A maxi dress could easily be the most versatile piece in your wardrobe. Whether you need an outfit for a summer wedding or for your lunch date, it covers most corners.
However, it all comes down to styling. You can wear a maxi dress for semi-formal occasions or super casual. It also caters to different seasons like summer, spring and fall, and winter (with few layering).
Styling Tips
1. Accessorize: A maxi is a one-piece outfit, so you can’t really style it with contrasting bottoms. However, you can add personality to your dress by accessorizing it. For summer, go for a statement necklace, denim jacket, or hat.
Not sure how to wear sweaters or jackets with dresses? Check out How to Pair Jackets with Dresses.
2. Define Your Waistline: Try cinching a belt around your waist to add some structure to create a more flattering silhouette. The best belt for a maxi dress doesn’t take away from the rest of the look but only adds to it.
Wear a a thin to medium-sized belt. You can also find one specifically made for wearing over dresses that won’t leave a big piece of belt flapping out behind you.
3. Layer Up for Winter: A maxi dress can be worn in different seasons. However, for winter, it’s best to layer it up. Wear a cardigan, jacket, or sweater, and add tights and leggings for warmth.
4. Shoe Styles to Complement Your Maxi Dress: Wearing the right shoes with your maxi can change its look. Due to the tailed maxi, heels are preferred, but you can wear different kinds of shoes to create various styles.
For a casual look, wear flats, sneakers, or sandals. For a formal outing, wear heels or wedges.
5. Occasion-Appropriate Maxi Styling: When you’re styling for a maxi dress, considering the occasion is essential. When paired with sandals, a flow maxi dress looks great for a beach day. But a maxi dress with heels, a clutch, and statement jewelry looks great for a dressier occasion like a night out or a party.
How to Style a Maxi Dress?
↓ 17. Black Dress with High Slit and Slingback Stilettos
This high-neck evening gown with a daring thigh-high slit combines a bold and modern look and the fitted silhouette flatters the body curves.
Pair it with classic black pointed-toe heels, and gives a lengthening effect to the high-slit style.
Keep the accessories minimal, add silver jewelry, and wear a statement ring that empowers the outfit. It looks great for black-tie events, evening parties, and wedding receptions.
↓ 16. Silk Halter Neckline Ice Blue Dress
Perfect for a bridesmaid outfit, this vibrant ice blue dress with a halter neckline and high slit dress made with a satiny sheen appearing glossy in appearance.
You can wear the same ice-blue, black, or metallic Heels to create a monochromatic look.
You can also add a sheer silver or ice blue Shawl to style your dress. For accessories, you can wear dangling silver or crystal earrings to add a sparkle. As the dress has a detailed halter neckline, so you don’t have to add a necklace.
Check out more Beautiful Silk Outfit Ideas with Styling Tips
↓ 15. Long Coat Maxi
This long-coat maxi is perfect for winter. The double-breasted closure adds a formal touch. The monochromatic cream color exudes sophistication.
For footwear, wear pointed-toe shoes in a nude shade or cream shade that complements the dress aesthetics. It goes well with formal events and other high-fashion occasions.
For accessories, add stud earrings or medium-sized hoop earrings. You can also add a statement pendant that complements a monochromatic look.
Furthermore, you can add a leather clutch or metallic clutch to add some glamour.
↓ 14. Glamour Chainmail Dress Style
If you’re heading to a party then this glamorous chainmail dress is perfect for the occasion.
This sheer metallic mesh fabric dress catches the eyes immediately. Moreover, its straight, column-like silhouette all the way to the floor looks fascinating.
Style it with a sequin clutch and wear round-toe pumps or strappy heels.
Wear bold earrings such as chandeliers or drop earrings in metallic colors and cuff bracelets or stacked bangles enhancing sparkle.
↓ 13. Emerald Lace Gown
This long green lace gown exudes perfect garden vibes. It has a fitted corset-like structure with sheer lace fabric.
The intricate detailing, structured cups, and lace straps add to the dress’s ethereal appearance. You can carry a baguette, a quilted bag, or a clutch.
For footwear, you can wear platform or stiletto heels.
↓ 12. Bohemian Style Multi-patterned Dress
This bohemian-style dress is made of an eclectic mix of patterns, having a patchwork-type design with multiple colors.
The top section has a blue base with floral patterns, the midsection has vibrant orange, yellow, and red patterns, and the bottom section has a green base with geometric shapes to create a funky look.
Style it with a white off-the-shoulder blouse to add a chic touch. Moreover, you can wear a tote bag with it.
Check out 55 Chic Bohemian Outfit Ideas for Women with Styling Tips.
↓ 11. Summer Breeze Ruffle Dress with Hat
This white sleeveless deep V-necked garment with ruffle details is a perfect beach dress. The detail of the laces in the dress and the flowing silhouette add a delicate and feminine touch.
Style it with dangly or shell or pearl earrings, a layered necklace, and sunglasses, and add a wide-brimmed hat.
Check out how to wear a hat with confidence with different outfits.
↓ 10. Checkard Outfit
This black and white checkered maxi dress, with ruffled shoulder straps and a perfectly fitted bodice, exudes elegance. It can be worn in different settings, from outdoor lunch to casual office settings.
This dress can be paired with black flat sandals. For accessories, you can add a pendant and small hoop earrings.
Make sure to pair silver accessories, as it’d go well with a black and white combination of the dress.
↓ 9. Crimson Cascade Halter Gown with Peep-Toe Heels
This deep and vibrant long red dress has intricate lace detailing that adds a luxurious texture to the dress.
Moreover, the plunging neckline with thin straps adds to the style of the dress. It’s perfect for upscale nighttime events due to the lace applique and vibrant red color.
You can wear chandelier earrings, cuff bracelets, or delicate bangles. Don’t add a necklace because of the plunging neck with straps.
↓ 8. Paisley Peach Dress & Summer Hat
This white and orange printed paisley dress paired with a wide-brimmed hat exudes summery vibes and can be worn to beach weddings, garden parties, festivals, and casual lunch dates.
Moreover, you can also style it for winter with a denim jacket or leather jacket and ankle or Chelsea boots.
As for accessories, you can wear long wearings and bracelets. Also, add sunglasses to give your outfit a complete look.
↓ 7. Olive Balcony Gown
This vibrant olive-green dress, made from lightweight silk with a sheen and flowy quality, has an off-the-shoulder bodice and a voluminous skirt. It can be worn for balls, weddings, and other upscale occasions.
As it’s a floor-length dress, wear shoes that are comfortable for you and elevate your height a little.
Don’t overwhelm the dress with heavy accessories. Keep it simple with some stud or drop earrings and carry a black or metallic clutch, creating a contrast.
Here’s how you can style your clutch with different dresses!
↓ 6. Floral Tiered Dress with Beige Circle Bag
This mustard floral tiered dress, with a flowing silhouette and bell-shaped sleeves and a delicate floral pattern, is a good choice for garden parties, brunches, beach weddings, or any casual summer gathering like BBQs or picnics.
You can accessorize it with crossbody bags in neutral colors like beige. For footwear, go for open-toe flat sandals in warm or neutral shades.
↓ 5. Rhinestone Sheer Dress
This sheer champagne-colored fabric dress embellished with sequins adds to the mesmerizing sparkle of the dress.
The fitted bodice accentuates the curves of the body, and it’s perfect for formal gatherings like galas and high-end parties.
Kelsea Ballerini, the famous country singer, has worn this dress well and paired it with medium-sized bulky earrings.
↓ 4. Lavender Ruffle Gown & White Clutch
This floor-length gown with a deep V-neckline in soft shades of lavender and lilac with a subtle hint of pink and white is a good choice for summer outings.
The small floral print and the lightweight chiffon dress fabric make it perfect for summer and spring.
The ruffles on the sleeves and the clinched waist accentuate the figure and provide a sleek silhouette.
You can style this dress with minimal jewelry like a gold bracelet or watch. Carry the clutch that matches the base of the dress, in this case, white.
For footwear, go for transparent heels or nude-shade heels.
↓ 3. Light Denim Outfit with Sunglasses
This coastal comfort denim long dress is perfect for casual outings and a day by the sea. It’s made from lightweight, lightwash denim fabric.
The dress isn’t too complicated in its style and design, with a simple round neckline and slightly puffed shoulders to add volume to the dress.
It can be styled with big-framed sunglasses, gold rings, and bracelets. For footwear, go for brown slippers or white sneakers.
↓ 2. Flowy Royal Blue Gown
This royal blue dress features a tiered, ruffled hem, a Greek-inspired draping top, and a lovely flowing skirt, perfect for weddings, galas, and some cocktail parties.
Made from lustrous satin fabric, the deep V-neckline and waist detailing add to the flattering look of the dress. To make it ultra-chic, accessorize with oversized statement earrings.
↓ 1. Floral Patterned Dress with Pointed Toe Heel
If you’re heading to casual summer outings like a beach or picnic or events like garden parties, brunches, or outdoor luncheons, this light mint green dress with large yellow and white floral patterns complements the place’s vibes.
Pair it with light pink shade pointed-toe heels. Accessorize it lightly with a small hoop or simple stud earrings, delicate pendants, thin bangles, or a charm bracelet.
For a more casual summer vibe, wear a neutral or pastel crossbody bag or straw bag. For footwear, wear light pink pointed-toe heels or metallic or nude flat sandals.
You can add a wide-brim hat or a sun hat to add a cool vibe, and if you don’t want to wear a hat, go for a hair scarf.
