In fashion history terms, a woman's maxi dress is once again an acceptable day-wear,
suitable as a transition piece for informal wear in many social situations.
The maxi
is not the same as a
long
structured embellished evening dress, which
is
intended solely for post cocktail and red carpet moments.
However, the right maxi dress can also be worn from morning till
night.
In simple terms a maxi is an ordinary dress, but made to about
ankle length.
A 2010 maxi dress should not be confused with a formal long
gown. Correctly selected a maxi is a piece that may bridge
fashion gaps in your wardrobe.
Maxi fashion trends are here.
Take a good look at this white tiered maxi dress with gold coins,
because it has been a top seller at Internacionale. Wearers
report that it is
comfortable, feminine, cheap and cheerful and they like the shape and
the
unfussy plain fabric. The pure white dress, see far right
image, is a summer garment that worn on a bright sunny day or on
a tropical holiday, it would take you through a busy day from
dawn to dusk.
Near Right -
Internacionale White and Gold Coin Maxi Dress £20 -
Internacionale SS10 Clothing - Stockist Tel: 0141 552 2020.
Right - White Maxi, Tan Belted Metallic Shimmer Maxi Dress £42 -
Jane Norman Summer 2010.
These
ditzy floral maxi dresses immediately below are not too overdressed
and don't especially look like evening maxis - they all pass as
summer daywear and festival wear. They can take you
easily from day to casual party.
Small pinhead flowers, ditsy, ditzy,
dimity, dotty, dollybird, prints
inspired by floral fabrics of the past have led young designers like Erdem
to concentrate designing afresh, glorious floral prints that pay
homage to other fashion history eras. Right - Erdem Fabric
Print.
Prairie Cowgirl is one of this summers fashion trends.
Some
of the prettier translations include ditsy floral print
maxi dresses as well as pretty scarves and floaty tops. Dimity prints, soft dainty little frills or
flowing border print skirts can be teamed with boots or gladiator
sandals. Then it's easy to pull the prairie girl outfit
together with leather accessories, natural cord or crafted jewellery. The soft
muted tones of these prints below are in contrast to the intense brighter full
blown cabbage rose and viola looks from designer Erdem or the
Mad Men knee length
frocks.
Left - River Island Festival Prairie Look - Floral Print
Coco Maxi Dress £44.99. Vintage Twist Belt £14.99, Dickens Boots
£74.99, Vintage Wayfarers £16.99. River Island Stockist Tel:
0208 991 4904.
Centre Left - BHS Ditsy Floral Maxi Dress £45 - BHS SS10
Womenswear Stockist Tel: 0845 196 0000.
Centre Right - ASOS Floral Rose Print Maxi Dress - ASOS June
Clothing £50.
Far Right - Festival Fashion - Warehouse Traveller Mixed Floral
Jungle Print Maxi Dress £85/110, Lace Waistcoat £35/46, Bag
£28/36 - Warehouse Spring 10.
Details of the ditsy floral prints from the 2010 maxi dresses above.
Above Left - River Island Floral Print.
Centre Left - BHS
Ditsy Floral Print.
Centre Right - ASOS Floral Rose Print.
Far
Right - Warehouse Floral Print.
These soft ditsy prints are mellow but without any jarring, and
they blend in with earthy
tones of the drying leaves and vegetation found in the natural
countryside. These gentle layered looks lend a feminine and semi
rustic ambiance to
your wardrobe particularly for festival events. Electric colours that look
fine under a Mediterranean sky can be perceived as shocking on
a dull cloudier day. Whether Hay-on-Wye or
Glastonbury do take account of our volatile British summer weather
and select fabrics accordingly.
Get set for your festival moment now with these dresses from
Miss Selfridge. They capture the summertime relaxed
traveller gypsy fashion trend.
Tiered
gypsy Boho
skirt elements have now found new life in the romantic look maxi
dresses. These tiered styles here are just an extension of the
exotic gypsy skirt beloved by so many women in the last decade.
Most of
these tiered shirred dresses come with detachable shoestring or fixed spaghetti straps, like this mauve border tier maxi
left. The model
far right wears a
girly tiered dress from Miss Selfridge High Summer 2010
Collections. The flat shot shows the dress shape.
»
The constant between this section of dresses is the soft
floral ditsy fabric prints with 'Little House on the Prairie'
overtones.
Above Left - Miss Selfridge Shirred Maxi Dress £45.
Above Right - Miss Selfridge - Bud Tiered Maxi Dress £45/70.
Centre Right - Dress Flat Shot Detail. All from Miss Selfridge
High Summer 2010 Main Range.
Floral prints also come in brighter fulsome blooms arranged in
border prints, mock patchwork and move into abstract mixes. Styles are simple,
this style of maxi dress concentrates on bra cup empire-line shaped
tops, bandeaus or V bodices.
Left - Monsoon Red Border Print Folkloric Maxi Dress - Nicole
Maxi Dress £150/235. Angelina Jacket £120/185 - Monsoon
Ladies.
Centre Left - ASOS Clothing - Maxi Dress £50 -
asos
Centre
Right - Flower Print Dress, £28, Marisota SS10 - Marisota
Stockist Tel: 08719847612.
Far Right - Oli Multi Paisley Floral Maxi Dress £35. Oli - Ref.
55G497WB9 .
In the image above you can see how the flowers move from
traditional recognisable flora to the more abstract meandering
floral linked thematic pattern of the maxi shown far right.
Plus size ladies clothing from Marisota
It isn't always easy finding stylish clothing suitable for curvy
fashionistas. However, the plus size ladies
clothing from Marisota just proves that times are changing and there is no
longer the need to sacrifice catwalk-influenced contemporary design for clothing
that fits shapelier women well. In addition, with some simple steps, finding
that perfect wardrobe that makes you feel comfortable and look great is a
doddle.
The first rule of thumb when shopping is to bear in mind your body shape and
the type of clothing that tends to suit your figure – know your body and know it
well. Identify any 'problem' areas of your body that you aren't comfortable with
and select garments that help with these to help conceal any lumps and bumps,
for example. Alternatively, think carefully about what you love about your
figure and don't hold back on embracing these and putting them on show. Have fun
with fashion and experiment with this seasons trends that complement the fuller
figure and enhance your favourite parts.
Tops and dresses with a sweetheart neckline are great for women with a bigger
bust while tailored pieces generally flatter the figures of curvaceous beauties.
Large bold prints, on the other hand, aren't as flattering for these body shapes
as they tend to create the illusion of a larger surface area. If you are looking
for garments with print, stick to smaller, more subtle ones. The colour white is
always huge for the summer and is the perfect choice for enhancing enviable
holiday tans. Opt for cutwork, lace designs and embellishments teamed with gold
jewellery to achieve that ultimate look.
Take note of how the first tribal maxi dress below has taken on
a
less flowery but greater folkloric feel. The pattern has become
richer with paisley showing clear similarities with exotic
pattern found in carpets and fabrics of the world of foreign
Bazaars.
This maxi dress on the right moves almost seamlessly into tribal
colour ways and prints, check-out the safe but earthy dusty tones of
natures scorched and dusty soils and leaves.
Above Left - Multi Coloured Paisley Print Maxi
Dress £35 - Oli Clothing 2010 - Ref.55G497WB9.
Centre - Grecian Boho Holiday Dip Dye Eveningwear Maxi
Dress £45 - M&Co Spring/Summer 2010 Ladieswear.
Stockist Tel: 0800 0317 200.
Above Right - Oli Clothing 2010 - Maxi Animal Print Festival
Casual Summer Dress £35 - Oli Ref.40C458WB9.
The final long tribal maxi
immediate right is from high
street chain and online retailer Marks & Spencer.
Right - Marks & Spencer Summer Womenswear Striped Tribal
Print Silk Maxi Dress - T50 0217 £79 - Marks & Spencer Clothing
2010. Near Right - Fabric Pattern Detail.
I have recently tried on this fully lined matte silk M&S
dress (T50 0217). It feels wonderfully cool, and as the
silky maxi flows beautifully over the body so it smoothes over any
lumps or bumps. The colouration which I liked is
jazzy, murky, yet subtle and understated. You can see how the silhouette
looks good, and it will
suit olive and darker skins as well as those with English Rose colouring.
The front is quite low, but could be given a
few modesty stitches, while the empire-back bodice is cut in a short
V-back. The built up shoulder is less revealing overall than
many shoestring strap dresses, and I feel more comfortable
showing my arms in this maxi than others that I have tried. I think this long silk tribal
print dress would suit many special day occasions, and be perfect
for a holiday where sea breezes waft nearby. The cut is generous
so I went down a size when I bought this dress.
These rich burnt earth tones give an air of
being at peace with nature, yet offer a subtle and glamorous
approach to maxi dressing.
There are many new takes on animal prints in the
summer of 2010, and
people are now buying animal marking clothes that feature zebra
prints as much as leopard spots.
Animal based prints in murky colours merge well with
daywear. They are almost the equivalent of a modern everyday
marl material.
Still on the ethnic traveller theme, these three dresses use
colours which would
blend in easily with exotic spices, or the dusty roads of
Africa.
Left - Fifty Plus Maxi Dress from £30 - Fifty
Plus Spring/Summer 10. Centre - Macramι Maxi Dress £29.99 River Island
SS2010.Right - Printed Gypsy Beaded Maxi Dress - Apricot 2010.
Another variation of daywear maxi dresses in 2010 is in the
sleeve. They include
cap sleeves and floor length T-shirt. Jersey knit fabrics really took off in the 1970s when casual wear
became more the norm. Until then a T-shirt was often called a
'Sloppy Joe' simply because it was only considered ultra casual wear. Many 1970s maxi dresses were cut exactly parallel,
just like this plain 2010 silhouette - see right.
The elongated jersey T-Shirt it is a practical alternative to
the frilly sheer billowing
maxi dress, thus is very wearable during the day. The neutrality of style, and simplicity of
pattern, makes it very suitable for rock
festival blend in wear, or seaside resorts in summer time.
Centre and
Far Right - Stripe Corsage Maxi Dresses £25 - Oli Clothing.
All of the maxi vests above also
make great roll-up / cover-ups for the
beach. If you prefer a long sleeved
jersey, then this dress this nautical inspired striped dress far right may be the
answer.
These maxis striped dresses nod to nautical themes.
These two very basic shaped maxi silhouettes are in
plain fabrics and ideal for layering and accessorizing up or
down. Fabric, and the patterns on it make, all
the difference to where and when a woman feels she could stay
comfortable wearing it all day.
Far Left - Dorothy Perkins Boho Festival SS 10 Navy Maxi Jersey Dress
£18/28, Sandals £25/40.
Near - Heidi Klein SS10 Long Line Jersey Maxi Dress -
Available at Matchesfashion.com - £145.
A maxi dress fits in with today's fashion for relaxed dressing.
However, there are still some rules which all but the willow
slim should consider. Do try to get it right when you follow this
fashion trend.
Wearing the wrong, over voluminous maxi
dress can provoke comments such as, 'when is the baby due', or
snide remarks of, 'beefy boob overhang', therefore, select and
style which suits your individual body shape.
When selecting jersey fabrics watch that they don't cling too much,
especially if you
have thunder thighs or a midriff bulge. Choose the correct
(SOMETIMES LARGER) size
and you will eliminate some of the problems of bulges. Just because
a jersey
has give does not mean you should be stretching it too much!
Know your limits of when to reveal those curves.
Left - Primark Striped Jersey Maxi
Dress £11 - Primark Womenswear Collection for Summer 2010.
Right - One for Autumn 2010 - Stripe Jersey Maxi Dress £35 -
Available in store Mid of July 2010 BHS - AW10 Womenswear
BHS Stockist Tel: 0845 196 0000.
A maxi dress is more relaxed than a formal evening gown as
maxi fabric can also be used in casual daywear, summer beachwear
and day occasion wear. These neutral dresses can be
accessorized with glitzy bling pieces or simple leather neckwear or friendships bracelets.
Florals might suit some women, but others run a mile when
they see a bunch of flowers on material. For them the only dress
is a plain dress, or classic very simple patterns like the
stripes below, or non-florals such as these neutral random
patterns created by ink-blot grunge tie-dye effects.
Left - Black/White Maxi Bra Dress - Coast at Debenhams Womenswear
SS10.
Centre Left - Matalan Be Beau Grunge Print Maxi Dress £18
- Matalan Stockist Tel:
0845 330 3330.
Centre Right - Utility Trend Tie Dye Hippy Holiday Cotton Maxi
Dress £28/45 - Dorothy Perkins High Summer 2010.
Far Left - Papaya Printed Jersey Maxi Dress £16 - Matalan Women
Stockist Tel: 0845 330 3330.
The last long vest shape shown is a winning easy
line silhouette and works just as well with the longer sleeves.
Individuals who reject floral materials often enjoy pattern
in their clothes, but prefer quirky abstract prints or complex
border arrangements.
˚
Blue Maxi Dresses
Then there are the die hard denim fans, who are forever
packing several jean styles in their luggage, well, this year they
can squeeze in a denim maxi skirt or dress.
So the first choice of denim for many girls will be blue -
pale or dark, while others will opt for white denim maxis.
This denim bandeau dress with tiered skirts is from River
Island, and girls everywhere will love it for festival events.
Left - River Island Double Denim Maxi Dress £34.99. River Island
Stockist Tel: 0208 991 4904
www.riverisland.com.
Another blue choice is that of Blue
and white Toile de Jouey or Willow Chinoiserie prints. Right - River Island Summer SS10 - Blue Grey White Mix Folk
Print Maxi Dress £34.99 River Island Summer - Stockist Tel: 0208
991 4904.
These long halter dresses below are also made in materials
such as denim and cotton, making them more suited as beach and
festival daywear.
The price of these halter neck dresses is between £14 and £40, and
thus can be regarded as
a cheap inexpensive budget maxi, but considering their attractive prints
good value. As with any item, you need to try them on, and in
this instance you may
be very pleasantly surprised.
Left - Marisota Denim Maxi Halter Neck
Dress - From £40.
Centre Left - NEXT Tropical Maxi Print Dress £40.
Above
Centre Right - Reptile Maxi Dress £29, Miss Selfridge -
High Summer 2010 Main Range.
Far Right - Purple Floral Halter Neck Maxi Dress £20 -
Boohoo.com SS 10 Dresses.
An inexpensive maxi dress is ideal for the beach. You can get
sun lotion or al fresco food on it and not fret too much that
purchasing it broke the bank. Everyone can don a maxi dress at the beach and
feel perfectly comfortable whatever their size.
Plus sizes are catered for far better since women voiced their
opinion in internet forums and at online chain store
reviews. Plus sizes are getting a now better deal, and the high street
has upped its game providing many larger women with clothes that are sized up from
main ranges.
The first plus size maxi dress right is from Ann Harvey, the
long sleeved dress will appeal to any feminine woman who loves,
not only frills, but also the sleeves. Get it this autumn 2010 from Evans.
Near Right - Ann Harvey Malibu Print Maxi Dress
£75 - Ann Harvey Spring Summer 2010 Stockist Tel: 01582 399856.
A bright feminine holiday multicolour maxi dress ideal for
the 16+, outsize and plus size woman who likes the tropical
women's trends.
Right - Evans Plus Size Autumn 2010 Tiered Maxi Dress.
Big girls love butterflies. Below - Evans Butterfly Maxi Dress £59.50/89.50.
Not since the 70s has the maxi had such a true female following.
Typical prints of the 1970s used ditzy Laura Ashley English
country florals, Pucci or Matisse inspired abstract prints,
geometric op art styles and ikat patterns.
Pockets are not an obvious feature on the maxi dresses of
2010, but may appear in autumn/winter wear dresses, which can be
worn more like pinafore dresses with blouses, fine knit or
jersey wear tops and sweaters. Autumn maxis are ideal for
layering and will work well with autumn 2010s longer line
cardigan coats.
1970s maxi pinafore dresses were teamed with long rows of
pearls, or gold chains and pearl mixes. Expect to see a
revival of opera or 1920's sautoir type necklaces to match the
elongation of the maxi dress.
A modern jersey floral dress like this one right from Boohoo
would be a good alternative. To highlight the waist add a
contrast wide belt.
Far Right - Floral Cami Racer Back Maxi Dress £29.99 - River
Island Maxi Summer - River Island Stockist Tel : 0208 991
4904. The racer back long vest dress far right has a feminine
hemline frill and cabbage rose print.
If
you simply don't see yourself ever wearing a dress, let alone a
short dress,
then perhaps the best maxi for you would be to go shopping for a casual ankle long
skirt such as the ones here.
Tribal and ethnic prints like this
yellow and black skirt will cheer
you. Boho lives! Right - ASOS Clothing - Maxi Skirt £35.
A maxi skirt can be a good choice for both festival wear and
a blessing to women with widely
differing bust and hip measurements. Strong colour and pattern
is a given for this years maxi skirts. Turquoise is the colour
of the year for 2010, the colour of great skies and seas making
it the holiday colour memory of a lifetime.
Far Left - Long Tall Sally - Floppy Straw Sun Hat £18. Ribbed
Vest
£14. Linen Skirt, £50. Frill Wedge
£46. Skirt available at
longtallsally sizes 8-20.
Right - Twist Vest in Copper - Kettlewell Spring/Summer 2010 -
Stockist Tel: 01460 282917.
Copyright of images courtesy of Prshots,
Dorothy
Perkins, NEXT, BHS, Fifty Plus, Evans, Ann Harvey, Monsoon, Debenhams,
River Island, M&Co, Tesco F&F, Long Tall Sally, Matalan, ASOS,
Oli, Apricot, Miss Selfridge, Mama-Licious,
Marisota, Internacionale, Yogoego,
Kettlewell, Matches Fashion, Boohoo.com and Beyond Retro.
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In fashion history terms, a woman's maxi dress is once again an acceptable day-wear,
suitable as a transition piece for informal wear in many social situations.
The maxi
is not the same as a
long
These
ditzy floral maxi dresses immediately below are not too overdressed
and don't especially look like evening maxis - they all pass as
summer daywear and festival wear. They can take you
easily from day to casual party.
Above Left - Multi Coloured Paisley Print Maxi
Dress £35 - Oli Clothing 2010 - Ref.55G497WB9.
These maxis striped dresses nod to nautical themes.
