The Ultimate Guide to Maxi Dresses: Style, Sizing & Body Shape Tips (UK & USA)

Maxi dresses are timeless, elegant, and endlessly versatile. From summer beachwear to formal evening events, they offer floor-length impact with minimal effort. But despite their popularity, many women still struggle with how to choose the right maxi dress for their body shape, how long a maxi dress should be, and whether to size up or down.

This detailed guide covers everything: maxi dress lengths, fit tips, flattering silhouettes by body shape, and how to find your perfect size instantly using Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading fashion sizing tool.

What is a Maxi Dress?

A maxi dress is defined by its full-length hemline that typically grazes the ankles or floor. Unlike midi or mini dresses, a maxi covers the leg entirely, offering a modest yet stylish silhouette.

Key features:

• Length: Typically 55–62 inches (140–157 cm) from shoulder to hem

• Fabrics: Cotton, jersey, silk, chiffon, crepe, and stretch blends

• Styles: Strapless, wrap, A-line, empire waist, tiered, halter, puff-sleeve, shirt dress

How Long Should a Maxi Dress Be?

The ideal length of a maxi dress depends on:

• Your height

• Your footwear (flats vs. heels)

• The occasion

General guidance:

• With flat shoes: Maxi should just skim the top of your feet

• With heels: It can extend to just above floor length

• For petites: Look for 48–53 inches in length or choose petite-specific lines

• For tall frames: Standard lengths may look midi—opt for tall fit ranges

Pro tip: If the hemline drags or pools at the floor, it’s too long—unless you’re wearing it with platform heels.

Flattering Maxi Dress Styles by Body Shape

Maxi dresses can work for every body shape—but the right cut and detailing are key.

Hourglass

• Ideal styles: Wrap dresses, belted waist, V-necklines

• Why: Accentuates defined waist and natural curves

• Avoid: Straight cuts with no waist shaping

Pear-Shaped

• Ideal styles: Empire waist, A-line skirt, halter or off-shoulder tops

• Why: Highlights upper body while skimming hips

• Avoid: Bodycon or clingy jersey dresses

Apple-Shaped

• Ideal styles: Empire waist, tiered maxi, soft pleats, wrap cuts

• Why: Draws focus to the bust and away from the midsection

• Avoid: High-neckline straight dresses

Rectangle / Athletic

• Ideal styles: Ruched sides, cut-outs, puff sleeves, shirred bodices

• Why: Adds softness and creates curves

• Avoid: Boxy, straight-down styles

Petite

• Ideal styles: High waisted, vertical prints, V-necks

• Why: Elongates the frame

• Avoid: Oversized patterns or excessive tiers

Tall

• Ideal styles: Longline shirt dresses, belted styles, open-back maxis

• Why: Showcases height and flow

• Avoid: Dresses that cut mid-calf or look too short

Sizing Tips for Maxi Dresses

Despite being loose-fitting, maxi dresses can be tricky to size correctly.

Should I Size Up?

It depends on the fabric and cut:

• Stretch jersey or ribbed knits: True to size or size down

• Woven fabrics (like cotton or viscose): May need to size up if there's no stretch

• Smocked, shirred, or elasticated bodices: Often run large—check fit at bust

• Wrap maxis: Typically adjustable—stick to your usual size

Bust and waist fit are the most important measurements for maxi dresses. Hips usually have enough room due to the flared skirt.

Seasonal Maxi Dress Styles

Maxi dresses work year-round:

• Spring/Summer: Linen, cotton, spaghetti straps, bright prints, side slits

• Autumn/Winter: Long sleeve jersey maxis, knit maxi dresses, heavier crepe or wool blends

• Evening/Formal: Satin or chiffon gowns, backless silhouettes, floor-sweeping hems

Maxis aren’t just casual. Brands now offer elevated, tailored maxi styles with collars, belts, and statement sleeves for smart events or weddings.

Best Brands for Maxi Dresses (UK & USA)

How to Know Your Perfect Maxi Dress Size — Instantly

Finding the right size in a maxi dress is about more than just your label size. Different brands, cuts, and materials all affect fit.

The easiest way to get it right?

Enter: Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s Leading Sizing Tool

Tellar.co.uk matches your exact body measurements—or your known brand size—to over 1,500 clothing brands, including all the major maxi dress retailers.

How it works:

1. 📏 Enter your bust, waist, and hips – or just tell Tellar a brand and size you know fits you well.

2. 🧠 Tellar uses real brand data to match your body to the correct size in that exact dress, instantly.

3. ✅ It works across high street and designer retailers.

4. 🔄 If a dress runs large or small, Tellar adjusts the recommendation accordingly.

Never guess again. Never waste time on returns.

Why Tellar.co.uk Is Essential for Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses are affected by:

• Body shape

• Length vs height

• Bust and waist fit

• Brand-specific quirks

Tellar factors all of that in—so your floor-length dress is flattering, fits beautifully, and feels just right.

Get Started for Free

• ➡️ tellar.co.uk

• ➡️ Use the Store Size Lookup Tool

• ➡️ Download your free measuring tape to take accurate measurements

Explore More Free Fashion Guides on the Tellar Fashion Hub

Tellar’s Fashion Hub is an always-free library of expert-written posts on:

• Sizing by brand and region

• Body shape styling

• Product-specific advice

Popular reads:

• Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate Guide

• The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

• UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes

Everything is:

✅ Honest

✅ Unbiased

✅ Always Free

Stay Connected for Styling Advice and Sizing Tips

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Twitter/X: @TellarSizing

• Facebook: Tellar Sizing

• Pinterest: TellarSizing

Final Word

Maxi dresses can flatter every body—but only if they’re the right cut, length, and fit. Don’t rely on guessing or generic size charts. Tellar.co.uk takes your body and matches it to the correct size, in real time, in 1,500+ brands.

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.