Scarves are in This Season

If you’re a bit of a fashionista who likes to keep up on current fashion trends, then a good tip to be in style for this summer is to wear colorful scarves. Either tied around your wrist, hair, or neck, bright scarves are very in this season, and is a cheap way to pull together summer outfits together so that they appear playful without being gaudy. Thiss is especially helpful if you’ve got drab looking last season clothes like I do. Tying a scarf around your hair is also a good alternative to hats if you’re not particularly fond of hat hair.

Hooray for the Maxi Dress, Hooray for Fashion!

Finally: a fashion trend for those of you who did not exactly embrace the super-short skirts and dress this past year. Enter the Maxi Dress. Yes; maxi, as in the opposite of mini. Find the fashionable long, flowing ankle-length dress at a mall near you! And no, we are not talking about the muumuu popularized by Mrs. Roper in the ‘70’s sitcom “Three’s Company.” Actual celebrities the likes of Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria and Vanessa Hudgens have been working this super-feminine trend both on and off the various-colored carpets recently.

True Love

Seriously; in the absence of guru chefs, personal trainers and professional stylists, many women have difficulty achieving the ultimate celebrity body of her dreams. Truly; the mere thought of exposing a significant amount of leg north of the knee in a tight micro-mini is more of a nightmare. Yes; women are sure to embrace the comfort and practicality of the lengthier maxi with its ability to flatter a wide array of body types. Women of all shapes and sizes –whether tall, short, full-figured, less-endowed or otherwise are invited to breathe a sigh of relief and if necessary, skip a day of shaving legs.

Bridesmaids can be heard for miles around singing its praises as they narrowly escape the thought of turquoise and taffeta accoutrements paraded for 500+ guests. Yes, the maxi dress may very well be the first ever bridesmaid dress worn for a second time other than a Halloween party.

But wait; there’s more! This clever attire easily transforms from “workday” to “play-day” with just a few minor accessory changes. The same maxi worn with jewels and heels could be paired with flip-flops and an oversized hat for a day at the beach.

Your Perfect Maxi Dress

With the vast selection of fashions rolling out for the season you should consider your height, build and bust size when shopping for that perfect fit. Here are some tips for choosing the best style of maxi dress for your body.

If you are on the petite side, avoid the long, flowing gypsy-style skirts. If you are not tall and slender like Nicole Kidman (for instance), you will look even less like her in a dress which only achieves an even shorter and wider appearance. Therefore; seek out the more fitted flirty styles and avoid allowing the maxi dress to wear you! Fun features for you are sweetheart necklines, dainty near-knee ruffles and strapless smocking. Choose light colors and small feminine patterns of flowers or paisley. Pair with shoes featuring a chunky heel for even more slimming and lengthening effects. In cooler weather add a fitted waistcoat.

Are you a little wider in the waist? Look for the A-line dresses which are a little more fitted at the top and a subtle flow at the bottom. The hidden secret to the A-line is the higher waist which smoothes out the midsection while giving an overall lengthier appearance. Just steer clear of light colors and smaller prints; choosing instead bold colors and larger prints.

For those of you with fuller bust lines, do not despair. Do; however, avoid spaghetti straps at all costs. Choose instead a halter-style or V-neck dress for drawing attention in a much more flattering light! This figure benefits from draped styles as well.

If you generally bemoan your extended height, the maxi is a must-have this season due to its ability to provide adequate coverage while remaining completely feminine. You are elegant in the long, flowing gypsy-inspired dresses and Asian-style smock dresses that your shorter friends eye jealously.

Yes, the maxi dress has achieved resounding approval across the nation. You may not be the first in your circle of friends to sport one, but with these tips you can be sure that the dress you step out in is absolutely stunning!