Hey pretty lady! I hope you are having a wonderful Monday. This week is my birthday week and I will turn 29 on Friday. My last year in my twenties! It is crazy to think about since I feel forever 22. I am starting to understand when people say "age is just a number". I don't have any plans yet, I am hoping my hubby takes care of that part! :)
So this month, I am so excited to kick off the series "Basic is Best". I came up with the idea when I realized my entire closet was turning into a giant floral party and all the basic essentials were dwindling down. I love florals, they are super trending right now but sometimes they can be hard to match with other outfits. I felt like I was buying more accessories and pieces to make an outfit, rather than utilizing what I already had.
So each week I will be showcasing one must have item in every woman's closet, multiple ways to style it and how to shop for the perfect fit. This week I am featuring the Maxi.
Maxis are a must, hands down! First off they can be incredibly comfortable (if you have the right fabric) are easy to style and can be worn to every occasion. A Maxi can be worn through almost every season (not sure how they would look in winter boots though) and are flattering on every body type.
How to Find the Perfect Maxi
1.) Finding the right fabric: We all know some material is forgiving and some material makes us look like we just ate a whole pizza. 100% cotton is not going to be your best friend in this situation. Unless you are 5'7 and 100 pounds with no hips, a tight fitting 100% cotton dress is not going to be comfortable, may not be flattering, and could possibly show all the dimples that were once cute on your baby bottom but not so much anymore. (Ugh they are so annoying, am I right?!) Look for a material that is labeled Viscose or Rayon. This material has a soft silk like feel while still being a thicker material. It also has a little bit of stretch to it as well, allowing a more flattering shape. Also look for a small percentage of spandex in the material. This adds a little bit of stretch to the material allowing the dress to flow and not lay so stiff on ones body. This dress I have featured here from PinkBlush is 94% Viscose 6% Spandex. It is perfection! So amazingly comfy and thick material, but not to thick for the warm weather.
2.) Finding the perfect color: So you have a maxi that can be worn to every occasion: church, wedding, date night, girls night, shopping, etc. What color works best? I love bright pops of color, however a bright coral dress is not a color that can be worn multiple times over and over again without being noticeable. White is always a classic look but white is not an all year round color so I would not advise that. When picking an article of clothing you would want to wear multiple times a month even week, always go neutral. Neutrals never go out of style and are the best color choice for pairing and accessorizing outfits. Personally I prefer a taupe color like I have featured. Taupe is a trending color right now and can be paired with almost every other color and is also a flattering color for every skin type. If you prefer dark colors black is always a good choice as well, but black dresses in the summer get so hot. That is the only downside to going with a full length black dress.
3.) Finding the perfect fit: Ok so this may be the most important part. When looking for a perfect maxi, DO NOT buy a dress with no shape to it. That is the quickest way to make a dress look unflattering on a woman .I have seen so many cute dresses in the store, but once I try them on they lay awkwardly because the material just sits on my hips. Look for a dress that has some type of cinching below the bust but above the hips. Make sure the cinching does not sit at the hips, as this could possibly make the hips appear larger. The cinching should lay right at the middle of your ribs so that the remainder of the dress can flow outward. Since each individual has a different sized torso then the next it is important to find the perfect fit for your body, so look for cinching that lays about 2-3 inches above your belly button.
Styling your Maxi
3 simple ways to style:
// Pair it with a jean jacket ( as in above) for a casual look or give it an edgy look with a fitted leather jacket. It is important that the jacket is fitted since Maxi dresses have flow to them. Pairing the dress with a loose jacket can make the overall look appear unfinished and unpolished. //
// This is where color comes in, think color wheel! Find accessories that add some pop to the dress! You can add so many fun colors with a neutral dress (scarfs, hats, statement necklace). The possibilities are endless! //
// Knot the bottom! Interested in a different look? Knot the bottom of your dress to better showcase your shoes. This will add some diversity to the look and keep your dress from looking like the average maxi. //
Stealing smooches from the babe!
I hope this gave you some new ideas and helpful hints for the next time you venture out to go shopping! If you have any questions feel free to email me or leave a comment. If you saw an item that caught your eye, I have linked all my items featured below. Also don't forget if you post on Insta or Facebook, tag @savvygirlsstyle so I can see how stunning you are! Happy May 1st!
XOXO,
Brianna Lynne
Shop the Look
// Dress: Pink Blush // Jacket: Nordstorm Rack // Shoes: Charlotte Russe // Necklace: Bauble Bar// Watch: Timex //
