Maxi fashion stages comeback

DONNING a maxi skirt or dress in our hot weather can be quite daunting.

With temperatures often reaching 35°C and frequently clammy evenings, you would want as little cloth draping your body as possible, without looking indecent, of course.

However, with the right design and material, it’s possible to look stylish in a maxi any time of the day sans the feeling of passing out.

Pleated maxi dress with square neckline accessorised with belt from bYSI’s Spring Summer 2011 Collection.

According to The Visual Dictionary Of Fashion Design, the maxi skirt is an ankle-length skirt popular in the 70s which surfaced as a reaction to the miniskirt. That period marked the rise of the feminist movement, which detested the way the miniskirt had turned women into sex objects.

In modern times. maxi skirts and dresses have the power to evoke a romantic and feminine feel, and lately, shop racks and fashion runways have featured them in a multitude of colours and designs.

Uniqlo carries maxi dresses in denim, while List and Coast at Robinsons offer white, gathered designs and one-shoulder, ruched numbers.

For its Spring Summer 2011 Collection, bYSI (pronounced “buy-see”) creations are influenced by the 70s, with themes of simplicity, rustic romance and sophisticated fun. The Singapore-grown label carries floaty maxi dresses, gypsy skirts to full dirndl skirts in plain colours or spring florals.

Juicy Couture’s Resort 2011 collection includes a mosaic batik maxi dress with smocked elastic neckline, puffed sleeves and tiered ruffles down its flowy skirt. Also seen is a leisurely sleeveless, yellow printed dress with elastic waistline and side pockets.

Purple V-neck gathered maxi dress with pockets from bYSI’s Spring Summer 2011 Collection.

“Maxis are everywhere. It seems like the hems have decided to take a fall and hit the floor! Highstreet labels like Zara, Mango, bYSI and Eclipse are having lots of fun with them. High-end labels like Chloe is being ultra-feminine with soft-dreamy creations while Erdem has marvellous printed stunners,” says Peter Lum, fashion stylist and public relations consultant.

“The current trend is 70s-inspired dresses as summer staples, with long, flowing, floral or ‘liquid’ graphic prints,” adds Lum.

Image consultant Evelyn Ch’ng agrees.

“For spring summer, there is always a series of fluid maxi dresses appearing in many brands. The style for this season is pretty dramatic with bright colours and flowery prints,” she says, adding that labels like Yves St Laurent, Kenzo, Chanel and Giorgio Armani have romantic designs in black, white and bright colours.

Some women are sceptical when it comes to wearing maxis, especially those who are short in stature.

“Some are intimidated by the volume and length of the maxi, so for the petite woman, do consider less overwhelming prints and dramatic mix of colours to start with,” advises Lum.

He suggests looking at a bias-cut skirt to help create the illusion of a taller silhouette, and to wear high heels or wedges.

White, gathered maxi dress by LIST, available at Robinsons.

“For the tall slim girl, it’s a dream to wear a maxi with a pair of flats or even flip-flops for a casual take. If you are 1.5m, you aren’t going to look like a runway goddess in any dress, but embrace your figure and pick something pretty to wear with pride and style.

“If Kylie (Minogue) can do it, you can too!” he assures.

Ch’ng says shorter or bigger-sized girls should wear a maxi with a V-neck line to help make the torso look longer.

“I would advise girls not to wear white which makes you look bigger but wear darker colours that appeal to you. Also, do wear them with 3-inch (7.6cm) wedges.”

One thing’s for sure – the maxi is evergreen, versatile and suited for any occasion, depending on the design, material and how you accessorise.

“Bright, abstract-printed long dresses may be too radical for the office or the courthouse, but do consider a solid number to take you from day to night, with a change of shoes and some bold accessories. Save those bright eye-popping prints and techni-coloured numbers for casual days or casual evenings out,” says Lum.

Ch’ng says pairing your maxi with sandals or wedges, and simple bead accessories is great for day wear.

“You can glam it up with stilettos and bling bling jewellery and turn it into evening resort wear or even formal wear, if the design and fabric is classy and sophisticated,” she says.

Personally, Ch’ng defines herself as a romantic and elegant sort of a person, and the maxi gives her an air of romance and a bohemian feel. “It’s actually perfect for a leisurely Sunday. I like to wear them for high-tea with friends, to go shopping or just for my routine spa and manicure pedicure,” she shares.

Classic silhouette: Accordion-pleated maxi skirt and short-sleeved blouse with lace panel from bYSI’s Spring Summer 2011 Collection.