thread: What is a maxi dress?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    What is a maxi dress?

    I got an e-mail from one of the women's fashion shops who are having a sale on maxi dresses. Looking at the pics, i can't tell what defines what a maxi dress is, and what one isn't. They look like all types of dresses.

    any ideas? apparently they are all the rage..

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    Moody Melbourne
    213

    They're basically sundresses that hit the ground...so the top part has spaghetti straps and is usually v-cut and then they hang down to your ankles or longer.

    They were huge in the Northern summer last year but I think people caught on to the idea that they can get quite hot as they're usually lined as well so they weren't as big there during their past summer. If you Google them, you should be able to find a lot of examples.

    HTH!!

    S xo

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Follow Pandora On Twitter

    Jan 2005
    cowtown
    8,276

    they seem to have no shape or be empire line

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Add krysalyss on Facebook

    Feb 2007
    on the move.....
    2,745

    I find maxi dresses a bit strange. The look so dressy but I see so many people wearing them to go shopping?!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    5,951

    I always wear them when going shopping. I wouldn't say they're dressy, to me they'e casual and comfortable. They hide my bum, thighs & belly, and show off my boobs. It's the ideal dress for my body shape LOL!

  6. #6
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    A maxi dress is ... something you can't wear if you're 5'1" like me as they're just TOO long!!!!!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    ...not far enough away :)
    1,413

    A maxi dress is just a Long Dress, not a short dress.

    They can have straps, no straps, halter neck & so on. there are many types & styles available, that's just the name given to describe them.

    Some are dressy. Some are not. If you are looking for something casual & comfy places like Target & Jay Jay's have them in the millions!!!

    You can wear them with flats or heels, depends what suits. I've found being pg & having to deal with 35plus heat they are GREAT!!! Not at all too hot, just so comfy. I don't have to worry about anything restricting around my waist & I can show of my bump & boobs depending what style. I have 3!! and I'm about to purchase a chiffon maxi dress made by Wish for a Wedding I have next weekend.

    Yes they are not much fun if they are too long LOL.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Melbourne, ready to meet peeps IRL
    2,221

    I always wear them when going shopping. I wouldn't say they're dressy, to me they'e casual and comfortable. They hide my bum, thighs & belly, and show off my boobs. It's the ideal dress for my body shape LOL!

    lol me too I love them, I dont find them too hot either, rather cooling, but I dont have any that are lined and I watch what matieral they are made off... both jodi and I live in the tropic's so maybe they dont line them up here...

    I have one on today actully...

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    Atop the lookout...
    2,777

    I have one, and I really like it. I'm going to get myself more in different fabric and patterns (the one I have is stretchy fabric that is a bit heavy), so I can wear them shopping! I actually like them long (not toooo long) and casual.

  10. #10

    Dec 2005
    not with crazy people
    8,023

    A maxi dress is ... something you can't wear if you're 5'1" like me as they're just TOO long!!!!!
    of 5'10"..it ends up being mid calf for me

    Ive got a boho dress.....its big, its almost like a circus tent but OMG its comfortable

  11. #11
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Dec 2008
    Melbourne, VIC
    4,637

    A maxi dress is just a Long Dress, not a short dress.

    They can have straps, no straps, halter neck & so on. there are many types & styles available, that's just the name given to describe them.

    Some are dressy. Some are not. If you are looking for something casual & comfy places like Target & Jay Jay's have them in the millions!!!

    You can wear them with flats or heels, depends what suits. I've found being pg & having to deal with 35plus heat they are GREAT!!! Not at all too hot, just so comfy. I don't have to worry about anything restricting around my waist & I can show of my bump & boobs depending what style. I have 3!! and I'm about to purchase a chiffon maxi dress made by Wish for a Wedding I have next weekend.

    Yes they are not much fun if they are too long LOL.
    I agree with Erin, maxi dresses are sooooo comfy as they don't restrict around the waist but you must get them in a nice strechy material. I've just bought 7 from ebay ( I know, 7!!!!!!!) can't get enough of them. Luckily I'm tall so they are down to my ankles but I have bought one that drags on the ground.....not for shorter people!

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    8,986

    Not being a smarty pants or anything but I beg to differ on the spaghetti straps. The maxi dress was invented in the 70's, most of them had long sleeves. From my understanding a maxi dress tends to be fitted in the bust area and flows down to the ground.

    Here's a defintion I found...

    Maxi dress
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    A Maxidress is a floor or ankle length informal dress. Maxidresses are formfitting at the top and loose flowing at the bottom, cut to flow over the body. Usually made out of cotton or polyester. They come in a variety of necklines, colors and patterns.

    Also maxi dresses can come in many colours and patterns
    A maxi dress is ... something you can't wear if you're 5'1" like me as they're just TOO long!!!!!
    I can't wear them either Leasha...and 3/4 pants are full length on me too.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    Gippsland Vic
    1,686

    I love the look of them on other people, not so great on me....if I had boobs it would really help!!! Although I did find one that suits me and I bought it to go to DH work functions, so I think it looks quite dressy ( depends on fabric and print, I think) best thing is it looks great over the bump, I have to say it is a little long I am 5'7 and it touches the ground, so yes not for the height challenged, great if you are tall.

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Mar 2006
    4,542

    They are great for my body shape too. I'm a classic pear (small top and BIG bum/hips) so they show my bb's while hiding my bum and hips. They are so light and comfy. You can get them both dressy and casual so you can ususally get one for any occassion.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Aug 2007
    Melbourne - west
    528

    shorty

    Im 5 ft 1 as well. I tend to look for the short dresses with straps...

  16. #16
    Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!

    Oct 2007
    in my own world
    3,267

    I can't wear them either Leasha...and 3/4 pants are full length on me too.
    OMG SAME HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3/4 pants are full length on me too and my workmates always tease me when i wear 3/4 pants because they look like normal pants that come up just a bit above my ankles!!!!!!!!

    I think for a maxi dress that fits me i will have to go with a normal length dress that goes above the knee for most ladies.

  17. #17
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    LOL at 3/4 pants! I know! When I wear the 'short' 3/4 length I always feel like a bit of a dork as they always make me look like I'm am a kid who just had a growth spurt

    The longer 3/4 ones though are just PERFECT as a pair of pants on me!

    Sad I know. I long for a nice pair of jeans, but not willing to pay over $100 just to buy a 'short' pair. So I do the hobo look and either fold or jsut let the drag until the bottoms wear away hahahahahaha