Maxi Dresses

The New Casual Day Dress

Get Maxi Dresses:

1. XOXO Geometric-Print Maxi Tube Dress $69, amazon.com

2. Donna Ricco Print Silk Maxi Dress $168, Nordstrom.com

3. Advertised Printed Satin Maxi Dress $68, rampage.com

4. Foley & Corinna Rayon Shirred Corset Maxi Halter in Navy $413, revolveclothing.com

5. Miss Bisou Halter Maxi Dress $49.99, jcpenney.com

6. Tropical Halter Dress $29.80, forever21.com

7. Trixxi Floral-Print Maxi Dress $79, macys.com

8. Ingwa; Melero Lucia Maxi Dress $306, shopbop.com

Maxi Dresses - The Long Dress Is A Big Hit!

I think I have a clear understanding of all your reactions after seeing the title “Maxi Dresses.” I bet you clicked on this fashion page only to wonder how in the world the maxi dress is a burgeoning trend this season when it's opposite, the mini dress, is also atop the trends list for spring.  But keep in mind that the world of fashion can sometimes be a little peculiar! You don't always know what's going to hit the market and what will sell well. But that goes for almost everything in life, nothing is a guarantee. And the maxi dress is living proof of that implication. Just last year, this floor sweeping length was sort of in the outs (fashion don't) and take a look at it now. Gee, fashion does have its weird cycles.

But when you think about it, maxi dresses are not all that bad. Celebrities like Nikki Griffin from “The Dukes of Hazzard” and "The OC" are already grabbing hold of this trend, and Nikki looks fabulous in her maxi dress!  As consumers, we tend to be indecisive when a cast-off trend is reintroduced, and that's okay. Without some dilly-dallying over a trend, we wouldn't know whether or not a trend is worthy. So let's examine the maxi dress a little bit, shall we?

Why The Maxi Dress? They're Romantic!

What's the cause for the rise of the maxi dress? Let's begin with that. The maxi dress fits into the role of how this season is so fixated on throwback trends, volume in silhouettes, and the reminiscence of romanticism and femininity. Maxi dresses penetrate ever so deeply into the past and romantic theme, having dreamy and flowing full lengths that brush the floor similar to how many odd years ago when women would impart sexuality and grace through the way her dress would sway. Maxi dresses also play a part in the silhouette and voluminous trend, comprising of a somewhat cone shape (small to big) with a fitted upper body and a flowing bottom. In essence, maxi dresses emanate all of the current trends cooped up into one example.

Maxi Dresses:  What To Look For

And now what to look out for: Yes, day dresses are typically known to be sun friendly and short in length with a high velocity of prints, but does it work with elongated dresses like the maxi? If you do it correctly, it can work!

• The best way to tackle this look is by shopping with the words unpretentious and delicacy in mind. Think of lace and neutral colors.

• If you want a maxi dress lathered with print, pick out large graphic prints, or prints with either exotic or abstract patterns that won't overwhelm the wearer too much. It makes the dress look less curtain and more glamorous!

• Maxi dresses are best paired with wedged heels, thong sandals or embellished slippers or flip flops.

• Oh, and the key rule to pulling this off during the day is to find a dress with an empire waist or halter style with a dress length that rests and touches the ankles instead of the actual floor for a wearable look.

Don't let skepticism get the best of you. Try the look and see for yourself if the maxi dress works out for you. If not, that's acceptable too - this trend does tend to work better for tall ladies instead of petite (the mini dress was made for you!). If you don't want to give elongated dresses a shot during the day, then leave it for the night time affairs. As always, trends are not for everyone.

Article Written By: Venessa Estrellado; Venessa is a graduate of FIDM in Los Angeles , CA and enjoys writing and creating pages for Divavillage.com.

Photo Credits:  WireImage