Long Summer Dresses

"You Don't Have to Show Off Your Legs to Look Fabulous"

Long summer dresses (also known as maxi dresses) are long, feminine and super-comfy! A summery maxi dress is simply a joy to wear during summer because the fabric is light and makes you feel like a goddess. Wear one for a trendy fashion statement, or if you feel like disguising your curves, unshaved or sunburnt legs without sacrificing your sense of style.

Chiffon long summer dress by Gypsy 05/Swell

Courtesy of Gypsy 05/Swell

They are available in a wide array of styles, colors and designs. From tube top to kimono sleeves. Flared to straight hemline. Solid-colored to bohemian patterns. There is something for everyone!

How to Select the Best Maxi Dress

Secure the basics

Jennifer Aniston wearing a slate blue strapless long maxo dress
Jennifer Aniston via wireimage

Buy at least one or two long summer dresses that you can easily mix and match to create different looks. So opt for something simple (no fussy details and prints) and in a solid neutral.

Versatile neutrals include black, dark blue, olive green, brown and white. There are various nuances of each neutral so select the ones that look best with your coloring.

For example, if you look best in warm colors, select long dresses in beige, camel, cream and teal. Or if you have a cool skin tone, go for black, dark navy blue and snow white.

A belt is a long dress' best friend

Many maxi dresses tend to be voluminous so if it's too loose and boxy-looking, wrap a simple belt around the thinnest part of your waist. A wide belt makes the dress look trendy - a skinny belt on the other hand is more subtle and classy.

If you're petite

Less fabric is the best choice for your body frame, so you might want to try to stick to simple, snug long summer dresses with a nipped shape around the waist to avoid dragging your frame down and keep your torso look long and trim.

Look for fitted tops and make sure the details and prints (and the whole shape of the dress) are scaled to your body.

Stick to straight to slightly flared hemlines to create a flattering line on your body figure. You can also have it hemmed at your local tailor or alter it yourself!

Go to Style & Shopping Guide to Petite Clothing and Fashion

If you're a plus-size

Don't attempt to hide your curves with layers and volume. It will only make you look boxy and bigger. Instead, look for dresses with a little bit of shape around the waist, giving your body frame a nice proportional and lean look.

Also go for v-necks and bigger prints to slim down your shape. Go for a straight or flared hemline as it will balance out your body figure.

Go to Style & Shopping Guide to Womens Plus Size Clothes

Don't be afraid to experiment with new colors and prints

Colors such as green, blue, red, yellow, pink, stripes, dots, floral prints, etc. add visual interest. If you want to look slim and tall as possible, look for a long dress with prints and details that stretch vertically. Black white also help break up your body figure.

However, wide and horizontal prints as well as color-blocking can make you look shorter and wider - so unless you're tall avoid these beasts. Or simply add high heels to raise your silhouette to adjust to the heavy dress details

More Fashion Advice on Dresses:

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Shop Long Summer Dresses Online

If you're looking for colorful, bohemian-looking long dresses, then I highly recommend designer label Gypsy 05. It's a little bit over the average Jane budget, but the quality and unique designs make it really worth it. Not to mention that celebs like Lauren Conrad and Vanessa Hudgens have been spotted wearing their Gypsy 05 maxi dress several times!

However, if you have a very tight budget, I suggest you to buy from Thailand and Asia-based eBay stores which sell long bohemian summer dresses at very low prices.

A couple of my favorite eBay stores who offer long summer dresses are:

Miss Mode 21

Siam Tropical

If you're into bohemian, artsy and feminine fashion you're gonna fall inlove with Siamtrendy Dress Shop's celeb-inspired maxi dresses.

I like the fact that they provide both colorful and versatile maxi dresses at very affordable prices. They won't hurt your wallet one bit ;-)

Take a look at this widget which is full of maxi dress suggestions:

Bizrate