Maxi skirts or dresses are currently big news and they have become essential for any summer wardrobe. They can be both flattering and stylish, dressed up and dressed down and provide the perfect cover for hot summer days and balmy summer evenings. Even if you do not think that the style of the maxi skirt is for you, it is worth trying. You may be pleasantly surprised!
All about the height
Whatever your height you will find a maxi skirt that suits. You may think that your legs are too short or too long for wearing a maxi skirt, but this style can be worn by anyone. If you are petite, team your skirt with a pair of wedge heels that will make you feel taller and more glamorous, or wear your skirt on your waist rather than your hips, which will make it appear slightly shorter.
→ Buy the Sbicca Salinas Wedge Sandal, $74.99, at zappos.com; shipping and returns are free.
If, on the other hand, you have longer legs, purchase a skirt that is designed to be worn at the waist and wear it on your hips to maximise the length of the skirt and team with a pair of flats to get the full benefit.
→ Buy the Matiko Tee Flat Sandal, $83.60, at zappos.com; shipping and returns are free.
A balancing act
One of the most basic rules when wearing a maxi skirt is to make sure that you balance the length of the skirt with what you are wearing on top. With long skirts it is often better to wear a shorter top or have one that is tucked in. Alternatively, you could try a long top or shirt but have it belted at the waist.
If you prefer a more casual look, maxi skirts can look equally good when worn with t-shirts and thinner summer weight sweaters. If you are thinking of wearing a jacket with your skirt, a cropped blazer can look stylish and smart for evenings or a cropped denim jacket can provide a classic daytime look.
→ Buy the Haute Hippie Frankie Ribbed Tank, $65.00, at shopbop.com; shipping and returns are free.
Dress up or down
The style of the maxi skirt means that it can be dressed down with a tee shirt and flip flops for daytime, but also be teamed with heels and a more glamorous top for the evening. Alternatively, you may wish to take the same outfit from daytime through to evening.
The best way of dressing up your maxi skirt for the evening is to add some sparkle. This could be in the form of a stylish belt, which can alter the look of a top that has been worn during the day, or adding an item from a company specialising in silver jewellery throughout the UK where you can find the perfect accessories to take your maxi skirt from daytime staple to evening glamour. If you also change your handbag, your maxi skirt outfit can be given a whole new look.
→ Buy the Pearl & Butler Chain and Crystal Collar Necklace, £32.00, at pearlandbutler.com; UK shipping is free/ worldwide shipping from £8.00.
The maxi skirt can provide the ideal cover for those with perfect and not so perfect legs, so whether you have the legs of an Amazonian goddess or are blessed with a more petite figure, the maxi skirt is definitely worth experimenting with. You are bound to find a style and look that will suit you.
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Guest writer Sophie Banat is a MSc graduate interested in fashion, beauty and knitting. Tweets to name of @Scramboodle.
