7 Trendy Ways to Style a Maxi Dress the Right Way

What are maxi dresses? They're long, free-flowing, and gorgeous dresses. Sleeveless and spaghetti-strap maxi dresses are summer staples, but maxi dresses aren't bound to a specific season. Wear them in floral and pastel prints for spring or pair a long-sleeved maxi dress with a warm coat and a scarf for fall and winter.

One of the biggest boons of maxi dresses is that they're incredibly versatile. You can dress them up for formal events or dress them down for casual everyday wear. They pair wonderfully with all kinds of accessories, from belts to scarves to jewelry.

There's no one way to style a maxi dress. Maxi dresses have endless potential. But ahead, we provide seven trendy ways to style a maxi dress the right way for inspiration. Whether you're wearing your maxi dress to a fancy function or the local park for a picnic, these tips will help you create a comfy and fashionable fit.

Before You Style

Before you style your maxi dress, ask yourself a few questions. These questions will help you narrow down your options and decide on a central "theme" for your outfit.

What's Your Taste?

What's your fashion aesthetic? Do you prefer a boho-chic look? Or are you more of the sporty type? How do you normally dress? More casual or more professional? Or maybe somewhere right in the middle?

You should know your style so you can create an amazing maxi dress look. You want your outfit to reflect you as a person. If you like to dress professionally, you can cross colorful sneakers, eccentric accessories, and overly bold patterns off your list. Are you a boho-chic kind of gal? Natural-looking accessories, sandals, floral patterns, and bright colors are a must!

What's the Occasion?

Another important thing to keep in mind is the occasion. You don't need to dress fancy for a trip to the grocery store, but you don't want to underdress for an important occasion.

If you're attending a wedding, you should dress classy but simple. The last thing you want to do is draw attention away from the blushing bride!

For work, a plain-colored or plain-patterned maxi dress and a sleek business jacket will make you look both fashionable and professional. Neutrals are what most people think of when they hear the word "professional," but don't shy away from bright colors if that's your jam.

Just going out to do some shopping? Throw on your favorite maxi dress and a pair of comfortable loafers or warm moccasins.

What's It Like Outside?

A strapless maxi dress and sandals are fantastic options when it's scorching hot outside, but you wouldn't want to wear them on a nippy winter day. For cold days, break out your long-sleeved maxi dresses and fuzzy boots instead. Before you decide on your outfit for the day, take a minute to look at the weather forecast. You might discover a colder-than-normal forecast that calls for a jacket, or extra sunny weather that requires a wide brim straw hat to stave off harmful UV rays.

How to Style Your Maxi Dress

Now that you're done answering those questions, you probably have a much clearer idea of what you're going for. Ready to start putting your outfit together? Here are seven trendy ways to style a maxi dress the right way.

A Casual Look

For a casual maxi dress look, pair a simply patterned or plain maxi dress with a denim jacket and sneakers. You can accessorize with a simple hat (think baseball hats and baker boy caps) and metallic jewelry. The jewelry is where you can really have fun. Pick out a few eccentric pieces—a watch, a necklace, a pair of earrings—to act as focal points of the outfit. Silver jewelry pairs excellently with cool tones while gold jewelry looks better with warm tones, but you can also mix and match.

A Professional Look

For a modern and professional maxi dress outfit to wear to work, pair a maxi dress with a business jacket. We recommend making one of the two a neutral color and the other one colorful for a striking contrast. A black abstract-patterned maxi dress can look incredible with a bold red business jacket, for example! For shoes, low heels or flats are the way to go. Ensure you accessorize with some jewelry, but don’t go overboard. A round pendant necklace, watch, bracelet, or stud earrings are all subtle and gorgeous options. Don't forget your suitcase (or maybe just a nice bag)!

A Party Look

Planning to attend a big party? A sequined or embroidered maxi dress can be both elegant and showy. Don't be afraid to maximize the bling! Slip on some shiny metallic heel sandals and go all out with the jewelry. A ribbon wrap belt can add a touch of class to your dress while rhinestone, metal, or chain belts are a must for a stand-out and glamorous look. When it comes to bags, clutch bags are ideal. They're roomy enough to hold essential items but aren’t obtrusive.

A Spring Look

For spring, we recommend a light-colored and floral-patterned maxi dress. You can pair it with natural-looking sandals for a boho look or, for something more casual, sneakers or slip-ons. Complete the outfit with wood accessories and a tassel handbag or tote.

A Summer Look

Maxi dresses are perfect for summer! Pair your sleeveless maxi dress with a sheer kimono cover-up, sandals, a straw hat, a pair of sunglasses, and a mix of metal and wood accessories. Warmer colors embody summer. Choose bright and cheery colors such as red, yellow, orange, blue, and green. You'll want to avoid darker colors since they absorb heat.

A Fall Look

A long-sleeved maxi dress paired with a peacoat or oversized sweater is great for fall. Pair it with ankle boots, an oversized bag, a scarf, a woven belt, and a fedora for a truly cozy feeling. Copper jewelry is a fantastic option for fall because it comes in beautifully muted colors, just like the trees. Warmer colors are great for both summer and fall. Stick to classic fall shades such as orange and red.

A Winter Look

Brrr! Even in the South, winter can be freezing at times. A long-sleeved maxi dress paired with an oversized and fuzzy faux fur-lined coat, a blanket scarf, a beanie, and tall boots will keep you warm. Since you'll be all bundled up, jewelry doesn't have to be a huge focus. A pair of earrings and a bracelet or necklace is all you need! Winter also tends to be the drabbest season. Brighten it up by filling your winter wardrobe with vibrant clothes.

Looking for boutique-style dresses and accessories to match? Two Cumberland has everything you need to put together a stunning outfit. Come and check out our online store or drop by one of our three locations in South Carolina to say hello!