The 18 Best Maxi Dresses to Wear All Year Round
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From brands like Skims, Farm Rio, Dôen, and more.
InStyle / Marcus Millan
No matter where you’re headed — to a picnic in the park, a backyard wedding, or the post office — a maxi dress is always a good idea. They’re comfortable and versatile, while instantly elevating any look, no matter how casual. The only problem? The sheer amount of them on the market. Because narrowing them down can be daunting, we did the work for you.
We tried to make this list as extensive as possible, meaning that we considered textures, occasions, budgets, styles, and body types. We found something for the tall and for the petite. Something with full sleeves and some with no sleeves at all. Expecting mamas? There’s something for you too — as there is for the dancers and the i-just-want-to-lounge-on-the-couchers. The result? The absolute best maxi dresses to shop right now.
Best Overall : Skims Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress
What We Love: Like the sisterhood of the traveling dress, the slip miraculously looks flattering on all body types. What We Don’t Love: You can typically see the outline of your undergarments through the dress.
It’s safe to say that the Skims Soft Lounge slip dress pretty much broke the internet. The flattering silhouette went viral on Tiktok, with over 531 million people viewing the magical dress that seemingly looks flattering no matter who wears it. It’s the reason why we voted it our favorite Skims item of all time in our Best of Skims roundup. The bodycon dress feels buttery soft instead of restricting, draping to the floor like an effortless waterfall. The downside? Be ready to go commando, because it’s nearly impossible to find undergarments that don’t show through the dress. You can try your best with some no-show underwear, but in our experience, it doesn’t seem to matter.
Price at time of publish: $78
Size: XXS–4XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Modal, spandex
Best Budget: Lulus Floral Print Strappy Maxi Dress
What We Love: You can dress it up for a wedding, or down for a casual day in the city. What We Don’t Love: Women with bigger busts will need to be a little careful not to have a nip slip.
Whether you’re attending a wedding, meeting friends for brunch, or simply strolling around town, this flattering dress will suit all occasions. You can get so much wear out of this piece that it’s almost criminal that you can score it for only $52. Thanks to the cut designed to look flattering on almost all figures with a deep V-cut, low and strappy back, and a hem that extends out in an A-line, we can imagine everyone will love how they look in it. However, women with larger busts might want to grab their trusty boob tape, as the low cut can get a little dangerous with rigorous movements (like dancing).
Price at time of publish: $52
Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester
Best Splurge: Sir the Label Xanita Frill Midi Dress
What We Love: The brand operates under a responsible and sustainable business model. What We Don’t Love: It comes with complicated wash instructions.
With so many beautiful maxi dresses on the market, the one you’re going to splurge on with your hard-earned money should truly be a special piece. If the gorgeous print, ruffled plunge neckline, and unique back detail didn’t already sell you on this dress, then consider Sir The Label’s responsible and sustainable business practice, or how they only use clean and quality fabrics. Made with a blend of cotton, silk, and rayon, this piece is fully lined, so you never need to worry about it being see-through. Of course, such quality fabrics require equal levels of care. You’ll want to bring it to the dry cleaners in order to properly clean it without damaging the dress. But because of how beautiful inside and out it is, the dress deserves the splurge, if you ask us.
Price at time of publish: $460
Size: 0–10 | Colors: 2 | Material: Cotton, silk, rayon
Best Plus-Size: Eloquii Eyelet Tie Front Maxi Dress
What We Love: The unexpected floral embroidery and full skirt pair up to make an extraordinary maxi dress. What We Don’t Love: The fabric is substantial, which is ideal for cool summer nights, but not-so great for hot days. Customers also say it’s too long for shorter heights.
Leave it to Eloquii to create an unforgettable maxi dress, and one that is available in a truly inclusive size range, no less. It’s hard to pick a favorite feature of this dress. Is it the woven floral eyelet detail? Or the sweetheart neckline? Maybe it’s the easy, comfortable fit. Either way, it’ll become your new favorite maxi. Elloquii also offers a rental option for their new arrivals, which lets you try on up to four must-have styles in the comfort of your home before fully committing. A valued feature, if you ask us, since many customers have pointed out that it’s a bit too long for petite women.
Price at time of publish: $140
Size: 14–28 | Colors: 4 | Material: Cotton
Best Evening : Rumored Sunset Strip Maxi Dress
What We Love: It’s equal amounts seductive and modest, thanks to the low neckline yet loose cut. What We Don’t Love: Those with larger chests might find the deep V a little too revealing.
Here, a champagne dress to match the bubbly in your hand. This floor length gown has a little more pizazz than a slip dress with thicker shoulder straps and an outlined chest, which is why we recommend it for upscale evening soirées. The flattering front initially captivated us, but the open back detail left us speechless. It is elegant simplicity at its finest, balancing seduction and modesty through its low neckline and loose silhouette. That being said, it’s not the friendliest to people with larger chests. You’ll definitely want to lean on some boob tape to keep everything nicely tucked in.
Price at time of publish: $98
Size: XS–L | Colors: 5 | Material: Polyester, spandex
Best Petite : ASOS Sheer Ruffle Asymmetric Maxi Dress
What We Love: The color, the cut, and the ruffles make it stand out from a sea of similar looking dresses. What We Don’t Love: It’s a little see-through.
We are never not impressed with the petite line from ASOS — and this ruffled dress is no exception. Of course, we love the ruffles (which have been trending), but the minty green color and floral prints will brighten up any wardrobe to match the sunny day you’re about to head out to. With asymmetrical shoulders — one side features an off-the-shoulder strap, while the other has an elongated ruffle falling down your back — this piece stands out amongst simple slip dresses and basic black garments.
If you’ve fallen in love with this piece but aren’t petite, fear not, as the same dress is available in regular height and orange right here. Be aware that the dress is quite see through, however, so a little bodycon slip underneath may be necessary.
Price at time of publish: $66
Size: 00–12 | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester
Best Tall : Rat and Boa Catarina Dress
What We Love: Even with heels on, this dress reaches the floor. What We Don’t Love: It’s completely sheer.
Instagram phenomenon Rat and Boa always showcases gorgeous floor length dresses as the dresses you need to add to your closet. As a tall girl herself, writer Bianca Kratky celebrated finally finding a dress that actually touches the floor on her. As a matter of fact, their dresses are so long that they still reach the ground while wearing heels — so anyone shorter can enjoy the dresses, too. Does this make walking and dancing a little hazardous? Yes, but holding up the skirt with one hand fixes this problem. As stunning as the dress is, be aware that it is very sheer. Unless you are wearing it as a beach cover up, it is quite necessary to wear something underneath or your panties will definitely show through.
Price at time of publish: $195
Size: XXS–XXL | Colors: 1 | Material: Viscose
Best Printed: Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress
What We Love: The vibrant print makes it simple to dress up or down for both the night and day. What We Don’t Love: It runs large.
Coming in plus, petite, and standard sizes, this dress looks good on everyone — and we really mean it. Thanks to the smocked waist and subtle V-neck, the flattering silhouette will complement any body type. The floral print might feel daunting, but don’t worry, it comes in more subtle prints (as well as a few solid colors), too, in case you’d prefer to tone it down.
Because we know maxi dresses can feel heavy with tiers of fabric, the lightweight cotton material will actually be functional enough to wear during a heatwave without forcing you to hide in the AC all day. The pullover style can easily be slipped on when you’re on the go. And if you’re still not convinced, it even has pockets. It runs a little large, though, so we recommend sizing down.
Price at time of publish: $168
Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 8 | Material: Cotton
Best Halter : Free People Extratropical Maxi Dress
What We Love: It’s versatile enough to wear over a swimsuit or as a going out dress. What We Don’t Love: Size down to avoid a boxy fit.
No matter if you make going to the beach a lifestyle or not, this Free People dress will be the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe. It has a stretchy smocked bodice, halter neck tie, and low back for a fit that is effortless and flattering to wear. Raw seam detailing on the hem gives the dress that typical boho vibe we’ve come to expect from Free People, while the small tiers in the skirt gives the dress more flow. We like the taupe shade that can transition through different seasons, but it also comes in seven other summer-approved colors, like fuschia and bright yellow. Like the Anthropologie dress, this runs a bit big, too, so we suggest sizing down here, too.
Price at time of publish: $118
Size: XS–XL | Colors: 12 | Material: Rayon
Best Strapless: Bec + Bridge Moon Dance Strapless Dress
What We Love: It’s a modern take on an old school silhouette. What We Don’t Love: The material is very sensitive to liquids, and will require professionally dry cleaning.
For better or worse, all things Y2K are back. That includes (for the better) strapless dresses, especially the polarizing tube-shaped ones. But we say embrace it. Evoke your best early 2000s Jennifer Aniston with this oh-so effortless strapless dress from Bec and Bridge (which by the way, was worn by Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid as Lauren Perez’s bridesmaids). The silky fabric gives it an elegant look that makes the otherwise simple dress a standout.
Available in 18 colorways, you can pair it with a delicate necklace and colorful block heels. Just be sure to let professionals handle the wash at a dry cleaner, as the material is very delicate and prone to staining when wet.
Price at time of publish: $180
Size: 2–12 | Colors: 18 | Material: Viscose
Best with Sleeves: Aym Studio Taylor Maxi Dress
What We Love: From top to bottom, the dress is intended to flatter your figure. What We Don’t Love: Due to their slow fashion process, the dress might take a little longer to arrive.
Aym Studios makes designs intended to flatter the female body, which is evidenced in this long sleeved dress. Fitting tight above the waist (pulled together by the strings in the back) and revealing a flirty V-cut, the dress curves around the hips and drops down in an A-line silhouette. But the piece is more than just a beautiful garment to look at. It’s been crafted ethically by workers who earn a living wage. By processing most of their orders during a pre-order cycle, the brand creates a more accurate batch of clothing and eliminates tons of potential waste. For this reason, it might take a little longer to arrive at your doorsteps, but we think their ethical process is well worth the wait.
Price at time of publish: $119
Size: XXS–3XL | Colors: 5 | Material: Polyester, elastane
Best Casual : Dôen Delaney Dress
What We Love: While it looks casual, it still stands out with its unique design. What We Don’t Love: It may be a little too long for shorter women.
We love maxi dresses for how comfortable they are, especially when made from materials like soft organic cotton, which is why you shouldn’t reserve the floor length dress for formal events. Trust us, they can be worn casually, too. Everything from the rounded square neckline to the three bows at the front of this dress make this piece stand out with beauty, yet the dreamy material gives us permission to wear it daily because the texture of the organic cotton blends in effortlessly with all your other everyday clothing, unlike a silk dress would.
Because you probably don’t want to wear a casual dress with heels, know that this dress is quite long. (The model pictured here is five foot nine, and the dress is almost to the floor.) Petite ladies might find the hem to be a little too long. But a good tailor can shorten the length without a problem.
Price at time of publish: $268
Size: XXS–XXL | Colors: 1 | Material: Organic cotton
Best Vacation: Farm Rio Red Neon Floral Maxi Dress
What We Love: Flowy skirt and spaghetti straps help keep you cool under the sun. What We Don’t Love: Its uniqueness lessens the occasions you can wear it to.
Don’t be intimidated by the personality of this dress. Just like the brand itself, this multicolor maxi from Farm Rio is full of Brazilian spirit. It doesn’t lack a wow-factor and elicits a fun and vibrant spirit fit for any vacation. On hot days, the flowy skirt will keep airflow coming through, and spaghetti straps further help keep you cool. And just to add a few more points on the cuteness scale, the back can be tied closed in a big bow. Does the dress fit any and all occasions? Likely not, but for that free-spirited stroll during your travels it’s perfect.
Price at time of publish: $255
Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Cotton
Best for Travel : Na-kd Tie Strap Flowy Maxi Dress
What We Love: It’s equal parts comfortable and cute. What We Don’t Love: It’s only offered in one color.
Two things to consider when shopping for a travel dress: the first is that it must be comfortable enough to endure a long flight. The second is that it needs to look cute on your destination’s backdrop when you rewear it — with such limited packing space, why bring a dress that has only one purpose? This dress from Na-kd has all the right qualifications. Nothing on this flowy piece will constrict you or cause discomfort during your flight, and the lighthearted blue floral prints would look great in Italy, Mexico, and Bali all the same (in case you need some travel inspiration). We love it so much, we wish it came in a few more colors to choose from.
Price at time of publish: $85
Size: 32–44 | Colors: 1 | Material: Recycled polyester
Best Crochet: Dissh Ophelia Natural Long Sleeve Crochet Dress
What We Love: You can wear it on its own or over a slip dress. What We Don’t Love: The dress runs large, so size down for a true fit.
We know what you’re thinking, “Are crochet dresses even practical?” That depends. Are you going to the beach and need something to cover up? Do you have a gorgeous slip dress that just needs a bit of covering? Maybe you want to show off that expensive lingerie you bought. Leave it to Australian label Dissh to create a sophisticated crochet dress fit for all such occasions. Available in beige and black in a relaxed fit, this is the perfect vacation dress that’s as much covering as it is revealing. We only advise to size down, as we’ve bought several items from Dissh before which have all been a size too large.
Price at time of publish: $260
Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 2 | Material: Viscose, nylon
Best Linen: Reformation Marcie Linen Dress
What We Love: You can look elegant and stay cool at the same time. What We Don’t Love: It’s not bra-friendly.
Summer equals linen, as the lightweight and breezy fabric is ideal in regulating your body’s temperature. We recently featured this piece in our best linen dress story, as the sustainably-made maxi dress doesn’t cling in an uncomfortable way, maximizing breeze and keeping you cool. The low back and high neck combo also makes you look effortlessly chic. Basically, it’s a fool-proof way to avoid looking like a sweaty mess, and instead look like a well ventilated work of elegance. If you don’t trust yourself in white, the dress is available in mustard and light blue as well. Finding the right bra for this may be tricky however. You may need to go braless, or work with some nipple pasties.
Price at time of publish: $148
Size: XS–XL | Colors: 3 | Material: Linen
Best Maternity : ASOS Maternity Open Back Lace Maxi Dress
What We Love: You can wear it at any stage of your pregnancy. What We Don’t Love: Washing it could be a hassle, considering the buttons and lace.
Dresses are particularly helpful during pregnancy, and this beauty allows you to celebrate motherhood in style. Whether you’re three months in or nine, the loose fit will gracefully drape over your belly without a problem. In fact, you can probably get away with wearing this even post-pregnancy. You don’t have to worry about overgrowing any bodycon dresses. Be careful when you wash this, however, as the delicate lace and buttons throughout could easily get destroyed.
Price at time of publish: $71
Size: 2–16 | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester
Best Slip: The Line by K Florence Slip Dress
What We Love: The texture is a suede like satin. What We Don’t Love: There aren’t many color options.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a roundup of dresses if we didn’t include a beautiful slip option. This one comes with a suede like satin texture, and features mildly ruched cups and a dipped back. The spaghetti straps are tied at your mid back, and adds a dainty design element to the overall look. It’s only offered in three colors, however, and none of them include black or white. You’re going to get the more stand-out colors, like blue and yellow, or opt for the more neutral “cement” color.
Price at time of publish: $219
Size: XS–XL | Colors: 3 | Material: Cupro, rayon
What to Keep in Mind
Length
Ideally, a maxi dress falls between your ankle and the top of your toes. If it happens to be too long, you risk tripping over yourself. Before you faceplant in public, consider taking your too-long maxi dress to the tailor for a quick hem or consider wearing it with a heel — think a casual block-heeled sandal or wedge — for additional height.
It can be a bit tricky to find one for the tall folks out there, but the Rat and Boa Catarina Dress and even the Doen Delaney Dress does long legged ladies justice. If you’re on the petite side, the Asos Sheer Ruffle Asymmetric Maxi Dress was intentionally cut shorter to fit your height.
Material
For breezy summer maxis, opt for ones made of linen (like the Reformation Marcie Linen Dress) cotton (think Doen Delaney Dress ), viscose (hello Rat and Boa Catarina Dress), or a blend of the two. They’ll be the most lightweight and breathable. Silk maxis makes for perfectly slinky formal dresses, and if you want a hint of stretch, keep an eye out for elastane in the material makeup. No matter which material you choose though, read the maxi dress’s washing instructions carefully so you can commit to caring for it properly to extend the dress’s lifespan.
Fit
Maxi dresses can consist of a lot of fabric. (“Maxi” is in the name, after all...) If your height or body type is easily overwhelmed by oversized dresses, opt for a slimmer maxi dress, like a column dress. Alternatively, if you want to embrace the volume of a maxi dress, shop for one with bold lines, like ruffles and tiers. The Asos Sheer Ruffle Asymmetric Maxi Dress and Asos Maternity Open Back Lace Maxi Dress are great examples of such. There are plenty of maxi dresses on the market no matter what shape you prefer — just be intentional about fit as you’re shopping, so you know you’ll reach for the maxi over and over.
Your Questions, Answered
What shoes do you wear with maxi dresses?
What type of shoes you wear with a maxi dress depends on the weather, occasion, and overall look you’re going for. A chunky pair of Chelsea boots will give you a bit of an edgy twist, especially to a typically feminine dress, while a slinky pair of sandals adds a careless summer vibe. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
What’s the best way to hang maxi dresses in a closet?
As you’re considering how to hang a maxi dress, take two things into consideration: the material and the weight of the dress. A lightweight cotton or linen dress is best hung the traditional way, as you would a shirt, on a velvet hanger in a tall hanging storage space. If a dress is too long for your closet, hang it on the back of a door with a hook. For strapless dresses, or ones made of a stretchy knit or heavy material, fold it over the hanger. You don’t want the shoulders (if there are any) to stretch.
Why Shop With Us
Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer at InStyle with over two years of experience covering fashion and beauty items. Megan McCarty is a full-time freelancer who consistently writes about fashion and beauty for People, USA Today’s Reviewed, Bustle, Well+Good, and more. Together they researched and compiled a list of best maxi dresses for 2023, and spoke with style experts, like designer Sarah Nsikak, costume designer and wardrobe stylist Caroline Sebastian, and petite expert Victoria Sass for further insights.
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