Three ways to Style a Maxi Dress

1. Layering a sweater over a maxi dress allows for you to wear your maxi dress into the night. It breaks up your outfit making it look more like a top and skirt than a dress. Bright pops of color make this great for the Spring and Summer months but you can make it Fall friendly by pairing with dark, richer colors.

2. Tying a sweater around your waist or over your shoulders makes it easy to stay out all day and not freeze as the temperatures start to drop. Over the shoulders makes for a preppier look and around the waist is more casual. The accessories really make this look more interesting and a sweater or cardigan makes it more versatile. Adding a white leather belt at the waist really pops off the bright bold print of the dress. By itself the addition of the high-waist belt, transforms the dress compared to the fabric belt that the dress comes with.

3. A great maxi dress doesn’t need much to tie it all together. So without doing anything to detract from the dress, by styling your hair in an up-do, and adding some accessories that compliment the dress, you’re all set. For more easily put together outfit ideas look here and here.

I was so excited for the Marimekko and Banana Republic collaboration that launched back in May and when I couldn’t get the Maxi dress at any of the local Banana Republic locations, the first few days after the launch, it didn’t stop me from hunting it down. I called every location that showed they had one until I finally found a location in New York that still had the dress in my size, three days from them hitting the shelves. All of my hard work definitely paid off because I have worn this maxi dress all summer long. The print is happy and carefree and that works perfectly with weekends in the summer especially those at the yacht harbor, down on the beach, or a picnic in the park. Here are three ways to style this maxi dress from day to night, from hot to cooler temperatures. Which way is your favorite?

Dress: Marimekko for Banana Republic, similar. Sweater: Trina Turk (old), similar. Shoes: Sole Society, similar. Necklace: J. Crew, similar. Bracelets: c/o Kluster. Belt: Vintage, similar.

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