Effortlessly chic and endlessly versatile, the maxi dress is a fashion fav for any occasion, from casual outings to formal events. It’s almost impossible to mess with perfection, but there’s always room to elevate a maxi dress outfit.
There are a few stylists’ tricks and tips that can instantly transform a simple bodycon maxi into a street-style sensation or turn a long boho dress into a summer stunner ensemble. From laid-back beach days to elegant evenings out, we share 7 stylish ways to help make every maxi dress into perfection.
How To Style A Maxi Dress For Summer
When perfecting the art of styling a maxi dress, settling for the “one-and-done” look feels like a missed fashion opportunity. You can always count on the floor-length silhouette to make a stunning statement, but a way to elevate the outfit and give a personal styling touch is with shoes and accessories.
A maxi dress is a perfect canvas to add pops of shine and sparkle, like a gold chain belt to help define the waist or a set of layered necklaces to create a boho look. Have a little fun with hats and accessories to help add dimension and layers to your maxi dress outfit, like adding a cowboy hat for a hint of the Western trend or a trendy fanny pack for a sleek, sporty look.
The right style of shoes is always the perfect way to complete a look. Platform heels can help elevate the elegance of a formal maxi dress, while trendy slides or sandals can help set the tone for your casually chic ’fit.
Casual Maxi Dress Outfits
A casual maxi dress may be perfect for a laid-back occasion, but when it comes to creating your summer style, who says it can’t also be eye-catching? While a floor-length dress is a sophisticated look, even a simple ribbed knit fabric can make an on-trend fashion statement. Adding waist cutouts or pairing it with alluring platform block heels—suddenly, you have an insta-worthy look that’s effortlessly chic.
Bodycon Maxi Dress Outfit
There are a few chic ways to elevate the style of this bodycon maxi dress by complementing the sleek minimalist silhouette by adding a trendy shrug to give your ‘fit an edgy vibe. Or elevate the elongated look with platform heels to add a little height that makes you look taller, creating those picturesque supermodel vibes.
Maxi Dress with Cutouts
A black maxi dress is a must for any summer wardrobe, but a way to revamp this timeless silhouette is by opting for revealing cutouts on the sides for an eye-catching look. Style this maxi dress outfit with lace-up heels and trendy sunglasses for the ultimate captivating and head-turning look.
Vacation Maxi Dress Outfits
The beauty of styling a maxi dress for your weekend getaway or vacation is it can instantly bring out those “I’m on vacation” vibes and can make those fun-filled days and nights even more enjoyable and perfectly insta-worthy. A vacation maxi dress outfit is all about the accessories. There’s nothing more complementary than a large-brim hat and matching sunglasses to go with your vacation maxi dress and to help keep those sunny rays off of your gorgeous face. While a trendy straw clutch can help pull your look all together and keep your essentials all in one place for those warm summery nights out.
Boho Maxi Dress Outfit
There’s something magical about an all-over crochet lace maxi dress that can instantly bring out the carefree vibes of a vacation. A way to complement this boho-style dress is to add a touch of gold to enhance the timeless beauty of the lace. Espadrille wedges with metallic gold ties are the perfect shoes to wear with this dress. The natural woven fibers accented with a pop of gold add a glamorous touch to this wanderlust look.
Beachy Maxi Dress Outfit
If your vacation plans include enjoying the scenery of a beautiful lake or walking along the coastal shoreline, you’ll want to make sure to pack a beachy maxi dress. There’s nothing more picturesque than a long cotton-tiered dress accented with dainty buttons or designed in an all-over eyelet. Keep this classic summery look simple and sweet with a chic straw hat and strappy sandals during the day and at night; add a bit of a western flare with cute cowboy boots and an oversized denim jacket.
Tropical Maxi Dress Outfit
A tropical vacation getaway is the perfect time to let your summer style shine. A maxi dress in a gorgeous tropical floral or leaf print can definitely elevate the island vibes and mood with vibrant hues or soothing earth-tone colors. A way to style a printed maxi dress is by accessorizing your look with jewelry. Enhance the tropical print with statement earrings to bring out the color of the pattern, or let the jewelry add a bit of shine with delicate gold bangles or a cute ankle bracelet. Finish off your look with a chic straw clutch to hold all your essentials, so you’ll be ready to go with the flow of the island breeze.
Formal Maxi Dress Outfits
If you’ve been invited to a vineyard wedding or have plans to celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary, you’re going to fall in love with a formal maxi dress. A long tulle or embroidered lace dress is the picture-perfect romantic look for these special occasions. Embrace the soft romantic aesthetic of formal maxi dresses by styling them with sparkling earrings or necklaces, and even add a bit of shimmer to your hair with barrettes accented with rhinestones and pearls for a lovely fairytale look.
Maxi Dress with Long Sleeves
We love the perfectly balanced design of the long-sleeve silhouette paired with a plunging neckline. The long sleeves create an elegantly sophisticated look, while the deep V-neck adds a touch of sultriness. Enhance the beautiful shape of the neckline with a sparkling lariat necklace or layers of delicate chain necklaces. Continue to frame your face with gorgeous chandelier earrings for a glamorous look to this formal ensemble.
Maxi Floral Dress For Weddings
An all-over floral embroidered gown is a natural beauty all on its own. However, a way to enhance this dreamy, ethereal look is to play up the floral embellishments with lace-up heels accented with delicate floral petals. Complete the whimsical maxi dress ensemble with a playful clutch trimmed with feathers or shaped in an eye-catching sphere.
So there you have it! How to style a maxi dress for any occasion. We hope you’re inspired to create fabulously chic maxi dress outfits for your upcoming summer events.
