Floor-sweeping, daytime maxi dresses in casual fabrics are not my idea of style. And it’s not a question of adapting the eye – I did not like the look in the 70’s and 90’s and I don’t like it now. To me they look unflattering, clumsy on all but the tallest gals, and inappropriate for casual settings because the length screams “formal”. Fabulous floor-scraping ballgowns, worn with heels for extra height, are the right place for this silhouette.

There are a small number of fashion items that I completely oppose because I don’t think they look good on anyone. The maxi dress is in this category. I was relieved to see that they were less popular in America this past year than they were in Europe, but that seems to be changing. I will be skipping this trend.

• Embrace an unstructured look: Many sweater dresses are supposed to look untailored and a little boxy. It’s fine if they float away from the hips and don’t come in at the waist. It’s a cute look if the rest of your outfit is pulled together (good fit on the shoulders, fab hose, nice boots and handbag). Clingy sweater dresses are extremely tricky and not my preferred choice for most body types. I say go with the volume and embrace a less structured look.
• Consider an Empire cut: The baby doll style is a good option if you’re not busty. It’s tailored on top and roomy on the bottom, which makes for a forgiving A-line silhouette.
• Consider a Fit and Flare: Styles that are belted at the waist for structure, but spacious at the bottom for comfort are another good way to go. You can also change out the belt for a more polished appearance.
• Choose heavier knits: This does not necessarily mean “chunky knit” because fine gauge knits can have substance. Knits with weight smooth over the contour of the body instead of grabbing onto curves in an unflattering way. Many sweater dresses are made with flimsy knits and this is usually the deal breaker for me.
• Get the length right: Sweater dresses can’t be hemmed or lengthened, which means that the length has to be perfect upon purchase. I like them best just above the knee. I’m personally finding most sweater dresses too short, but I know that petites are finding them too long. Not easy!
• Test the complete outfit: Make sure you try a potential sweater dress with hose and boots before you say no. Getting the ensemble right can make all the difference.

Add the desire for non-scratchy wool, a pretty colour and a flattering neckline to the above variables and the search gets even harder. It’s a miracle we’re wearing sweater dresses at all.

I’ve been lucky to find two that I love but it’s taken two seasons and lots of experimentation. One is an empire cut and the other is a sack-like shape. Several possibilities opened up to me once I got my head around the fact that I could still look and feel pulled together wearing an unstructured style.

Have you had luck finding a sweater dress, or have you given up? Any more tips on how to find this elusive item?

Four sweater dress styles that are generally more flattering: an empire cut, two fit and flares and a sack dress. The weights of the knits look pretty substantial too. Be sure to check out bluefly for sweater dress deals.

The creation of this dress is ingenious. It’s a one-size-fits-all and available in a “soft as butter” jersey or satin knit for around $250. It claims to suit every size and body type and is extra forgiving with weight fluctuations. Sounds like the perfect solution to any frock dilemma.

But I’m not completely sold on the idea. The looks reflect the same Grecian- inspired mood and each of the style options remains the same colour and fabric. So it seems more like one Grecian dress that I can adapt to my mood than a dozen different dresses.

Bravo to the pattern maker and fashion designer. The Butter dress is an extremely inventive piece. It’s not for me, but could you see yourself making use of this frock in your wardrobe?

I generally have a hard time getting clients to wear day dresses. Most of them feel the look is fussy, too dressed up, inappropriate, impractical and uncomfortable. Granted, you’ll get better coverage in a pair of pants if you spend your day rock climbing or playing on the floor with your children. But other than that, day dresses are a great casual alternative. They are perfect for a laid back brunch, a walk in the park, a stroll on the beach, relaxed social gatherings, informal site seeing and vacation pursuits, or any other day-to-day casual activity.

Here’s how to achieve the casual day dress look:

1. Select a comfortable A-line, knee-length silhouette that allows movement. Pass on styles that are tight and restrictive.
2. Opt for cotton rich fabrics and poly blends in knits and wovens. Stay away from shiny, luxurious fabrics and styles that give you a “naked feeling” (insufficient coverage).
3. Pair the dress with casual flats, espadrilles, casual wedges, thong sandals or gladiators. Stay away from dressy flats and heels unless you’re after a smart casual or business casual look.
4. Add a denim jacket, a string of casual beads or casual earrings.
5. A straw tote does wonders dressing down a day dress. Add this to the equation and you’re ready to picnic at Hyde Park.

Day dresses keep you cool and are perfect for hot weather. They are an easy option because it’s only one item of clothing to think about.

If you wear day dresses, help me to encourage others! Share your reasons for wearing them. If you’re still against the day dress look, share those feelings too. I hope to change your mind by the end of this season.

A statuesque and superbly polished 5′ 11″ Michelle Obama wore a black and white, cotton sateen, tank-leaf print Donna Ricco dress when she appeared as guest host on talk show “the View” last week. She ordered the dress after seeing it advertised in a New York magazine. She added a black rose to the left shoulder strap and was impeccable. I loved it, and so did the rest of America. The magazine was flooded with orders for the same Donna Ricco dress shortly after the show. Two thousand orders that day alone.

So it’s not all about fancy designer wear for Michelle Obama. Mainstream is just as fab. Style is in the wearer and I can’t think of a better person to convey that message than a politician’s wife. Have a squizz at Donna Ricco dresses when you’re next in store. Chances are high you’ll come home with one. I’ve had mine for two years and it’s still going strong.

I’ve had a client in this exact Donna Ricco dress. It looked great, but we opted for a more colourful style instead.

The idea is that you wear this ensemble mix casually. I didn’t like this look in the ‘70’s and I don’t like it today. No matter how casual the fabric and style, there is something about an ankle length dress that screams “fancy evening event”. They look clumsy and inappropriate (and the excess fabric gets in the way). You need to be tall to pull off the look, and even then, a shorter hemline looks better.

I might be more partial to the look if I was a boho girl at heart. How about you? Will you be wearing the maxi dress this season?

Raise your hemline for casual occasions and reserve ankle length dresses for evening black tie events.

The aesthetic conclusion makes perfect sense. Dresses were originally designed for women (I’m excluding Scottish men that look sensational in a kilt). Pants and jeans were originally designed for men. There was method to this madness. Woman are curvy; men are not. Perhaps this is why women with slim, straight boyish bodies look great in jeans. But they need to step aside when it comes to dresses because curvy girls have them beat.

Pretty dresses, but even these beautiful models are too slim to truly do them justice.

You don’t need to be tall or tiny to wear tunics and dresses over pants with style. It’s a question of getting the components and proportions right. You’ll need to pair slim boot cuts, straight legs, skinnies, leggings or clamdiggers with the right tunic or dress. Here’s how:

• The correct length: The shorter you are, the shorter you’ll need to go on the tunic or dress. You’re looking at a length somewhere between mid-thigh and a few inches above the knee. Go shorter or longer and you’ve lost that long lean line. Regular height and taller gals can shop in petites for this item as it often brings the hemline up to the correct place.
• The correct silhouette: Pear-shaped and apple-shaped gals need structured A-line silhouettes like shift dresses and baby dolls. Hourglasses, inverted triangles and rectangles get away with straighter and more fitted styles like shirt dresses and sheaths.
• Heels or flats: The trend is especially good with some sort of heel if you’re petite or pear-shaped, but it’s not a necessity. Judge the overall look once the ensemble is complete.

Chances are high you’ll need to commit a tunic or dress to wear over jeans or pants. It’s seldom that a dress will work over pants and on its own. It’s either too short to wear as a dress, or too long to wear over pants. Sometimes dress and tunic lengths work out perfectly and you get the biggest bang for your fashion buck by wearing them both ways, but it’s no guarantee.

Pairing tunics and dresses over pants is comfortable. And the right style tunic or dress is particularly forgiving around the tummy and thigh area if those are spots you’re self conscious about. Don’t be afraid to try something new. You can be a modern-classic that pushes the fashion envelope once in a while.

Tunics of varying lengths worn over pants, jeans and clamdiggers.

These are the types of dresses that work well over pants provided they are the correct length. From left to right: Sheath, shift, shirtdress and baby doll.

Please comment here if you have any feedback or questions and, as always, use Ask Angie if there is a specific question that you would prefer to ask in private.

Dresses aren’t your only option for holiday bashes, but they are the most fashionably festive and feminine choice in this frock-focused season. I’ve been blogging about alternative “non-dress” party looks and will continue to do so over the next week, so stay tuned. Unleash those fabulous outfits and let the merrymaking begin!

The exception: skinny-heeled, knee-length boots with raised hemlines somehow works. The extra coverage that you get from the boots achieves a striking balance.

The haute couture illustrations are a little over the top, but they do perfectly illustrate the mini dress with chunky shoe look.