MAXI DRESSES – YOUR ONE STOP SARTORIAL FIX

There’s something strange in the neighbourhood (sunshine). Who you gonna call? Maxi dresses (don’t be monogamous, flirt with multiple versions). When it comes to the rare occasion of sunshine in Ireland, maxi dresses carry an allure no other one-piece can boast (although I can’t deny the sex appeal of Sean Connery in that towelling romper. You’re welcome). Here’s the top ten reasons why maxi dresses are an Irish girl’s best friend.

1. THIGH-CHAFING

Is this a global phenomenon or an affliction peculiar to the women of Ireland? On Saturday it was a mere 21 degrees in Waterford so I opted for the seemingly innocuous wardrobe stape – Mom jeans. Big mistake. Maybe the mythical thigh gap we’ve heard about (in Ireland, we call it by its real name – Photoshop) prevents chafing. We’ll never know. My dress from & Other Stories allowed the cool breeze to waft through those sweaty appendages and provide some serious relief from summer stickiness on a warm day in Dublin. Winning!

2. FAKE TAN FAIL

Your fake tan is wearing off. Your loving sister shrieks in dismay. She’s worried you have a skin disorder. You assure her it’s all part of the process. You got lazy in the shower, scrubbed half an arm and bunked off mid-way to watch Glow. She’s still horrified. Call up the fashion police? Nah! This is clearly an excuse to peruse the copious maxi dresses available on all your favourite sites and don’t you know Nasty Gal is giving 50% for an email sign-up! Check out this caped one which IMO could easily double up as a wizard’s costume with the appropriate headgear. It’s very Solange meets Sonya Lennon, isn’t it? Love! Sure, with 50% off you’re practically gaining money. Right? (wrong) *Right!

*Disclaimer: This is definitely wrong. You will lose money.

3. BINGO WINGS

Listen, there’s nothing wrong with bingo or wings. One of my all-time style crushes, Ms. Baddie Winkle, 89 years young, rocks a bingo wing like it ain’t no thang and she is fierce AF. This new-season-now denim dress from Mango is the dream; it doesn’t cling to your arms and it gives the wings a bit of a break from the rays of the Ozone Layer. The great thing about a maxi dress is that you can totally cut a hole in it if you want to show off your wings. Fly, little bird, fly!

4. LAZY GIRL DRESSING

The noble maxi dress is the lazy girl’s best friend.  Now, I’m not saying you should do the scratch ‘n’ sniff test and apply deodorant accordingly. A maxi dress is a one-stop shop with no worries about co-ordinating, matching, clashing, whatever. Bang it on and you’re done! This just-in floral dress from Mango is so versatile – it’s got holidays in Venice written all over it! Or maybe Ventry? You decide (unless you believe in predestination, in which case God decides).

5. CARTE BLANCHE

Because it’s an all-in-one full outfit, maxi dresses can be amped up a notch with loud and proud accessories like my clutch from & Other Stories and bejewelled mules from River Island or follow a more demure approach with minimal matching accessories to channel a pared-back insouciance. The world is your oyster. Or, maxi dresses are a blank canvas to build a full look upon whether you’re more Dali, Da Vinci or Damien Hirst (just don’t be putting a pickled cow on your back, OK?).

ANATOMY OF THE SHOOT

Photography: Pearl Phelan, Facebook page here.

Styling and model: Mary Cate Smith

OUTFIT DETAILS

Pear print dress, & Other Stories

Yellow diamante mules: River Island

Animal face clutch bag, & Other Stories

Earrings, H&M, available in store or similar here, here and here.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click or buy on a linked clothes or accessory item, I get between 10 and 30c.