Comments on: Opinion: Maxi dresses must be dressy

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:02:36 +0000

All four dresses are lovely, but I have to say dress #2 speaks to me the most. I love that casual ‘beach town’ sort of feel to it. Yes, some folks tease me about my “muu-muus” but I don’t care I love this particular style and it’s definitely me! I have quite a few dresses like #1 and 2 and I’ve been complemented on them whether I wear them here where I live (Oregon) or if I’m visiting family and friends in Phoenix, Arizona or in Malibu, California. It’s all about the attitude when one wears ‘em…and my attitude is soft, flow-y, feminine, Goddess-like.

By: Jade

Jade — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:10:42 +0000

This is very belated, but I just had to put in a good word for the maxi dress. I own six of them, and not ONE looks like a nightgown. Although, to be fair, I have seen many that I did not care for. I am tall and not overweight, so I think this look works for me. I look terrible in dresses that hit me mid-calf. And the maxi dress looks every bit as bad IF it ends two inches above the floor. I wear mine long, long, long and they move and flow and look part Grecian, part gypsy, part hippie and very, very sexy. I think it’s all about the body type and the particular dress. Just like I generally can’t work the mid-calf dress, neither will some women be able to make the maxi dress work for them. Huzzah for variety in fashion!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:22:36 +0000

Oh, and the dress I have is this one, but in blue (which is now sold out):
http://www.express.com/catalog.....goryId=316

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:20:21 +0000

You ladies crack me up. Most of you seem to have the same opinion on this, and a very strong opinion. I’m in the minority, loving the maxi. I still insist that this dress can look great on the right person, and that that person does not have to be tall. I bought one from Express a few weeks ago and it looks as good on me as any of my knee length dresses, and I’m only 5’2”. That said, I’m a beanpole, and the dress is not flouncey in the least; it does straight down and is made of flowly modal.

As to the practicality, it’s not really that difficult to pick up your skirt with one hand while going up and down steps. High heels are much more impractical than maxis. I have to agree with KatieM: “sometimes you want to be extravagantly feminine but don’t have a particular occasion to get especially dressed up.” Also, these dresses are not for women who want to hide their bodies, because they are all very low cut (at least every one that I’ve seen). Contrary to what most of you seem to think, a long dress is just as breezy as a short one; the wind blows right up it, and you limit your sun exposure. A few others have made this point as well. If the fabrication is right, you will not be burning up in a maxi.

Like Elle said, the casual maxis pictured here are unflattering in length. Dresses and skirts, like pants, look much better when they skim the ground and are not ankle length. I am adamant about perfect dress/skirt length, like Angie is about PPL.

Another plus to the maxi is variety. I certainly wouldn’t have a ton of dresses or skirts in this length, but one or two are a refreshing change from all of my knee length skirts and dresses. I’m glad to see that a few others on here agree with me. I wouldn’t expect to change anyone’s mind on this, but I’d love to post some photos with the other maxi lovers on the forum.

By: sambo_elle

sambo_elle — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:07:37 +0000

Here in England maxi’s are all around, with each to their own on if their liked or not. i own several. i wear mine with a denim jacket (rolled up sleeves) with flat sandals and lots of bangles for a days shopping or lunch with friends.i also use them on holiday for either the beach or on a night time if im feeling like i want to cover up. some people here will wear them for a night out drinkin and to the clubs teamed with heals and lots of jewellery.

my personal opinion is i love them….

By: BlondeAmbition

BlondeAmbition — Sun, 17 May 2009 14:34:28 +0000

It looks like maxi dresses conjure up either a love or hate reaction, and mostly hate around here! I’m on the love love love side. I grew up with this look. My mother was very trendy growing up in Greece. I have many memories of her with my trendy aunts sitting at a cafe on the beach in their long flowly maxi dresses and flat sandals. When I wear my maxi dresses I feel super feminine and casual. I’m 5′4, curvy and busty and I just don’t care if people hate my look, as long as I feel fabulous. We greek women will never let go of our Greek Goddess look… it has lasted for thousands of years and will continue to last long past this “trend.”

By: Bec

Bec — Sun, 17 May 2009 14:12:26 +0000

I totally love the 2nd dress for a casual maxi dress! Casual but still smart, and will keep you nice and cool over summer

By: Joelle

Joelle — Sun, 17 May 2009 05:48:45 +0000

If maxi dresses are still “in” when I am done losing weight and I can find some in prints that I like, I might get one or two for the beach or pool since at 5′10″ I am tall enough not to disappear in a long skirt. It would look out of place anywhere else, however, so it would not be something I’d wear often.

By: Steph

Steph — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:52:08 +0000

I’m 5′3″ and a hourglass with fat legs (I swear my thighs just go straight down to my ankles), so you will pry my long flowy hippie skirts and dresses from my cold dead hands. I’m willing to put my chunky legs out there in weather where I can wear tights (and always in a below-the-knee skirt), but in summer tights aren’t practical, so I go boho every summer and rock the long skirt (some days I achieve chic, some I don’t).

I think the key for me is avoiding dresses that have a high empire waist with lots of volume to the skirt, and instead find ones with some waist definition and that have a very straight cut in the skirt in a dark solid color or flattering print. The casual solid blue dress above has way too much volume south of the waist, and the “waist” wouldn’t show mine off. The black dress is closer to what I would wear, but I’m not that formal. I like this dress: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3021735.shtml and if it weren’t for the halter, I’d be all over this dress: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3017446.shtml

By: Meream

Meream — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:37:42 +0000

I actually love them, though I’ve never found one that would merit me buying it. I’m on the lookout for the perfect causal maxi dress.