MAXImize your MAXIS!

Petite women often find that maxi dresses are too long for their diminutive figures. Those determined enough to wear the comfortable stylish look will cut off as much as a yard of cloth to fit their frames.

If they're really clever, tiny maxinistas will use the extra fabric to make a matching wrap or if they're adept seamstresses they might even make a cropped jacket or summer hat, making their maxi look even more chic.

Those of us with taller frames can get the same chic look by purchasing two identical maxis, cutting the bottom 12-18 inches off to make one of the dresses knee-length, and using the fabric to add a matching accessory or to add sleeves to the shorter dress.

Try to catch maxis on sale if you're planning to buy two, however. Either way, you'll end up with a unique look that will look quite a bit more expensive than what you actually paid, whether you buy one dress if you're petite or two if you're not.

Maxis year round!

I refused to give up my maxis during winter this year, despite record snowfall and frigid temperatures. I just added a turtleneck, some tights, and a blazer to my sleeveless maxis and was toasty warm and fashion forward.

But spring is here and it's time to take off the winter gear and let my maxi dresses shine! For spring this year, I have to find ways to jazz up my maxis from last year and previous years since my budget won't allow me to purchase new ones.

So, how do I do that? For one thing, I can use those cropped jackets I have in my closet to dress up my maxis or a blazer to make them office-friendly. I can also dress them up with jewelry and scarves or a pair of matching sandals.

I'm going to have fun figuring out what to wear with my maxis this spring and summer! The possibilities aren't endles, but they're as plentiful as the styles, colors, and designs of maxi dresses available. Have fun wearing your maxis this season!