The Maxi’s Going Strong This Autumn
The maxi dress has been a fashion staple ever since Victorian hemlines were raised for the first time. Like yin to the mini dress yang it has gone in and out of fashion through the decades.
From the ballgowns of the forties to the smocking and ruffles of the sixties and hippy chick of the seventies, women have loved wearing the maxi dress as a show of femininity. But the best thing about the maxi is that it can hide any lumps and bumps you may have while highlighting your best feature (except if it is your pins!) such as your curves, bust, arms, shoulders or back.
Choose the right style of maxi for your shape and it can make you look taller and slimmer.
The maxi dress has been seen on celebrities for over two years now with a snap of a star strolling down the beach or around Miami in a maxi heralding the start of summer. But usually as the strength of the sun starts to fade, we pack up our maxi dresses for another year. Not this year however.
Maxi’s featured in the Autumn/Winter designer collections from Ralph Lauren, Kenzo, Alberta Ferretti and Dries Van Noten to Michael Kors, D&G and Marc Jacobs. Long soft romantic fabrics floated down the runway in autumnal shades. Teamed with a shearling jacket or chunky cardigan with skinny belt and boots it needn’t be just a summer item. Here we show you some of the top maxi trends for autumn and where to get them.
GRAPHIC
Black and white geometric patterns are something that everyone can pull off. Bold enough for the change of season and perfect for looking sophisticated on a night out.
The One Shoulder Tie Dye Maxi Dress (£28.00 from Oli) is great for a date night and won’t swamp petite figures.
This stunning design by Gareth Pugh (£348 from Yoox) is a scene stealer.
The Geometric Odet Maxi Dress by Jonathan Saunders (£270 from Liberty) is good for or pear shaped women with the darker colour at the bottom balancing out the figure.
FLOATY
If you thought that romantic, soft floaty fabrics like chiffon and silk are just for summer, think again. Many of the A/W 2010 shows had their models gliding down the catwalk in these soft fabrics. They may not be best for rainy days though.
This Vivienne Westwood silk maxi dress (£590 from Yoox) is perfect for a girls night out supping champagne in a trendy cocktail bar.
This Sass & Bide Next In Line Embellished maxi dress (£650 from Asos) really needs height to carry it off so is great for tall girls.
The Haider Ackermann drapes maxi dress (£598 from Yoox) comes in at the waist showing of your curves – particularly good if you have an hour glass figure.
GOTHIC
Channel your inner goth this autumn with these maxi’s reminiscent of Victorian mourning clothes but remember not to go overboard. Leave hair natural with a slightly tousled do or even try out the new trend for a fishtail plait and make-up should be soft and subtle.
The Vita maxi dress (£55.00 from Oasis) will elongate you figure and make legs look impossibly long – especially if you wear it with a some towering heel boots or wedges.
This tattoo print maxi dress by Jean Paul Gaultier (£325 from Liberty) will certainly have people talking with it’s colourful tattoo favourites such an swords, eagles and dragons.
The Gloria Coelho black lace maxi (£298 from Yoox) combines another trend of autumn with it’s lace overlay and would look perfect teamed with an aviator jacket.
AUTUMNAL
As the trees begin to turn so should the colours we are wearing – this season anyway! Greens, yellow, muted reds, burnt oranges and plum tones evoke cooler days and crunching through fallen leaves. These earthy colours look great on brunettes and redheads as well as those with an olive complexion.
The Anoushka G Emina long print dress (£395 from House of Fraser) takes the floral print that has been so popular over summer and gives it a bohemian twist change with deep plum shades.
The Zig Zag belted maxi dress (£35 from Dorothy Perkins) echoes the classic Missoni knits for a fraction of the price. Wear a black polo neck underneath it and a chunky black cardy for a cosy rugged up look.
This Khaki Camouflage maxi dress’s (£70 from Wallis) pattern and twists in the fabric make it unusual and unique.
