Silver jewelry — Fashion — Stylin' Granny Mama

Here we are again, taking another look at why maxi dresses are one of the funnest summer staples you can add to your closet. It really doesn't matter if you are short or tall, narrow or wide, there is a maxi dress out there that will look fabulous on you. My BFF back in NY mentioned that she has a hard time finding maxi dresses that are not too long. She is petite, and so often maxi dresses are sweeping the floor, even on people over 5'5". I have a few suggestions.

1. Search stores that have a regular petite's section.

Macy's, Penney's, Christopher & Banks and Talbots all cater to petites. You can also read this article by InStyle, which lists 35 other retailers that have petite offerings. If you are a plus size girl check out stores like Catherines, dressbarn or Eloquii. All of these stores have a nice selection of maxis and good return policies, so if you order it online, try it on and still don't like it you can send it back or just return it to a store nearby.

2. Find the one that fits.

Maxi dresses are not just about length. Find a dress that feels comfortable all over. In the heat of the summer, the last thing you want is to wear a dress that is pinching the love handles and gaping at the "girls". Try dresses on. I mean lots of dresses! Sure it is work to shop, but you only really need one or two good maxi dresses to get you through the summer. Shop online and try on at home, then you can take your time trying on and have the option of listening to music while drinking a tall glass of iced tea.

3. If the perfect maxi is too long, have it hemmed.

If you find the dress that fits perfectly, but don't like that it is dragging on the floor have it hemmed up, either by doing it yourself or taking it to a tailor or seamstress. A good seamstress won't charge that much for a hem.

4. Instead of a maxi, look for a midi or tea length dress.

If you are still concerned about length, try shopping for a mid length or tea length dress. These usually fall at mid-calf or just above the ankles. You will still get the coverage and the ease of a dress, but won't have to be fearful of tripping over the hem.

I hope that helps, for those of you who might be having issues with the length of many maxi dresses. I'll include a few shopping links at the end with a few petite and plus size maxi dress offerings.

As you will see, my maxi dress this week is shorter than the last two. I got this simple navy number from Christopher & Banks a few years ago. I need to add something here. When I say a few years ago, that means I can't remember how long ago I got it, but it has been hanging in my closet for a while. Ha, ha. It is scary how fast time goes by. My husband has a much better memory than me and he also remembers dates and years better than me. I'm often shaking my head thinking, "Wow! Has it already been that long?"

I couldn't resist throwing this black and white photo in. I love black and white pics and whenever my daughter posts black and whites from photo shoots, I am always drawn to them.

You can see this dress has a straight or columnar type skirt. It reminds me of something worn during the ancient Greek or Roman period.

I decided to dress this up, just a touch, with my silver accessories. The necklace is from Charming Charlie, while the bag and belt are thrifted. The gladiator type sandals are old and No Boundaries brand.

This maxi is so easy to throw on and I don't have to worry about shape wear, slips or hose. The material is a medium weight knit and is basically wrinkle free.

The beauty of a columnar type skirt is that you get coverage without adding bulk. If you are bigger on the bottom, like I am, usually sizing up helps keep the skirt from being too tight. However, trying things on is always the best way to find what fits and what doesn't. For another look at columnar type skirts, take a look at my Marvelous Maxis post from last summer on skirts. This one is specifically about straight skirts.

Here are a few more photos just for fun! I can't help but put a plug in for my talented daughters. If you live in the Toledo area and need a photographer, I would recommend Rebecca Trumbull Photography. She not only does my fashion photography, she shoots pets, weddings, high school seniors, commercial photography and manages social media accounts. My younger daughter, Rachel, not only produced my silly photo bomber, but she is an amazing make up artist. She is not currently a practicing MUA, but if you follow her on IG you can see what products she recommends.

And this is me at the end of the day! Ha, ha.

What did you think of this dress? I love to hear from you. I have learned so many new things from other bloggers and from all my wonderful followers who take the time to comment. I know life is busy, believe me! Your comments are appreciated and do help my blog to grow. I do not actively seek out collaborations or advertisers, just because I am very busy, so I rely on my followers to let others know about my blog. Your input helps me to become a better blogger.

I've included a few shopping links, just for fun. These are affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through one of the links on my sight, I get a little commission. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Makeup Rachel Christensen.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for my weekly faith post, and Thursday for another Old Becomes New column.

Have a great week.