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Original poster

I can confirm i shall be burning all my maxi dresses

163 replies

redderthanred · 01/06/2011 11:47

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)

OP posts:
PotPourri · 01/06/2011 21:34

Yes, they do make you look fat/pregnant unless you are stick thin and willowy, and it is fairly close fitting - i,.e. showing that there is absolutely no sign of a belly. And the empire line tops that you get are the same - I wore those tops until about 8 months pregnant. I wore them while breastfeeding (and fat). But would never touch them with a bargepole - now that I am so skinny - hhaha - not

SirCharlieStinkySocks · 01/06/2011 21:49

I must say I bought this one and I love it although not worn it yet as I've bought it for a semi-dressy conference dinner I'm going to soon (sounds much posher than it is honestly). I'm size 12 (on a good day) and 5ft 6 so not quite as slim as I need to be but the dress looks fine, or so I think anyway.The only other maxi I have is a sort of paisley affair from Dorothy Perkins last summer but only as that was quite fitting with a narrow belt not the sort of floaty affair that seems to make you look pregnant.

PollyParanoia · 01/06/2011 21:55

Oh god am having a crisis. Was thinking of wearing new one to a party - it's sleeved, deep v, with ruched waist thing (ie fitted at the waist) and then down to ankles. It's a very lovely bold colour and made of jersey, swooshy.
I'm 10 stone and 5 6.
It is a rather lovely item but I always feel like I'm in a costume wearing full length, or like I'm going to an Abigail's Party theme night.
Reassure me please...

CamperFan · 01/06/2011 22:05

Grin at pointy

MenaZovut · 01/06/2011 22:34

5'9, size 10.

I love them, don't say this.

MenaZovut · 01/06/2011 22:36

I have this Much brighter than in the picture and gives a nice shape.

ReshapeWhileDamp · 01/06/2011 22:44

I look fat in most types of clothes, because I am fat. (16) Grin Dare I ask whether women wear maxi dresses not because they make you look sylph-like to onlookers, but because they feel nice to wear by the wearer? I always liked flopping about in lots of fabric. I know full well maxi skirts make me look even more shortarsed than I already am (5'2") but sod that - I like long skirts. And I like maxi dresses, knowing full well they're not very flattering to me. I like swooshing about.

Capiche · 01/06/2011 22:47

PARPS

Anythingwithagiraffeonit · 01/06/2011 23:31

I have a few, size 14ish (7 mo baby, should be a 10/12 in my old life dreams, 5'6... I think they look nice!

And they're not only for tall women, my best friend, 5'2 and size 12 (ish) looks lovely in them!

notbadforanoldbird · 01/06/2011 23:38

Yep,you re on a hiding to nothing with a maxi.However all that material wooshing round your legs feels nice.But generally i think people believe you re trying to hide something:unshaven legs or a huge bloated stomach

Bonsoir · 02/06/2011 06:08

I'm afraid I think maxi dresses are hideous. Even women who wear them well would look a lot better in something more figure-fitting IMVHO.

Georgimama · 02/06/2011 06:43

generally i think people believe you re trying to hide something:

YUP

unshaven legs

YUP

or a huge bloated stomach

YUP

Polly there's nothing wrong with looking a bit Abigail's Party, particularly if you are young enough not to remember the trend from first time around.

Original poster
redderthanred · 02/06/2011 07:03

Popped round the neighbours last night who said, unpromted that i looked lovely and what a nice dress. Other neightbour came out while we were chatting and said 'ooooo, nice dress'
Called my very very honest sister who said i looked as anyone would look in a maxi dress, ie, a bit billowy, but not pregnant at all.

Had a quick trip to the supermarket and saw lots of women wearing them, and even some of the young girls looks quite billowy in them too.

Have decided maxi dresses are billowy, they look that way on everyone ( mostly) and the two old people today were blind. or crazy. or possibly both.

OP posts:
georgie22 · 02/06/2011 07:43

I've got the White Company black maxi dress and, as Georgimama points out, the material is heavy enough so that it hangs really well rather than billowing! I'm 5'9" and size 14 and bought the medium. I had a black maxi last year whilst I was pregnant and enjoyed wearing it so bought another for this year. I think it looks nice with flat sandals or wedges and carefully chosen accessories. I wouldn't have anything too patterned though - I've tried a few on which have been highly patterned and billowy and my dh said I looked like the women from the Lilt advert!

bridgeandbow · 02/06/2011 07:43

I have this one white company. I am only 5'6 and a size 14 and it makes me look tall and good. Don't have massive boobs through so I think that helps. I skims over my tummy but I don't think it makes me look pregnant - very averse to that look - just recovering from 2!

DH was like WOW!

georgie22 · 02/06/2011 07:45

The White Company dress certainly seems a popular choice!

bridgeandbow · 02/06/2011 07:46

I have the medium too - maybe it is the same dress. I agree it is very thick and hangs beautifully!. The gathering at the back is particullary flattering, as it takes away that tight look (bra straps!) across the back you can sometimes get with jersey dresses.

Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 02/06/2011 07:48

I think maxi dresses suit 2 types of people, the very tall and thin or the very fat. Either have nothing to fill it or fill it to bursting IYSWIM. Everyone else just looks pregnant. However if it's a comfort thing then who cares what anyone else thinks about how you look.
However I do get a mental image in my head of the races with lots of over-tanned, over-blonde, over the top young woman when someone says maxi-dresses.

Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 02/06/2011 07:49

No-one suits empire line. Ever.

KaraStarbuckThrace · 02/06/2011 07:55

I couldn't wear one.

Especially as I am very very pregnant. My biggest fear is I wear it on the beach, and some do-gooders would end up trying to push me back in the water thinking they were rescuing a beached whale....

mrsscoob · 02/06/2011 08:02

What about maxi skirts? how do people feel about them?

Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 02/06/2011 08:04

I like maxi skirts as long as they have a structured top part i.e. no elasticated waists!

mrsscoob · 02/06/2011 08:07

So say a maxi skirt with a vest top? Might be more flattering then a dress.

ImBrian · 02/06/2011 08:31

I love my maxi dresses and skirts. Have billowy and fitted ones. I'm 5ft 10 and a size 10 with fairly big boobs but they look good. I'm also 16 weeks pregnant so I'm planning on living them over the summer.

rathlin · 02/06/2011 09:57

Pear shapes suit empire line. This thread has inspired me to retrieve my maxi dress (Boden jersey one in purple from last year)and have it on today.
However apart from maxi dresses possibly making some people look fat, the issue I have with the jersey ones is that they cling and show up every lump, bump, dimple, knicker line etc.