As summer hits the high street once more, so does the ever resilient maxi dress. Nothing spells summertime, after all, like a floor-length sweepy number and a bit of a tan. The best thing about the humble maxi dress, however, is that it’s extremely easy to dress up or down for different occasions. One dress, teamed with the right accessories, can work for almost any situation.
High street labels like New Look have a wide selection of maxi dresses that should be checked out. All of which can be adapted for different uses. Take, for example, New Look’s Rose Blouson Maxi Dress. For a festival chic look, team with brightly patterned wellies (shops like Office have lots of options), some layered, colourful necklaces and a stylish straw hat. If you’re actually wearing your festival chic look to a festival, however, bring a shorter dress or some trousers to change into if it rains – maxi dresses plus mud do not equal a happy festival experience!
For a relaxed beach look, work your maxi dress with a pair of gladiator sandals like the tan metal chain ones on offer at Topshop, or a pair of colourful flip flops from somewhere like Accessorize. Grab a big pair of sunglasses and a handy bucket bag for all of your beach accessories, and you’re set for some lounging in the sun.
Alternately, if you want to dress your maxi dress up for the evening, the first thing you need to add is a pair of heels. For a summery night out, why not go for a wedge sandal? They have the added bonus of being a little kinder to your feet than stilettos! Then all you need is the right jewellery – maybe a pretty pair of dangly earrings, or an elegant locket to top off the look. Add a cute clutch bag and you’re set for a night on the town.
You can see why maxi dresses keep coming back with a vengeance – they really are a very flexible piece to have in your wardrobe, and can carry you from the beach, to the park, to the shops and then to a nice restaurant all with carefully co-ordinating accessories. If you don’t already own one, what’s stopping you?