Whilst the Sun is Still Shining
Transitioning into Autumn
Working it into Winter
Autumnal Acquisitions
Figure-Fixing Maxis...
Whilst the Sun is Still Shining...
The Corset
I love an all-white look for sunny days - a full length skirt curtails the TOWIE factor of a white corset, reinstating its timeless appeal without taking away any of the impact (Can you see why I separate it from the matching skirt, featured here?). A metallic belt centres attention on the waist.
Skirt: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Belt: Primark (SS12)
The Gypsy Blouse
Alternatively, a floaty gypsy-style top layered over a bandeau (or cami, if you prefer), lets you incorporate the sheer trend into daywear, giving a relaxed but divinely romantic look which is also ideal for anyone conscious of their waist or upper arm areas.
Bandeau: New Look (SS12)
Skirt: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Shoes: BHS (Past Season)
High-waisted maxi skirts also look great teamed with crop tops in similar styles (see this skirt teamed with one of my favourites here), or dressed down with cut-off band tees, sweatshirts or sports-luxe style separates.
Transitioning into Autumn...
The Fringed Vest Top
A vest top can tone down the inbuilt glam factor of a full-length skirt for a more relaxed, casually stylish look. Alternatively, matching the colours and choosing one with embellishment (or adding a statement necklace) can actually help you to turn up the wow factor a few extra notches, without looking like you've tried too hard (or indeed actually having to try too hard - clever). Black and grey tones, as well as rich autumnal colours, are great transitional options once white no longer feels appropriate.
Skirt: Jane Norman (Past Season)
The Shirt
Donning a shirt or blouse is a great way to instantly smarten up a maxi, which will work for you throughout the year. Here, I've used a monochrome palette and statement necklace to play on the juxtaposition between masculine tuxedo-style tailoring and the feminine glamour of full-length pleats. You can see my all-white version of the look here.
Skirt: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Necklace: Primark (SS12)
I also love pussybow blouses, for an Olivia Palermo-inspired take on full-length-and-fabulous - a leather jacket and black boots are great ways of toughening up this look and rendering it autumn-appropriate.
Skirt: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Jacket: Primark (Past Season)
Working it into Winter...
Gothic Lace
AW gives you full license to embrace any vampiric tendencies you may secretly nurture, and full length drama is immensely appropriate. I've layered a basic black bandeau over a lace polo for this look, and broken up the all-over black (and hidden the join!) with a hint of plum (my very favourite autumnal colour).
Bandeau Top: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Skirt: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Belt: H&M (Past Season)
The Edwardian Peplum
Yes, this is me, fully embracing my own vampiric tendencies, courtesy of a £12 eBay wig! The peplum looks as fabulous with the maxi as I think it does with almost everything else in my wardrobe, and ticks off the gothic and Edwardian trends in one fell swoop, teamed with a statement choker.
I've noticed quite a few peplum maxi dresses crawling out of the lookbooks for AW, but if you have enough separates that go together, you won't need one - thrifty - in fact, why not just buy everything in black from now on, and then it'll all match (joke - a girl really shouldn't live on black alone, however much she loves True Blood - at least invest in some purple too).
Skirt: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Shoes: Marks & Spencer (AW12)
Choker: Ann Summers (Past Season)
Autumnal Acquisitions
I will most definitely be getting optimal cost-per-wear from my black pleated number - it'll look great styled up for the Edwardian, rock chick, gothic and Great Gatsby trends, as well as dressed down with chunky knits and boots, and peeking out from the hem of my full length military coat. However, I wouldn't be averse to investing in a few new styles, textures and colours too - plum would be great for adding a touch of rich autumnal colour, and grey to lighten up a bit for daytime looks - and I'll be looking out for the high street's velvet, leather, lace and baroque-print versions with interest.
Figure-Fixing Maxis...
Petite girls should try high-waisted styles to lengthen legs.
Pear-shapes look great in high-waisted, floaty styles to emphasise the waist and skim over the hips.
Snake-hipped and hourglass lovelies can get away with bodycon or flowing styles.
Apple-shaped girls may find that high-waisted pleated styles draw attention to the stomach in an unflattering way, so might prefer to stick to non-pleated, diaphanous styles, a lower rise, and/or a less bodycon top.
Tomorrow: How to Wear the Maxi Dress
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