I can confirm i shall be burning all my maxi dresses

[redderthanred]

because they do, in fact, make you look pregnant. When you are not.
And lead to an all round awkward conversation.

( fuckers)

and there i was thinking i was looking quite thin and stylish and floaty ( collegues said i looked nice, family said i looked nice - they all lied)

rederthanred i have the same maxi, or should i say had....it's now in the bin. Like you i was asked when i was due so in the bin it went.
Im 5'3 and a size 10 but its the bigger boobs 34dd that makes the dress look like mat wear.

I bought a very simple one from Oasis last year black and jersey. I thought it would be slimming.

It makes me look like an Italian widow. Also my hips seem to miraculously grow 4 inches when I put it on then when I take it off I am slim again.

Bizarre thing.

They always say you shouldn't wear a fashion when it comes around again. I floated around the 1970s in maxis.
Just like palzzo trousers I vowed I'd never wear one again but then last week I bought a clingy jersey one. Looks fine but I think it's going back as I will never actually wear it.

I have several jersey ones (I started a thread once asking about them) and they're lovely. Not the ones that small children get engulfed in but slightly clingy, puddly, vest type ones.

I look lovely in mine.

Soz

I think unless tight at the front can look like pregnancy dress - eg this one would be ok

link

dont like maxi,s but love the pallazzo pants.x

Hey petite girls - I am 5ft1 - where did you get your maxis from? I'd really like one.

I am now having severe maxi-anxiety. I am 5'6" and a size 8. I wear maxi dresses a lot. I will, however, be doing some very hard looking in the mirror tonight to inspect for hither-to unnoticed dreadfulness, especially since I was planning on wearing one to the races this weekend.

I rather love maxis, but only on people of vaguely moderate proportions (not too fat/thin/tall/short). I bought and wore one summer before last, had only just stopped BFing and am cringing looking at the pics - I was SO booby. Was frothy lightweight one though, with teeny straps.

Saying that, I am planning on making this in heavy weight jersey, despite again having BFing boobs.

They make me fat and pregnant. I wouldn't wear them otherwise. If I was a skinny bird I wouldn't.

vg for bf'ing, tho.

I really think the jersey long tee shirt types are great, I would have thought even the slightly larger lady could wack on a pair of spanx to control anything unruly wobbling about, and thus eliminate the pregnancy look?

(look both, which I am)
[red]

I have honestly never seen anyone over a size 8 look good in a maxi. They are tent dresses rebranded, really, arent they?

And I am no body fascist. If people wear them because they are comfy - fine. I am all for comfort over style (they are great on the beach when you've had enough of sunbathing, for instance). But if people wear them because they think they look good, I say nay and thrice nay.

They make you look a dress size or two bigger than you actually are, imo, and unless you have lovely toned arms and a gazelle-like neck, they have the uncanny knack of making even a six footer look like an oompa loompa.

I love maxi dresses and dont care if they make me look preggers!.Am 5'6 and size 14. Have got one from Monsoon that I got a couple of years ago(heavy jersey,wide straps,a mix of turquoise blue-gok featured it in one of his shows). I am planning to wear it to a wedding next week as is the one dress I always get complimented on.
Also have a couple of casual maxis from peacocks that I am planning to wear if we ever get any bloody sun!!.

They make you look as if you THINK you're fat, even if you aren't. Too much fabric. they are this years gypsy skirt and oversized leather disc belt. AND ALWAYS with a cropped denim jacket over the top

Only the tighter more body skimming ones work IMO. And pref with sleeves, not that bloody smocking and ubiquitous halter tie

I think it depends on the way the dress is cut as well. The pregnant look occurs if the dress has an empire silhouette because like the babydoll dress, it flares out right from under the bust and makes most women look pregnant. If the dress is a more streamlined in shape then it can look quite nice.

"They make you look a dress size or two bigger than you actually are, imo, and unless you have lovely toned arms and a gazelle-like neck, they have the uncanny knack of making even a six footer look like an oompa loompa."

As a 6 footer I agree with you.

Why drown yourself in so much fabric? Don't your legs start to feel strangled? How you rush about? Hoik your skirts up like Dr Quinn Medicine Woman?

I just know I would look like a fat ageing hippy if I bought one. I think the truly tall and thin (Cat Deeley types maybe) can look ok in them

But the slinkier ones don't have that much fabric.

Lordy - some of you make it sounds like you're in full on Geisha-gear and hobbling around on bound feet.

MrsCB yes I am basing my judgements on the vile swooshy types. I think the simple fitted vest jersey ones are very nice, I may well try one on when bikini diet 2011 is complete. However I still think i would get sick of the constraint round my legs tbh.

I'm 5ft 10 - so most of them end above the ankles. Also, most of the ones I see have sewn-in cups which do not work on the busty, not unless you want a tramline stitched across your nipples.

Maxi dresses need to be quite fitted, particularly over the waist area - empire line gathered does look like a maternity dress.

And they need to be the right length - not ankle swingy nor draping all over the floor.

And sewn-in cups are good for those of us who are boobily-challenged

I'm pregnant and look very pregnant in them! sorry!

I agree that like jeans IMO you need to find one that suits your shape.