Maxi-dresses - big fat fashion fail? :/

[KoalaDownUnder]

S&B has been rather deflating the past couple of days. First, I learn that leggings are frowned upon. Now, I notice the disdain for my old friend the maxi-dress.

1. Are they really hated by stylish people?
2. Why?
3. And if so, why are they all over the bloody shops, not to mention online shopping sites, etc.?!

Leggings are frowned upon??!!

Yes. There's another thread about it somewhere, and they received quite a bit of frowning.

Leggings? I wear them almost every day under skirts or dresses, with boots or flats depending on the weather. Leggings as trousers though, urgh.

Maxi dresses though, I really like but feel like a twat in them.

OK only for limited use, eg on beach holiday , IMO. But that's a personal view.

Why do you feel like a twat in them, may I ask?

I think it would be crazy talk to say all maxi dresses are wrong. It is a huge category that varies hugely, and surely in a way includes all full length gowns/dresses! I think that the right style can look great. I'm not very tall, so ones with huge amounts of fabric at the bottom don't look good on me, but as long as I avoid that and the cut is right they can look slimming and elegant.

And they'll prise my leggings out of my cold dead hands .

Or off your cold, dead legs!

Yes!

I think they risk making the wearer look larger, which is often the opposite of the desired effect. I'm not a fan of a maxi worn with a bolero knit/jersey bolero.

I do agree that on a beach holiday with sandals/flip flops/wedges they can look good.

Leggings should never be worn as trousers by Royal Order.

I love maxi dresses. I wear them all summer long and they suit me. I also like them on other people though agree if you're very large they can make you look larger. I don't care what fashion 'gurus' think. :-)

I would love to be a stylish person! I try my best. I would never wear a maxi dress. I thinkthey look draggish on tall women, like marquees on overweight women and they make short women look like children. If you are 5'4-5'7 and slim with boobs then I will reluctantly say OK but with a caveat, you could find something more flattering i am certain of it

on the fence aren't I? :-p

I wear long black jersey tube maxi dresses all the time. They are fantastic for layering up over and creating a streamlined lookon my apple shape. In the summer I wear them with linen slouchy t-shirts and in the winter I layer them up with cashmere, tights and boots.

I feel good in them!

I think maxi dresses can make the short and wide look like a ship in full sale. Big flowery maxis are gopping on everyone.

I know leggings are a MN no-no, but I think they can look OK and disguise bad bits quite well. My sister is overweight and wears them under dresses and skirts - things she probably wouldn't feel happy to wear otherwise.

The thing is that many maxi dresses are very low cut flattering to the cleavage, and if you can get one that then skims fairly straight over the rest of you rather than ballooning out, they can be good. Also good if you want to wear high wedges which are hidden by the dress, so it looks as if the height is actually just you. There are also quite a few slightly lower waisted ones if you're not a fan of underbust/empire waist.

I must admit I don't really wear them in winter unless a full length evening gown type thing for an occasion. I haven't really seen any that have the right look/fabric for sleeves/closed shoes. I think there are a few coming through on the high street though.

I think slim people look like they're wearing a nightie in a maxi dress and fat people look like a ship in full sail.
Oh and those average, in between folk? They just look frumpy and lumpy.

But thats just what I think. If you like it, wear it.

The beautiful tall blonde in a maxi dress and a denim jacket at a music festival looked amazing, most people look daft.

Leggings are a brilliant invention, allowing those of us who live in sandals or boots to avoid tights all year round.

I have skinny ankles, socks and leggings avoid gappy, flappy cold ankle boot tops.

I love maxi dresses, have 4 or 5 but never seem to wear them. We're not allowed to wear them to work and I seem to stick to jeans at weekends. Wondering if I could get away with a denim jacket.

I hate leggings but love maxi dresses. 70s ones. With knee high boots.

I love maxi dresses. I live in a coastal village, so do not need to be high fashion. But I only wear vest-style maxis, preferably racer back.

I have a very flattering maxi dress. Slim-cut, not too lairy or billowy, and I'm reasonably tall and slim. It couldn't be a better maxi dress.

But I still feel like an absolute idiot in it. Like I've gone out in my nightie, or I'm off to a fancy dress party. And it is only suitable for the height of summer.

So I don't think they are a fashion fail particularly, but they just don't work for me. I don't like leggings either

I've never worn leggings, mainly because I associate them with sportswear... and the idea of combining sportswear and a dress seems ridiculous to me. Some people wear them and look great, other people not so much. I think they need to be really good quality, not even slightly see-through. Also, longer tops are a must unless you are under twelve.

Maxi- dresses don't suit me at all, I'm quite short and slim and any I have tried out make me look like I am wearing a tent. My friend has loads and she looks stunning in them, as do lots of people.