Cardigan Empire

Salt Lake City Fashion Stylist

Dress Empress: Can I Wear a Maxi Dress?

Dear Empress,
 
I am dying to try the Maxi Dress trend, but am hesitant. I am 5’4″ with an hourglass figure, not heavy but quite curvy. Can I pull this off? which style would suit me best?

Missus Melissa
(Recipes)

length
Make sure your diurnal gown is cut to the appropriate height.  Most maxis are designed to skim the ankles.  Therefore, if the hem trails your terrain, add some espadrilles or hem it.  Conversely if it’s shin grazing, replace it on its hanger home.
prints 
Patterns need to be in proportionate to your posture.  A delicate ditsy print on a full figured amazon appears puerile.  While an electric, over sized print on a pocket person may lead others to assume a dress devouring disaster.   
shape
Dorothy Perkins Blue Ikat Print Dress
A v-neck cuts into the volume of a full bust while thick straps ensure coverage of a supportive lady egg nest.  Paneled volume billows from below the ribcage, balancing the lower half, while elongating the leggers.

Shop Ruche Twilight Grace Maxi Dress
Draping from an empire waistline hides any areas of insecurity while a solid monochromatic color maximizes the length of the figure.

ModCloth Good To Be Tier Dress
Layers of volume add flirtatious dimension ensuring straight silhouettes are neither boxy nor waifish.

Debenhams White Striped Rope Maxi Dress
If you don’t want the eye to measure it don’t stripe it. But if you intend to dramatize a differentiation, stripes are strategic.  As an hourglass you can amplify your narrows by drawing lines and cinching belts around them. 
Warehouse Shield Print Maxi Dress
Clean minimal pleats create a tidy space for the hips without adding unnecessary volume, while a high halter neckline maximizes the upper half.

Don’t let children go naked this Easter.  Enter the Babies Everywhere Giveaway. Do it for the babies.
Feed me fashionably fresh

Comments

  1. Um – was it FATE that I ran into you last night? I think YES. So great to see you. I LOVE the outfit. Haven’t sold Dave 100% on the skirt yet though :o(

    He LOVES the top/sweater, but he’s hesitant on the skirt. He thinks I’ll wear it twice and never wear it again, and . . . I’m afraid he might be right! Since the skirt was $140 that would $70/wear . . . ha ha.

    Anyway, regardless I’m going to look fabulous in the picture whether I end up wearing the skirt or not, thanks to YOU!! You saved me you fabulous STYLIST you!!

  2. I have a private blog. Can I enter the baby dress giveaway?

  3. Auburn,

    The khaki pencil from Loft completed the ensemble quite elegantly too. And it would probably be more timeless and versatile. Either way you are going to look amazing dear. please please send the resulting pictures.