Rocking Maxi Dresses and Midi Skirts with Confidence
Warm summer temperatures often mean more of our legs are on display in an effort to stay cool. Not all women are confident doing that, so today, I’m sharing reasons why you should be embracing and rocking maxi dresses and midi skirts with confidence.
For our trip to Vancouver Island last weekend, I packed a few of my newest purchases from Nordstrom Rack. I love shopping at Nordstrom RackĀ because they make it easy to add high-quality pieces to my wardrobe at budget-friendly prices. They also offer free shipping over $89, or you can shop online and pick things up at either a Nordstrom Rack or your Nordstrom store. My favorite way to shop them is online, where I get the largest selection. They also have easy returns to any Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom location.
Midi Skirts
Midi skirts have been very popular this spring/summer. They offer a modest alternative to shorter skirts and are easier to move around in. Midi skirts also give a polished, put-together look for women who prefer to show less leg. The length is important, so be sure it ends at a spot where your leg narrows.
Many midis are overloaded with ruffles, tiers, or frou-frou details that don’t speak to my more minimal style aesthetic, so I zeroed in on this Max Studio simple, A-line wrap skirt. It’s a sophisticated black and cream, clean geometric print that visually blurs out to gray…one of my favorite neutrals. The waist is a pull-on style with a small tie that I chose to tuck inside the elastic waistband. It’s a machine-washable polyester that came out of my suitcase wrinkle-free!
This skirt is 33 1/2″ long, so it’s just above the ankle on me. I paired it with a simple Nic+Zoe tank which is almost sold out. Similar is here, and here, and here. I find an unadorned black tank invaluable all year round, but especially in the summer for layering.
It’s always breezy by the shore, and we were heading out for the evening, so I added this long sleeve cotton gauze shirt and tied it at my waist. I’m getting quite a collection of cotton gauze shirts this summer. They’re great for travel, never need ironing, and add a bit of cover without making me hot. This one comes in six great colors, plus size here.
We were headed out to dinner with my brother and sister-in-law, so I stepped it up a notch with these Clarks Platform Sandals because I knew I wouldn’t be walking for miles. I have several pairs of Clarks wedge sandals and always find them super comfy. The wedge adds height without throwing my foot forward the way a high heel does. The strap placement feels secure on my foot so that I can walk in them easily.
MORE MIDI SKIRTS
Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses are a great option when the weather warms up. Women of all heights can wear a maxi dress because they draw the eye down, which elongates your look. And because they cover your legs, you don’t have to worry about wearing hose, using a self-tanner, or having any unsightly veins show that may bother you.
You’re not seeing double here with this front-twist dress. You may remember that I wore this maxi dress in gray during my trip to Maimi earlier this spring. I liked it so much that I decided I had to have it in a pretty color, and this Wedgewood Blue called my name.
This T-Tahari dress is incredibly affordable ($24.97) and easy to dress up or wear as a bathing suit cover-up. It’s a stretchy rayon/spandex blend that comes in six colors and is selling out pretty fast now that summer has arrived. I chose the medium to give me extra room in the tummy, but I could also have also worn the small.
The twist front detailing is a nice distraction across the tummy area and actually helps to camouflage lumps and bumps. I also like that the armholes aren’t too deep because loose armholes are not my friend at this age. I don’t know about you, but I can lift all the free weights in the world, but my underarms will never be what they once were.
MORE MAXI DRESSES
You could put a necklace with this dress, but I think it would distract, so I just opted for some simple hoops. The day was warm and sunny, so I wore these Steve Madden flat sandals to meet friends for lunch on the patio of a local restaurant and then do some window shopping. I can not pass any bookstore without checking it out for my next great read.
These Steve Madden Hoku slide sandals are super comfy and soft enough not to pinch my bunion when my feet inevitably swell. They have a cushioned footbed and come in three colors. I decided white would get the most use in my wardrobe this summer. They have a nice grippy sole and are very flexible.
Are you a fan of Maxi’s in the summer?
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Hello, Jennifer! Iām a new reader of your blog and am enjoying it. Iām always looking for ways to help me look my 62yr old best. It sure isnāt as easy as it used to be to put myself together and look pretty good! Ah well, I am very much interested in style without hassle, waste or discomfort and beauty products that make me look āreal…ā or close enough! Wishing you the best from the steamy summer in North CarolinaāMichele
Welcome, Michele! I’m so glad you’ve joined us here. I think you’ll love this community.
Ha! I was wearing the blue maxi while I read your post last night and had to comment! I ordered it after seeing the gray one on you and just love it! The knot on the front is very forgiving and I always think, “my legs never look better than when I’m wearing a maxi” š
LOL, maxi’s are so great for that!
Do love that blue dress on you. That is truly your color. Makes your eyes pop with amazing blue color. Guess what? I bought a black and white maxi dress that is so diverse I can’t believe it. I think it could go to a picnic or to a wedding. It is so cool. I can wear it with a jacket, shawl even as a cover up to a pool party.
Your dress sounds amazing, Lin! Maxis are so versitile. What a great find for you.
I love your Nordstrom rack posts, always so helpful.
Wanted to addā¦.saw your post on instagram on tying a shirt. You look fabulous, glowing. Your eye makeup in particular stood outā¦.would you please share what youāre wearing?
Thank you Linda. I’m wearing my Tower 28 mascara and three shades of Jones Road eye shadow.
Linda, I was scrolling thru comments, and found your reference to the Instagram for tying shirts, didn’t know about it, but thank you because, now I can tie a long shirt…..
I love maxiās for summer! I love the twist knot dress on you! I loved it so much I purchased the black and grey dress for myself! I am 5ā8ā and I get so many compliments on it. Itās so comfy and you can dress it up or down which I like. The price is great as well. Love your posts and style.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it too! How fun to be nice and tall.
Love you in the blue twist front maxi dress! The blue is beautiful and says summer. I bought the gray one but I am bustier than you and the dress really emphasized it. My husband doesnāt like it, too sexy for me to wear in public. But I love it as it is so airy and light on hot days. Tell us what you do for your great posture please.
I’ll try to get some pictures of the exercises I’ve been doing for my posture.
@ Sydney + Jennifer ā hope you donāt mind me sharing a āquick tipā Jennifer being one that I learned from my daughter, when years ago during University did some professional/international modeling. It being ā¦. If you position your palms behind your hip bones, your posture automatically becomes straight. -Brenda-
That’s a fabulous tip, Brenda. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I love both of these outfits! I am only 5′ and can never find maxis that fit me.
I love the beautiful maxi dress on you, Jennifer. May i ask, ” How tall are you”? Im 5ft 4 in and maxi dresses seem to swallow me.
Thank you
Holly DewBean
Im 5ā4ā just like you š
I purchased this dress when you featured it a few months back, in navy. It’s probably one of the most versatile dresses I own. Add fancy shoes and nice jewelry and this dress can go almost anywhere. And how can you beat the price??
Yay, Iām glad you love it too. The price is insanely good!
Donāt wear skirts or dresses as often what I use to but midi and maxi lengths have always been my favorite due IMHO find them very footwear friendly. In other words can be worn with everything from flats to heels and sandals to boots. Loving your wrap skirt! -Brenda-
Youāre so right about the footwear, Brenda! I forgot to mention that benefit.
Love the skirt from Nordstrom Rack. Looks light and airy. Sometimes I feel better about my legs in a lot Ng skirt or dress. Yours look lovely on you.
Thanks Rosemary. Iād not used my self tanner in weeks so the longer length covered my pasty, white legs š
Jennifer,
I do remember that dress from before and it is a stunner ! Glad you picked up the wedgewood blue. That color as well as the gray are go to colors for you, IMO. Did you experience any air quality or respiratory issues from the Canadian wildfires ?
It’s a fabulous dress! It’s so afforable too. No, we had no issues with the smoke, luckily.
I enjoyed this post as I like wearing midi and maxi length dresses in summer. I also like the skirts but find it challenging to find the right tops that don’t show off my tummy. I’d love to see you take a single long skirt – like the black glaze one you showed awhile ago – and show it with several different tops. But I appreciate all your tips, Jennifer; thank you!
Thatās a great idea for a post!
I love maxi dresses and am with you in preferring a fairly simple, straighter silhouette with no ruffles, tiers, etc. Also, I’ve been meaning to say how great your posture is. I really notice it in the photos of the sleeveless dress — very elegant!
Thank you Bette. Iāve been doing strengthening exercises against the wall for it. I need to share what Iām doing.
Hi Jennifer, enjoyed the post. I love a longer length hem in the summer as well. Being short, I only wear midi length. I like my ankle to show. Maxi length makes me feel shorter. There is something about wearing a dress or skirt that makes it feel like summer. Have a good day. Thanks for the posts. Suzanne
I like a bit of ankle to show too. Itās a pretty, feminine touch.
Maxi/midi, they all look so perfect for an elegant yet very approachable summer style! To me, this is your signature Jennifer look and shows us how to look updated without sacrificing our personal style. I would definitely consider a similar skirt. The more that I can simplify my clothing options, the easier it becomes for me to navigate these days. Iām leaning more on simple accessories to define my individual style.
Love all your color and style choices today!
Thanks Jan