OMG just tried a maxi dress on

[miche8]

and fell about laughing, i just look so funny.

I can wear pink girly flowery tops and feel fine, but when it come to dresses and skirts just cant pull the look off.

I'm a size 14/16 and most of the weight is round my middle, my arms and legs are skinny, i can even wear shorts and look fairly good, so the problem isn't my legs. I even down sized on the maxi dress so there wasn't excessive fabric flapping about. I've even seen other women of my size and i think they look really good. My mum and partner agree it wasnt a good look so its not just in my head.

Anyone else have this problem, really wanted a cool summer dress.

I had to try on many maxis to find one that suited me.

So - just go and try on loads in somewhere like Dorothy Perkins.

like anything else it will depend on the dress.
That is like saying you have tried on one pair of trousers and they don't suit you so you just can't wear trousers.
Cut is important. As is fabric and pattern.
I look silly in ones that have any kind of width from the waist but ones that are empire line look great. I have to wear ones that are made from cotton . Jersey is too unforgiving unless the cut is very generous.

You have to look at each dress.

You sound the same shape as me. I've had hysterics in changing room trying to find a maxi dress to suit. I find it very easy to wonder into the 8 months pregnant look. Maybe it's because we are hiding our best feature (our legs!), although I can do a long skirt and top.

Agree that it's probably better to to go for good quality fabric and a good cut. If you find a good one, let me know!

These dresses really do not work on anyone who isn't very tall and slim.

Honestly, you'll get some people my size (14, height 5ft.4in.) who think they look great in theme.

I can assure you, they don't.

They look like a battered sail.

really depends on the style. those ones with yards of ruched up fabric are only for taller slimmer ladies afaik.

i think less fabirc is good, but finding one is not so easy. i am size 14 and 5ft 3, and i nearly died laffing when i put one on. makes me look so short and squat! my best feature being hourglassy is my waist. dress would be great to hide my legs!!

lol expat, they look like those toilet roll dolly holders don't they!

they are all bad on anyone who isn't tall and slim, IMO, pirate.

they really don't suit short people like me.

me in a maxi dress!!!!!!!!

oh dear!!!!

I'm short but slim and good jersey/slinky ones look fine on me.

But certainly can't do voluminous.

i just want a straight up and down beachdress/long tshirt type dress. stuck indoors with dd for weeks now so can't get out! grrrr

Expats right, lovely as they are, maxi's should be left to the tall and thin.

also, wander not wonder

where tracy where??

I have seen 2 people look good in them
One was pre-raphelite , ie really slim , pale , no boobs and long flowing red hair
The other blonde and similarly really slim
I am v slim but have big boobs
I cannot do the look
I have tried on a lot and I look silly
I wish I didn't, but I do
TRacyBath, I will keep trying though

they're a revived trend that is best consigned to history, again, because they really only suit tall, thin people.

My aunt looks gorgeous in one, DR .

She is 5ft., 9in. and has no boobs and is a twig.

I can't stand them - they very rarely look good on anyone, especially me they make me look pregnant.

I have 2 from dorothy perkins but their site is down at the moment.

One is just an elongated t-shirt - sleevless and striped. The other is jersey as well and tiered but very slim fitting.

I am 5ft and a size 6-8 and fairly in proportion to put it in context.

I found cotton ones stuck out too much or made me look pregnant although warehouse did have some nice ones.

I tend to wear mine with a little denim jacket if its coolish but wore them loads on holiday in the evenings.

Who the hell looks good in these things?

They make me look short and dumpy, I am six foot and slimmish (size 12).

Dp got me a beautiful one a couple of years back, black and orange like something out of Abigail's Party, and very long, reached right to teh floor. Looked allright axctually, until I went to a barbecue, got pissed, then stood on the hem whilst walking up some stairs and ending up headbutting myself on my own knee cap.

Not a good look.

I'm a size 10 bottom, size 14 top (have big boobs) and about 5'7" but love maxidresses....it is possible to find flattering ones, it does take a lot of effort

For example: I have to find ones with wide straps, not too low cut, not empire line (my tits tend to just hang out of the v-cut cross-over front style), not too much fabric across tummy and hips (very flat bum/no hips, so that makes me look silly) and the right length (want ankle not mid-shin!).

I have seen a few busty, larger ladies looking fab in them. So, I don't think you have to be slim actually.

I am a short arse at 5'2" and though usually slim I'm a 10-12 now, so not that slim and with big BF boobs. They look frikkin horrendous on me.

Can I find a wearable one? Nicole Richie is small and she looks okay.

i have a black thin strapped cotton/tshirt material dress, beach dress typewhic i adore. It has a nice shape on me, slightly flares out mid thigh to just below knee. From asda if you please, i love it. 2 yrs back, wish i had bought a supply.!

getorf pmsl @

''ending up headbutting myself on my own knee cap.''

Nicole Ritchie looked ridiculous in that dress, as all short people do.

People think they look good in them, but very few do, sadly, unless they are tall and slim and tit-less.

Well - I don't think I look ridiculous but hey I like to try different clothes - I even own a jumpsuit

So would you never wear a long dress expat - not for a ball or when you got married?

I'm 5'2, and a size 6-8. I tried one on and looked pregnant and fat trying to hide it by wearing a tent.

I's safe to say Maxis are not for me.
I look better naked than in one of those!