Well,
I would like to go on the record and say I was mistaken.
And do you know what is the most upsetting part of this realization?
The years I haven’t been wearing maxi dresses are years I will never get back.
Nope. Never.
I’m so disappointed in myself.
I tried on a couple last year at the end of the season, and I realized that if I wore wedges with a maxi, I could totally pull it off!
And actually…..not only could I just “pull it off”, I could actually look Tall and Skinny!
UM.
HOLD THE PHONE.
HOLD THE FREAKING PHONE.
For years and years and years I’d been missing opportunities to make myself look
TALL and SKINNY.
For shame.
I’m working on forgiving myself.
So, this year I knew I would be doing an entire post dedicated to finding me the perfect maxi (or 2)…
or let’s be honest….3.
MY GOODNESS, I HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THE TIME WHERE I WASN’T LOOKING
TALL AND SKINNY!
So, when Nordstrom reached out several weeks ago to see if I would highlight some of their Spring dresses, I knew that my MAXI DRESS post would be PERFECT!
And listen, I had no idea how many maxi dresses Nordstrom carried!
And not just maxi dresses, dressy dresses too.
SUCH A HUGE SELECTION!
You know me, I’m normally a jeans girl (like 99.999% of the time), but I was excited about trying to find me some casual dresses!
(And in the process, I even found some dressier dresses that you will see on Monday!)
A 2 day series on dresses.
It’s like I don’t even know who I am.
SO…..MAXI DRESSES….
If you want to look ABSOLUTELY DARLING and TOTALLY PUT TOGETHER….
Take the following advice:
I mean. Seriously.
How cute are all of the girls above?
some with sandals, some with wedges, one with a scarf, others with jewelry….
BUT ALL WITH A MAXI DRESS AND A DENIM JACKET.
AND ALL LOOKING DARLING.
Let’s take a moment and collectively decide that we too want to be JUST AS DARLING
as all the girls above.
So, how do we do that?
Well.
And it has to be a cute and fitted denim jacket that isn’t boxy.
I highly suggest THIS one (pictured below).
If your size is sold out, click HERE to see 2 other Kut from the Kloth options in 2 other colors.
The best part about these jackets is the fit.
They are not boxy.
They are fitted (which makes them so cute), but they definitely have stretch in them so they aren’t too stiff. I’m telling you, you will love this jacket.
And THESE are the wedges that you are going to see in all of my pictures today.
I PROMISE YOU THAT THEY ARE STUPID COMFORTABLE.
I PROMISE YOU THAT THE PUTTY COLOR IS A PERFECT NEUTRAL AND
WILL GO WITH EVERYTHING.
I still get at least 2 e-mails per day about these wedges, either somebody telling me that they finally got them and cannot believe how fabulous they are…or somebody asking me if they are really as fabulous as they say they are.
listen to me
they ARE fabulous
Okay, 30 minutes into my post, and we are finally to the dresses!
I shopped online a couple of weeks ago and had 3 sent to the house, and I really liked all 3 of them, although there was a clear winner in my eyes.
For size reference, I was wearing a small.
(with the jacket HERE and the wedges HERE)
I was also wearing the Sanibel pendant (HERE), S and D hoops (HERE), the renegade bracelet (HERE) and a white stack bracelet (HERE).
I liked this one a lot…..
but then I tried on THIS one, and I liked it even more!
Khaki stripe maxi HERE!
For size reference, I was wearing a small.
(with the jacket HERE and the wedges HERE)
Isn’t it cute?
I pulled back my jacket so you could see that it has wide straps. The back is a racerback.
Also the material is thin on this one, so it does have a 1/2 slip that is built in for the skirt.
I liked the little drawstring at the waist, and I thought the fit was great and quite flattering.
So I liked the grey chevron (still do), and then I liked the khaki stripe more (still do)…
AND THEN I TRIED ON THIS ONE.
AND WE HAD A CLEAR WINNER FOR ME!
Meet my first maxi dress.
Click HERE.
For size reference, I was wearing a small.
I loved the color combo and the chevron.
(with the jacket HERE and the wedges HERE)
And please, just humor me, and let’s take just a second to talk about how tall and skinny I look!
RIGHT? 🙂
LOOK! TALL AND SKINNY!
Yep. This is my first maxi dress I’ve ever purchased, but I can guarantee you it won’t be my last!
Click HERE for the dress.
I’m also wearing the Kimberly necklace (HERE) which I feel was the PERFECT accessory for this outfit, S and D hoops (HERE), and stacked bracelets (HERE).
So, I headed to the mall.
THIS is a great choice for those that don’t want knit all the way down. The skirt is more forgiving than a dress whose bottom half is also knit.
Click HERE.
For size reference, I was wearing a small.
(It’s called a midi maxi, but it obviously wasn’t short on me. It was plenty long! I’m 5’4″.)
And then I found THIS simple t-shirt dress.
I was totally high-fiving myself when I put this baby on. Hanging on the hanger it looks like nothing, but it was really cute on! It’s not really a maxi dress, but I definitely still wanted to highlight it, because I knew that so many of you were going to love this!
Click HERE for this short t-shirt dress.
For size reference, I’m wearing an x-small.
And again…pay no attention to how it looks on the model. To me, it looks like the model is wearing a dress that is at least 1 size too big The dress does run large, so make sure you order a size down.
It looks good on it’s own (even though it feels like pajamas!)….
….but as seen below, it also looks great with the MUST HAVE jacket!
Click HERE for the dress.
OH…HILARIOUS SIDE NOTE…do you see the lady in the purple shirt behind me? She flat out took off her top and put on a dress right OUTSIDE of the dressing room. She then came up behind me and started asking my opinion about her dress (her jeans were still on under the dress at this point). But never fear, she then dropped her pants around her ankles so I could get a better picture of the dress.
She talked to me with her pants around her ankles for a good 3 minutes.
This is what she was saying:
“Don’t you think this dress is perfect to throw on for the grocery store? I could just throw it on and run to the grocery store, right? It’s going to show my knees, and I don’t have the best knees, but I still think it would be fine for the grocery store, don’t you think? I mean, it would be better than shorts for the grocery store, right? I think it’s just totally casual but it fits cute and would be so easy to throw on for the grocery store, even though it does show my knees.”
She probably wouldn’t have been asking my opinion if she would have seen me at the grocery store a couple of weeks ago in my Anthro pajama pants. 😉
Anyway, click HERE for the dress.
And look!
It doesn’t just come in black.
Click HERE for all options!
Again, order a size down, I was wearing an x-small in this dress.
This dress would be SO easy to just throw on and run anywhere! Like the grocery store for instance. he, he, he 😉
I think it would also look great with flip flops!
My prediction is that several of you ladies out there get this dress in the solid black AND one of the striped options.
At this point, the only dress I was wanting but hadn’t found was a long black one…and then guess what?!? The sales lady found one and brought it to me!
And it was sooooooooooo soft.
Click HERE!
For size reference, I was wearing a small.
I thought it looked great with my brass jewelry, but I also think it would look great with some fun and bright jewelry!
It’s a racerback also.
And look at THIS style that wasn’t in the store.
LOVIN it in all the color choices!
Click HERE.
And look at these that definitely have a dressier vibe!
click HERE for blue & white, click HERE for colorful with keyhole,
click HERE for watercolor look
And Nordstrom has some great plus-sized options!
Click HERE to see all the choices!
stripes and flowers HERE
black seemed maxi HERE
blue and turquoise chevron HERE
black and white stripe HERE
Oh! And if you need a denim jacket, click HERE for a great option!
And I almost forgot! If you’re pregnant, maxi dresses are a great way to stay fashionable and still stay comfy too! And if you are pregnant you will look SO CUTE with your belly sticking out from under your denim jacket!
Click HERE for all maternity maxi dresses.
I think THIS one is my favorite.
So, now that we’ve covered the denim jacket and lots of dress choices, let’s talk shoes.
This
next collage has all the wedges I featured in my wedge post last Friday
(you can find it HERE). But listen, I need to make it perfectly clear
that I continue to
endorse THESE with every fiber of my being.
But if you already have THESE wedges (I recommend the putty), then you can get another pair from today’s post. Other shoe options follow:
a) Click HERE b) Click HERE c) Click HERE d) Click HERE e) Click HERE
Or maybe a flat sandal is more your style?
I don’t
think I could pull off a sandal in a maxi dress (but I’m only 5’4″ and I
need the height so the dress won’t drag the floor), but if you’re
taller, I think flat shoes are super cute with maxis too!
Most of the sandals featured below come in at least 3 other colors. Click the links to see!
a) click HERE / b) click HERE / c) click HERE /d) click HERE / e) HERE
AND….as mentioned before, while working on this post I actually found several other dresses
that I liked that weren’t maxi dresses, so I will talk about them on
Monday! (In fact, there’s one dress that I REALLY want for myself, but I
don’t have anywhere to where it! Does anybody want to invite me to an
evening wedding this summer?!?)
And before you go, I have a visual for you.
Commit it to memory.
Learn it.
Live it.
Now that’s my kind of math.
And just in case you are inspired and want to see all of your choices….
Click HERE for all MAXI DRESSES.
Or click on an image below if you want to know more about a specific dress!
Mix and Match Mama says
Hold the phone? Is this why Jeni looks so good? Is she always wearing a maxi dress with a denim jacket and wedges? Because in this post, you looked exactly like Jeni! I'm totally not a maxi dress person…or so I thought! Perhaps I need one? Or five? I want to look tall and skinny too!!!
Jill G says
I love wearing maxi dresses! Everyone should have at least one. Thanks for this post – there are several that I really want to add to my closet!
home-with-heather says
My favorite post ever! Thanks for jumping on the maxi dress train. Love the blue and white Betsey Johnson maxi. (I might have just bought it;) Happy Friday.
embraced by grace says
Did you get the maxi's in short or petite? Super cute! I'm not even 5'4!
Sheaffer says
Mine were regular and I was trying them on with wedges! If I wanted to wear with sandals I would have bought petite! Great question Embraced By Grace!
xoxo,
Sheaffer 🙂
Anonymous says
Doesn't nordstrom have free alterations? I think even if you've already taken it home, as long as you dry clean it before you bring it back, they will alter it for free. They did that for my husband on some slacks, surely they would do it for an adorable maxi dress! Also, he got his pants back within an hour! (By the way, you truly do look talk and skinny! You are always adorable, but yep…you also look tall.). ann a
Anonymous says
I need to find dressier black on black wedges, great for hot nights with short black shorts, etc. the natural heel is too casual sometimes. Help! Marl
Anonymous says
Thank goodness for this post because a "fren-emy" and I got into a HUGE argument over maxi dresses. I feel exactly as you do that the perfect shoe and a denim jacket polish the entire look. She stated that only skinny girls and pregnant women are the ONLY ones that can wear them. Now I have the evidence!!!! Thank YOU!!!
Alison @ Get Your Pretty On says
Ha! Glad I'm not the only one who goes to the store in PJ pants. 🙂 So happy to see you on the maxi dress band wagon. It's like wearing yoga pants without legs!
SarahN says
Awesome post encouraging all short people (like myself!) that we can, in fact, pull off a maxi dress! I have some from last summer and I wore them all the time! And the denim jacket is a MUST with a maxi dress. Hmmm, which one should I buy now? 🙂 I'm loving the chevron one 🙂
On a side note – I'm also a "casual jeans type girl" and I've discovered that these dresses feel just as comfy and casual
April Parrish says
Loved today's post on maxi dresses!!!!! Woohoo!!!! I have a couple maxi dresses, but I never wear them. Now I know to add my must have denim jacket! That's where I was going wrong! I think I'm gonna need a new maxi dress now after checking out all your options! My favorite is the first one you featured. I'm off to shop!
Have a great weekend!
Slightly Askew Designs says
Girly! I can NOT believe that this is your FIRST maxi!!! You look FABULOUS! I"ll go ahead and say it…. they're great for summer days when you don't have time to shave your legs… so like every other day 🙂 hahaha Can't wait to see you rockin' your maxi this spring/summer!!!
Elizabeth says
YAY!!! Thank you so much for this post! And, I am looking forward to the next one about dresses! I have been scouring the internet for cute dresses. Of course a dress is so hard to buy without trying on. So I haven't bought a thing. In fact, I've stopped myself several times from writing you, whining a bit, and asking you to find me the perfect dress! So glad that you read my mind!
You are a lifesaver! I live overseas and have to buy everything online. I love having you do all the busywork of shopping and I just click click! I have things sent to my mom and then she sends them over to me. Before I found your blog I'd fallen into a huge rut and pretty much given up on trying to put together a decent outfit!
Once I started reading, I started buying again. I have most of your must-haves and several other things! You do an amazing job recommending things, putting cute things together, and describing particular pieces of clothing. Between you and Shay I am feeling great and looking great again!! Thank you so much, Sheaffer!! You are awesome!!!!
Lindsay says
I haven't owned a maxi for the same reason (5'4) but since I now own your wedges and denim jacket, I figured it was only right to add a maxi dress to the mix. I bought the navy chevron one and am so excited! And your story about the woman in the dressing room is hilarious!
Kim says
Love this post and put several of the dresses you highlighted in my "wish list" link. Quick question though: As a large busted woman, I HAVE to wear a strapless bra with many of the maxi dresses you mention, and I am wondering if you have a recommendation on a comfortable, but good support strapless bra?
Thanks ahead of time, for you help!!
Mariela says
So glad you posted this about maxi's because I, too, am short and always avoided buying any because of this. I do have a question about the must have denim jacket – I am in between a small and medium, so which size would you recommend I purchase? I love how the jacket is fitted on the arms in your pictures, so that is what I am trying to go for. Thanks so much!
Dani @ Adventures of a Pharm Girl says
Sheaffer! Please come to South Carolina I need you here hahaha. Thanks so much for posting. Im 5'5 and I can usually pull off a Maxi but the ones with the belt in the middle Ive always been leery about but you give me the confidence I need to go forth and conquer! 🙂
Tall and Skinny Woot Woot!
Tab & Erika says
STOP the lettuce eating!!! STOP the bike riding!!! GET OFF the no-queso wago NOW!!!! Order yourself 14 maxi dresses (or in Shay-style maybe 42) and you're reading for summer!!! You LOOK FAB in all of those!
Michelle R says
This post finally sold me on the wedges, they are the only "must have" item that I haven't bought! But you have never steered me wrong before, so I just took the plunge and ordered them! And now I can't wait to get them on my feet. Thanks Sheaffer!
Amy Kleis says
OMG…..I'm 5'2 and a quarter of my closet- I swear is maxi dresses and long skirts. Some of mine even do hit the ground, but now with new boobies, that isn't an issue, so if you need like an inch up…..push up bra it ladies!!!! And whooo hoooooo for you getting on the maxi dress wagon, but you don't need it to look tall and skinny, you already look tall when you have your wedges on, the skinny….plz girl, you don't need a maxi dress for that!!! Happy Friday!
TorontoSAM says
I want all of these clothes! I too have shied away from maxi dresses and skirts. I am 5'6" with somewhat short legs so I didn't think it would work. I will expand my horizons. Now, if only Nordstroms would hurry up and get to Canada!!
V @ X-tremely V says
You totally look tall and skinny in all those dresses! And you completely sold me on picking up a maxi dress to go with my must have denim jacket! Thanks Sheaffer!
Anonymous says
Can you please also discuss how long the dress should be on you? I'm a taller girl, so I usually wear flat sandals with maxi dresses, but would love to wear wedges. How much of your foot / shoe should be showing? Thanks! 🙂
Andrea says
Hold the phone!! Nordstrom has maternity??? I mean, seriously, how did I never know about this before? You just did some serious damage to my credit card. My husband is mad at you, but I love you right now 😀
Meagan @ The Clanahan Fam says
How did you know that I was JUST searching for maxi dresses last night? This is perfect – great post! Love the chevron. Only bummer is no petite in that one that I can see 🙁 I'm 5'1 on a good day so I think even with wedges it would be too long. Booooo. Has anyone hemmed a maxi dress? Is it worth it or just keep looking for a petite?
Shefali Shah says
Your post today was so funny. I laughed the entire time I was reading it. I always look forward to reading your blog. Thanks so much for all fashion styles your provide. I love maxi dresses too. The best part about a dress is your don't have to worry about a matching top or bottom, one piece is you need. And also, I find dresses very comfortable. Thank You!
Shefali Shah says
Your post today was so funny. I laughed the entire time I was reading it. I always look forward to reading your blog. Thanks so much for all fashion styles your provide. I love maxi dresses too. The best part about a dress is your don't have to worry about a matching top or bottom, one piece is you need. And also, I find dresses very comfortable. Thank You!
Liz/ says
Oh my freakin goodness, I LOVE, like SUPER LOVE this post!!!! I am a maxi dress freak (okay I only have 3 so not a total freak) but I just so love maxi dresses and you have highlighted a ton of super cute ones!!!! I was just browsing online the other day for new maxi dresses and I found a few at Old Navy that I liked but didn't buy yet and then you pulled this post out and I am all about these Nordstrom ones!!! Oh boy, I am now going to be shopping the Nordstrom site this weekend to get my maxi on, ha!! And for the record you look super tall and skinny in that 3rd dress you highlighted, like you were made for maxi dresses….super cute look on you! Also, I feel like I just typed the word maxi like way to many times in one comment, lol!!!
Aimee says
OK, I must go shopping for a maxi dress now! I love that you posted this today. I have honestly never owned a maxi because I thought they were either too long or too clingy. You have proven me wrong. 🙂
Tana says
Great post! I love the Lush maxi dresses from Nordstroms. They are super comfy, travel well and a great price! How did you find the new (light wash Thomson) Vigoss jeans fit? Wondering if they are similar to the destroyed where they fit big or the other Thomson Tomboys that fit small. Thanks!!
Tiffany {A Touch of Grace} says
Love all 3 of those dresses! And the long black one. Must go shopping for a new maxi now!
Sonya Berkebile says
Loove this post!! And, I don't know why you've been talking about watching your diet and losing weight because you look fabulous to me…and not just because these dresses make you look "tall and skinny", but in every post! You must be hiding it good! 🙂
I love all of the maxi dresses. I have a couple and they are perfect for us shorter people (Im 5' 3").
I also love the short black dress. I definitely plan to add that to my closet!
Thanks for all the work you put into your posts! I recently started blogging and I know that it takes a lot of time to make your picture collages and all the links you give. Its not a quick process. So, THANKS!!
Because Shanna Said So says
Maxi dresses for the win…always!! I own about ten of them and wear them alllllll spring and summer long!!! Love the black and white one!!
Rebecca says
Maxi dresses & skirts are my go to outfits for the summer! I wear them to work & dress them up with wedges & a cardigan or everywhere else w/ sandals or jeweled havaianas flip flops! I'm 5'10, so no need to be taller, but they are so flattering & always look more put together than the effort put into them! I literally have 10 maxi skirts & 11 maxi dresses & just bought a Bobeau belted, striped maxi dress @ Nord Rack last weekend! I LUV the dress you picked & those halter ones are adorable, luv them too! You'll definitely enjoy wearing them all summer, & I agree you look taller & skinny (but you look skinny to me normally anyway)! 🙂
Thanks for emailing me back & commenting on my wedge post last weekend, you're so sweet! Have a great weekend!
🙂 Rebecca
Grandma and Grandpa Johnsen says
I would like a drop waist maxi has anyone seen one??
Work it Mommy says
So glad you mentioned "pregnant and maxi dress", I have the BEST one from PinkBlush maternity that I can't rave enough about! The only thing I am unsure about is wearing wedges; Im 5'7 and just feel awkward… have you found any 'mini wedges'? Ha.
Whitney
Kate says
I used to feel the same way about maxis–I bought one and had it hemmed (because it was too long, even with wedges), and now it looks awesome AND I can't wear it with flats! My favorite way to wear it is with the chambray pullover from J.Crew factory, it's a great transition for spring 🙂 ALSO, I am in love with the blue Vince Camuto dress that was at the bottom of the post…I mentioned it in a post a few weeks ago for my spring/summer wish list and I seriously think about buying it every day. I might as well just take the plunge and go for it.
The Lovely One says
I have a black dress maxi dress, and I have a denim jacket… SCORE! I have one of my outfits for work next week!
My (8 year old) daughter and I were at Justice today and I was pleasantly surprised to see the large selection of maxi skirts for little girls! It seems like the trend for the last year had been been short skirts that were way too short for my little girl to wear, so I'm glad to see a longer option!
Anonymous says
Love all the maxis! Gonna go to Marshall's ASAP in search of something new (poor mans Nordstrom!)
I also was dying laughing at your story of purple shirt lady… And then scrolled down to the pics with the other dresses with stripes and there she was, purple shirt on the ground!!!! Hilarious and oh so strange.
Trishallen says
I LOVE my maxis and thanks to you, am adding a new one to my collection. (That I will wear with my "must have wedges" (in black), until you show me there is a "must have flat sandal")
Lora G says
Can't wait to try this look! Awesome post, I know I'll be coming back to it again and again this summer!
Julie says
LOVE all of your maxi dresses with that jacket! So cute! I love maxi dresses and skirts! So comfy and perfect for almost any occasion
Jennifer Colgrove says
I love a good maxi! And this denim jacket is so adorable too! It is just so flexible 🙂
Jenna from Visions of Vogue
Object of Maya*ffection says
Girl, you scored some FAB maxi's!! LOVE!! And the wedges – the leopard and turquoise – my faves!!
Miss Kindergarten says
Okay serioulsy, I want EVERY SINGLE DRESS you showed!!!!!
Sophia Wright says
Nice maxi dress,I too have a beautifulMaxi Dress in Sunny Yellow