlined. My client today found the non tent-like variety at Crossroads today at 40% off. We teamed it with a short-sleeved draped bolero in a light t-shirt material that gave her shape at the waist but made her feel comfortable around the arms.
5. Do wear a maxi dress with flat open sandals or wedges for classic summer sartorial elegance. Yep, pass me the G&T. Stat.
6. If the dress is too long, get it taken up. You’d do the same with a pair of pants, wouldn’t you?
7. Yes, you can belt a maxi dress to achieve shape. If you have a short waist like me, a wide belt under the bust is the devil. Those blessed with a long torso, belt away. I’ll watch on in envy.
Shopping suggestions
Click on image to enlarge
1. Sacha Drake Lola dress $219 | 2. Trenery batik jersey maxi $149 | 3. Virtu Bonita dress $79.95 | 4. City Chic Jungle Queen maxi $119.95 | 5. Sussan tribal strapless maxi dress $129.95 | 6. Supre 37×37 striped maxi $40 | 7. Sara mesh maxi dress $119
How many maxi dresses do you have in your wardrobe? Are you yet to take the plunge? What’s holding you back?
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