Maxed Out: Choosing the Right Maxi Dress for Your Body Type

Nothing marks the arrival of spring more than to pull out your favorite maxi dress. This is a trend that usually works for just about everyone, however purchasing just the right silhouette for your specific body type is essential. Maxi dresses allow you to be cool and comfortable in the spring and summer months and are usually a a great staple for a trip to the mall on a Saturday morning or brunch with the girls on a Sunday afternoon. The Maxi dress has transformed over the last couple of seasons to more structured styles and an array of available colors, textures, and fits. Maxi dresses could even be considered as an effortless date ensemble by adding a blazer, belt, and/or statement jewelry. Though I totally disagree, some ladies out there even go so far as to throw a cardigan over their maxi dress and wear it to work. I guess it depends on the type of environment you work in, but unless you work at a small box local retailer or boutique maxi dresses are not a professional choice. And remember to always add accessories to your maxi dress such as belts, scarves, statement jewelry etc to avoid the "night gown" effect. Also consider the type of heel that you want to wear with your maxi, if your intention is to wear flats, you may have to get the dress professionally tailored to avoid tripping over yourself or just simply pair it with wedges.

So how do you find the right maxi dress for you body type?? Before continuing to read this post further, visit my Body Type page to discover your own body type.

1. Triangle (formerly known as pear-shaped): Balance is key when choosing the right maxi dress silhouette. Choose styles that are shoulder baring such as strapless or racer-back styles to draw attention upwards. Also look for styles that are straighter on the body rather than styles that add a lot of flair around the hips. You could also add a scarf or statement necklace/earrings to draw attention upwards rather than to the widest part of your body. Another way to achieve balance is to choose a two-toned maxi dress that has a bright color on top and a more subtle color on the bottom to draw the eye upward or choose a style with a print on top and solid bottom to create the same effect. Additionally, empire waist styles can also draw the eye upwards and create more balance.


2. Inverted Triangle : Balance is also key here as well. Since inverted triangle gals are usually broadest around the shoulders and busts choose styles that accentuate the bust and are more flowing on the bottom create balance with the top portion of the body. Choosing styles that have prints on the bottom and solids on top are key.

3. Hour Glass: You gals are lucky, most styles look great on this body type but be sure to look for styles that fit the bust and hips, and cinches in at the waist to accentuate feminine curves such as a straight or wrap style. If you have a toned upper body, halter styles are also a great choice.

4. Ruler: Look for styles that are more blousy on top to create curve and flows from the waist to give the illusion of an hour glass figure. Also look for styles that have prints all over and cinch in at the waist to add curves. Strapless styles or anything with a more open neckline on top also works for this body type.

5. Circle: Look for styles that flow from underneath the breast and steer clear of styles that hug around the midsection which is a problem area for this body type. Look for styles that draw the eye up towards the shoulders and bust such as halters and playful prints that camouflage mid-section. Maxi dresses with empire waists also help to create a slimmer waistline. You can also play around with styles that have splits or high/low styles to compliment shapely legs.