Maxi dress

The Lovely Muffin

Hey,

I am looking for a maxi dress, something plain preferably as florals don't suit me, but I am open to suggestions.

I am 5'5 (so will most likely have to get the dress taken up), size 8-10 and wear flats usually, though I have these wedges which I could wear, they are a coral colour, my bust is 30B so I can't wear anything low-cut. Budget is €40 (which has to include shipping if I buy online), if I see something I really like and I think it worth the money I can stretch the budget.

Also, I am off to London in a few weeks so any shop suggestions that might have something like what I'm looking for would be appreciated.

Here's a few dresses I like, but are they suitable for day wear?

khaki halter neck maxi dress



black maxi dress



black bandeau grecian maxi dress



Summer Bandeau Maxi Dress With Tie Waist - Maybe in a light colour though for summer?



I saw this one last year on River Island's website and absolutely loved it, I haven't seen anything similar yet, but am keeping an eye out, is it suitable for day wear?



Thanks for any help.

The Lovely Muffin

Anyone?:(

Bubs99

Im a maxi dress lover myself, Im 5ft 4 and Im a size 10/12 and a 36b bust so I know what you mean, its hard to find the right one, length, cut at the bust etc.

I prefer halternecks. I found a gorgeous simple cotton one in Penneys last week, got it in black and it was only 13euro. It fit me perfectly so it'll be a casual one for me this summer.

I often check the popular fashion websites such as...asos.com, boohoo.co.uk, riverisland, redlane.ie, dresses.ie.

Theres so many. I got a gorgeous one last year in sasha (sadly now closed down), cost me 40euro, its black and white and has zebras on it, kind of a safari design, sounds strange but I felt fab in it.

Good luck in finding a nice dress.

Corruptedmorals

H&M has some lovely ones, plain as well as patterned. Some are here http://www.hm.com/ie/subdepartment/LADIES?Nr=4294960671#Nr=4294952713 My favourites are the 3rd, 4th and 10th ones. I really don't think the plain block coloured ones are only for the beach/pool, they look perfectly fine around town. You could always accessorise them anyway. A light denim jacket over a maxi dress is a pretty common look, but it really is lovely. I picked up a great one in Penneys and it works over every single one of my maxi dresses- no other jacket does.

I am 5'5, and own several maxi dresses. One is from Soho boutique, the shop near Dunnes in stephen's green, one is from Zara TRF, one is from Therapy at House of Fraser, two are from concession brands in A-Wear, one is from Penneys and one is from No Name. The A-Wear ones are a fraction too long, so walking on the hem sometimes happens. The others are ALL fine to walk in, reaching the ground yes, but still not hindering walking at all. So I wouldn't be too worried about length.

I highly recommend H&M, would have bought one or two this year but can't afford to. Soho boutique do lovely ones, usually straight across neckline with skinny straps. They are always patterned though, not neccessarily floral though. Usually around the €37 mark. You would probably find a stunning one in Zara but they tend to be €49.95. The A-Wear concession ones are all floral/patterned, or were anyway, not sure about now. A-Wear themselves have a few nice ones. They would all be on budget anyway. Therapy and one or two other brands in House of Fraser could be good, my one there was only €27, it had a black thickish strapped empire line top, then a sikly purple and green pattern. Lovely on!

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Therapy+Floral+boarder+print+maxi+dress/152004271,default,pd.html?cgid=301
This is the type of cut most of mine have. Very flattering on small sizes. Not sure if you'd like that dress but the pattern is defnitely not overwhelming. Looks like it might be fairly dressy though if the material is kind of silky-looking.

http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=2377948&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208786&parent_categoryId=226988&pageSize=20
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=2377938&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208786&parent_categoryId=226988&pageSize=20

I think these are stunning. Young enough, suit small sizes, not floral and very very wearable. It comes in two other colours too on this page http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208786&parent_categoryId=226988&beginIndex=1&pageSize=20 but I don't think they're as nice.

http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=2396121&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208786&parent_categoryId=226988&pageSize=20 Not sure what you think about this- some flowers, but I think it's stunning. I want it!

Don't think much of A-Wear's actually looking at their site. This http://www.awear.com/new-in/purple-bianca-feather-print-maxi-dress/invt/10401243purple/ is nice, good shape to it. Not sure if it's a bit dressier maybe than you want, given the material.

You'll need to look hard to avoid the massive amount of floral/ditzy ones. H&M have some lovely white ones, some with broderie anglaise I think which would be very versatile. Stripes I think are probably the best way to go, other than plain. Good luck in your search!

The Lovely Muffin

Thanks so much for your helpful replies, I really appreciate them.

I'll definitely check out Penneys (was it O'Connell st you got the dresses in? Would there stock be the same in all Dublin stores?) and I'll definitely check out Soho Boutique.

Is this the website for Soho Boutique on Stephens Green? http://www.sohoboutique.ie - it seems expensive, but maybe its just me.:o

Corruptedmorals

Nope, it's a shop kind of like Swamp, but cheaper and only does dresses. I have a few going out dresses from there and the maxi dress, all were under €40 and they're lovely and good quality. I doubt it has a website. It's beside Carrolls actually, on the right hand side of the ground floor. Worth a look. I would think they would all be ditsy/floral but I have seen a few tribal/paisley ones if you don't mind them? I doubt it would have plain ones if you are only looking for them. I remember from working in Dunnes that their maxis are made for people that are 6ft, they are shockingly long. I would think Penneys and H&M your best bet for colour-block ones. Or the stripy ones from DP that I'm trying not to covet..

The Lovely Muffin

Corruptedmorals wrote: »

Nope, it's a shop kind of like Swamp, but cheaper and only does dresses. I have a few going out dresses from there and the maxi dress, all were under €40 and they're lovely and good quality. I doubt it has a website. It's beside Carrolls actually, on the right hand side of the ground floor. Worth a look. I would think they would all be ditsy/floral but I have seen a few tribal/paisley ones if you don't mind them? I doubt it would have plain ones if you are only looking for them. I remember from working in Dunnes that their maxis are made for people that are 6ft, they are shockingly long. I would think Penneys and H&M your best bet for colour-block ones. Or the stripy ones from DP that I'm trying not to covet..

Thanks a million for your help, I really appreciate it.

I'd wear a floral dress if I found one that suited me, most don't which is disappointing

Chickus

Hi,
I have always been told never to wear one of theses due to my size, is this still the case?
I am 5'5 and almost size 14, would be wearing wedges with such a dress...nothing over-fussy pattern-wise either.. I dont think i would get away with flats..
I need something decent and comfy to wear, but stylish for hols, shorts are a no-no

Bubs99

I got my maxi dress in Penneys in Waterford but they are in both the Dublin city centre Penneys for definate. I saw them there and they're well worth it, 13 euro.

About being 5ft 5 and size 14 and not wearing a maxi...thats a myth. Maxi's suit all sizes, you just need to find the right one and use the right footwear and accessories such as belts etc.

Ive read that pattern print dresses are best for curvier girls, the bigger the bust, a halterneck or one with straps is best used. There are many comfy wedges to wear that can go with these dresses or even comfy flip flops with a little heel.

There are some dresses i saw in Penneys and H&M that are just stright down or like really long vests or t-shirts, these go lovely with a nice belt and if you loosen the top part like a loose top while the rest drops under the belt. Ive seen it on people and its really nice and simple with some lovely earrings.

Good Luck.