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Original poster

Maxi dresses on petite people??? Yay or nay?

17 replies

soppypreggyloon · 29/04/2011 20:50

I'm 5foot 2 and generally slim (bit of baby tummy from dd a week ago)
I have an evening wedding reception to go to at the end of may and was thinking a maxi dress might be a good idea for a wobbly tummy.
But are they any good for short people?
Can you find any that would work with BF boobs too?

I can't wait to buy real clothes again! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
soppypreggyloon · 30/04/2011 09:30

bumping for the weekend ladies! :)

OP posts:
Meggles76 · 30/04/2011 20:27

I am 5ft and have just bought a maxi dress - I opted for plain black as I feel that some of the big prints would be too much for my small frame. I think it looks better with heels than flats. Am also planning to wear it to an evening wedding reception with a bright bolero cardigan and necklace.

DarrellRivers · 30/04/2011 20:29

If it is a simple one, no mega prints

HauntedLittleLunatic · 30/04/2011 20:30

I'm 5'2" and I have 3 maxi-dresses, all with prints and they look OK (I think).

There are lots which don't suit me though. Personally I don't get on with light coloured ones. Make more look shorter and fatter.

CointreauVersial · 30/04/2011 22:24

I think it would look fine, although you might have to get a needle and thread out and hem it, if it comes up too long.

I bought one last year, and I had to shorten it so it didn't drag on the ground, and I'm 5'7"!

GrumpyOldHorsewoman · 01/05/2011 00:03

Maxi dresses don't look flattering on anyone - like a ship in full sail.

I'm a shade under 5'2" and have a lovely silk dress, A-line shape that sits just above the knee. Flattering on shortarses petite ladies and pretty forgiving in the old tum area (and as it's silk it doesn't sit like a tent)

NettoSuperstar · 01/05/2011 00:09

No.
They look like maternity wear and/or hiding fat, even worse on short folk.
Not flattering on anyone.
If you are slim wear clothes to accentuate, if you are not, wear clothes that show off your good bits.
Wearing a tent is never a good idea.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 01/05/2011 10:29

My legs are absolutely hideous...really.

A maxi is far.more flattering on me than anything shorter and I live dresses and skirts.

Luce2006 · 01/05/2011 10:35

My Partner thinks that Maxi dresses are for pg women....I LOVE them and I'm 5'5" .I've actually got 4 summer ones and I was buying another one last weekend Blush and I don't care if it looks like a tent!

superv1xen · 01/05/2011 11:11

i am the same height as you soppy

and i wear one. i hope think i look quite good in it!

Helltotheno · 01/05/2011 11:32

'Maxi dresses don't look flattering on anyone - like a ship in full sail.'

Generalise much?!? I think my maxis look good on me, but there are many many different types so the trick is to find ones that flatter. For me (5'6", size 10/12, slim waist, c/d cup boobs, proportionately bigger hips), the ones that suit are very fitted around and under the boobage, then flowing out on the way down, but with very little material, ie no ruffles, pleats, any excess material at all.

I think in general print ones will add a little weight, whereas one colour or few colours are a more flattering. I like some of the Boden ones....

I don't really like my calves and I wish the fashion world wasn't so knee-length-dress-centred :(

Sorry op, I've been no help!

Maybeitsbecause · 01/05/2011 12:03

I have to agree that I think maybe 1/20 women I see in them manage to pull it off.

I don't think height is important but I do think they only look good if you are slim (size 10 or less) with a toned upper body, arms and definitely not a big bottom or big breasts. So that rules out most women, then!

Short arses look best if they wear them with edges not flats, imo.

They're just very unforgiving garment, I'm afraid, and I think if most people were brutally honest about it rather than following fashion, they would see that.

Maybeitsbecause · 01/05/2011 12:04

wedges

tulpe · 01/05/2011 12:05

I think you can wear them at any size or shape. The key, as with every item of clothing, is to find the shape and colour/print which would suit you.

Go for a slim fitting, simple jersey shape. H&M have a good selection this year. If you want to go for pattern then I would suggest a small spriggy foral print is the maximum you could go for but maintain a slim shape - nothing billowing.

Rannaldini · 01/05/2011 12:16

nope you will look dreadful
steer well clear of the maxi

sprinkles77 · 01/05/2011 15:41

Agree with Tulpe: slim fitting simple jersey shape. I'm 5ft 1 and have a black and grey one with horizontal stripes, it's quite clingy from New Look. Sounds absoloutely awful (i'm a curvy size 10), but with decent underwear (magic knickers and smooth bra) it looks really good. Maybe if you feel a bit self conscious having had a baby last week something empire line that skims your tummy a bit, and some longish beads round your neck to draw attention from the tummy too. Boden ones are great shape with empire line and a little bit of cleavage, but I find the prints too much for me.

superv1xen · 01/05/2011 19:06

sprinkles i think you have the same one as me!! its lovely i think and really flattering, seems to cling in the right places.

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