Spring/Summer 2011 Maxi Dress Trend

It's impossible to imagine sunny summer days without the light, breezy and comfy maxi dress. This is an essential item for the warm season due to its versatility and practicality. When choosing the most flattering maxi dress you need to pay attention to its length and go for one that is not at heel level, which is too short, but one that slightly covers your feet. As for the footwear chosen, flats are the best choice, such as a pair of gladiators or chic, simple flat sandals. However, if you are petite and want to look taller, a pair of platform sandals work amazingly.

Spring/summer 2011 brings a riot of different styles, shapes and colors when it comes to the popular maxi dress. From bright, dazzling colors and wild, daring prints to the classic white and soft nude, this season the long dress is making a strong comeback. You just have to find the most flattering style for your body shape and enjoy summer to the fullest.

Long gone the days when short dresses were the key element during hot summer days. Now, when temperatures rise, the saving solution comes from a long, very long dress made from delicate fabrics. Therefore, the maxi dress is not just an appropriate choice for a formal, red carpet event, but also for casual, daytime outfits. Since the simplicity and the elegance of minimalism are incontestable, spring/summer 2011 brings beautiful, fresh pastels and neutrals, romantic white and nude maxi dresses, perfect for an effortless and impeccable, yet extremely feminine appearance.

The maxi dress can easily be called an old faithful. However, throughout time, designers reinvented this key element coming up with numerous versions and making the maxi dress a very adaptable and practical piece. Back once again, the spring/summer 2011 long dress gently floats around the body exuding femininity and a timeless romantic vibe. It's time we join the captivating world of floral prints which decorate every surface of the dress in order to enhance your spring mood.

Everywhere on the catwalks one could see amazing, bohemian floor-sweeping dresses with lovely floral prints. And indeed, flowers exploded across the collections and the popular maxi dress makes no exception. From small, delicate flowers and Liberty prints to large floral prints, maxi dresses bring a touch of innocent, sweet romance. Rebecca Taylor, Dolce & Gabbana and Erdem are just some of the designers who proposed flowing, floral printed maxi gowns for the upcoming season.

Roarrr! Ground-skimming dresses and animal prints result into something spectacular, sexy and bold. Even though until now we mostly thought of wearing animal prints on accessories, shoes or handbags, it's time we make one step forward and try something bolder. For spring/summer 2011, maxi dresses with leopard prints are so hot even for daytime wear. If you find the head-to-toe animal printed outfit too much, you can still try other trendy patterns such as graphic or ethnic prints. Maybe you already know this, but brights are one of the hottest trends for the warm season. Fascinating shades and clashing combinations were seen on numerous fashion shows. Jil Sander and Sonia Rykiel opted for daring bright maxi dresses.

Spring/summer 2011 trends are characterized by extravagance, colors and elegance. Nowadays, black is not the only possible color choice for a chic formal dress. If you want to add a special feeling to your evening gown, draw your inspiration from the latest trends and opt for a maxi dress in a unique color or with different embellishments that can make you look just like a diva on the red carpet. Maxi dresses with a rather refined touch could be spotted at Elie Saab, Badgley Mischka, Jenny Packham, Gianfranco Ferré, among others.

Every single one of this creations proves that a simple maxi dress can definitely turn heads. Glamour, femininity and sensuality are the best words describing the main effect of a perfect long gown that despite its apparent simplicity shows off a woman's most beautiful features. Besides, a slash-front maxi dress reveals sexy legs in a non-vulgar way.

Photos via Style.com