how to style the maxi dress

EDITS STYLING NOTES

From Winter's midi dress trend comes summer's maxi dress obsession. This season it's all about the long and the floral. As our weather in the UK is ever changeable, is it worth buying a maxi dress to wear for just a handful of days per year? If you are looking to purchase one as an investment piece I have pulled together some looks of how to wear the Maxi dress throughout the next coming months. Maxi dress from Zara £39.99.

FOR MAY/JUNE - Add a lightweight jacket such as a denim one, or leather jacket for evening. Flat shoes such as ballerina's or brogues are essential for this time of year. A cross the body bag in a bright colour adds style to your outfit.

FOR JULY/AUGUST - A fedora and sunglasses is all that is needed in the hot summer holidays to show off the cold shoulder detailing of the maxi dress. Wearing sandles in a bright colour from the print will add style to your look.

FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER - Once the sun has gone away and all that is left is the clouds and the cold, it's time to layer the maxi dress up. By wearing tights and boots you are adding longevity to your purchase as you will be able to wear it all through the year. Layering over the top a cardigan, loose jersey jacket or shirt under a coat means it no longer looks like a summer dress but something that you can wear casually on a daily basis.

This week I'm obsessed with...

Autumn Winter Midi/Maxi dresses...Edits guide how to wear them...

It's time to throw in the beach towel... it's here! Autumn has landed in September!
How exciting, as now we need to start planning our winter wardrobes and no longer worry about getting a tan and showing all our wobbly bits off. We can now shop for lots of lovely jumpers and cosy up in front of the fire.

After spending the last couple of weeks permenantly attached to my computer creating online look books for many clients for their Autumn transitional wardrobes, I can't help myself but get obsessed by certain items of clothing. Top of my list at the moment is the new dress of the season, the midi or maxi dress.

Seen on the catwalk at Chloé and Etro, the new autumn dress has a bohemian Fleetwood Mac 70's kinda feel . The 70's trend is hot hot hot at the moment and the romantic, little bit-folksy printed dress is bang on the money. It is this season's update from the "boho" look, so no more embroidery, full skirts and smock dresses. More importantly, the new autumn dress looks great with a pair of boots whether it be ankle, midi or over-the-knee. Teamed with a leather jacket or fur gilet for now, then a pair of thick tights and a textured wintery coat for later on in the season. Read my styling tips below for some more ideas on how to give this trend your own style.

Check out my pinterest board for more style inspiration - Midi/Maxi dresses

1. Belting the dress gives it more shape and flatters your waistline

2. Adding some great accessories like a fedora hat will bring the dresses to life and add your style stamp to it.

3. A great jacket could change your look completely. By adding a fur gilet you are channelling the 70's trend. By wearing a leather jacket, you are adding the glam factor.

 

The only issue I have now is which one do I buy?

1. Atterley Galaxy Print Dress £115.00

2. H&M Black spot Maxi dress - £69.99

3. Zara £39.99

4. Maje Fulle length printed dress £315.00

5. & Other Stories Scarlet IBIS print dress £69.00

Edits dress code- Summer Christening

I'm currently in the middle of organising my little one's Christening in the summer. I also have the honour of being Godmother to my lovely friend's daughter Niamh in May. So with two very important Christening's coming up in the next few months, it got me thinking; what do you wear to a Christening?

It's not a formal event as a wedding would be, but it's not a casual party as there's a Church involved. So what is the perfect dress code for a summer Christening? Here are my thoughts:

• A lightweight day dress is almost certainly going to be appropriate
• Choose a luxe fabric like silk, lace panelling and brocade but stay away from chiffon which may look too eveningy
• A floral print, dot or small motif always looks appropriate and romantic
• Don't overdo it with accessories
• Think about skirt length and arm coverage when going to a religious ceremony
• Stay away from white (too bridal) and black (too evening) think colour instead
• Have a coloured blazer, printed jacket or wrap on hand for the ceremony or if it gets cold at the reception

Here are my top 5 Christening dresses-

1. Finery London, Printed lace shirt dress, £69

2. Whistles, Bloomsbury print bodycon dress, £150.00

3. Diane Von Furstenberg, Meghan dress, Selfridges, £345.00

4. French Connection, Freida Flower warp dress, £130.00

5. Iris & Ink, Fi crepe dress, theoutnet.com, £155.00

Visit my pinterest board to see more of my Christening inspiration!