Maxi Skirts Outfit Tips

Drop your hemlines, ladies! Floor grazing maxi skirts and dresses are having a moment right now.
Maxis have always been a style staple for me. I love this style so much I have designed a number of variations for my LC Lauren Conrad collection as well as Paper Crown.

They are comfortable, easy, incredibly flattering, and down-to-earth (literally). Plus, the style is versatile and perfect for transitioning your summer wardrobe into fall. What’s not to like? That’s why I was pleased to see designer labels such as 3.1 Phillip Lim,Missoni, and J. Crew feature fresh takes on the trend in their fall runway shows.

While maxis are certainly experiencing a renaissance, if you will, up until the 21st century women had few options aside from this ankle skimming length. Even though we might see the floor length trend as “new,” the fact is the maxi has always had a place in women’s closets. (I suppose this is where I must state the obvious: Fashion always recycles itself.)

When worn correctly, maxi skirts and dresses are as flattering as they are fashionable. However, playing with proportion can be tricky. With longer lengths, it’s all about balance. To avoid being a fashion victim, follow these tips for maxi-friendly dressing…

The sky’s the limit. No matter your height (yes, I am talking to you, petite ladies) you can wear floor length dresses and skirts. That’s why they invented heels.

It’s a balancing act. Keep the scale of the skirt in mind. Floor length skirts look lovely with tighter fitting tops (tucked in and/or belted at the natural waist). If the skirt is cut closer to the body, opt for a looser fitting top. Cropped jackets and sweaters also work well with floor length dresses and skirts. One of my favorite casual outfits is a simple maxi dress paired with a cropped denim jacket.

Be bold! Fashion is all about taking risks, I’ve seen girls style their maxi skirts with slouchy sweaters, tied denim shirts, and simple tucked-in tees for an effortlessly unfussy yet chic look.

For some women, maxi skirts and dresses are only relevant every 5 or 10 years or so, when they’re declared “hot” by the press once again. For the rest of us, they always have a place in our wardrobes.

Whichever camp you fall into, you probably appreciate the soft, relaxed, and romantic vibe that maxi skirts create — but you also don’t want to feel as if you’re tied to one look by wearing them with the same shoes over and over again.

The great thing is, maxi dresses and skirts are far more versatile than you might think. In addition to the fact that they work with a wide variety of tops and shoes, they also work well in any season — assuming, of course, that they’re made from fabric that is appropriate for the weather.