How to: Max out with a free-flowing dress

With summer in full swing we all have those days where we have no clue what to wear. Fat day? I’ll pass on the shorts. Summer sun plus jeans? As if! Short dress? We’re not 5, thanks though. On these complicated days, allow me to provide the fantastic alternative of a maxi dress.

Ah, I hear the concern. What on earth is a “maxi” dress and why does it sound like something I would find in the feminine hygiene aisle? “Maxi” is a catchier term for a floor-length informal dress. They’re breezy, comfortable and give you a little cover without the risk of suffocation. With bright prints and colors, they stick to clean, simple lines that allow a little more expression and character. Being flowy and light, they create a romantic and feminine feel, so you can still grill those burgers while feeling just a tad like Athena. I’ve found through experience that there is one key factor to this trend, and that is your height. Let me address.

There has been a distinct rumor going around that short people cannot wear maxi dresses unless their goal is to wear their comforter and drown in fabric. This is absolutely untrue.

Another rumor is that taller women cannot wear heels. This is also untrue.

There are only a few key points to making sure that the dress is right for your height.

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If you are petite, you have to be careful when choosing your style. An empire waist is not your friend. Nor are ruffles or large amounts of tablecloth. Stick to a basic form fitting shape accentuating the waist and try to avoid dresses that might create any excess volume. For a wearable daytime look, go for a dress that hits the ankle instead of the floor. This will show your feet, giving you an excuse to buy those wedges you’ve been eyeing, while making you appear taller. There’s something unexpected about the ankle grazing length under the sun, as we normally think of long dresses as a nighttime favorite.

Found a dress but it’s not the right length? Pop into the local tailor, and they’ll hem it even faster than you bought it.

If you are tall, you have an instant get out of fashion jail free card. You are free to experiment with all waistlines, styles and lengths. When choosing a print, I advise keeping it small and saving the bigger, bolder prints for a mini dress, as you do not want to be overpowered.

When pairing these dresses with shoes, as you’ve probably already guessed, the answer for the petite is heels. Being vertically challenged myself, I can tell you first hand that a pair of cork wedges can make you feel like the Empire State Building. Since these dresses are summery, stay away from closed toed shoes, as they will confuse your look.

For the model-tall’s, you can skip the sore feet by going flat and rocking a pair of sandals (gladiators often look best) or even flip-flops! You can also wear heels, much to your shorter friends disgust, and try a pair of espadrilles or strappy high-heeled sandals for nighttime.

For all heights, try to stick to neutral colors, as most maxi dresses tend to be patterned and difficult to match to colored shoes.

As far as accessories go, I say zip, zero, zilch. Maxi dresses are essentially an accessory on their own. Spare yourself the headache and don’t even go there. If the dress is quite plain, like a solid color with a simple cut, you can pair it with some unique earrings, a statement ring or even some wooden bangles. Just remember, one and done! If it’s a little cool, throw on a denim jacket. Easy as that! Once you begin to play around, you can start to experiment with different textures and layering, such as a crocheted maxi worn as a cover up or adding a patterned belt to spice up a solid color.

With the summer heat, and our desire to still feel feminine and cool, maxi dresses are the perfect solution. With every pattern, color and style available under the sun, you’ll have no problem finding a dress that suits your height and your wallet, minimizing your effort and maximizing your style. Whether you’re at the pool, at dinner or just walking through town, toss your shorts and rock it out, to the max of course!

Rhiannon Myee is a performing artist, with 15 years of experience in singing, acting, dance and modeling. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she has worked globally. She will study image styling and fashion journalism at the University of the Arts London in England. Email comments about this column, or topics you’d like to see covered here, to cschnell@vaildaily.com.