Summer on the horizon: Maxi Dresses

When scrolling through hundreds of dresses to find  a handful for our feature today, you realize just how hard it is to make a maxi dress look good. Even some of the models in the images didn’t look good in the dress. Yikes! We’ve been working on this feature for quite some time because we’ve been on the search for the perfect maxi for quite some time as well. Something that is flattering not frumpy and sexy while being floor-length.

Here are the three rules of picking the right maxi:

1. It must have an adult print. Small animal prints, washed out colors or ultra-feminine colors like light pinks are tricky on maxis. Bold prints, solids and extra-large designs are better choices.

2. It must have some definition in the waist. If not, it adds 20 pounds and looks like pajamas.

3. It must be the right length and worn with the right shoes. Plan to have it altered if you’re going to wear it with flip flops or find a killer pair of wedges to wear with the longer styles.

Let’s start off with one of the classiest maxis we found. While probably not for the beach, it’s still a Spring Break dress for that romantic dinner with your significant other. Robert Rodriguez, $202 available on the Outnet.

Our next maxi pick is such a wonderful color and unique cut. The Flock of Birds maxi is by Free People and available on ShopBop for $138. It’s the perfect maxi to play up the boho look with leather sandles and feather earrings!

In this next maxi, we almost break our own rule about having some gather or cinch at the waist. Instead, this maxi has a great, flattering pattern and it would be easy to add a belt as well. It’s 100% silk, which definitely takes up the luxe factor. Beautiful! $275 on Pink Mascara.

This Ted Baker dress for $365 is the only strapless dress to make the list. Between the color, cut of the bustier and quality, we couldn’t resist! One of our favorites. Also comes in teal and peach but we love the orange.