The dress offers a special clothing option for women of all sizes and designers create elegant, simple and casual designs. Since the Victorian era, women have worn dresses with flowing or high hemlines and fitted, modest or revealing bodices. Today’s dress designers offer options for modest tastes, such as the maxi dress. Often associated with long vacations, the maxi dress can easily transition from work to evening attire. Plus size maxi dresses come in a number of colors, fabrics and subtle alterations and petite women also have several options when selecting the right dress.
What Is a Maxi Dress?
Maxi dresses enjoyed popularity and wide appreciation during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Earlier maxi dresses were typically made of polyester, which is a strong and durable material. The introduction of higher-hemmed dresses during later decades shifted women’s attention away from the maxi dress; however, many women sought casual options that revealed less.
Modern maxi dresses combine fabrics, such as cotton or other lightweight materials, with an ankle sweeping design. A maxi dress may have a revealing or more modest neckline. Typically, maxi dresses have a cinched waste or benefit from an accessory, such as a belt, that creates the illusion of a waste. Otherwise, a woman may feel overwhelmed by the amount of fabric.
Many designers offer a plus size maxi dress that will complement a woman’s size and shape.
For a plus size woman, selecting the appropriate material, fabric flow, waste line and neckline are essential to creating the perfect look.
How Can I Wear a Maxi Dress?
With many designs, accessories, colors and fabrics make the difference between a comfortable and flowing garment and the appearance of an overwhelming amount of fabric. A woman’s height has an effect on how the dress appears. For example, plus size long maxi dresses work well for women who are above average in height. Women should select a dress that has a hemline that meets the top of the foot or ankle. Petite women can select petite maxi dresses or have the dress altered to address the hemline.
Color plays an important role in downplaying physical attributes. Darker colors, such as black, navy blue, brown or green help to obscure certain areas, while bright colors accentuate them. For example, a green maxi dress can better hide attributes a woman would like to obscure. The Jessica London Plus Size Linen Maxi Dress in ivy green offers provides flowing material and an attractive color. Women should select a plus size maxi dress in a color that complements their figures and meets their individual color preferences.
Accessories can also help lessen the appearance of excessive fabric. Belts cinched at the smallest area of the waste can add structure. Women can also use jackets to add a structured feel to the dress. The right necklace, earrings and bracelets can draw attention to the neckline or wrists with just the right amount of sparkle.
Additional Summer Clothing Options
Plus size women can also select from additional clothing options. Designers offer a number of options in different fabrics, colors, patterns and lengths. For example, women can choose from the following options:
- Maxi skirt
- Plus size summer dresses
- Plus size special occasion dresses
Maxi Skirts
The maxi skirt does not have a bodice and the hemline reaches the ankle, just like the maxi dress. The dress typically includes an elastic waste and comes in a number of fabrics. Women should select maxi skirts using the same principles they use to select plus size maxi dresses; however, the selected blouse should complement the skirt.
Plus Size Summer Dresses
Plus size women have other options when selecting summer attire. Women can choose from traditional baby doll, tank or sheath dresses. Baby doll dresses are shorter than maxi dresses, but many offer the same flowing characteristics. The plus size woman should take care when select a baby doll, because many are rather form fitting in the bodice area. Tank dresses resemble tank top shirts with a typical oval-shaped neckline and medium-sized straps. Some designs offer a more form-fitting option, which may or may not work for some women’s tastes. Sheath dresses are form fitting and, depending on a woman’s shape, may require a jacket or blazer to achieve the desired look.
Plus Size Occasional Dresses
Occasional dresses offer a refined and elegant option for special occasions. Proms, weddings or celebratory evenings, such as holidays, come to mind when looking for an occasional dress. Plus size occasional dresses come in a wide range of styles, just like plus size maxi dresses. Selecting the appropriate dress takes time and commitment.
The purpose of an event should match the elegance and formality of the dress. For example, wearing a prom dress for a New Year’s Eve party may or may not work. Fabric, embellishments and cut play important roles in the overall formality of the garment. Wrap, crossover and one-should dresses can provide an elegant look in the right fabrics and colors.
For example, the Avenue Faux One Shoulder Short Ruffle Dress provides coverage and elegance through a slightly form-fitting waste accented by a ruffled skirt. The Vertical Ruffle A-Line Dress, offered by The Best Dressed, also offers glamour and elegance through a mix of ruffles, a swinging skirt and lightweight material. Plus size and petite women have a number of options when looking for summer, casual or occasional dresses. Very few dresses offer the comfort of well-selected plus size maxi dresses.
