Why do most maxi dresses look so terrible on?

[jenenberry]

They always look so good on the hanger.
But, get them on most bodies (mine included) and they make a person look

Frumpy.
Pregnant.
3 X the size they normally are.
A lumpy sack of spuds!
And all that material = A billowing ship in full sail.

Am I right in thinking that only a small minority of women can pull the look off.
and it's not me

[Shinyshoes2]

I think height is also a big factor in wether or not someone can carry off a maxi dress...
Ideally anyone over a size 16 and under 5ft 6inches are very lucky if they can pull off this look.
Not many can

[BeautifulBatman]

I like them. But then I'm 6'2 and a 12-14. I've got a nice maternity one too.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I'm 5'2, I look like I am wearing a tent.
Can't do midi either as I look Mumsy, my dresses need to be mid thigh, short, but not knicker skimming short.

[jenenberry]

Beautifulbatman, you are lucky. I think being tall helps with this look.
Tall and Slim

[Artandco]

I like them. Mine aren't miles of fabric, but semi fitted Long dresses. I wore them before, during pregnancy and now after.

I'm size 6/8, 5'5

[Deeznutz]

I am 5"3 and a size 16 and wear them all he time. The trick is to wear bandeau style ones ay least two sizes smaller so they skim rather than billow or wear column vest style ones. Jersey ones with a fixed empire band with no pleating in the front work too.

They are extremely flattering then.

[LassieKillsChickens]

I'm 5'7 and an hourglass (but a size bigger than I want to be at a 14) and I really like they them and find them flattering. But it's all about the right fit/cut/colour/pattern etc.

[TheGashlycrumbTinies]

I have finally found one that doesn't make me feel and look like a galleon in a gale.

I'm 5'8" size 10.

[jenenberry]

Walking down a British high street in a long dress just looks silly.
They are for summer evenings in the med and casual summer parties.

I think I agree with this.

[Ilovenannyplum]

I bloody love a maxi dress
I'm a 10, 5ft 4ish.
Agree though that you need to get a good cut and fabric choice. Quite fond of a jersey one, they tend to hang nicely and cover the bad bits

[Mintyy]

I just hate them as day wear. Really, they make me want to laugh.

A beautiful jersey halter neck maxi dress does look great on a tall slim woman at a party.

[dexter73]

I like a maxi dress and skirt too. I'm 5'8" and a size 12. I get fitted ones so there is no worrying about looking pregnant, lumpy or billowing!

[MyPelvicFloorTrainsItself]

Noooo, I've never ever seen one look good in rl.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I like maxi skirts, but find that the dresses are much, much harder to get right.

[dexter73]

I think you are right Remus, I only have 2 dresses but quite a few skirts.

[abigamarone]

I'm 5'4(and a bit)" and a size 12-14, I got one last summer. It doesn't make me look remotely fat. Just makes me look weird. I'm thinking of cutting it into a top and skirt...

[PrimalLass]

I'm 5ft5, a size 12-14 and my maxi dresses suit me. It depends on the dress.

[defineme]

I am 5ft 10, size 14 pear shape and empire line or bandeau maxi dresses are the only dresses that have ever suited me. I do often buy smaller sizes to avoid yhe billow-nice to be in a size 10 for a change! I also love maxi skirts with a vest top. I look much slimmer in them than trousers etc.

[Runningupthathill82]

Oh my word, they're awful 90% of the time. The exceptions are where the wearer is tall and slim, and the maxi is plain-ish, without those hideous swirly or floral prints that just scream George at Asda's summer collection.

The worst, though, are strapless ones - which inevitably come with back fat and overhang - and also make the wearer's boobs look like one crammed-in mass. They're just not flattering at all to the vast majority of women, including me.

I've seen a few people look stunning in them - but only a few. My friend looked amazing in hers a few weeks ago - she's 5ft 9, ordinarily a size 6, but 40 weeks pregnant. She looked chic and comfortable, in a plain pink maxi teamed with flat sandals.

Sadly, most I see on the high street are teamed with terrible vpl (due to the way the cheap fabric grabs to the arse), overhang under the arms, and a weird peep-show effect on the bottom half as they go see-through in sunlight.

Disclaimer - I own one and look massively pregnant in it. Because I'm huge and pregnant. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and none of my summer clothes fit.

[GrumpyOldBiddy2]

My friend who is about 5ft 3 says that she looks like she's melted if she wears a maxi dress. I'm 5ft 5 and when she said that, a light bulb went on as I realised she's right - thats exactly what I look like!

[jenenberry]

melted. I like it. Melted is how I look in a maxi dress.

A great big melted flowery sofa.

[Doobigetta]

After a couple of failures, I've found some that really work for me. What they have in common is a slim silhouette, but not straight up and down, and some shape around the waistline. I'm 5'5" and size 10-12.

[areyoubeingserviced]

It depends on the cut and material .
I am 5ft 7 and I have a lovely fitted one.
However, I only ever wear it on holiday .

[BestIsWest]

I'm 5'10"' love the idea of them and have 3 in my wardrobe. In reality, I've worn each of them once.

[FrugalFashionista]

I'm 5'8" and my frame is lean (sz 10-12) and a bit boyish, no nipped in waist. They feel all wrong on me, I feel like a homeless person in them. I like more tailored and structured clothes, mini, A line, knee length and midi dresses work for me but anything calf length is awful.