How to Wear: The Maxi Dress, Three Ways

We get lots of questions about the maxi dress: Is it appropriate for all occasions? How do I wear it? What’s the right length for my height? Somehow, the maxi dress has become a bit of a fashion mystery, but it doesn’t have to be. We think it’s an ideal piece for casual/dressy and day/night when styled well.

In addition, the long, loose fit of a maxi dress is super comfortable and flattering for many body types. It’s forgiving in the way of high-waisted bottoms or peplum tops; it smoothes over our most sensitive areas. Especially in black! We’ve chosen the Mila Maxi Dress in Back by LoveStitch as a base layer to three styled summer looks: 1) Workday Casual, 2) Date Night, and 3) Weekend Brunch with the Girls.

1. WORKDAY CASUAL

For a relaxed professional twist, we’ve styled the basic maxi dress with a Valencia Ribbed Cotton Longline Bralette in Heather Gray by Skin to provide some coverage in the front, and the cute criss-cross straps will show under the deep V on the back of the dress. An unstructured jacket, such as the Bouclè Jersey Boyfriend Blazer in Ivory by Topshop, adds lots of polish without much effort when the A/C is blasting, and the Mamuye Leather Tote in Dusty Rose by Able is a fantastic work bag to hold your laptop and paper files. The Frida Clog on Mid Wedge in Midnight by No.6 is luxury comfort in a shoe, and tie in the pink tones of your Able tote with the Factor statement earring in Pink Acetate by Rachel Comey.

2. DATE NIGHT

Other than the maxi dress, of course, to be honest we found these Brazil-made Dail Heels in Orange by Schutz and pretty much based the whole outfit around them because they are so fabulous! For date night, we’re going dressier and sexier. Keeping the arms and deep V-neck bared, stay simple with a natural Box Clutch in Tortoise by Sea Lily and coordinating Hoop Earrings in Tortoise by J. Crew. The lariat-style Knotshine Necklace in Gold Ox by Madewell is a dainty pop of metallic with a long center chain that pairs well with a deep V-neck.

3. WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH THE GIRLS

We’re channeling island time for our summer brunch look with the maxi dress. The Lightweight Cape Scarf in Cobalt by J. Crew is a perfect one-size outer layer that can come off or go back on, depending on if you sit on the patio or inside. When you’re meeting the girls, you have to wear fun and funky shoes because they will be your most adoring audience! The Panarea Slide Sandals in Sand by Soludos x Anthropologie should do the trick. Stuff all the essentials–phone, keys, cards, lipstick–into the Canvas Drawstring Purse in Natural by Baggu, and define your waist with the Maui Straw Wrap belt in Lux by Sans Arcidet. It will surely flatter by creating negative space against the cape scarf.