the maxi dress {& painted earth giveaway winner!}

Everyone needs a maxi dress in their summer wardrobe. This easy-to-throw-on, chic & put-together look is so versatile; dress it up or down, take it from day to night, and accessorize in all sorts of different ways. Here are a few tips to go by when choosing a maxi ::

  • Find one that hits you between the ankle and the top of the foot. That gives you the ability to pair both flats/sandals as well as wedges/heels with the dress. You don't want to buy a dress that is so long that you have to wear a heel with it every time.
  • On that note, be sure to stay away from dresses that hit you mid-calf. This cuts your legs in half and gives you the illusion of wider and shorter legs; a look no one wants to achieve!
  • A defined waist is the way to go. Don't choose a maxi that hangs and doesn't accentuate your shape. Find one that defines the small of your waist and hits under the bust line for the ultimate figure-flattery. This goes for all shapes, especially larger busted ladies and petites.

 Here are some of my favorite maxi dresses for all your summer occasions ::

Splurge :: Anthropologie

Save :: Old Navy

Mid-price :: Jessica Simpson. Vertical stripes lead the eye up and down, creating a slimming effect.

Mid-Price Range :: Eliza J. Flattering neckline, and wide dark band around waistline gives illusion of a smaller waist.

Save :: Old Navy, the LBMD {Little Black Maxi Dress}

A strapless option with a flattering chevron pattern, Nordstrom.

You can never go wrong with a red. Perfect for a night out, Topshop.

And now, the winner of last week's Painted Earth Baked Mineral Blush giveaway! Drumroll please... Ashley O'Dea! Congratulations, you are the new owner of Painted  Earth Apricot Swirl Mineral Blush {a $36 value}! Simply email courtney@lifestyledatlanta.com with your address and we'll get it in the mail to you. Thank you to everyone who entered, and stay tuned for another giveaway coming soon!

Stylishly Yours,

Courtney