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Bewitched and bewildered by the maxi dress
Ever see a trend that you love but can't quite figure out how to pull off?
That's how I feel about the maxi dress. The long, flowy look made a big splash last summer and, like gladiator sandals, managed to stay on the "in" list for summer 2009. It seems like every store carries them (Macy's alone offers 27 online) and every A-list celeb has at least one in her closet. (Check out Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Katie Holmes wearing the same dress.)
What's not to love? The maxi dress brings out a gal's inner hippie, right down to the fact that you can skip shaving your legs that day and no one will know. They come in vibrant colors and pretty patterns. They don't stick to your thighs like shorts on an intolerably hot Florida summer's day, or to your belly when you're feeling bloated.
But here's the rub: The look isn't always all that flattering. Even girls with sculpted arms and stick-straight figures can end up looking like tents in certain maxi dresses. And those of us who don't come anywhere near that body type have to worry about people whispering, Is she pregnant? Sure, shapewear would help, but that sort of defeats the allure of maxi dress as comfort clothing.
Argh. Is it just me? Has anyone else shied away from this trend, or have you found a way to rock it? Please, do tell.
~ Deal Diva Colleen
(Photo: BCBGeneration maxi dress from Macy's. Gorgeous right? But unless you are as skinny as this chick, will folks wonder if you have a bun in the oven?)
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THE AUTHORS
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.
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Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her
mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost,
but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan,
she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never
needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her
closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can
be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.
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A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.
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Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.
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