6 ways to style a maxi dress

When it comes to finding the perfect summer dress, it's all about versatility. Finding a piece that doesn't look out of place come rain or shine; that can dressed up or down; and taken from day to night. Here are my top 6 ways of how to style a maxi dress this summer.

1. Is a skirt? Is a dress?
Just because something is labelled as a dress, doesn't mean you have to wear it as a dress. I like mixing up my maxi dresses by wearing them as skirts too. Simply wear a boyfriend tee, crop top, or a shirt on top to give your dress a new lease of life.

Maxi dress

2. .... or maybe it's a top?
Same rules apply. But as a top. Why not try tucking your dress into a pair of shorts / jeans / different skirt?

3. Why ruin a classic?
Appreciate the dress for what is is. Particularly when faced with a pretty print like this one. Make the print the main star of the show, and stick to basic and delicate jewellery and gladiator sandals. I adore the layered detail on this top which gives it a two-piece feel.

4. Dressed to the nines
Maxi dresses for me are usually casual comfort for those swelteringly hot days. But who's to say that maxi dresses can't be dressed up? Team yours with a fitted blazer / cropped jacket to draw attention to the slimmest part of your silhouette: your waist. Extra style points for incorporating a waist belt!

5. Embrace your grunge side
Why not try a leather jacket and ankle boots (if unlike me you actually have a pair!) for a grunge inspired twist?

6. Chilly summer evenings
You know the deal. Day time you are struggling in blisteringly hot weather, but come sun down, you feel the goosebumps pricking up on your arms. A over-sized knit makes the perfect cover up for chilly summer evenings.

And that's it for my maxi dress styling tips! If you have any maxi dresses hanging in your wardrobe, dig them out, and experiment to your heart's content - maxi dresses are so versatile and you can get so much wear out of them. Fully obsessed with #ihavethisthingswithfloors on Instagram, I fell in love with this blue tile print maxi dress which reminded me of the prettiest Moroccan tiles. So unbelievably floaty and comfortable, this dress will definitely be getting a lot of use from me this summer!

*Although this maxi dress was very kindly provided by JD Williams, summer dress styling tips and love of maxi dresses all my own!

Finding the perfect dress to last you through the summer - no matter the weather

What type of dress could this be, I hear you ask. A maxi dress? A bandeau? No my friends, I am proposing The Shirt Dress. I love a shirt. But then again, I do love a dress. Now imagine the two getting together and this item of clothing being the result... it's a thing of beauty.

Shirt dress *

I own this dress in cassis which is a beautiful berry sort of colour, and cries out for a matching berry lip. This dress also comes in khaki and black, which given the wonderful fit and feel of the dress, is making me seriously consider picking up the other two colours to complete the set. Particularly now that they're in the sale for a mere £30.

The sleeves can rolled up or down - depending on what takes your fancy - and the belt helps to create some shape by nipping you in at the waist. The material of the dress is lightweight and thin - but by no means see through - making it the ideal choice for summer getaways, day trips and the like.

For my summer inspired look, I wanted to keep things simple, to let the dress do the talking. It's such a beautiful colour, it makes enough of a statement as it is. I teamed mine with delicate jewellery and Valentino style criss-cross flats. However there is a lot of potential to style a shirt dress like this. My top tips:

1. Wear with lace-up-the-leg gladiator sandals to emphasise tanned pins. Go for a tan coloured sandal to contrast beautifully against that lovely berry colour
2. Wear with a large floppy hat and shades for the ultimate summer look. 
3. Try a chunky knit on top and ankle boots for an off duty model sort of look. This will transform the dress into a button up skirt for an alternative use 
4. When travelling, for the ultimate capsule wardrobe, why not repeat wear another day, but this time with the dress tucked into high waisted shorts or jeans? This will give the dress a new lease of life and will save you valuable suitcase space for bringing back souvenirs and / or duty free ;)

Hope you like the dress and that this piece allows you to find inspiration for how to incorporate shirt dresses into your summer wardrobe. On me it's a pretty decent length meaning it's a perfectly acceptable item for me to wear to the office or for other occasions where I need to be a little more covered up!

* Dress very kindly provided by JD Williams but as ever, all opinions are my own!