The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Ask BB: Chic & Cheap Chevron Maxi Dresses for All Figures


Celebs rocking the maxi dress trend

I keep seeing all of these adorable chevron maxi dresses on Pinterest and in local boutiques. The problem is I'm 5'11" and I can never find cute maxis that are long enough for me. I have found them before at Old Navy but they are boring and plain colors. I don’t like the ankle look and want one that will touch the ground. Please help! —D.D.

It's funny you should ask this question because just yesterday a reader on Twitter asked me where to find maxi dresses for women on the shorter side! (My reply: You'll most likely have to hem your dress to fit your height.) So let's see if we can find some chevron maxi dress options for every height and figure.

{Shown above from left: Tall celebs Khloe Kardashian (5'10") and Alessandra Ambrosio (5'10") rock the maxi dress trend; Olivia Wilde toughens up a chevron maxi dress with a leather jacket and sneaks.}

For reference, I'm about 5'8" and measured one of my recent maxi dress buys (this dress by Liz Lange) and the hemline is 53" from the shoulder, so I would guess anything 56" or longer would give you the fit you're looking for.

1. Banana Republic chevron dress, $140 at bananarepublic.com (54" length) Use code BRSAVE today only to save 30%. Option 2: Striped maxi dress, $130 (56 1/4" length)

Banana Republic is one of the few stores that carries women's tall sizes. It's not the cheapest option but you might be better off paying more for better quality and a better fit.

Chevron dress


2. Joe Boxer chevron maxi dress, $17.59 at kmart.com (55" length. Also in plus sizes)

This colorful option might be a tad short unless you're wearing flat sandals but you can't beat the price and cool casual style.

Chevron dress


3. Nirmal Designs for Full Circle Exchange chevron maxi dress, $22 at walmart.com (length not specified)

This dress stands out to me because it's made by Nirmal Designs, which the Walmart.com website says is a woman-owned factory in New Delhi, India, and part of the Empowering Women Together program designed to help small, women-owned businesses. Is Walmart making a commitment to ethically sourced fashion? I intend to find out...

Chevron dress


4. Love Your Style, Love Your Size plus maxi dress, $20.49 at kmart.com (55 1/2" length)

This dress takes the chevron stripe up a notch in bright colors - choose from a warm (shown) or cool color scheme.

Plus size maxi dress


5. Bisou Bisou chevron maxi dress, $45 at jcp.com (60" length)

At 60 inches, this dress might be the best bet for tall gals, and it's also one of my favorites for the clean black and white palette, plus feminine cinched waist.

Chevron dress


6. Striped maxi dress, $50 at dressbarn.com (53" length) Buy 2 dresses, save $10 with code dresses13

Dress Barn has dress offerings in misses, plus and petites - lots of great colors and prints to choose from!

Chevron dress


7. Strapless maxi dress, $89.95 at eShakti.com

Eshakti lets you customize the size, fit and length of your dress! I couldn't find a chevron print but this site is definitely worth a look, as you can input your height and even request a short dress as a maxi for a minimal additional charge. And right now eShakti is running a Memorial Day promotion where customizations are free.

Chevron dress


8. Merona chevron maxi dress, $29.99 at target.com (length not specified)

Unfortunately the Target website doesn't seem to list the length of this dress but I've seen these in stores, so you can easily try one on and see. Easy and effortless!



9. Heart & Soul maxi dress, $30.99 at kohls.com (57" length)

Kohl's has lots of maxi dresses this season, including this modified chevron stripe dress by Heart & Soul.



10. Metaphor stripe maxi dress, $19.99 at sears.com (58" length)

I love the flattering criss-cross neckline on this dress, which kind of gives the illusion of a chevron stripe. And the floor-sweeping length makes it perfect for the vertically blessed!

Chevron dress


Got a tip for D.D.? Have you found the Holy Grail of maxi dresses for either tall or short physiques? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
The Merona chevron maxi dress from Target is long! I'm 5'10 and it hits right below my ankle.
#1 psals on 2013-05-21 19:26 (Reply)
I have the opposite problem. I'm 5'4" and some change, and every maxi dress I find is made for a giantess.
#2 StrawberryGirl on 2013-05-21 20:01 (Reply)
This post is so helpful! I'm 5'11" as well and it's such a bummer not being able to find maxis that fit my height! I'll definitely be testing out some of these dresses!

xx

http://thattallgirlinheels.com
#3 Jordan (Homepage) on 2013-05-21 23:32 (Reply)
I'm 5'11" and have the same problem. I can't tell you how many maxies I've tried on only to be disappointed.
UNTIL.... I went to my local Nordstroms.
They have a brand called Felicity & Coco. Super cute, fun prints and every maxi I've tried on by them has been down to the ground. They're not cheap but not too crazy over priced either. (Around $78).
I own 3 dresses and always make a point of stopping in to see what's new.
#4 April on 2013-05-22 01:17 (Reply)
I'm actually not sure how long a maxi should be...I have one that grazes the ground and one that's ankle length. What do you think?
#5 Amanda on 2013-05-22 09:21 (Reply)
I'm fairly tall and have the same problem with maxi dresses. When I find one at a good lenght I tend to stick with really flat and simple shoes like these "Rum Runners" from Chinese Laundry. They're flat enough to not compromise the length of the dress, but still cute enough to be seen! http://www.chineselaundry.com/products2.cfm/ID/3965/c/chinese-laundry-viewall/attr1/7553
#6 Haley on 2013-05-24 16:51 (Reply)
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