Plait Strap Maxi Dress £19.99, Internacionale
Wondering what to wear for that date? When summer’s in the air there’s nothing more elegant, feminine and flattering than a maxi dress. And here’s our best buys under £100.
Essential date wear in the summer months, the maxi dress can be dressed up or down depending on the date, and crosses seamlessly from daytime to evening wear with a few extra accessories. It’s great for a lunchtime picnic in the park, followed by an evening in a wine bar with friends.
The beauty of the maxi dress is that it suits all shapes and sizes, and it’ll hide any unwanted curves under swathes of pretty flowing fabric.
River Island Zebra Print Maxi Dress £34.99
For a casual day-time look pair with a little cardigan, flip flops or strappy sandals and a shoulder bag. Glam it up in the evening with a pair of wedges, big jewellery, a pashmina and clutch bag.
You can stand out from the crowd in bold prints, create a romantic flirty look in pastel shades, or for stylish simplicity opt for simple block colours. Last summer short dresses were in vogue, but this season it’s all about length – but if you’re a vertically challenged (!), avoid dresses which swamp you and go for one that ends mid-calf.
Here’s our best high street buys under £100.
Trinny & Susannah Blue Silk Maxi Dress £99, Littlewoods
Plait Strap Maxi Dress £19.99, Internacionale
Go for the sun-kissed traveller look with this beautiful funky print, plait-strap dress from Internacionale. It’ll accessorize perfectly with some dangly turquoise ear rings, flat strappy sandals and a delicate crochet waist-coat. And if you’re feeling confident, complete the bo-ho look with a head-scarf.
Zebra Print Maxi Dress, £34.95 River Island.
Halterneck maxi dresses are flattering for women with big busts, and the elasticated band just underneath will give you a sexy silhouette without any lumps or bumps around the waist. The detail around the clevage will draw attention to your best assets, whilst the vertical print will add height. Dress it down for day-wear with a simple black cardigan and glam it up for an evening date with a nice pair of wedges, chunky silver jewellery and a sparkly wrap.
Coral Print Maxi Dress £40, Marisota
Trinny & Susannah Blue Silk Maxi Dress £99, Littlewoods
More evening than day-wear, this dress is fabulous for a dinner date, eye-catching in a wine bar with friends, and perfect for hot blamy summer evenings abroad. The luxurious fabric, ruched bust and fine straps are elegant and feminine, and the block colour means you can accessorize in a variety of ways. We like chunky silver or gold jewellery, a matching clutch bag and a pair of classy heels.
Per Una Midnight Stripe Cotton Maxi Dress £35, Marks & Spencer
Coral Print Maxi Dress £40, Marisota
This pastel coral print dress with its diamond pattern detail, tied shoulder straps and flared hem-line can be chic, bo-ho or casual depending on how you wear it. A simple pair of pretty flip flops and a knitted cardigan are all it needs for a casual day-time date, and you can glam it up in the evening with a pair of heels and a pretty wrap.
Per Una Midnight Stripe Cotton Maxi Dress £35.00, Marks & Spencer
If you feel self-conscious about your weight this aqua green maxi dress from M&S’s Per Una collection is ideal. It shouts summer and is flattering with it’s irregular vertical stripes that add height and slenderness to your silhouette. Pair with a pretty little white cardigan and bejewelled summer sandals.