Maxi dresses are a fantastic foundation for a variety of looks. You can wear them as they are or dress them up a notch, all the while keeping your body cooler than jeans would without exposing a lot of skin.
Belts: Throw one of these (skinny or wide) around your middle whether your dress has an elastic waistband or not. In one case you’re creating a waist for yourself; in the other, you’re covering up a potentially less-than-cute area of the dress. I often feel like the elastic area looks a little awkward on me, so I try to cover it up if I can.
Flats: Sure, there are maxi dresses out there that look like they were made for a great pair of heels, and sometimes you may need that extra height boost to avoid having your dress hemmed (for looks or to avoid tripping on the end).
One of the perks of a maxi dress, though, is how casual it is and how it doesn’t require high-maintenance shoes. Personally, I almost always end up nearly ripping my dress when I try to wear a pair of heels with a long skirt. Try finding a few pairs of flip-flops, ballet flats, or even low wedges if you really can’t help yourself. It’s all about the comfort.
Fitted T-shirt: Some maxi dresses are all carefree comfort, but only from the waist down. A plunging neckline or the lack of straps, both common on maxi dresses, could take carefree cool to nightmarish embarrassment if your kid tugs something out of place (or you step on the hem and pull it a little too hard yourself).
On days when this is a concern but you’re dying to wear the dress for the sake of that lightweight, flowing skirt, throw on a fitted tee over the top. If the top shifts, you’ll have enough time to excuse yourself and fix it. Plus a long skirt with a fitted tee is just cute.
Lightweight scarf: Here’s another option if you feel overexposed, though it won’t offer the same coverage in the case of a fashion emergency that a T-shirt would.
Pick up a lightweight scarf in a complementary color or pattern and tie it around your neck. Let the ends hang down in the front and feel a little less naked.
Cardigan or blazer, you pick: This one can be combined with any of the above—throw on a skinny belt and cinch in a cardigan along with the dress or layer it on top of a T-shirt/scarf.
It’s nice to have one on hand if you’re not just hanging out at home or somewhere the temperature’s fairly predictable. If you’re going to a restaurant or a movie in the summer, it’s nice to know you have an extra layer that goes with the dress you’re living in this season.
You could almost call a maxi dress the fashion solution for everyday life. So many options make it perfect for almost any occasion.
Photo credit: Nordstrom
