Midi and Maxi dresses have become staple items in Australian women’s wardrobes, and for good reason. Both these dress styles offer a modest dress option that can be worn in a variety of settings. Also, both dresses are available in casual and more formal styles, so you can always find one to match the event you’re heading to. Additionally, these dresses come in different designs, fabrics and prints, meaning that no matter your personal style, there’ll be a midi or a maxi dress to suit. Finally, both of these dress lengths can look incredibly flattering on the majority of frames, which means that it’s wise to include midi dresses and maxi dresses in your wardrobe.
You may be perusing Femme Connection’s dress collections and wondering whether a midi or a maxi dress would be best for you. How can you be sure, especially as these dresses, on first observation, can sometimes look pretty similar. In this article, we’ll run through the differences between these dresses, what types of figures suit which dress, and which occasions you would wear each dress to. So let’s dive into the world of maxi and midi dresses!
Midi Dresses and Maxi Dresses - What’s the difference?
If you measured the hem lengths of midi dresses and maxi dresses, they wouldn’t seem too different, however the differences between the two dresses are visually clear.
A midi dress has a hem that hits midway between the knee and the ankle, so, about mid calf. A maxi dress hits the ankles or the floor. These variations in length mean that:
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With a midi dress, your footwear is more on show, so you have to think about your shoes and how they look with the dress.
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A maxi dress will usually have more fabric in the skirt, making for a more voluminous look and feel. This works well for occasions where you simply want to look elegant, but you don’t need to move around much.
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A midi dress has less fabric, and is easier to move in. This means it works a little better for occasions where you might feel inclined to hit the dance floor, or else, just feel less weighed down.
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A maxi dress, due to its extra leg coverage, likely won’t feel as cool as a midi dress, as there’s less airflow to the legs. This may or may not matter, depending on the occasion and season. (It also depends on the fabric, with lightweight, natural fabrics still allowing airflow.)
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Because a maxi dress makes such a big statement on its own, there’s often little need for accessories like jewellery. A midi dress is a little more understated, and therefore can handle a heavier touch when it comes to accessories.
Features of Midi Dresses and Maxi Dresses, and who they suit best
Maxi dresses
Due to their floor-length hem, maxi dresses help to create an elongated silhouette on the wearer. This means tall women, and women with long torsos, can look balanced in a maxi dress.
Additionally, maxi dresses are often made out of flowy fabrics, which means they fit in a looser way than many midi dresses. This suits those who enjoy a relaxed fit and don’t like to be constricted in any way.
Because of the length of the maxi dress, there tends to be less variation in maxi dress styles when compared with midi dresses. Maxi dresses, on the whole, tend to be form fitting around the torso, and loose fitting from the hips down. This does not mean that maxi dresses are all the same! Maxi dresses can come in a range of interesting fabrics and textures, with long or short sleeves, or no sleeves at all. Billowy, flared or fitted sleeves. Ruching or embroidery on the chest. Tiered or ruffled skirts, or skirts with sheer overlays. They also come with a variety of necklines, including low V-necklines, scooped necklines, and off-the-shoulder styles. And then there is the wide variety of fabrics, colours and prints to choose from! This makes maxi dresses a versatile choice for Australian women.
Midi dresses
Midi dresses flatter pretty much everybody, and are particularly flattering if you are petite, as you can get a little swamped in a maxi dress (indeed, midi dresses can look like maxi dresses on smaller women). The midi dress can also make your legs appear longer, which adds to the appearance of height.
Midi dress styles tend to offer a little more structure than maxi dresses, and include wrap midi dresses, fit-and-flare styles, and midi dresses with pencil skirts. Midi dresses are great when it comes to accentuating your curves, so if you’re looking for a functional yet feminine dress option, a midi dress is a great choice.
A good tip to follow when choosing a midi dress is to opt for one with a hem that hits either just below your knee, or at the narrowest part of your calf. These hem lengths elongate the appearance of your legs, whereas midi dresses with a hem that sits at the widest part of your calf can make your legs appear shorter.
A midi or maxi dress? Which to choose?
Basically, every fashion-loving woman could do with both a midi and a maxi in her wardrobe, as both styles will come in handy for different occasions.
When to wear a midi dress:
A midi dress can be worn pretty much anywhere. They are a suitable option for the workplace, as many midi dress styles are often structured and appear polished. They are also a modest option that shows just a bit of your leg, but not above the knee. This means they won’t ride up too much when you’re sitting in the office.
Midi dresses are also a great option for a range of other occasions, whether they be casual or more formal. A relaxed casual midi dress is great to wear on simple outings to the shop or cafe. If it’s a loose-fitting style in a breathable fabric, you can even wear them to the beach or on a walk.
Midi dresses are also a great length for parties, indeed, cocktail dresses are approximately midi length! Midi dresses that are fitted at the top and flare out at the bottom (fit and flare), or more figure-hugging midi dresses, can both look stylish at a special event.
When to wear a maxi dress:
A maxi dress makes more of a statement than a midi dress, so you probably wouldn’t wear them to so many occasions. Generally they are a little floaty, so you might be less inclined to wear one to the workplace, although it wouldn’t look out of place.
Maxi dresses tend to give off a vacation feel, so are best suited to events where you are ready to relax and have a great time. Whether it be a brunch, a balcony cocktail party, a date, or even to the beach, the right maxi dress will work well.
Of course, maxi dresses can also be the perfect option for formal events, especially those maxi dresses made with deluxe fabrics. In this case, they verge on ‘evening gown’ territory, and with the right accessories, can be dressed up for special occasion-wear.
Quick Midi Dress Styling Tips
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Pair your midi dress with heels or wedges to elongate legs. Pointed shoes will look particularly good if you are petite.
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If you want to define your waist, add a belt.
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Layer with a cropped jacket or blazer. Consider a denim or leather jacket for a casual event, or a structured, buttoned blazer for work.
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Use statement accessories to add flair to your outfit.
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Remember to choose a fabric according to the season. So in autumn and winter, more dense fabrics will work. Even synthetic fabrics will be acceptable. In spring and summer, ensure you opt for more breathable fabrics.
Quick Maxi Dress Styling Tips
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Add a wide belt to define your waist, especially if the dress doesn’t already add this definition.
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Pair your maxi dress with strappy flat sandals or heels for a casual vibe (strappy shoes will complement the long hemline). You can also opt for current trends and wear your maxi dress with sneakers or with chunky boots.
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For a relaxed vibe, layer your maxi dress with a denim jacket.
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As a maxi dress involves a lot of fabric, remember to opt for lightweight fabrics in summer. In the cooler months, layer your dress with knits.
For all the midi dresses and maxi dresses you could hope to find, see Femme Connection’s collections. We offer a wide range of sizes, and plenty of styles, fabrics and prints to choose from.
Prefer a shorter fit? Be sure to check out our short dresses collection. And don’t forget to view all our women’s dresses and women’s clothing in general, to find exactly the outfits you need!