Maxi Dresses and Maxi Skirts: Spring/ Summer Fashion Trends 2011
Maxi Dresses and Skirts: Spring/Summer 2011 Trends
Maxi dresses and maxi skirts are one of the massively popular trends this year (2011) for women in spring/summer.
If you think about it of course, it’s not really a trend per se. I mean, when I say trend I tend to think of other crazy things like high waisted pants making a sudden comeback (yes, that post is coming soon!)
Maxi dresses and maxi skirts have been around for a while. They get especially popular in summer, because they tend to be free flowing and comfy and overall they help you to stay cool in the heat.
Gabriella Rocha – Suchin T-Shirt Dress (Indigo)
Maxi Dresses DON’T Have to Be Frumpy!
Unfortunately, maxi dresses and skirts have gotten associated with “frumpy” – and to be honest this what I used to think too. Maxi skirts are preferred by many for their modesty, especially in summer when you want to stay cool and still not show too much skin – but these have been worn too “modestly” by many which leads to a frumpy appearance.
Maxi dresses are often loose and made with soft material… and then at some point they start to resemble a nightgown!
Please stay away from frumpy. I hate frumpy more than anything else in the fashion sin book… and there is a definitely a way to wear maxi dresses without looking frumpy. There are some great styles of maxi dresses out there that will keep you looking stylish and keep you cool, all without looking frumpy. And you can cover up and be modest too, if that’s what your goal is.
The main criteria I have when selecting nice looking maxi dresses is to pick something that screams “evening gown” rather than “night gown”! Use your intuition for this one. Every time you evaluate a long dress or skirt, ask yourself: where in the spectrum does this dress fall? Is it more like something I would wear to bed, or is it more like something I’d wear to an evening gala? Try to pick styles that err more towards the latter.
Michael Stars – Sleeveless Halter Maxi Dress (Passport/White)
The one exception I have in this rule is if the maxi dress in question is bold and bright. As we all know by now, stripes are in. Bold blocks of color are in. Heck, even florals are in (though I suggest you pair them with something chunky or cool to avoid looking dated).
Another rule of thumb is, never buy something that doesn’t suit you. Maxi dresses may be in vogue, but don’t buy a dress that’s not your type. For instance, I have flabby belly issues – so I try to avoid those clingy dresses. A friend of mine thinks she has fat arms (she doesn’t) so she always pairs sleeveless or strappy tops with cardigans or shrugs.
Jessica Simpson – Strapless Cotton Maxi Dress (White)
How to Wear a Maxi Skirt
Now the next question is – how should you wear a maxi skirt? Personally, I like to wear maxi dresses over skirts, but I admit that a skirt can be more versatile.
The key when choosing clothes to wear with a maxi skirt is to keep in mind that the skirt is long and flowy, so your top should counteract this by being tight and cool. If the skirt is patterned, try to stick to solid colors for your top. Try to avoid button down shirts, which can lead to a prairie look.
Also, if you are pairing a solid colored top with a maxi skirt, I suggest you look into chunky jewelry to liven up the top. I love seeing girls who wear chunky necklaces with their tops. Extreme fashionistas can carry off bow ties and other crazy accessories, but if you want to be more demure you can wear modest scarves or jewelry.
Buying Cheap Maxi Dresses
I am a big fan of buying things when they are less expensive. However, keep in mind that cheap maxi dresses are often cheap for a reason. Cheap maxi dresses that cost less because they are on sale may be a great bargain, but items that always cost less may have been made with lower quality materials. In the long run, it is always, always better to buy something that costs a bit more but is great quality and that you will wear more often.
I used to love my bargain buys, but it didn’t take me too long to realise that my el-cheapo clothes wore out more quickly and often looked flimsy.
Lole – Prominent Dress (Castlerock)
Plus Size Maxi Dresses
Plus size maxi dresses are also available in a range of colors and styles. You can select from the styles that you prefer and still stay cool this summer! Most plus size maxi dresses are very loose, so I suggest you opt for one that is tight on top and then flows out with an empire style waist.

DKNY Jeans Plus Size – Plus Size Solid Smocked Maxi Dress (Fern) – Apparel

DKNYC Plus Size – Plus Size Tank Maxi Dress (Black)

Gabriella Rocha – Plus Size Rania (Purple) – Apparel
Maternity Maxi Dress
A maternity maxi dress is a great way to stay cool and trendy this summer – even when you’re pregnant! In the early stages of pregnancy you can get away with wearing a regular maxi dress which has an empire waist. However, later on you can choose from a number of maternity maxi dresses.

Olian – Maternity Erin Dress (Black and White Border Print) – Apparel

Olian – Maternity Fern Dress (Blue Print) – Apparel
Maxi Dresses for Petites, or Maxi Dresses For Short Women
Maxi dresses for petites are a great way to dress. It’s a myth that short women cannot wear maxi dresses and skirts. As a vertically challenged chick myself, I recommend that you shun the nay sayers. Most women will look stunning in a maxi dress as long as it’s in their style.
One thing I’ve seen though, is that maxi dresses for petites should have something covering the shoulders. For some reason, my shorter friends and I have always felt a bit weird wearing strapless maxi dresses – maybe covering the shoulders adds a bit of an illusion of height? I’m not sure… but I’ve given up on trying to wear strapless maxi dresses.
Maxi Dresses for Tall Women
Maxi dresses for tall women are a great solution for those who are taller than average and don’t want their “maxi” to stop short at their calves!
Tall women can carry off maxi dresses with ease. You don’t need to worry about whether your dress is strapless or not like us petites do. I especially love the white Jessica Simpson dress for tall women.
Evening Maxi Dresses
Evening maxi dresses are your solution for those glamorous summer outings you must attend. As I’ve said before, I like my maxi dresses to err on the glamorous side. An evening maxi dress will be a bit like an evening gown – just more laid back and comfortable! If you’re planning to wear your maxi dress to an evening event like a wedding or formal party, I recommend splurging on more expensive materials like silks and chiffons. Leave the cottons for the day – you don’t want to look like you dressed for the beach.

Halston Heritage – Shirred Shoulder Long Dress (Black)
Summer Maxi Dresses
Summer and maxi dresses seem to go together. Yes, there are long sleeved maxi dresses that you can wear in the winter but mostly the maxis come out in the summer.
However, just because you’re wearing a summer maxi dress doesn’t mean that you have to be extra “summery” about it. Yes, I’m looking at you, maxi dress meant as beach coverup. And maxi dress with frumpy tie die design. Stay sleek.
Long Sleeve Maxi Dress
Just because we wear maxi dresses in the summer doesn’t mean that you can’t find a long sleeve maxi dress. Here are some cool ones that I like:

BCBGMAXAZRIA – 3/4 Sleeve Maxi Dress (Black)
Modest Skirts
One of the main reasons for the popularity of maxi dresses and skirts is the modesty of the skirt. Some women (myself included, a lot of the time) don’t want to show too much skin. A maxi dress or skirt will perform the function of modest skirts without compromising in the style department.
Red Maxi Dress
Looking for a red maxi dress? Here’s one that looks awesome, I love how drapey the skirt looks. This is a dress that will probably be flattering to most women.

Blue Maxi Dress
A blue maxi dress doesn’t have to be boring! I am especially loving the CK animal print blue dress… wow, it’s amazingly edgy while being totally wearable.

BCBGeneration – Pleated Maxi Dress (Splash Multi)

Calvin Klein – Silk Maxi Dress (Marine/Navy)
Purple Maxi Dress
A purple maxi dress can be casual, like the top one, or insanely glamorous, like the one below.


Jean Paul Gaultier – Solid Long Drama Gown (Violet)
Black Maxi Dresses
I love me a black maxi dress. Black is timeless and you will wear your black dress over and over again. But if you want to add a bit of edge, check out this rocking maxi:

Volcom – Petal To The Metal Maxi Dress
Tommy Bahama – Crinkle Lawn Halter Dress (Black)
Pink Maxi Dress
If you want to be really girly and opt for a pink maxi dress, here are two that are cute without being cheesy:


Lilly Pulitzer – Viola Dress Eyelet (Hotty Pink Double Or Nothing Eyelet)
Formal Maxi Dresses
Yes, you can purchase formal maxi dresses to wear to the more elegant occassions. I am loving some of the dresses above as options to wear as a formal maxi dress, such as the Jean Paul Galtier dress. But what do you think about this dress? I am not sure that I’d be able to carry it off. But for some women, it might be a great option. I do think the color is amazing!

Halston Heritage – One Shoulder Maxi Dress (Olive) – Apparel
Well, I’ll stop rambling about maxi dresses for now! As you can see, there are many gorgeous options to choose from – just pick a maxi dress that you love.
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