I Will Wear This on February 31st
June 8, 2009
Today I bought a maxi dress. Which, every time I say it, reminds me of maxi pad. And then I giggle like a 12 year old boy.
I brought it home and tried it on. My children loved it, especially my daughter. I am not sure what it says about me that my litmus test for fashionable is a 6 yr old.
I took this photo and emailed it to Susan.
Me: maxi dress: yes or no?
Susan: Yes!
Me: I feel very covered up like I am amish
Susan: hahaha
Me: only with cleavage
Me: you know, if I had some
Susan: amish cleavage
isn’t that against the law?
Me: otherwise known as my sternum
Me: i wish i had bigger boobs, just for my dress.
Susan: you can buy those you know
Me: the top of the dress is slightly padded
Me: poor woman’s boob job
Susan: Where will you wear it?
Me: …
***
Edited to add:
I am torn on the maxi dress. I do like the way they look. My neighbor wears them all the time I think she looks great. But when I have it on I have this inexplicable urge to grow my armpit hair and listen to the Grateful Dead. And I am not sure that is quite the look I am going for.
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Looks cute, I will tell you that I could not handle the word Maxi dress. I heard someone refer to them as town gowns and I have gone with that term instead.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:06 pmYour sternum…harhar.
So, party at your house sometime in the breath of air between February and March?
June 8th, 2009 at 2:16 pmMaxi dresses are unflattering to everyone. It’s an equal-opportunity offender.
Chris says: Um, so I guess you don’t like it?
June 8th, 2009 at 2:18 pmCute dress and a definite keeper!!! Do tell us where you got it.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:25 pmI’ve tried and tried to open my mind, but I just don’t GET the maxi dress.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:32 pmi will get one too and wear it on feb 31st.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:41 pmSuper cute!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:45 pmI think on the right person, the maxi dress is really cute.
I am not that person.
But I think you are!
And my daughter would love it, too, because it’s long and it’s a dress and that’s all it takes to make her really, really happy.
If only that were true of everyone.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:55 pmi too own a maxi dress
June 8th, 2009 at 3:01 pmi too make the same giggle when i say it.
i too feel amish and too covered up!
xoxo
ronee
It’s great looking.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:18 pmOMG! I’m not the only one who thinks “maxi” is such a silly name for a dress.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:48 pmIt’s lovely - wear it and SWISH!
June 8th, 2009 at 4:26 pmOr perhaps the “first of Octember”?
June 8th, 2009 at 4:37 pmi bought one too. but haven’t worn it yet.
you first
June 8th, 2009 at 4:45 pmI have a dress like that. I bought it a few weeks ago, and here I am wearing it around the house. I guess I’ll have to get up the courage to wear it out, since it is a litte low-cut for me, and me with no chest to fill it out. It’s ok, it’s so comfortable I think it was worth it. (I do wish it was a littel shorter, I keep tripping on it when going over the multiple child-gates in my house due to all teh small children running around.) Wear it and enjoy the comfort!
June 8th, 2009 at 4:49 pmSo cute! Can I ask(without being too nosy) where you got it? I’ve been trying those maxi pad dresses on, and can’t find one I like.
Chris says: I bought it at Kohl’s
June 8th, 2009 at 4:50 pmI had a maxi dress that looked a lot like this when I was in sixth grade…38 years ago! Every thing does come back into style again, I guess. ( : If I was to get one that would fit me today, it would require enough fabric to upholster a large chair.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:15 pmOh, I love these dresses. I bought 2 of them from TJ Max a couple of months ago in San Antonio, and have worn them. Bill thought they were sexy. Cleavage!!
June 8th, 2009 at 5:18 pmI think it looks nice and I have to say the term maxi dress also makes me thing of maxi pads.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:24 pmI’m a child of the 70s, and I love maxi dresses. (I agree that the name is dumb.) Cute ones have a vaguely hippy-boho feel and I think they are cool. I like yours! As to where to wear it…now, that’s a good question. Out to dinner with your husband? An easy answer is on vacation at a beach resort. But I don’t think that’s very helpful.
Austin seems like a good location for a bohemianish dress, though.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:32 pmLOVE.IT.
Seriously, I love these dresses. I have several.
Macy’s is having a big sale on them right now.
I love how I can look decent in 10 seconds flat. LOVE.THEM.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:39 pmI can’t say as I’m a fan of how the maxi dress looks (or the name) but they are great on hot days. They’re great for running errands. I just throw one on or a long skirt and tank top with some flip flops and I’m ready.
June 8th, 2009 at 6:13 pmYou want honest? All I can think of when I see the Maxi dresses are the mumu’s from the 70’s, you know, like the ones Maude wore on TV.
June 8th, 2009 at 6:51 pmYou, however, look great in your mumu/maxi.
Yeah, gonna have to wait for this maxi pad, er, dress fad to pass… again. On me it would be less “Mmmm” and more “Mrs. Roper”.
June 8th, 2009 at 7:05 pmSuper cute! Enjoy!
June 8th, 2009 at 7:14 pmChris, I love you so much, really. But I don’t think that type of dress flatters anyone and you have such an incredible figure. I’m sorry, should I have just not said anything?
Chris says:No, I appreciate your honesty. I am a little torn on the maxi dress.
June 8th, 2009 at 7:59 pmI think it is adorable. Cute, thin and tiny people like you look great in them. They are fashionable right now and comfortable (a rare combination). Wear it now while it looks good because once you are my age (50) and a tad overweight (!!!), they just look like mumus. But if I were you, I would buy several and wear them during your long hot summer! I do not agree with those who nix them on you.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:18 pmI love it but then I just saw The Dead a few weeks ago and am still riding those vibes, lol.
I think it looks beautiful on you.
Is Maxi a brand or a style?
June 8th, 2009 at 8:35 pmI have to say, um, no to the Maxi dress. It’s right up there with culotts (sp?) and mom jeans.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:48 pmto be honest, now that I have gained roughly 20++ pounds since my wedding three years ago.. that dress is something “I” should wear to cover up the rolls, and the menopause “muffin” that is MY waist.
YOU on the other hand… YOU should NOT wear that. If I looked like YOU… I would parade (yes I used that word…) around with cute capris… tight t-shirts.. maybe even (gasp) skinny jeans….
to live vicariously through you is a GOOD thing… you SO don’t want the roles reversed… ditch the maxi… better yet… BURN it.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:50 pmYou look great in the photo….Men love them. sexy…and who really cares what anyone calls them…..a dress is a dress/is a dress/is a dress!!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 9:22 pmSadly, I had to read the title several times before I got it…. and my friends think my blonde locks are just a dye job.
I think that dress might look nicer on you if it was in a smaller size…. you’re so tiny, you should show off your figure!
June 8th, 2009 at 9:22 pmTry wearing it out of the house once and see how you feel about it then. I’ve bought a couple of things that I just didn’t think I would wear, but after one time and compliments from others, I fell in love with it too.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:23 pmI think these long dresses look very,well, not so great.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:35 pmThey cover so much. You are so pretty, with such a great
figure, I think you could do better. Of course, there probably is the perfect time and place for you to wear this
style.
Love the Chris; hate the dress. Every time I see someone in one of those, I wonder, What is she thinking?
June 8th, 2009 at 9:41 pmI think maxi dresses look nice on tall women. I am nowhere near tall. I like to say I am 5′2″ however, I fall short by a 1/4′ inch or so. Maxi dresses are NOT made with the height deficient in mind. Put your hair up and enjoy. The only opinion that matters (other than your own) is those who are willing to be seen with you. If they like it, go for it. if they don’t, leave them home.
BTW, my husband and I have been using my daughter (who’s a girly girl through and through) as a fashion sounding board since she was 4. She hasn’t steered us wrong yet.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:41 pmYou have the long flowing hair that goes very well with this look. So pretty. Funky flip flop sandals and you are good to go. Maybe to a farmer’s market or art class?
June 8th, 2009 at 10:13 pmAs far as maxi dresses go yours is quite cute– I like the print and style. I think it’s a keeper. With all your hot Texas weather it might be a good summer item.
I like them on other people but when I try them on myself I always feel like I look about 5 months pregnant… at least the ones at Old Navy did.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:22 pmI think these dresses look best on taller women. I am petite (5′2″) and even though I love that dress and think it looks good on you, it would swallow me and make me look like I was wearing a nightgown. Or like you said, going to a Grateful Dead concert. Plus I know myself well enough to know I’d be getting my feet/legs tangled up in all that fabric.
Chris says: Yeah, I am short too. My kids said the dress makes me look very tall. But really what do they know
June 8th, 2009 at 10:34 pmThey look unbalanced - too low on top and it goes ALLLLLL the way down to the ankle. I think something with a slightly shorter skirt and a slightly less low-cut top would work much more nicely.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:37 pmI think the dress is cute and looks nice on you!
I wish I could wear one too.
You would also look great in the kind of skirt / tee shirt combo your daughter had on the other day. Also something I could not pull off but wish I could….
June 8th, 2009 at 10:40 pmI went to Old Navy and thought they were the cutest on the rack. I could see myself on the beach walking into the sunset with Romeo. Then I tried it on and….. not so much. It made my butt look huge and totally sent a wave crashing on my pretty beachy thoughts.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:40 pmI think maybe on a size 2 perky little teenager, but not on me.
I think someone with your good figure can wear that dress well. Someone with my not-so-good figure can’t. ;^) Honestly, I know a lot of guys who like that quasi-hippie-chick look (minus hairy armpits). It just seems free and sexy to them.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:42 pmyou look cute. i would look fat and pregnant. go for it. and i will gladly give you my DD boobs. I would take tiny ones any day.
June 8th, 2009 at 11:05 pmI think everyone should have one to hang around the house in. But I have a hard time wearing it in public. I just feel frumpy. I think they are darling, and my daughter looks great (she is 17). I think I like the idea of a maxi more than actually wearing one.
I have one that is tea length with a slimmer skirt and I feel a little more grown-up in it, but not much.
But I do think your’s looks darling. Put a flower in your hair and go for it.
June 8th, 2009 at 11:16 pmYou are too cute and hip to wear a dress that long and frumpy. Buy a short one.
June 8th, 2009 at 11:34 pmHey, if you are comfortable, I say go for it. Grow armpit hair and listen to the Grateful Dead. Funny!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 11:55 pmSo, my question is, how tall are you? I’m 5′ maybe 1/2 an inch. I think that is too short for a maxi dress. It looks cute on you - but how low can you go???
Chris says: I am 5′3.5″ but I like to round up to 5′4
June 8th, 2009 at 11:58 pmLove you and your writing, but the dress? Um, I’m thinking a little Stepford wife-ish maybe?!?! So sorry to be so blunt…
June 8th, 2009 at 11:59 pmGreat title, it made me think “what’s happening on February 31st?” I think it looks pretty, stylish and really cute in the photo. But I think your description is exactly how I would feel, only shorter.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:28 amMore colour? If you’re gonna go granola, go all out.
I’m torn on them, too, and as someone above pointed out, challenged vertically, which makes the dress seem daunting. I love the concept, though.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:19 amMy lord I am a dork.
I looked at the title and thought “hmmm, I wonder what event is happening on February 31st”
Sigh
June 9th, 2009 at 1:27 amsometimes the head makes the difference. how about you take another picture with your head showing?
June 9th, 2009 at 1:56 amI’m still laughing about Amish cleavage. Awesome
the dress is sassy by the way
June 9th, 2009 at 2:33 amI am old enough to remember them the first time around… and I grew up in South Africa, where wearing maxi dresses was the best way to keep cool. Then I came to the UK to visit my soon to be husband and his mother took one look at the maxi and refused to let me out the door. The neighbours will think you are PREGNANT she wailed. This was 1975.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:11 amIf you like it and it keeps you cool (the wind it creates as you walk around is great!) then wear it. Fashion??? Hmmm. The jury is out! So why do I sound like my mother-in-law??
A possible solution could be: wear the dress just at home, like on a Saturday. But not in public if you still feel undecided. I have a pair of purple jeans that I adore. But I don’t always want to wear them in public. So I can wear them at home with a white t-shirt and feel happy anyway.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:57 amNO! If anything is making a comeback, it should not be those dresses. Susan may be the queen of style, but I think she’s wrong on this one. I too think, for your body type - there are much more flattering styles. (btw your body type is perfect, unlike mine - which doesn’t fit ANY style.) I think these were called Gunne Sax dresses in the late 70’s - early 80’s, I got one with a lace up chest (it really was pretty) - but alas I was going through puberty - as in fat, and my older sister got to wear it to our oldest sister’s wedding - where she was told she looked risque! Ha ha - sweet! ~ kidding!
June 9th, 2009 at 6:25 amwhatever. the dress doesn’t look like a hippie dress at all. it looks summery, but adult since it is long. i don’t get the ppl that say these dresses don’t look good on anyone. it looks great on you - very feminine! listen to your kids.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:46 amI really can’t decide on the ‘maxi’ dress (tee hee!).
I wish it was more fitted on the top. That might balance out the rest of it.
If it’s comfortable and you, your kids and your husband like it, then I say go for it. I don’t think it’s spectacular but I also don’t think it’s awful.
June 9th, 2009 at 8:26 amI agree with those who nix it. You are way too cute and tiny to wear this! However, so few people are wearing them in MO that I haven’t adjusted to the whole idea. Maybe Texas is different. My 13 yr old dtr has dressed me for years! If I had your body, I would go for the “look at me I have had 7 kids and look this awesome” style of more fitted clothing
June 9th, 2009 at 8:41 am“maxi pad dress” … very funny -
I’m not a fan of what it does for a woman who has a shape.
I seem to recall that you have a nice shape and the ‘bag look’ doesn’t show that. Can’t wait for this one to go out of style again! … so my vote is no!
Better to use your six year old girl … the closest I have to an inhouse Fashion Coordinator when my sister isn’t around is my now 13 year old son. Sister is more helpful!
June 9th, 2009 at 9:01 amThey bring me back a little too much to my early youth in the 1970s. Yuck.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:18 amI think they’re cute, but I something that long would make me feel like I’m wearing a nightgown. I usually want to run out and buy skirts and dresses after watching Stacy London chew people out for wearing shorts or Capris. I live in Florida, that’s almost all I wear. But usually when I buy a dress, it stays in my closet because I almost always feel overdressed when I’m driving the kids to school.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:22 amI like the dress. Told my husband I wanted to get one this summer but I’m still nursing. Will have to wait. Is it as comfortablel as it looks?
June 9th, 2009 at 9:26 amThere is nothing better to wear in the Texas heat and it does look good on you. I used to wear those a lot back in the day - when I was 30-40 and my kids were in school. That is a long way back.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:28 amKEEP IT! WEAR IT! ENJOY IT. Obviously you liked it or you wouldn’t have bought it.
I think you are adorable, but I’m not feeling the dress. And now I’m totally picturing you with long armpit hair with your head lolling from side to side. It conjures up visions of Janis Joplin.
But it looks very comfortable which is what you’ll want this summer here in TX. So since your kids like it, I say keep it and wear it at home at least.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:31 ami saw these gorgeous multicoloured m dresses……desperately wanted one….tried it on….and it looked awful!!!! I’m not that small and quite slim so I really don’t understand why I just felt like a potato in it!!!!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 9:33 amI love the look, but I have a height issue as well, and would be tripping on it when navigating stairs or chasing after young ‘uns. I prefer halfway between the knee and ankle, but that’s hard to find for a shortie! Anyways, my arms are too fat too feel comfortable fully revealing them . . though I guess I’d HAVE to in the TX heat!
June 9th, 2009 at 10:16 amMaxi dress? When are you due? Love the kids, love the blog, not so much for the dress. I see you as a tailored kind of girl.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:25 amI think it’s the perfect dress for the hot weather in Texas. Why do you think they wear muumuus in Hawaii?
June 9th, 2009 at 10:27 amHonestly? I think it’s great. Grab a pair of those gladiator sandals and some really chunky bracelets or cuffs and you’re good to go. Don’t wear heels or braid your hair.
Have fun with it!
June 9th, 2009 at 10:29 amSometimes, living in the south you give up fashionable ideals for what is comfortable. And let me tell you, that dress looks like you could get breezes in all the right places. But, if you’re not in the habit of putting on dresses that one might be left hanging in the closet. Tough decision.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:39 am“Maxi dress” always brings back the memory of when I was 11 and flew across the country by myself…first time on an airplane. My Gramma made me a beautiful maxi dress (because, of course, you dressed up to fly in an airplane) and the stewardess in charge of me took me to a bar at O’Hare during the layover and bought me an ice cream cone; I think she had something else. Boy did I feel hip and grown up in that dress.
So, you might feel like an 11 yr old, or you might feel hip and grown up.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:50 amI think maxi pad dresses are VERY comfortable, but not very flattering. You look good (although a little headless!), but you have such a great figure! Show it off, woman! Unless you’re going for the comfort factor. Yeah, it really depends on WHY you the want the dress, I guess.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:34 amIt does make you look tall, and I love the pattern. I own a few of these too…you’ll be glad you have it this summer when it hits 110 degrees around here and the sun seems to be hitting you through a magnifying glass!
June 9th, 2009 at 12:01 pmI love dresses - short or long - it doesn’t matter. I just bought one just like that in Clearwater, FL in April. I think it’s very flattering on you. You don’t need form fitting and tight to show you have a cute figure. Wear it proud!
June 9th, 2009 at 12:47 pmthere are two ways to pull off the look and not look like you are amish.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:54 pm1: go full ‘boho’ - accessorize with an extra long necklace, chunky bracelet, etc. Pull your hair up to accentuate your decolletage and arms.
2: have it hemmed to just below the knees for a kickin’ sundress thats perfect for BBQs, etc.
Can’t stand it. Looks like a modern mumu. You are cute, it is not.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:05 pmjust bought two similar dresses at old navy. I went for solid colors (one in royal blue and the other in black), maybe try that. I love mine, I feel very angelina jolie! haha. and I’m short but I think I look tall in them… and they are so freaking comfortable and it only takes a sec and you look so put together! add flip flops and cute earrings and you’re done!
good luck!
June 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pmI cannot buy-in to the maxi dress thing…maybe because I remember when they were in style before? Or because I know I’d trip over the long skirt constantly thus negating any ‘coolness’? I don’t know…
I will continue to watch from afar.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pmI say wear whatever you feel comfy and pretty in. So fact that you asked our opinion is telling, I think. The name “Maxi Dress” makes me think that someone is hiding a maxi gut and a maxi a$$ in there, though.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pmuuhhhmmm!
o.k. then..
Chris says: So, I take it this is a no vote, also?
June 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pmThey used to be called Granny dresses and I wore one to school in 8th grade. I got kicked out of school.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:36 pmCompare that to 12th grade when I wore a Mini skirt. They let me stay.
I’m glad they’re coming back. Maybe this time, they won’t kick me out. (That’s if I were still in school.)
I’ve seen some that I like, but they are more fitted than that one. And I like them in a solid color much better than the pattern.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:54 pmI vote no. Which, given my fashion acumen, should maybe encourage you to keep and wear it daily, but there it is. I totally agree that it looks like it’s missing the armpit hair and crown of daisies.
It’s not you, it’s me. No, scratch that — it’s definitely the dress.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:10 pmsorry for the tone of my comment. didn’t intend for it to be mean in the slightest… was just typing quickly - TOO quickly. obviously i’m in the minority here anyway!
in the end if you are comfortable, go with it. i’m a late-adopter anyway, and will likely be in these in a year or two!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:48 pmLove the maxi dress ! I have several and wear them in lieu of shorter dresses because my legs are LILY WHITE !! (and this girl from the Georgia coast is NOT wearing pantyhose because her legs are too white !! Actually I’m glad the longer dresses are in style. Get several more !!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:25 pmSince you like it and its comfortable, what else matters? (I like it, too! I have always loved long dresses, and now my daughter does too).
June 9th, 2009 at 5:32 pmI think its super cute and super comfy
June 9th, 2009 at 8:18 pmWould definitely wear them if I had your lovely figure
That’s a muumuu. I think it’s too long and I know that I would be forever tripping while wearing it. I prefer something shorter, say around your knees.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:30 pmI’m not sure what I think about the dress. but I AM sure after a buttload of comments, that’s a welcome statement.
But I DO think the look would go well with dreads…
So hey! Easy, comfy dress PLUS not having to wash your hair all summer. Now really, does it get any better than that?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:27 pmPersonally, I looooove the maxi dress and own several of them. They are a great alternative to the confortable jeans/t-shirt combo. And I love that you can wear it with flip-flops or a great pair of wedge heels. To me there is nothing better!
June 13th, 2009 at 1:24 pmAs a Southern gal, I have to say — I think a lot of these folks who don’t like it have never had to deal with a Southern summer, when we don’t give a frosted mint julip what looks good, so long as it means the back of your knees aren’t stickin’ to themselves!
The key is to keep everything else very crisp and clean, or it will easily run right down the road from boho-chic into hippietown (and I just spent five days camping in a field with 80 thousand hippies, so I clearly have no beef with them - I just suspect it isn’t going to work for you happily). Ballet flats and a looped belt to tailor it without making it frumptastic and way, way too close fitting for the Southern summer heat.
June 18th, 2009 at 3:49 pmI use Wish Bone Italian Dressing to marinate my roast. Baste all over and put in the oven. Tastes so good and super easy.
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:36 pmI did a post about this - my verdict is that Maxi dresses ARE sexy, so I don’t know what’s wrong with your readers. I think you look sweet in it…but in the end it’s how YOU feel and how you accesorize it.
All unbelievers should read: Myth of the Maxi Dress
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm