What is the current consensus on maxi dresses? - YouLookFab Forum

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What is the current consensus on maxi dresses?

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

For as long as I've been on YLF, I've accepted the prevailing wisdom that maxis for day-to-day wear are just not on. So rigidly did I adhere to this approach that I wouldn't even try maxis on in stores.
Until today. When I did. And loved it.
I recognize it's hard to offer comments without pics, so those are forthcoming...but for now I'm interested in the overall consensus on this divisive dress style. Has the community consensus shifted at all during my long hiatuses (hiati??)? Has the rise of longer-length dresses cured anyone of poison eye on this garment or are they still remarkably difficult to style? Are there any factors that make the mmaxi dress easier to pull off in either individual or collective opinions?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Nebraskim

Echo

Veteran

I love them, personally. It has been difficult for me to find maxi dresses that are not too long, but when I do I often find them flattering. For me, as long as there is some definition at the waist the long skirt makes my legs appear to be proportionally longer (which is great, because my legs are actually quite short). I have one with a slit to mid-knee, and it is flirty but covered at the same time, which really appeals to me.

I know that they are not Angie's cup of tea, but IMO they come back every single summer for a reason. They're easy, often nice enough to go from day to night, and they're flattering for many people.

DonnaF

Veteran

I have 44 steps from my front door to street level and my garage. Long hems sweep the stairs as I go down. Or if I bend over I step on my hem. I don’t have a poison eye for maxis but associate them with beach vacations and women who are more coordinated than I. I am also thinking that they tend to be more feminine and less structured than I prefer — says the one who owns two super stiff and heavy 100% cotton dresses.

But all that being said, I can totally see you rocking a maxi, Michelle, especially in a colorful knit. Go for it!

Style Fan

Veteran

Maxi dresses are popular here in Muskoka. People are often on vacation and dress in a more relaxed way than in the city. The stores have lots of resort type clothing and that includes maxi dresses.
I like them but I don't actually have one. I would buy one if I found the right one. I do have a maxi skirt that has a slit in it that is very revealing.

rachylou

Veteran

I have a rigid place in my head for maxi dresses: I feel they are At Home Patio Wear When You Are Dining Al Fresco And Live In An Eichler.

I own two, albeit I live in a Craftsman

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've always kind of liked the look of them, even though they're not always the easiest thing to wear (be careful on steps, for instance). I particularly like styles that have either vents or slits, or are cut with an asymmetrical hem so that a little leg shows.

In fact, I bought one today. I'll try to post it on the forum -- I need to have the shoulders taken up a little.

Lots of people wear them in my area -- they're still quite popular for casual or dressy wear.

Anonymous

I see a lot of maci dresses in this area but for myself, find that they often cover the legs but bare too much of the shoulders, neck, and arms for my comfort. My take is just say no to knit maxi dresses. They tend to exaggerate the size and motion of the hips, clinging there and also to the stomach. In general, maxi dresses look like they visually add pounds unless one is very slim. Maybe that is a lack of structure. I do not think they are flattering on most women, but maybe it is a matter of finding the right one for you. I once had a woven one that I thought was flattering. When I wore it, people would mention "Little House on the Prairie" so I got rid of it. Pioneer women are to be admired, but I don't want to look like one.

Gigi

Veteran

I generally don't care for maxi dresses because they have a too-beachy vibe in my mind. Many of them seem skimpy on top, and then you have all that material on the bottom, which is not a good look for me (I am small chested and short, with a larger bottom half). I have enjoyed maxi skirts in the past, but for some reason I have never been as attracted to maxi dresses.

ma

Veteran

I haven’t worn one in a few years but I like the look as long as you can handle all that fabric around your legs. I didn’t mind it but it drives some crazy. Just today at my kids school another kindergarten teacher wore the most beautiful maternity maxi dress that was quite covered on top (scoop neck, 3/4 sleeves) in a pretty teal floral print. So pretty!!

karen13

Veteran

I have been eying them lately.. I bought one for a couple of dressy weddings last summer and liked it a lot. But I admit I am considering shortening it (just abit to 2” above ankle) to wear at an upcoming less formal event.

I bought a maxi skirt last summer too. I may buy more. I like coverage - I’m super fair skinned and burn in 10 seconds in my high altitude summer sun.

I think they can be flattering enough, and fun.

jussie

Veteran

Love them. I’ve never gone off them. If it’s warm enough weather I say go for it.

Sal

Veteran

I like them - but I don't love the one I own. I find them flattering on me - if the cut is right. I have owned four and two were a real success and two less so.

Give it a go!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Casual maxi dresses are one of my three poison eyes. They look sooooo much better to my eye when they have a high-low hemline that prevents “uni-leg”. It makes all the difference.

That said Michelle, your new casual maxi dress is stunningly gorgeous. Extremely good fit. I am imagining it with a slightly shorter hemline

Christina F.

Veteran

I like them because they help cover my legs in the summer while keeping me cool, which is a must for moving between hot streets and cold subway cars and office. That said, I’ve mostly learned that I need them to have a waist and not to be jersey, which clings to my tummy. I have two like that. I have a couple of those jersey ones still, and they may be related to beach wear.

Kari

Veteran

I still feel like I have a couple stumbling blocks:
Those in casual fabrics that look like “nightgowns”
On me, I feel like maxis can make me look short (though I felt GREAT in my more formal wedding dress)

That being said, I bought a colorful cotton paisley maxi from World Market last summer specifically to have a casual but beautiful,nightgown that I could also use as an inexpensive cover-up after swimming. (I spent many sunny-for-Seattle afternoons swimming laps, then reading poolside.) It’s perfect for both purposes and the colors make me smile. I regretted not bringing it to a recent vacation in Arizona where we spent a lot of time in and out of the pool.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

A lot of people wear them in the summer around here admittedly during their leisure hours and not to work.l have one but only ever wear it abroad on holiday.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I suffer from the fear of falling in one that Donna mentions. Also the fear of filthy hems. Somehow I can keep white jeans clean but I doubt my super powers would extend to maxi dresses. I do think a LONG midi or tea length dress can work and it's especially good with a hi-low hem.

ClaraT

Veteran

I love maxis and own 4 (that's a lot for me). I prefer a slightly-above-the-ankle length, as in the photo I attached. The hem doesn't get dirty. I wear a cropped denim jacket as a topper. This is the perfect warm-weather casual-but-pretty outfit for me. (Not for work, obviously.)
My maxis feel unstructured yet flattering (I like my arms and shoulders) and are extremely comfortable on a hot day. Obviously, I vote YES, they're fine, wear one if you like it!

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The Cat

Veteran

I love maxi summer dresses and will happily wear them at work, for social gatherings, at home ... actually anywhere. They are casually elegant as well as comfortable and are easy to style in different ways. (Some possibilities: straw hats, sandals, ballet flats, wedges, big white button front shirts worn as jackets, linen blazers, cardigans, bomber jackets, pashmina shawls, braided belts, pearls, bracelets, dangle earrings, crossbody bags, totes.) I prefer the length to be around the ankle, so there's no danger of sweeping the street or falling.

Anonymous

They look wonderfully Grecian and yacht-holiday-ish, but in reality? In a city setting? I personally don't care for them.

lisaflex

Veteran

i have a black one from a few yrs back from Soma...it is comfy as heck and not too long - i am short (5'3) and amable to wear it with gold flat lily pullitzer sandals and a jean coat. it is a super comfy outfit

shiny

Veteran

I've been living in maxi's in the summer for several years now. And, I'm only 5'0 tall. Petite maxis of course. I like the long column they create. I love having the coverage for my legs, to protect from sun and also AC. And yes I wear them in a city setting all the time, since I live in a city. I'd much rather don a maxi than a short dress or shorts -- you never know what you're sitting on when it comes to public transportation.

It's true you have to be careful about tripping if the maxi is too long. For that reason I am okay with ankle length maxis.

I don't wear them for work because the shape is best showing off arms, i.e., sleeveless and tank styles (I can't do strappy).

When my jersey tank maxis get pilled and faded and stretched out, I relegate them to nightgown status.

Molly Mac

Veteran

I like maxi dresses for many of the reasons listed by other posters. I am 5'4" and find they look best if I have them hemmed to right above my ankle. I find this a more flattering length for me and it resolves the filthy hem/tripping issue. Interestingly, I prefer casual maxi dresses to formal ones. All my "dressy dresses" are knee length or shorter. One of the most important things I have learned on this forum is "wear what makes you happy" no matter what the prevailing trends may be.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I love my maxi skirt and long skirts and dresses. I don’t like high low hems on me as they accentuate my lower legs, which are not my best feature.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I love the three I own. I particularly like them when it's super hot (today was our second straight 100 degree day -- so early for us). They feel breezy and cooling to me. I like that I am more covered up. Yes, you need to be careful to not step on them (or roll an office chair over them) but I a fan. I am, not however, very stylish or on trend.