The Short Girl's Guide To Maxi Dresses

As a short girl, I spent the majority of my life avoiding any skirts that ended below my knees. The reason was a simple one, and due to the constant images of tall, long legged women wearing maxi dresses, I shied away from the style for a long time. It wasn't until recently that I gave a maxi dress a try, and knew that I couldn't survive the summer without one.

Here are a few tips and tricks so that you and your short friends can rock a maxi without looking like you're wearing a potato sack! 

1. Empire Waist

An empire waist ends just under the bust, and it creates the illusion that your legs are longer than they actually are. 

Empire Waist Maxi

2. Small Prints

If you're a petite girl, large prints can be overwhelming. Stick with small prints, or better yet, solid colors.

Tribal Print Maxi

3. V-Neck

A V Neckline not only draws attention to your face, but also shows some skin which will visually break up the fabric and give the illusion of height. 

V-Neck Maxi (in coral, blue and black)

4. Shoes

Wearing the right shoes can be important. Wear a wedge to give yourself some added height. If you are more comfortable in flats, wear a strappy sandal and avoid bulky flats or sneakers. Neutral tones that are close to your skin color will also give the illusion of longer legs.

Nude Adjustable Wedges

5. Solid Top

Wear a maxi dress with a contrasting top and bottom, preferably with an empire waistline. 

Maxi with Contrasting Top and Bottom

6. High-Low Hems

Wearing a dress with a high low hemline will show off your legs while maintaining the maxi style.

Striped High Low Maxi

Other Tips: 

Don't miss out on your favorite maxi just because it doesn't fit the above rules! Shorten the hem to give a longer maxi a better fit. 

If you are a petite girl, choose a dress that is figure flattering. A maxi that hugs your body and has a tighter fit will look best. 

Will you try a maxi dress this summer??

Trending: Chevron Print

Stripes are fun, but zig zags are better! We're loving a bold chevron print especially when done in contrasting black and white. It's classy and chic while maintaining a bit of edge.

Whether you feature this cool print on your shoes, wallet, jewelry, or your nails, you can't go wrong. In fact, we even found a simple tutorial so you can try chevron nails for yourself! Click here to see how TheSassyLife creates the look.

Our favorite way to wear chevron print is to slip on a gorgeous dress. See our mini chevron lookbook below!

Strapless Chevron Dress with High-Low Hem Available in Coral and Blue

Strapless Chevron Dress with Back Cut Out

Tip: When wearing a black and white chevron print, add a belt or statement necklace for a pop of color!

Chevron Peplum Top and Fitted Chevron Skirt

Will you add some chevron into your summer wardrobe??

A Modern Take: Stars & Stripes

We'll never understand why people want to look like a walking and talking American Flag come the 4th of July. They celebrate by wearing the patriotic print from head to toe. There's a much more fashionable approach to rocking red, white, and blue - and we'll show you!

Striped Button Down & Pleated Striped Dress

The Classic Gal doesn't want to stray from the red, white, and blue color scheme this Independence Day! She'll incorporate the colors into everything she wears, and that's perfectly okay! 

Style Tip: Break up striped patterns with a solid chiffon panel (like the top above), or contrasting striped patterns (like the dress above). 

Star Print Tank & Star and Leather Top

The girl that embraces the edgy independence style is a bit of a fashion rebel! She's down for a celebration, but would rather rock bold neutral tones. 

Style Tip: If you don't want to wear the typical 4th of July colors, you can still celebrate the day by wearing a star pattern (like the tops above). 

Open Thread Top & Striped Tank & Strapless Party Dress

Perhaps your a girl that doesn't care for fire engine red. If so, you can opt for a coral tone instead! It's a more muted and more trendy take on the scarlet hue. 

Style Tip: Pastels are perfect for the warmer weather, so you can wear light blue instead of royal blue!

Which style will you be wearing when the fireworks light up the night sky??

Give 'Em The Cold Shoulder!

It's that time of year again when attending pool parties with inflatable mattresses, tanning on the beach, and waiting in lines at amusement parks become a way of life. It's also that time of year when showing a bit, or okay, a lot, of skin is both acceptable and necessary. You don't have to pull out those cropped tops or micro minis just yet. Flirt with the sun a little while wearing a top that is both trendy and revealing - in a good way of course!

Expose a little bit of shoulder while you shrug away the over exposed belly buttons of your peers. Say hello to shoulder cut outs, and say hi to sun block while you're at it too - these tan lines just might stick with you all the way through winter if you aren't careful!

How To Wear It

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Get The Look

Cheetah Print Cut Out Blouse

Chambray and Chiffon Button Down Top

Button Up with Shoulder Cut Outs and Collar Tips

Would you wear this style?? If so, what would you pair it with?

-Urban Identity