April 12, 2011

massimo abito

Villa Borghese, Rome
dots & blossoms
Villa Borghese, Rome
stitches & prints
Villa Borghese, Rome
buckled
Villa Borghese, Rome
sunglasses - H&M / necklace - vintage, MyMomsBasement via etsy / purse - Athens tourist shop / maxi dress - H&M / belt - vintage, thrifted / red T-strap sandals - UO

Or, 'maximum dress,' in my very-likely-mangled Italian.

When I first saw hints of the return of the maxi, I ignored it. I didn't even glance at longer length dresses and skirts when I saw them in stores, assuming they'd be far too long for me and too much trouble to hem. After those hints grew stronger, and I saw some of my favorite bloggers rocking the look, I rejected it; I thought it was one of those styles that could only be pulled off by taller girls (which I am not), or by those wearing heels (which I am rarely-to-never).

However, I've recently been reconsidering most of the conventional wisdom about 'dressing for my body type,' and decided that a great deal of it is utter crap. I should be doing everything I can to dress in the way that makes me feel good, whether that makes me look taller and thinner or not.

So, after my bout of epic crankiness last week (and my blaming a good portion of it on the seemingly irreconcilable needs of dressing for warm weather and for cathedrals) I decided to take action (i.e., shop). In a real fit of wardrobe pique, I popped into an H&M on the way home, muscled through the slightly overripe crowds, and emerged triumphant with not one, but two breezy ankle length hemlines.

After wearing this dress all day (and carrying a cardigan for the occasional church pop-in), I am completely sold. I love the easy chicness of a longer length, and how it balances out the bare shoulders and racer-back; I love the paint-daub print; and of course, I love how it feels like wearing an incredibly comfy, socially sanctioned nightgown. I can tell this dress (and it's cousin, which I'll debut on the blog later this week) is definitely going to be a great summer staple for me.

Maxi Skirt/Dress | Everybody, Everywear
Be sure to stop by EverybodyEverywear to check out how other bloggers styled their maxi skirts & dresses today!
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23 comments:

Brooke said...

emily, this dress looks gorgeous on you. i'm sure no one can even tell you're an american. very chic and european!

KerryJane said...

I've also been hesitant about the maxi dress. I think the belt goes a long way though and this one looks great on you! I think I've been hesitant because so many of the ones I've been seeing are overly bright and beachy looking...this one is much better!

amanda said...

love the dress on you!!! and i agree with dressing in the things that make you feet good and not just work with your body type. i think confidence goes a long way in making us 'look good,' ya know? a girl who is happy is way prettier than a girl who is only dressing to impress. love this!

What Would a Nerd Wear said...

this dress is gorgeous on you!! really beautiful pattern and color for you.
i am still sceptical of the trend for myself...i just don't think it's "me" if i ever hop on board, it's going to be something just like this.
you are so cool and chic every day, i want to be JUST LIKE YOU.

Julie said...

Love this dress! You look amazing.

And I totally agree about dressing for yourself! I thought I couldn't pull of a maxi either because I'm not tall, but once I tried it, I really liked it!

Mint & Mellow

Bre Clifford said...

I hope you really do feel better and good about donning a maxi. I think you look great in it!
Cheers,
Bre
http://27bre.blogspot.com/

Courtney H. said...

It looks great on you! Out of curiosity, how often do you swap clothes out while you're traveling?

Kara @ Unusual Form said...

I love your new maxi dress. It makes you look long and lean.

Amelia said...

hiya from your newest follower! you look gorgeous. and i know, i was really skeptical too because i'm 5'2'' so i figured it would be a bag. but i'm going to try maybe a tea length skirt?

hayley said...

I love your maxi look! I am still hesitant on how I feel personally waering them, maybe i just need to find the right one.
cheapgirlchicworld.blogspot.com

Liz (26 and Counting) said...

Love this! How am I just finding you? Oh well, you're in my reader now. No getting ready of me.

BetweenLaundryDays said...

Yeah, maxis are the BEST. ever. I'm glad you're coming around about this gravy train of fashionable awesomeness.

Sarah said...

This look is so beautiful and effortless! I totally agree with you about the nightgown thing, haha! That is exactly how I feel when I wear maxis too! I love the ease of this dress and your accessories... beautiful!

sartoriography said...

YAY! So glad you don't hate me for being all gung-ho about the maxi. And for realz, you look amazing! I think this is my favorite maxi thus far. It's so brief up top and yet very tasteful, especially with the bag. I'd totally ask you out if I saw you and your hussy self in that socially sanctioned night gown!!

PS: Good call on kicking the "what works for your body" advice to the curb. It's crap. You rule this length.

Kristin Wyly said...

Maxi to the max! I really love the pattern on your dress. You look super chic!

jentine said...

Great dress, great shoes, great pictures.... so much greatness:)

Lea said...

I adore how simply you've styled this :) From everything I've seen, I think that's my absolute favorite way to wear long things in the spring. I feel the exact same way about Maxi skirts. I considered myself too short and just wrote them off as unaccessible to myself. But I was wrong and felt great wearing one today :)

Sarah S said...

This is so cute! I too am on the shorter/curvier side and thought maxi dresses were out -maybe I'll give them a second look. I found your blog a couple of months ago and love it. I'm getting ready to head to Spain next month for a few weeks and have been completely over-obsessing what clothes and shoes to bring. your blog has actually helped me figure out a few things. Now I just hope it's warm enough for sandals in May : )

Jessica Bruner said...

I just discovered how awesome maxi dresses are too! I was completely against wearing one because I felt they were too "hollywood". It is like wearing pjs. I am hooked now! Wish there was an H&M nearby so I could buy the one you are wearing. I love it!

Gypsy*Diaries said...

Beautiful pics! I have the same bag! :D
Great EBEW look!
xxx

http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

P.S: I´m having a 100$ beauty giveaway for Chanel, YSL... products. I thought you might be interested! ;)

kelsey williams said...

This dress is awesome! And I love all the simple accessories. You look fantastic.

Linda said...

Simple and beautiful. It's outfits like these that are the reason you keeping popping up on Pintrest.
You look lovely.
Thanks for joining us at EBEW!

bluecollarkyla said...

This dress is sooo pretty. I especially love it with the brown leather accessories - so classic and chic!

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