i’d wear them if they had more coverage above the waist, i.e. were fitted rather than leaving me half-naked. i truly despair of necklines like the first one.

I can think of 2 reasons not to wear these dresses: a) small children love places to hide and b) errant squirrels.

But wouldn’t they be great if you had a “Boogie Nights” party to attend?

Some of them look cute on models, but I still wouldn’t wear them, seem highly impractical. besides, I can rarely find an occasion to wear a simple day dress, how am I going to justify a floor sweeping one, say in mt lab? That would be quite a hazard!

Angie, since you are already mentioning spring 2009, any chance of doing one of those ’sneak preview of spring 2009 trends’ blog posts? Pretty please ? *batting eyelashes* Some mainstream retailers, such as BR, already have some spring merchandise in the stores!

I guess if one were THAT self conscious about her legs… I find that when hemlines go past a certain point on my leg [past the upper calf] all of a sudden I start looking more short and dumpy. It’s like some hellish magic trick David Blaine thought up or something.

I like some of them but not all. I have a fitted maxi dress that I love and is very casual from Victoria’s Secret. This is the only one I’ve found that I really like. It’s very comfortable too! Here it is on their website: http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=2667

I don’t mind these! Cool and comfortable and in the right print, I do see ‘casual’. I am, however, 5′10.

Redhead and Kristers, you crack me up.

Quite right Meredith, maxi dresses like these are the perfect item for a Boogie Nights bash. Although, I’d be forced to find something else!

Stay tuned Tanya, your request is on the way. I’ve noticed “cruise lines” in store too. Sort of looks like Spring merchandise doesn’t it. Cruise lines were put into retail buying plans to accommodate people who go to tropical, sunny places over the holiday period. I believe they sell quite well, especially in areas that stay warm through Winter.

Your reactions have been interesting ladies. So far, it’s just redhead and I who are completely opposed to the look. Let’s hear what others say.

I couldn’t agree with you more. I was hoping this trend was over last summer.

At 5′0″, I think the only style I may despise more than maxi dresses is great wide palazzo pants.

Redhead’s comment was a roar! Just when we were seeing an end to the smock look which made everyone look overweight….now this. Maybe good for vacationing somewhere, but I simply can’t imagine wearing these!

I did have a baby squirrel once climb up the inside of my wide pant leg at a park!! I can still feel the fear of looking into his eyes as he darted towards me!! Once it was over, we couldn’t stop laughing…this was about the same time maxi dresses were popular…early seventies. As a college student, I loved the trend. (I’m 5′7″) Felt very princessly. I’ll not participate this time. There was a time we wore hot pants, too. Ditto.

Quite agree…highly impractical. I can just see the loads of fabric getting caught in everything from chairs to escalators to revolving and car doors. Plus they are just to moo-moo looking. Pass.

Oh I don’t know, I kinda like them, not neccessarily on me though- but I think they may have a place and a time- like on a great tropical vacation-it would feel great to wear one of these.

I agree with Wendy and will pass on this trend as well as the wide pants. I couldn’t pull off any of the dresses pictured.
Angie, do you think this trend will spill over into skirt lengths so that we will see long summer skirts?

I love love these dresses and they sell like hot cakes at my store in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We make them in casual rayons and soft jersey. The women who buy them wear them out to dinner, pool parties, cockatial parties at friends home, or even as a bathing suit cover up. And I think Angelina Jolie looks hot in them and she is the mom of all moms!

Jerseyjan–I will laugh for the rest of the day!!

UGH, me too! When will the maxi dress finally go away?

Why is this such a big trend, like it’s something new? They were huge last year and the year before last. It’s the same for every summer – safari and maxi dresses and madras plaid come back. I’m 5′1″ and I love them. I’ve had to hem a few but I get the most compliments when I go out for drinks with girlfriends in a long dress. It’s unexpected and so many people reject this style that it’s still refreshing to see out after all these years. They do need a bit more coverage up top though.

I am so glad you feel this way Angie. I know so many people who find maxis “elegant” and I can’t tell you how inelegant I find them. It looks like the wearer forgot to change out of her negligee before leaving the house. I find them ridiculous even on the models. They can’t be less than 5′8 and yet they all look completely swallowed up by the prints and fabrics.

I was looking forward to adding more dresses to my spring/summer wardrobe, so I better not walk into stores and find only maxis.

I asked my seven year old what she thought as she was watching me read the blog. She said, “I LOVE them.” Perhaps that’s the right age market for this style?

Nooo! I never liked maxi dresses, and never will. I want to show off my dancin’ shoes!

As someone who has a religious dress code to adhere to, I love maxi dresses. I can wear them with a long-sleeve t-shirt under them and they look much more contemporary than what some of my peers wear.

my 8 year old loves them too – not me! Pass!

Oh no…
I am having a 70’s brain freeze flash back.
A blue cross strap(in the back )dress that went straight down like a tent.
It was fine when the “girls” were high, but now?
And long sleeves on these dresses put me over the edge.
What is next ,the moo moo(sp?)?Or are these considered moo moo’s?
I think I just like writing moo moo moo moo…
I just found my waistline(hourglass) and I am learning to embrace it.
I will even pass on future pictures of this trend so… no more whining from me.
Power to those who love it.
But full length is formal for this gal.
We all have our past fashion nightmares…I am visiting one here.

Ugh. This is what my grandmother used to call a house frock! The maxi dress is nothing more than a glorified muu-muu given street cred because Nordstrom carries it! Just as an UGG boot should NEVER be worn out of the house (it’s a slipper, after all), the maxi should never be allowed contact with the outside world.

Although they would be handy for attending Brady Bunch parties.

Bad choice, I fear, for retailers. Women are far less likely to embrace a trend like this when dollars are tight. I predict that this look will be a maxi flop.

Well said, Kyle.

Jerseyjan (hilarious), Maya, Mom in red High heels, Joey, Lori, Joy, Sal, Anna, Kellee and Amy – it’s good to know I’m not alone in feeling this way. I seldom loathe an item clothing, but maxi dresses are top of my “loathing list” (along with Crocs). In my opinion, no one looks good in this style – not the models and not even Angelina Jolie. This would be the last item of clothing I’d wear in a tropical setting. I’d probably wear hot pants before I’d wear a maxi dress and that’s saying a lot.

Joy, we’ll probably see the odd ankle length skirt for Spring 2009. Another awful look.

Meg, despite the fact that I do not prefer maxi dresses for those of us that can avoid the style, I fully respect your religious dress code requirement.

I have to say I absolutely adore them. This might be because a) I am 5″9 and b) I don’t like my legs too much. I get tons of compliments when I wear a long black one. They are perfect for me in the summer (maybe because I am in Toronto and it is hot and humid).

Amy – the first thing I thought of was “that’s a beautified caftan!” but yeah- muu-muu describes it perfectly!

I think these dresses would be great if they weren’t in large oversized patterns and there was a LOT less volume to the skirt, and/or it was knee length. But then I guess they wouldn’t be maxi-dresses!!

When I see these dresses, I can’t shake this picture of Julie from Love Boat out of my head. Although I admit my sister, back in the 70s, really rocked this sort of dress – with no bra or make-up, and her auburn hair all permed out (just like the middle picture – except imagine about 4 inches of loft at the crown).

I think we can thank this current trend on Project Runway. Uli – the one from Miami – was big into this look, but she did it much nicer, in silky fabrics with not-too-loud patterns and more interesting cuts.

But don’t get me wrong – I am fine seeing this trend revived and on the right person I could even think it was cute. I could see my teen daughters having fun with tihs. But me… nope. It wasn’t for me in the 70s, and it won’t be for me now either. (The 90s?? I don’t remember it coming back round in the 90s!!)

I love these! For all sorts of reasons. But then I tend to like a look that’s feminine and not overly *sleek*.

The silver lining: When these dresses go on clearance sale for pennies on the dollar (I predict they’ll be giving them away), snatch them up and bring them to a tailor to shorten those hems. That’s my plan!

Oh no – I love maxi dresses! I wore a very pretty purple/black print maxi dress for christmas day, and love to sashay around the house in it!

I live in Perth Australia and it is so hot that something floaty like a maxi dress is perfect to keep cool without getting sunburnt (currently 40c days). It is VERY popular here this summer!

I. Hate. Those. Dresses. They look like Muumuus. Or sacks. They make YOU look like you have no idea about things like hemming, cut, or tailoring and have to make do with wrapping a full-length shower curtain about yourself.

Besides, in the summer, I want as little fabric clinging to my body as possible! Summer is the time when you can finally show off/air out the leggies after smothering them in tights all winter… stupid maxi dresses ruin the fun!

I succumbed to the maxi dress trend last summer when I saw one in a gorgeous print made out of nice comfy cotton. I had never really thought about them before and didn’t have opinions either way.

I find it so useful for hot days when my legs are getting close to the stage where they need waxing – too long to show off in shorts or a shorter dress, but perfectly covered up under a maxi! No way do I feel like wearing jeans in that weather! I’d be interested in hearing how others cope with the hairy-legs issue during hot days if not something similar to this!

I for one am thrilled! I love maxi dresses, and I’m pretty sure I’ll get one, that is if I can find one that isn’t too full. Being 5’2” I would argue that anyone can wear a maxi and look fab. It’s more about proportion than height. A short girl like me would look ridiculous in a voluminous maxi, but a straighter one would look great. The pattern also makes a big difference. A maxi in a giant floral is not so fab, but there should be plenty of beautiful ones out there to choose from with them being a big trend.

Long skirts and dresses really aren’t that impractical once you get used to wearing them, but then I grew up in ankle length skirts. I agree with yublocka, they are great for days when we don’t feel like shaving or waxing but still want to stay cool.

I don’t love all maxi dresses, but I’ve definitely seen some beautiful ones that would be perfect for summer casual occasions. I’m one of those annoying people who finds these dresses elegant and sexy. But then, I wasn’t born in the 70’s, so I don’t remember them from then.

I am so glad to see you preaching this! I wondered when I saw them in stores what the fashionistas who preach about appropriate skirt lengths would say. I just don’t get that look AT ALL.

And speaking of nothing, I came across a white watch today and I remembered your post about your Michele watch and I snagged it with Christmas money. It’s rather large for my frame, although I’m getting used to it. I think it’s a keeper. Here’s the link.
http://www.buy.com/prod/dkny-n.....caid=17988

It’s more ivory than white, so I feel like it’s appropriate year-round. VERY FUN!

There are times I’ve seen a Maxi dress pulled off, but I personally would never wear one. I much prefer mini dresses with a print that pops or adorable, frilly cupcake style dresses. Unfortunately, Maxis and boring old black dresses are the current trend. Sigh.

I can’t pull off the maxi dress, but if I found the perfect print and it was the right price (i.e. dirt cheap) I’d be sorely tempted to buy it and hem it to knee-length.

If you like the pattern and the fit and the only thing you dont like is the length, who cares about the length, it can be tailored to be shorter and the fit can be tailored as well. I try not to look at the item as is, but as a piece that can be worked on, an unfinished piece of wood that needs a paint job.

I acutally love the maxi dress, I think it’s comfortable in a stylish way

I love the Maxi Dress! I am 5′4 and with wedges this look can be pulled off flawlessly and with the right accessories and you are styled. I love fashion but also love ease and simplicity. As far as maxis being too hot in the summer months I disagree there is literally nothing clinging to you in these dresses so air flows and I stay cool. Not to mention leaving something to the imagination sexy, alluring and practical. I was so happy to see these come back into style. I remember my mother rocking these in the 70’s. She looked so pretty and feminine. Apparently DVF, Cavalli, Pucci, and Alice + Olivia and other designers (according to the majority of comments here) have it all wrong and a trend that re-surfaced in 2007 won’t last?? For now I am happy with the “wow” I get from my husband when I wear mine and the compliments from strangers who also like the look and want to know where got my dress so they can get one.

Old Navy has some cute-looking ones for cheap – I’ll probably pick up one maxi dress this season, in a light and airy fabric. Just for wearing around the house.

These are all I wear during Summer. I simply just cant have enough of these dresses. They are reallu comfortable but yetl fabulous for travelling along with a cardie and perfect for late summer dinning. I always wear them with strappy embelished sandals or gladiators. I’m tall so I try to avoid heels. I love them with big hoops and loads of vintage bangles.
I always receive compliments. I believe to look amazing with them.

I don’t understand all the negative comments. I have one in a large black and ivory print that I mostly wear with a short black cardigan; I just bought another in blue and white. I receive compliments when I wear them. I’m 5′8′, have longer legs, and look good in a long flowing dress. I wear flats with them, too! And btw, I’m 53 years old.

I absolutely LOVE maxi’s…….a flawless style has returned! Never has a woman had a chance to feel so liberated and free and still maintain a sexy quality all her own. I have a gorgeous strapless maxi that i got at JCPENNEY..i do not normally shop there, however this maxi is absolutely stunning.. My husband cannot take his eyes off of me and with the right shoes and jewelry you are ready for a date out on the town! For those who hesitate at trying something new….I urge you to take a risk! This look makes the legs look longer with the correct shoe…wedge or highheel, however can also shorten tall legs with a gladiator sandal or flip flop … REMEMBER keep it trendy by choosing colors that flatter your skin tone and prints that are not TO BOLD.. but just enough to stand out..and have FUN wearing your maxi..I really love mine!

i personally love the maxi dresses. I feel that you can dress them up as well as dress them down. for a casual day i wear them with flat sandles and a denim jacket if the weather allows it. for a more dressy look i wear them with heels and bold jewlery.

[...] come across a few recurring trends that I don’t find flattering on anyone. Despite being the the number one frock in stores this season in all its bohemian and 70’s glory, relaxed maxi dresses is one of these [...]

Maxi dresses don’t have to swamp you like these do! check out this much more tailored (and practical!) dress from Ralph Lauren.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....95_3476994

Maxi dresses look stylish and great fun. I saw a gorgeous looking girl wear maxi dress with a short denim jacket. She looked cool and sophisticated. Yes, one has to be brave at first to wear it as it is the high fashion.
On a relaxed summer day, with friends and family is the best time to wear a maxi dress as ‘casual’ fashion.
Makes a change from the harsh, stiff 60’s dresses and the formal 80’s dress.
Girls, let your hair down and have some fun!

I think that if you are tall and skinny and have a nice body that a maxi dress would look great on you : ) if you are short then you just shouldnt wear one.