The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Pretty, Affordable Maxi Dresses for Summer




I'm going on a cruise in August and you better believe I'll be packing a maxi dress, one of this summer's hottest trends. Now I know many of you dread the idea of wearing a floor-length frock during the day, but let me try to, cough, minimize your maxi-dress fears:

First, yes, you can wear this look even if you are short. Flaunt your bosom, wear heels if you'd like, and choose a body skimming cut that drapes vertically to the ground - nothing flouncy.

Second, know where to wear one. Think summer parties, an outdoor concert, picnic, art festival, BBQ, day of shopping, or dinner date…just about any event with a casual-chic dress code is fair game.

Thirdly, don't spend a lot on this trend. We found a ton of cute, cheap maxi dresses for well under $50 (with the exception of the dress from Mango featured above, which is on sale for $68.99.)

Lastly, if you're not feeling this trend, and you feel like a damn fool when you test it out, just skip it. No use trying to push a trend that doesn't make you feel fabulous, right?

Check out our earlier post on maxi dresses for styling tips, too.

[1] Forever 21 Paisley Chiffon Maxi Dress, $24.80
[2] Lulu's* Cavanaugh Yaught Dress, $42
[3] ELLE Floral Maxi Dress at Kohl's, Was $50 Now $36.99
[4] MangoShop "Amelia" (ref. 63439945), Was $139 Now $68.99
[5] The Summer Dress Store White/Green Long Dress, $40.50

* Budget Babe readers get 15% off their total order at Lulus.com with coupon code budgetbabe at checkout.


Comments
Love the trend! These are fabulous picks. Though I shy away from this style, I think I am going to try on the Kohl's dress :-)
#1 Psyche (Homepage) on 2008-07-01 10:38 (Reply)
I don't like floor-length dresses. I like summer dresses to be really cool, short and freshy. Long dresses cover my legs all the way and it kinda warms up my legs in a very warm weather.
#2 bingkee on 2008-07-09 11:50 (Reply)
these are amzing! I found this amazing boho maxi dress at TJ Maxx and when I went back to get it to wear to my junior high graduation, it was gone... :-(
But the black and white Forever 21 one is awesome, and so cheap!
#3 Sarra on 2009-05-15 19:21 (Reply)
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