With it’s floor-grazing length, flowing lines and posture-enhancing shape, the maxi dress is right up there with wardrobe classics like the plain white t-shirt and the pencil skirt. This is even more so the case, for me, whenever I travel.
Regardless of which country I visit, a good maxi dress always comes in handy for keeping cool while travelling. While my jeans and cardigans often end up getting screwed up in the corner of my suitcase and forgotten about it’s time to fly home, I usually end up wishing I added more maxi dresses to my holiday packing list.
Maxi dresses are so versatile and, with just a few subtle additions, you can transform the look of your dress to suit the kind of holiday you’ll be taking. Read on to find out how I style maxi dresses for my summer holidays.
5 tips on how to style a maxi dress for summer holidays
Keep it simple
When it comes to choosing the right style of maxi dress for your summer holiday, think about where you’ll be going. The chances are you, you’ll be heading off on a beach holiday in search of sun, sea and sand. With this in mind, it might be a sensible idea to keep things simple. Single, block colours work really well here or, alternatively, choose a plain print or a design with minor details.
You could always choose to pop a couple of classier maxi dresses in your suitcase that you can wear to dinner if you fancy it, too.
Belt up
Styling a maxi dress for summer holidays with a belt is a great way to emphasise your waist, as it directs attention to the tiniest section of your midriff. You could opt for a skinny belt or a chunky belt, dependent on the style of maxi dress you’re wearing. I like to try a few different belts on with my maxi dress if possible, before I decide which one to buy.
If, like me, you don’t like wearing waist belts, however, you can always go for a dress with a thigh slit. This will not only draw attention to your legs, but to your waist as well.
Accessorise
When it comes to accessories, accessorise away! This is a quick and easy way to tweak your maxi dress for summer holidays to reflect your personal style. If you like a classy, sophisticated look, you might want to choose gold or silver, whereas if your personal tastes are bolder and edgier, you may prefer to include burst of colour. There’s no right or wrong way to do things when it comes to accessorising, although it’s worth bearing in mind that, whatever style you choose to go for, less is often more.
Plus, the simpler you keep your outfit and accessories, the less time you’ll need to spend making adjustments throughout the day. Wearing a simple tote bag over your shoulder, simple silver studs or a single basic pendant are just a few examples of how you can accessorise an outfit without looking as though you’ve tried too hard.
Layer up
No matter where you’re going for your summer holiday, during the evenings, it’s likely that temperatures will fall. Dependent on your destination, you might also need to cover your arms and legs to protect against mosquito bites.
This is where layering comes in to play. The long style of your maxi dress creates the perfect opportunity to hide warm stockings and boots when the temperatures drop and the mozzies are about. Add a long sleeve top underneath or over your maxi dress or wear a light, denim jacket or cardigan if need be.
Put your best foot forward
While you might not often choose to wear flip flops with dresses, there’s no need to worry about this combo when you’re on your summer holiday. Comfort is key here. That said, if you’d like to go for a less footwear option, consider taking a couple of pairs of summery sandals with you.
If you usually go for a more elegant look or if you have a few dinners or evenings-out planned, however, there’s nothing stopping you from wearing heels with your maxi dress. Of course, the perfect shoe choice will often be dictated by the occasion or event you’re attending. Off to paint the town red? Reach for the stilettos and block heels. Setting off for an al fresco summer picnic in a local park? Wedges. Never underestimate the importance of your shoes – after all, they’ll be carrying you around all day!
So, now that you’ve heard my tips on how best to style a maxi dress for your summer holiday, all that’s left to do is to shop for the perfect dress!
Do you wear maxi dresses when you travel? Share your styling tips in the comment box below.