Short Girls Can Wear Maxis Too
You don't have to be tall to look good in a maxi.
Photo courtesy of Tokyo Fashion
But now that I think about it, I don’t think short girls should be intimidated by maxi dresses or long skirts because of their size. Although I think mini dresses look great, I really believe that short girls can pull off a maxi dress any day. If we can wear long gowns at proms and formal parties, why not a casual maxi dress in the nice summer season?
I know that many short girls think that maxis drown us in fabric or make us look even shorter, but I think you can look great if you pick the right shape and fit. Here’s a few tips of mine that I always think about when shopping for maxis:
1. Fitting is key. A lot of maxis are very voluminous and flowy, but if you’re on the shorter side, I recommend looking out for more slim and form fitting ones. If you do happen to have a rather loose fitting maxi, try cinching it around your waist with a belt to accentuate your frame.
2. Solid colors and fine patterns work better. Although big bold patterns and a ray of color can be fun, sometimes it can be a bit too much or a little unflattering for the body.
3. Consider getting it hemmed. We often get stumped on the length of the dress, but depending on the style, many maxis can be shortened to fit your height by hemming them without ruining the design. If you want to hem the dress, stay away from those that have ruffles or frills at the bottom because those tend to be more difficult to trim. And if hemming is not a possibility, you can always wear heels instead of flats to get rid of some of the extra length.
4. Accessorize around the maxi dress and keep it simple. The maxi dress is going to be your focal point, so you don’t have to go all out an wear big statement jewelry or accessorize too much.
These are a couple of things I check for when I look at maxi dresses. Are maxis part of your wardrobe and what are your styling tips?
I actually think maxi dresses look best on shorter girls! I like your tip about solid colors, there are some dresses with big loud prints that are quite scary. What can go wrong with a pretty long black maxi dress on anyone?!
I’m on the shorter side and I love my maxi dresses. Typically I’m too lazy to hem, so tall shoes are typically the quickest/easiest solution to that problem.
Such a great post as I’m one of those short girls who is convinced maxi things could never look good on me. I’ve seen it work on short girls before though, so I probably should try it sometime. A lot of the maxi dresses I come across are kind of cheap-looking though. Maybe if I came across a really nice-looking one with a smaller print. I’d definitely have to hem anything I buy too. Great tips!
yay for 5’2″ girls ;) I completely agree with your tips – one of my fav looks is a maxi dress or skirt!!
thanks for your lovely comment :)
Corinne xo
I think it’s wonderful that you’ve chosen to give confidence to people of different sizes! I think anyone can wear anything as long as they wear it with confidence :) Your comment was so sweet & made me smile. PS: online homework ruins my life but I finished it & I’m 1 step closer to getting my associates!!
As a short girl myself I love this!
thanks for checking out my blog!
i’m 5’5 but even then most maxis drag the floor behind me.. but wedges fix everything! :) and i totally agree, anyone can and should rock a maxi.
couturelust.com
That makes me feel better – I was wondering if I could wear a maxi and look nice – I’m 5 2″
Thanks for the comment on my blog and hope you follow
http://yajairasfashionnotes.blogspot.com/
Cool website!! :)
thank you for all the lovely ideas of how to wear the long dress!!
great post so true i used to stay away from maxi skirts but they look great and i have to find the right length and make sure it fits right even with heels, i’m still skeptical on maxi dresses though it’s a little harder to find! thanks for the comment!
http://kc-citystyle.blogspot.com/
Hey there…I do agree short women can wear long skirts/dress, I’m 5’4″ and I love long summer dresses when I can find one that doesn’t yell at me! :~) So often long skirts/dresses are very bright/loud colors and patterns…the fit/color/material is so important when it comes to maxi, especially for a short woman.
Great post…
Cheers
I always stay away from maxi dresses purely because I am 4″11! However, I’ve been swaying towards them lately and have even tried on a few in stores…still yet to find the perfect one! Great post!
Nice post. :)
I’m average height-5’7”, and I never wore a maxi skirt! lol.
This summer, I want to try one out, but, I’d really love it if I can make my own. :D
And also, you have nice style tips for maxi skirts for short girls. :)
You also made a verry good point on, how short girls can wear formal long dresses and look good, and why not a maxi. :D
Thanks for your comment on my Michael Jackson post, and you welcome. :)
Wonderful tips for wearing maxis and err on the short side. Because anyone can rock them!
I did think as you. I am short (almost dwarf warning on me) so I thought that maxi dresses looked like a little girl borrowing mum’s clothes on me. But then recently I found a long skirt and it had this perfect length so I did not look tiny. I am sure it exists more dresses out there with the perfect length. I will go search for them. :)
Oh yes we can! I’m 5’2 also and I love Maxis! You are so right, fit is key!
http://stitchednadorned.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the comment on my Maxi Dress Love post :) This is a great article btw! Love your site!
I totally agree, Anthro DOES have the best necklaces!
xo
Lizzie
I think short girls can wear long dress/skirts. I saw a picture of on of the Olsen sisters today (don’t know which of them), she was wearing a white blouse and a long skirt with flats, she was gorgeous, go girls!
Monia, Rome
http://moniantinori.blogspot.com/
I am very short as well. Like you, at first I was intimidated but I just couldn’t resist their beauty! xx
I totally agree! I’m short too (5’3″) and for the longest time I was convinced that I could never pull off a maxi, but then I tried it and totally fell in love! =)
great tips, great post!
im tiny.. and i love wearing maxis! :) you just have to find the right one!
http://aartifiit.wordrpess.com
I love maxi dress too!! you have such an nice blog! let’s be friend and follow each other! :) mind to follow me? I’ll follow u back then :)
and exchange link would be nice :)
Being very tall, I don’t have these problems, but I will have to let my shorter friends in on the secret! I’m glad that you found a song that you like on The Internet Garbage! That’s awesome, thanks for dropping by with the comment, we were so happy to see you – the host of a FAB blog with an incredible layout – and hope that you come back again!
this are nice tips..i have bought a maxi dress finally and i love it.
Very nice post! I’m short too (5’3) and I thought like you, but you make me want to try maxi dresses or skirts! :)
I’m only 4’11″ and I have one maxi dress that I just bought for this summer. I personally think that it makes me look taller tho, just make sure the pattern is larger on the bottom and get smaller and disappear when it gets to the waistline, that way it makes you look taller!
love maxis! despite my shorter height(barely 5’4″) I do have floor length dresses and I’d go for platform heels to avoid floor sweeping :D
http://fashionistangina.blogspot.com/
I’m also petite 5’3″, medium built, not thin, and I just bought three maxi dresses. I love it. It’s very comfortable and feminine and not very expensive here in Los Angeles. Very easy to wear and very summery. I believe petite women can be beautiful in maxi dresses.
Great post! I am also petite and about 5’1 and I’ve tried maxi dresses and have seem to pull it off. I usually wear wedges with them and a belt too. Great tips by the way! I am now following! :)
Rosalia
http://style-love.blogspot.com
You are so right!
I am taller than all my friends and they always say they’re jealous, but shorter people can absolutely be fashionable too!
Thanks for your comment by the way!
xx
fashionmousse.blogspot.com