The Perfect Jersey Maxi Dress
Aug 14, 2013
Every time I go on vacation, I do the same thing: the week before, I go crazy and order more clothes than I could ever afford looking for the perfect pieces to wear on my trip. Then, I realize that this is insanity and return everything. What can I say? I have trip anxiety and it manifests itself in my wardrobe.
For my upcoming Montana trip, I decided to behave differently. I would carefully select some dresses well in advance and save myself $50 in return postage. But even with the pre-planning and the use of every free shipping discount code I could find, most of my purchases were returned to their makers.
This Splendid Maxi Dress ($118), however, is truly a keeper. The lone survivor of a somewhat obsessive quest to find a maxi dress that I couldn’t live without, this dress is unbelievably comfortable. The lightweight jersey and side slits keep things cool in the summer heat, and the racerback style is a nice change. Oh, and the gathers at the midsection, define the waist without making you look paunchy.
All in all, I would say it’s my favorite purchase of the summer. It also comes in a red shade that is on sale for $83. And my adoration for this frock, has me thinking about buying this violet 3/4 sleeve Splendid shift. It would be perfect for casual Friday.
I was actually just searching this blog for some vacation wear! Not sure if you have enough posts on it to create a tag, but I’d love more suggestions. I’m taking a resort trip without much notice soon and am lacking in easy, packable pieces.
Would you consider doing a two-ways post about maxi dresses and how to wear them covered up? It seems like everyone’s into wearing them with denim jackets, but I’m sure there’s a better way! I think you paired one with a long cardigan once?
Hilary, my go-tos are wrinkle-resistant dresses in solid, flattering colors (like what Belle featured here, although I’m too short to pull off the maxi length), plus a neutral cardigan and a neutral scarf. The dresses pack and photograph well, and are usually pretty comfy. Enjoy the resort trip!
Thanks for your input! I’m hoping to snag some on end-of-season sale before I go.
I’m 5’2 and a size 14 — If I can rock a maxi dress/maxi skirts, so can you!
It was all about doing some simple sewing to bring up the straps so it wasn’t so long on me!
I SO know what you mean re: maxi dresses. I’m 5’10” and have a slim waist, athletic (runner’s) build, and short torso, so maxi dress shopping has been an epic nightmare. However, the maxi gods have smiled upon me. If you find yourself in the Pentagon City Nordstrom Rack, they have a great Maxstudio frock for $40. I would’ve paid 5 times that and am in love with mine. here’s the dress online: https://www.maxstudio.com/product/key-hole-maxi-dress-34724
I have it in Navy, but they also have forest green and burgundy at the Rack. Have a great weekend!
Alexis. For tall maxi’s, try Athleta… They have a great basic maxi dress for tall girls (I’m 5″11- similar build) for under $100. I have the maxi in 4 colors.
They are a great weight and are actually long enough.
I’ve been on the hunt for a white maxi dress or skirt for the summer. Something at a less expensive price point and I am not having any luck. Perhaps I’m looking in all the wrong places. Now that the summer is almost over, I’ll start working on one for next year.