Today was Maxi Day, sponsored by Liz and Linda over at Every Body Every Wear (EBEW), where fashion bloggers everywhere, myself included, set out to hide some of their best features underneath a maxi dress. Can you guess how I really feel about maxi dresses?
dress -- Kathie Lee Collection
cardigan -- Take Out (thrifted)
boots -- American Eagle (Payless)
I almost didn't join in on this challenge, because I wasn't sure if I could make this work for me. I'm not a big fan of the maxi, and on top of that, and my office is just so conservative. To me, it's the kind of dress that belongs at a luau or something.
But I had so much fun doing the EBEW challenge on the last go around -- (you can see my entry for the polka dot challenge here). So I put my thinking cap and decided that I would cheat. Yes, I cheated, but not in the way that you think. I actually did wear this dress to work today -- all day. I have absolutely no idea where it came from -- my mom may have gotten it for me. I liked the colors in it, so I never got rid of it.
So what I did was to hoist it up around my waist, and put a belt on to keep it up there. When everybody had gone home for the night, and it was just my photographer and me left, I undid the belt, and voilà -- a maxi dress was born! Boy did it surprise my photographer!
Here's how it looked during the day.
cardigan -- Carolyn Taylor
I wasn't completely crazy about the white cardigan, but I couldn't wear the purple because it was too short. That was the hardest part -- trying to decide what to wear with it! It was sleeveless, so I had to wear something, but yet everything I pulled out was way too wintery or too lacy for work. (It looked like a tornado had hit my room by the time I left -- I had to spend two hours hanging up and refolding everything that I tried on!)
I agonized over what to wear on my feet as well. I have trouble, in general, matching footwear to an outfit, but it's even worse with a maxi dress.
So what do you think? Was it okay that I cheated?
Does my maxi dress still count?
To see how the other ladies rocked their maxis, head on over to EBEW!
To see how the other ladies rocked their maxis, head on over to EBEW!
Nice dress!
ReplyDeletexxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot....
P.S: I´m having a $100 Beauty giveaway (YSL, Chanel... etc). Just thought you might be interested! ;)
Yes...it was definitely okay because you did wear the dress! And you wore it well. I actually think the maxi look is better than the shorter look. And think how much fun it would've been to the get older guy's take on it! Debbie
ReplyDeleteI agree with Debbie, longer looked better! You looked very nice in it both ways. But you had a mermaid kind of look when you were sitting on the floor.
ReplyDeleteKeep the dress and wear it out in the summer evenings long with sandals, it looks good on you! And the bright colors contrast so nicely with your pretty pale-ness (is that a word?)!
Shut, up. I never would have thought to belt it like that. I think it looks good either way, but really does look fabulous as a maxi dress.
ReplyDeleteI struggled with mine too - they're just soooo informal. I just embraced it though and went grunge. Which, since you asked, originated in the early 90s in Seattle with the street kids. Doc Martins, long, unwashed hair, flannel shirts and thermal shirts were all part of the uniform. Kurt Cobain and Nirvana are a large part of the reason the look became so prevalent. It's a very unpretty look.
I love that you cheated. The dress does look great on you as it was intended, though! I don't own a maxi skirt or dress. I had two two years ago but sold them on eBay - I felt like a Duggar every time I wore one!
ReplyDelete@Gabby -- thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDelete@Debbie -- You know, I think you're right! I don't know why I chickened out. I get these waves of insecurity that almost paralyze me, and it's kind of surprising because I'm usually pretty brave. weird.
@Lilly -- pretty paleness :-) . Nobody has ever said that before. :-) I could almost see me wearing it on Main Street in the middle of summer with sandals (do you think that Birks would go with it?).
@Gracey -- Yeah, I definitely liked it as a maxi better, but I just was not comfortable wearing it *as* a maxi.
@Taylor -- BINGO! that is how I felt about maxis! Like a Duggar hahahahaha! so funny! I thought that you loved that I cheated in confirmation. OH.MY.GOD. I still have qualms ... I don't know if I even actually went through with it, all that remains is the horror involved with the idea. Catholics don't have anything on Scandinavian Lutherans :-).
You look great! That is a cool trick Kari, I love it but I think you looked very professional with it long too. I too work in not so much a conservative office but a conservative field so the maxi is a bit boho but I threw on a blazer and heels and kept it moving.
ReplyDeleteKari, I keep leaving comments and something seems to be eating them. I just left a very lengthy one that was quite witty ( if I do say so myself) and now - poof - gone. I wonder if my system is doing something with them?
ReplyDeleteKari, I started a new blog for my dating adventures at
ReplyDeletehttp://theminglingsingle.blogspot.com/2011/04/speed-dating.html
If you wanted to stop by, it gives more info on my speed dates from the other night. Also, I will totally include you on my emails with northeastchic to talk about dating - I want to hear your adventures too, please!
I think it still counts, and the shortened version looks cute.
ReplyDeleteHa, its okay with me that you cheated and I think your solution for during the day was ingenious. i don't know if you have any bolero type sweaters or jackets, but I think one would be excellent with this dress.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, maxis are so versatile! I love how you were able to wear two distinct looks. If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought this is a different dress. Great job, Kari!
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to say that I like it longer better!
ReplyDeleteAgree that the white cardi wasn't helping you.
You look very boho which is very in right now.
Don't sell yourself short woman!
Brett
Kari, will you email me so that I have your email address?
ReplyDeletefashionforgiants@gmail.com
Thank you!
Gracey
I like both stylings, but I am more impressed that you were able to tweak it midday for a whole new look!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at EBEW!