to think that Maxi dresses are 'orrible and make everyone look like a cross between Mama Cass and her from Abigail's Party

[GetOrfMoiLand]

They are awful.

I am very tall and thin and they make me look like a chubby shortarse.

Plus (and this is the real point I think) I remember wearing one walking tipsy up some stairs and trop on the front of the dress, causing me to stumble and headbutt my own knee.

So, if you want to wear one and look like a boho throwback, be careful.

[dangalf]

As a man I think they can look very nice - the wearer does need to be slim though I think and preferably tallish.

[tulpe]

YABU.

Agree with TrillianAstra

They are very easy to wear and hide a multitude of sins (cankles, dodgy looking fake tan, can't be arsed to shave your legs, ate too much cake)

The secret is to avoid all billowing, Mama Cass-esque nods to the 60's/70s and go for a slim fitting jersey affair. If your thighs and/or tummy are not up to slim fitting jersey wear then go for something in summery cotton fabric but A-line as opposed to yards and yards of fabric.

Avoid head butting/knee injuries by lifting your skirts in manner of a "laydee" as you climb the stairs

And please, no bras/bra straps on show

[HipHopopotomus]

I'm tall and podgey with big boobs & they are great!!!!!!!!!

Though this summer I will be BF so what the heck I'm going to wear dress wise I don't know????? Will be seeking help in Style & Beauty soon.

[gordyslovesheep]

no yanbu sadly - I even purchased one and wore it Sat - i looked like a short fat middle aged cake topper - it came off quickly!

i am short and middle aged though

[EllAEllO]

Carmella on Neighbours is wearing one right now and looks luuurverly!

I am short and blonde with big boobs, so would not look lovely. At all.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I like the idea of maxi dresses. In my head I am all Elle Mcpherson long limbed and elegant.

Then I look in the mirror and see Eric Morecambe in drag

[PureBloodMuggle]

I look amazing in them.

or so everyone i meet, when I'm wearing one, tells me.

[BringBackGoingForGold]

I'm flat-chested too. I like to think I look elegant and racehorse-like/sporty in a 20s-flapper way . I get loads of compliments when I wear a maxidress too. But frankly, even if I didn't I'd still wear them, on the aforementioned hot holidays and when it's warm but I haven't waxed my legs/I just feel too pale to get my calves out/I know I'll need to sit down on the grass and get up again and don't want to flash people.

[52Girls]

Too try hard.

I've never seen one that looks good, not on any shape. Despite what you may think. A bit like linen trousers.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I just can't be doing with all that billowing ship in full sail feel.

Agree long dresses are lovely for the evening when all dressed up. I just can't equate long dresses = casual.

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Yanbu.

I quite like the idea of long evening dresses for a posh grown-up evening do.

But not for the school run or schlepping around Tesco.

[MrSpoc]

My wife has just bought one and she looks sexy as hell. I like them

[GetOrfMoiLand]

That's where I fall down then, being flat chested.

[nobiggy]

You could get three normal outfits out of that material

I went to one of those outdoor concert/picnic things once, a woman in a maxi dress was doing a Dervish-type thing to Elgar and caught the dress on a flare.

It wasn't a tragedy, she managed to put it out, so I felt quite ok about laughing.

[TeacupTempest]

yabu It depends on the style and the cut. I have three and am of average height and am thin. I have always been complimented when I wear them.

[Amileaminute]

Think you have to have big boobs to carry it off

[BringBackGoingForGold]

I love them! Really got into them on a hot holiday last year. Even light knee-length dresses felt too hot; maxis were the only thing to keep the scorching sun off my skin and let air circulate.

OP, I'm also tall (5ft 10) and thin, and I don't feel like, or feel as if I look like, Mama Cass in them, but maybe I just love them so much that I don't care.

In all but really really hot weather though I prefer knee-length or a bit shorter. I like to get a bit of sun on my blue corpse-like pale English-rose legs.

[borderslass]

Well I'm already a shortarse so I wouldn't bother.

[TrillianAstra]

Bollocks.

I love them.

I will not be persuaded otherwise, no matter what insults you throw at me.

[LDNmummy]

Whats a 'biffer'? Could someone enlighten me please?

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I had one a couple of years ago (the self knee headbutt dress) but I was a bit bigger then, so now I am thin (thank ye gods and illness) I thought I would try again. STILL make me look fat.

[tabulahrasa]

YABU, my 10 yr old looks lovely in them

[GetOrfMoiLand]

They are awful aren't they.

I tried one on a couple of weeks ago - it was a great big 70s style one, so I should have known, but it made me look huge. It's not good to have that much material billowing around anyway. What happens when it pisses down? Or in high winds (lol at mental image though).

I have also tried on a grey marl jersey one, it just looked as if I had a cheap Asda nighty on.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Well they must be fine if you happen to be short and fat then.

Cattleprod... I believe the Mama Cass/ham sandwich thing is an urban legend alas...