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Original poster

Maxi dress RIP?

30 replies

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 12/05/2013 22:52

I went to a wedding yesterday and NOT ONE PERSON was wearing a maxi-dress. Shock It was an averagely stylish to somewhat fashion forward crowd.

I can't remember the last time that happened...are they officially over?

BTW I have NEVER worn a maxidress and now it seems I never will. Grin

OP posts:
Pinkflipflop · 12/05/2013 22:58

I doubt it

Helltotheno · 12/05/2013 23:11

Definitely not. Weather too cold still though isn't it? There's an appetite for them out there... not everyone wants their legs on show, or just want the option to sometimes not have to have them on show! I'd be surprised if they disappear...

ZaraW · 13/05/2013 07:08

I hope not, I love them.

FrugalFashionista · 13/05/2013 07:31

They have been on the wane for several seasons - where I live, I've seen just three in the past two years, and one of them was a British tourist. I see some in shops, but nobody ever buys them. I think they were one of those peculuarly UK-centric trends (=a good match for the climate?).

The fashion people here are flirting with the midi length, but knee-lenght is still the norm for most.

Nehru · 13/05/2013 07:31

I hate them. Are the refuge of the unstylish

ivanapoo · 13/05/2013 08:53

I think maxis still have their place but it's probably on holiday or at the beach rather than at a formal wedding. I've only worn a maxi to a wedding once and that was because I was 9 months pregnant and couldn't face heels.

AmberNectarine · 13/05/2013 09:07

I have just bought one which I absolutely love, simple tank style micro stripe job, but it's strictly slumming about with the kids only. I hate strapless maxis and especially the chiffon variety. Would not wear a maxi to an 'event'

Am all over the midi though.

Trill · 13/05/2013 09:09

If you've not worn one yet then it's probably because you either don't like them or they don't suit you, so I'm happy to believe that you never will. Not sure why that's funny though.

Trill · 13/05/2013 09:15

I do think that "maxi dresses are for the beach" is a bit like saying "knee-length dresses are for the office". The cut and material and colour/pattern make quite a lot of difference to how "appropriate" a dress of any length is for different occasions.

fedupofnamechanging · 13/05/2013 09:56

I love my one - it is jersey, halter neck, doesn't cling and has a built in bra to keep my boobs where they are supposed to be! I think that lots of women want to wear summery stuff, but not necessarily want their legs on show, so I doubt they will ever disappear.

practicality · 13/05/2013 10:17

Maxi dresses are a classic, particularly if plain black,navy,grey or taupe good quality jersey.Bangles, leather thong sandals and you are good to go. The thing with a perfect maxi is they can take you anywhere. The key is to get them body skimming not voluminous and then you can layer them up when it gets colder. Flip-flops and simply unadorned and they're beach friendly. Wedges/metallic shoes and a nice necklace and your dressier.

It makes getting dressed simple and less stressful and also keeps you covered up from the sun if you are pale.

I don't think they will ever go out of style. Fashion maybe but not style.

practicality · 13/05/2013 10:18

You are.

MrsCampbellBlack · 13/05/2013 10:28

I've noticed there are a lot more knee length dresses around this spring where as last year it felt like there were only maxis.

But I still think maxis look nice although I personally wouldn't wear to a wedding.

They seemed pretty popular in the US too, or at least in LA judging by seeing Nicole Ritchie etc in them a lot

higgle · 13/05/2013 10:32

I was at an event last week, board meeting of not for profit organisiation where the chair was wearing one, very thin, low necked, everything on display, and she is 50ish. I'm rather hoping this trend has died a death.

polyhymnia · 13/05/2013 10:36

I'm with those who think they're fine - preferably in plain colours and non- voluminous cut and without massive cleavage - for casual wear and holidays but wouldn't dream of wearing one to a formal wedding. Were they ever really 'in' for that type of occasion?

Trill · 13/05/2013 10:40

higgle - would it have been okay if she was wearing a knee-length dress that was thin, low-necked, and "everything was on display"?

I suspect that the "maxi" part of the dress is not the issue here.

YoniOno · 13/05/2013 10:41

Plain ones in good quality jersey (or striped like Amber's - btw is yours Dorothy P? My sis has it and it's lovely) are fine, patterned multicoloured ones are awful. And strapless jersey ones with that ruching over the boobs look unfailingly awful.

As with so many fash items, it's easy for them to look try-hard. Too too many mums in my local park wearing floral polyester monstrosities.

I wore a gorgeous plain jade green slash neck maxi in a drapey fabric, with a low back and side slit probably polyester from Next last year - was post-natal but still think it was gorge. Sold on Ebay for more than I paid in sale, so someone agreed.

God I'm waffling today.

OneLittleLady · 13/05/2013 10:43

I don't mind maxi dresses for casual wear but I wouldn't wear one to a wedding unless the wedding in question was on a beach then I'd maybe consider it.

PaleHousewifeOfCumbriaCounty · 13/05/2013 10:47

Its def a lot more midi length this year, is it not? But yea, the chiffony maxi malarky..... If its gone im glad its gone. Just because its long and floaty does not mean one should forego a good strapless bra... :/

ZaraW · 13/05/2013 10:54

I'd definitely wear this to a wedding if I could afford it

www.shopbop.com/ines-gown-saloni/vp/v=1/1524943498.htm?folderID=2534374302063654&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&colorId=49722

ChewingOnLifesGristle · 13/05/2013 10:54

'I don't think they will ever go out of style. Fashion maybe but not style.'

I really like that distinction practicality, nicely put!Smile

I like them esp worn in the way practicality describes. I'm planning to take a few on holiday with me this summer. My legs aren't up to mini anything anymoreSad. I feel comfortable and well put together in a nice maxi for a casual setting like a holiday. Not sure I'd wear one to work or anything formal though.

Must be drapey soft fabric though. Cotton ones look stiff and nighty-ish and I don't like chiffon either.

Helltotheno · 13/05/2013 15:27

I only have two maxis but I look great in them (only saying that cos there's other things I don't look so great in!).
I have worn one to a wedding and other people did too.. it wasn't a black tie wedding.

The type of maxi you'd wear on a beach or slumming it around the house is a bit different imo.

higgle · 13/05/2013 15:39

Trill, you are quite right, but I did wonder if it was having her legs covered that gave her the confidence for the rest of the ill-judged ensemble! I've noticed recently that quite a lot of older women seem to want to put acres of crepey cleavage on display at work, and can't quite work out why. Some of them just have large bosoms that must be a bit difficult to constrain but others seem to think combining push up bras and very low necks is attractive in the work place.

AmberNectarine · 13/05/2013 16:12

I like the sound of a slash neck maxi Yoni. Mine is HoF own brand and is perfect; thick fabric, body skimming with a slightly swishy skirt. The straps are too long though so I'm having them shortened, as no one needs to see my bra!

Sleepwhenidie · 13/05/2013 16:33

I just bought this one and I love it - definitely not for a wedding but any casual occasion - school run, beach, lunch with friends - if it ever gets warm enough!

It is true there are some godawful ones out there and also some wearers who are kidding themselves if they think they cover up imperfections (clingy jersey does not flatter wobbly bits, there are much better ways to dress those) but I can't see that they are out of fashion or style.