Six Ways to Style a Maxi Dress

Who doesn’t love a maxi dress? Elegant and chic, it can be dressed up or down, and the right style can be perfect for any occasion. Best of all, they can be worn with anything from strappy sandals to wellies and still look great. Tailor your footwear to the look you want to create.

Bold Colour Blocks

You can get some great dresses in bold colours this year, and team them with an equally bold coloured jacket to really show some pizzazz. Why not try an emerald green maxi dress with orange heels for a stylish look, or team it with this season’s colour with a yellow jacket?

Whatever the weather

We all know our British weather can be changeable, with four seasons all in one day, so we need a classy jacket to style it up. For evenings, a clutch bag and heels work; for daytime, try some ankle boots and an over-the-shoulder bag.

Patterns

Traditional style guides say you shouldn’t mix patterns, but sometimes this can work. Try an animal print, such as mock leopard skin with floral prints. This is a look that a lot of fashion influencers are trying this year.

Work

Even if you work in one of those very staid city offices, you can still pull off the look. Why not try a plain green maxi dress with a lightweight fitted blazer in a contrasting colour? Telegraph’s image consultant recommends a classy maxi over a trouser suit any day, and she’s probably right.

Belts and maybe braces?

For those who want something a little more figure-hugging than the traditional flowing dress, try a belt. Forget the braces for this look, although it could work with a skirt. If you really want to make a splash, try a plain green dress with a tan leather belt, such as the green maxi dress available at AX Paris.

If you want to get ahead, get a hat

Think beyond a summer straw hat. How about a lightweight pillbox with a semi-veil in a contrasting colour? You might consider a headscarf that matches the colour of your dress.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours and fabrics to give your outfit an original look. Cotton with linen, linen with jersey… mix it up. You won’t know until you try!