The Maxi Dress Edit - Top 15

One sure-fire summer hit for me is always gonna be a Maxi dress - effortlessly glam & stylish and easy to wear, it's rare to find an outfit that you can throw on that can go from day to night just by changing from flats to heels & adding a piece of statement jewellery. Not to mention Maxis are fab for the current wedding season for guestwear, just make sure you don't wear white lol!

There's loads of styles to flatter any shape, whether you love halter necks, strapless, strappy or sleeved, theres a Maxi out there for you!

Here are my top 15 of the best I've found on my quest for the perfect Maxi so far :)

1. Little Mistress: http://www.little-mistress.co.uk

Summer sunset colours - Check , embelishment - Check, mesh neckline - Check! Looks arabian princessy - Check!

This is a definate must buy on my wish list for this summer..did I mention its my birthday soon?! ;)



Orange & Pink Contrast Embellished Mesh Maxi Dress £70

2. Forever 21: http://www.forever21.com

Forever 21 have the most AMAZING vibrant tribal prints in store right now, and this is just one of the best ones in stores right now, and is an steal at under £30. Just looking at it makes me wanna book a holiday in the sunshine!



Tribal Print Maxi Dress £24.75

3. Ted Baker: http://www.tedbaker.com

Ted Baker's stunning prints just get better and better every season and this candy coloured pleated maxi is no exception. Perfect for a spring/summer wedding!

Hecuba Dress £209

4. Rare London: http://www.rarelondon.com

I'm a big fan of cut out detail, it just makes clothes more interesting!, just make sure you pile on the sun lotion or make sure you head in to the shade often as the one bad thing about cut out detail in summer is getting weird tan/sunburn lines!

Navy Split Shoulder Maxi Dress £49

5. Berskha: http://www.bershka.com

Definatly scoring top points in the pretty & floaty factor is this dreamy number from Bershka, isn't the colour lovely!
If you can pull off plunging necklines, this dress is for you.

Chiffon Turquoise Halter Maxi Dress £29.99 

6. Dead Lovers @ Bank Fashion: http://www.bankfashion.co.uk

Who said you can't have slogan printed maxi's! This fun graphic slogan print dress from Dead Lovers is great for those who wanna be girly but still want to have something a little different & edgy, great for chilled summer days - team with converse or grungy Dr Martens for cool alternative daywear.

"Bite Me" Side Split Maxi £45

7. Select: http://www.selectfashion.co.uk

Most of my past Maxi's have been from Select - They always seem to be perfect length, not to over-priced, on-trend prints & embellished necklines so no need to accessorize, I love them! Another great thing is most of the styles/prints come in a variety of colours so you can buy the same dress in loads of different colours if you want! This pretty coral one is only £18 and is also available in green.

Coral Graphic Paisley Print Maxi £18

8. H&M:  http://www.hm.com

H&M's summer 14 range is full of 70's boho vibes and romantic floaty chiffon. This is a great dress for hot days and unlike most maxis, this one is actually sleeved and perfect if you are on the tall side! so if your looking for a stylish sleeved dress for your holidays or a beach cover up, this is a good pick.

Sleeved Smock Dress £29.99

9. Fashion Union: http://www.fashionunion.com

Fashion Union are a new discovery I've made in recent weeks, having first found them via an ad in Look Magazine. They have a fab range clothes including their Maxi's (some Maxi's in the FU Steals range at only £6.50!) This sheer chiffon lovely is a winner as all white is set to be huge on the fashion this S/S as well as having pretty beaded necklace detail & split sides, this dress ticks all the trends boxes at once!

Rea Chiffon Mini Skirt Underlay Dress £30

10. Rare London: http://www.rarelondon.com

An extra entry for Rare London with this pretty floral bustier dress, which unsurprisingly has popped up in their most wanted section! abit on the pricey side but could potentially get alot of wear out of it. Team it up with wedges and a satchel for a cute boho daytime look.

White & Floral Bustier Maxi £69

11. River Island:  http://www.riverisland.com

River Island isn't usually a place I would head if I'm thinking of Maxi dresses but was pleasantly suprised at their SS maxi offerings, and was spoilt for choice when I had a browse online earlier to find plenty of eye-popping graphic and abstract prints and loads of cool colours! My favourite detail on this one is the pretty floaty cape-style sleeves & cinched in waist, this one is a summer essential!

Multicoloured Abstract Print Dress £50

12. New Look: http://www.newlook.com

I was blown away also by the choice in New Look, so many colours and styles, you could be choosing all day! I picked out this Cobalt blue strappy jersey dress as I love the striking colour of cobalt and the crop frilly top bit that seems to be everywhere at the moment which adds great detail without having to throw on any extra embelishments and slits to the side, this looks pretty as it is! This one is also available in Light Blue & Coral.

Strappy Layered Jersey Maxi £17.99

13. Miss Selfridge: http://www.missselfridge.com

Miss Selfridge is the QUEEN of the Maxi for a special occasion - honestly, have you seen their prom dresses or evening wear? It's totally red carpet worthy and perfect for a wedding or glamorous party, I'm waiting for an invite to something posh just so I can wear one, *sigh* , Miss Selfridge also are a go-to for their digital prints too, This digital Print maxi has loads of splashes of summer colours as well as a woodland forest & tropical trees printed making it a pretty interesting design. Team up with a kimono for an beachy party look.

Digital Palm Print Maxi £45

14. Ax Paris: http://www.axparis.com

Ax Paris has some seriously pretty stuff online at the mo, my wish list is full of thier Kickout skater dresses that look amazing, but this Maxi also caught my eye. This seasons biggest trend is definatly Tropical Prints and if you are looking for something that will go with this trend but are not keen on the printed shorts and co-ords that are everywhere then this maxi is perfect for you! it's strapless design will suit all shapes and is a great staple piece for a summer or holiday wardrobe.

Tropical Strapless Maxi £30

15.  Matalan: http://www.matalan.co.uk

Lastly on to Matalan, Matalans range is always really good, I just wish I lived nearer to one so I could pop in store more often for a mosey! I've picked out this stripey Maxi, which to me a stripey maxi is a must have for nautical chic days!, This one is more monochrome though, but none-the-less a wardrobe staple. Its a easy outfit which is perfect for day wear, with its t-shirt sleeves it could also pass as workwear! It just needs a few bright accesories added before it becomes evening ready. At £15 this dress is a total bargain.

Black & White Striped T-Shirt Maxi £15

Best Maxi Retailer for:

Casual Daywear - Select & Fashion Union
Bridesmaid/Evening/Party's - Miss Selfridge, Ted Baker, Coast, Quiz or Lipsy
Range of Sizes - Asos
Special Holiday Maxi's - H&M , Little Mistress, River Island, Rare London 
Festivals - Forever 21 & Bershka
Best Choice - New Look

Love, Sarah x