There’s been a lot of debate in the petite fashion world about whether maxi dresses are a do or a don’t. I think that with the right drape and length, they can be a “do” for lazy summer days. The one I am wearing is from the Target junior’s department, in sz XS. I hemmed it an inch so that it hits right at the ankles and doesn’t interfere with my walking. What do you guys think?
Yesterday we went to a small beach with friends to watch the sunset and eat fried seafood, and inadvertently caught several firework shows.
Despite the high 80’s temp we had on Saturday, I had to wear a maxi out of necessity. I recently started laser hair removal treatment on my legs, and as a result have to keep them out of the sun. Bummer!
Chomping down on fried fisherman’s platter (a heart attack on a plate, but oh-so-yummy after a day at the beach):
Looks like you had a beautiful day at the beach. The maxi dress looks great on you! Target's junior section definitely works 😀 I love the elegant black in contrast to the bright day.
Your makeup is gorgeous, as usual 😀 Lucky you and your natural prettiness! Love the brightly colored earrings 🙂
Laser hair removal!? I hope you can write about that in a future post 😀 I'd love to know more of your experience overall. Is it like removing a mole on skin but with hair?
You and your bf are as cute as ever 😀 You two look great!
Love your style. You pulled off wearing a maxi. It looks good on you. Love the earrings too. It completed the whole look.
well, I think from the pix you posted. the maxi dress made you look very short. the head is too big. the body is not proportional
I've always wanted to get a maxi dress.. but the hubby doesn't like it, but what does he know.. ahhah you are totally rocking this.. it looks casual and elegent!
BTW I would love to find out more on your laser journey. I have been considering starting with my underarms too then go from there. here is my email addy : gm1043@yahoo.com would love to hear your thoughts and the kinda laser treatment you are getting.
thanks!! love your blog, it is super helpful!!!
I am considering laser hair removal for my legs as well, can you please give some more information about where you are getting it and how much is the charge, I know my insurance wont cover any part of the cost… =(
I am SO with you on clothing looking ok on petites as long as things fit proportionally. I always look to Nicole Richie and other teeny tiny celebs as examples. It's ALL about finding clothes that fit! Clearly this maxi looks gorgeous on you, and it's because you know how to shop and hem to fit your body!
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I had hairy legs for an Asian when I was a teenager. I used a lot of Nair back then (because my grandmother said shaving would make it coarser) and I think it has killed the hair follicles. The hair is still kind of there, but it's really, really fine and barely noticable!
I love maxi dresses and think they can look good on anyone if they're well fitted, length aside. I wear them a lot over the summer because it's just too hard for me not to — the best item for lazy chic, I think 😛
you look lovely! how long have you been with your b/f?
Aww, you two look cuteee xD
And i love your outfit but I think maxi dresses don't seem to suit me very well.
Gorgeous maxi dress! I want a plain black one as well but haven't been able to seek one out just yet! You look lovely as usual 🙂
Sweet is good but I think my red velvet cupcakes are better :). CR shoes are very questionable, they have always been know to have hooker-eques shoes, i guess I lucked out. And you were right about Pomodoro, the service was terrible! Have you been to Strega? I think we're gonna try that next.
Hi, you look beautiful! Do you know if the dress is still available at Target? Would it be possible for you to provide a link? I am around 5"0 and always looking for a maxi dress. Also how is the material, did you need a strapless bra or anything? Thanks! Love to read your blog =)
looks like u had a fun 4th of july! i love ur maxi dress and ur beach make-up look:) aww u guys are too cute:) have a great week!
TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com
I love Target and this dress looks great on you! Jersey dresses are my favorite material for summertime (so comfy and simple).
My friend got laser treatments done on her underarms and after seeing her results, I was definitely thinking of looking more seriously into it. Definitely let us know how the leg treatments work! The thought of never having to shave my legs again sounds amazing.
Of course- you were able to pull of a maxi dress! You look super tall in it!!!!
You and your BF are adorable!
Awww, I love this post, I hadn't even noticed yours! My fams is over and have taken over my laptop, I had no time to do the post, grrr.
Th pic of you and your man is adorable, you two are cuties!!!
I love that you did this post, I have always wanted to wear Maxis', I didn't have the balls to buy them and one day I gave in, and bought a couple from forever21.com and luckily they fit pretty well. I also have one from target in xs and fits almost perfect (my boobs are a bit too big, haha). I'll show that dress soon enough, it's a purple paisley design.
Sadly none of the 3 dresses have a raw edge 🙁 I can't just cut them and I'm beyond lazy to alter it =/
Yes! Maxi's are definitely a big fat YES in my book! You look beautiful Jean! 😀
Happy belated 4th 🙂
Love the maxi on you dear! I've been trying to find one myself, but it's tough when you're petite (you already know haha). but this one looks great on you and who cares about the flip flops, you're at the beach! don't want to ruin any of your nice shoes with sand 😛 I have to admit, I'm jealous that you have such great skin and that natural kind of beauty where almost little to no makeup is required. And great photo of you and your boy, sounds like you two had a great weekend. Happy 4th of July! xo
Hey there pretty lady! Thank you for your comment–you are so sweet! The rochas slipped off my feet–they run a bit large or perhaps I should wear a 5.5 instead of a 6.
P.S. You should model! Kate said it too! 🙂
Omgg I just discovered your blog and I'm in love!! I'm petite too (5'2, 93lbs) and sometimes its soo difficult finding the proper sizing/fit/proportion ratio for my body! It's always great to see another petite girl in the blogosphere! I love your blog and now I'm definitely a follower! 🙂
http://hayleygolightlystyle.blogspot.com/
I love the maxi dress on you! it's a definite do in my opinion given that you find the dress that fits your proportions. i hope my maxi dress from haute look will look as nice.
ohh i thought about laser hair removal too! i hate shaving. keep updating the results! i'd like to remove all the hair on my body besides my head and eyebrows of course.
Anon @ 3:30 – email me via the "About me" page and I'll let you know what I was charged! I went to several places before choosing and saw a huge range of prices.
Kali – for one year…starting last week. Yikes! Sunscreen will be my friend.
April – aw, you put a huge smile on my face! I'm so happy that you guys care to read.
PXXS – you probably don't need it! You're probably one of those lucky Asians with hardly any hair that Jessy is talking about. Me – not so lucky. On my underarms I would say it was rather effective…although it's only been 5 months since I've stopped treatment, pretty much nothing has grown back.
That dress looks great on you! I don't think I can ever pull off a maxi dress, but I've never tried. haha Laser hair removal for your legs?! Girl, you're Asian! Your hair should be barely noticeable there 😛
you 2 are so cute! I'm going to head to target on a hunt for a maxi dress now, since were practically the same size!
have a great day!
You look gorgeous as always! The dress looks great and you've made me a believer in eyeliner! The BF is not bad either lol 😛 I wouldn't have guessed he was mixed but I suppose I can see it now. He's got a little bit of the Dermot Mulroney smile (My Best Friend's Wedding).
What kind of laser hair removal are you doing? How effective is it? I really want to get something like that done too, especially for summer shorts and skirts!
Ohh you and your bf are flippin hot! You look flawlessly gorgeous and put together–always! I adore your blog and you! I am so happy for the success of your blog–everyone loves it! Happy 4th!
Just the other day I was debating whether or not to donate my black maxi.. but I think I'll keep it now!
I love the dress!! I think maxi dresses look great on petite ladies. =) Too bad you couldn't take advantage of the beach though.. how long do you have to keep your legs out of the sun?
Laser hair removal…do you mind telling us how many treatments you had to go to for your underarms? One of the clinics here is quoting $495 for 6 treatments (50% off). Is that a reasonable price? Thanks.
Ms. Shopportunity – just checked out the dress, it is quite lovely and I can see how the V-neck plus line down the middle can be flattering on petites. $90 though…shocking for I.N.C! Mine was about $8 on clearance at Target, plus F21 has a couple basic ones for less than $15 or so.
I am fairly certain Petite P is the same as XS – they probably just put XS online to make it less confusing. I'm guessing the store you went to just ran out of sz Smalls!
Kate Gene – lol! No modeling here…unless it's for kiddy clothes! And I understand your hubby's shyness…but you'll convince him slowly but surely : )
Well I kind of cheated on this and just cut it with scissors – no sewing! The hem was raw to begin with so it was super easy to shorten.
I have been on the hunt for a maxi dress for quite some time now. The length of yours is perfect! All of the ones I have tried on would drag on the ground, and I am too lazy to get alterations. (I also cannot sew for the life of me. I made a stocking for my husband one Christmas, and it fell apart as soon as I put candy in it! LOL!)
You should be modeling, PAG! You and your boyfriend look like an ad for something, you're so cute! (Both of you guys!) Aww! I can't get my hubby to let me post his picture on here; he's being shy. (Wait… Not true… I got authorization to post one photo, but it was only his back from the waist up! XD)
Great post!
I'm still looking for a maxi dress… and your post just confirmed that I should keep looking 😀 You look GREAT! Happy 4th of July!
Such a cute couple! I avoid maxis, just because I feel like since I'm short and curvy, I would have no shape in one – but then again, I've never tried one on! You look great, though!
I'd say it's a win!
Wow this maxi dress looks great on you and loved how you accessorized it too. I'll keep more of an open mind to maxi dresses now after seeing how you made it work.
Hope you have a fun 4th!
You look fabulous! I love maxi dresses, for us petites, a slimmer design without a lot of poof at the bottom looks great and won't overwhelm. And I love flippie floppies with maxis, casual chic 🙂
Oh maxi's are so perfect for the beach (even if you were forced to wear it haha)! Love the classic look.
I like those bold earrings with that elegant maxi. And the two of you make the cutest couple!
Janice
You look fantastic in the maxi! I love the simple braid at the top bustline – it gives just enough visual interest to the entire outfit.
I almost did a post on Maxi dresses myself this week. I discovered this INC Petites maxi at Macy's, and it fits me PERFECTLY in size Petite/Petite. No need for hemming or anything.
http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=475940&cm;_mmc=Google_Feed-_-4-_-39-_-{keyword}&kw;={keyword}
But there are a few small problems —
1. I don't feel like paying $90 for a maxi dress. Period.
2. I noticed that the fabric has a slight white patina (almost like where the bust cups meet. I initially thought it was the deodorant of someone who had tried on the P/P, but I later realized that every single dress on the rack had the same issue – just in different places near the bust. So I think there must be some kind of white fabric underneath that is peeking through the thinner blue material at that particular point. I honestly didn't really notice it when I was wearing it, but rather only as it hung on the hanger. That said, it still bothers me to pay $90 for something with such a flaw. If it were even $30, I'd jump on it. So I'm just going to keep my eye out to see if the dress gets marked down.
3. Online, the dress is listed as sold in P/XS and P/S, but the physical dress hanging in the store clearly has a tag that says P/P. I'm guessing that P/P corresponds to P/XS, though I can't be sure because there were no petite Smalls still available in my local Macy's — only P/M and P/L…and P/P. So I'm not even 100% sure what size to order if I were to get it online. But I'm guessing P/XS would suffice.
Aw, thank you guys for the kind comments. Happy 4th to y'all too : )
Anon/Erin – oh it definitely is a gray area with so many ways to go wrong. I actually have another one that is more "busy" with strips and does not look so great on. Erin…who cares if your fam hates it..wear what you love!
About laser hair removal … I'm doing my full legs now only after testing it out on my underarms last year. I love it and would definitely recommend it…but make sure to find a trusted professional with up to date equipment. It hurts on sensitive skin, and is so $$, but the payoff is awesome.
Love the maxi on you! Makes me want to get one… soon 🙂
I agree with Anon @ 10:09. Definitely a gray area. Maxis look great on very thin people in general. I think if you're bottom heavy or a "thicker" body shape, they are a no-no. My family HATES when I wear maxis because I have such wide hips. I wear them anyway though 🙂
The maxi dress is definitely a gray area for petites but I think you pulled it off really well! Thanks for sharing the lovely photos. You and the bf are smokin' together 😉
And do let us know about the laser hair removal. Would you recommend it? I've only ever shaved my legs and it's such a nuisance.
you are so chic!! i am envious of your good fresh-looking skin. happy july 4th!!
your makeup is so barely there and PERFECT. winged just to the right amount and close to the lashline. and i remember you telling us you were a makeup noob. pfft lies.
that maxi fits you to a tee. i now know where to look for maxis that don't constitute as casualwear trains!
how is the laser hair removal? did it hurt?
last but not least, you two are a very beautiful couple. happy 4th!
I can't believe you pulled a maxi look so elegantly. I used to think maxi is off limit to petites, now I think I'm wrong. 🙂 Looks like you had tons of fun. Isn't that great living by the ocean? And you and your boyfriend look so cute together. Have a great rest of the weekend to you too.
Your simple beach face is my everyday work face LOL! 🙂
wow~ a good looking couple^^ i love your maxi! :)and your earrings stand out! love your make up too^^
I do like that dress on you. Simple and boho!