Posts Tagged ‘maxi dress’

The summer has barely got going and already it is time for the summer sale at Roman Originals with up to 50% off our range of beautiful summer clothes. To make life easier we are also offering free delivery on orders over £60 and free exchanges should you find that the item that you have ordered is not absolutely perfect for you. The summer sale offers you a great opportunity to get some of the summers key trends at a fraction of the price, but hurry, they  won’t be there for long.

If you have a wedding or any other important events on this summer, this dress is the ideal choice of outfit. Maxi dresses are really on trend this year but they are also becoming a bit of a classic item that is likely to stay in fashion year after year. This maxi dress has a flattering empire line or seam just under the bust which skims over tummies legs and thighs creating the perfect streamlined silhouette. It also has a lovely floral pattern.

Another key trend that is likely to last in to future seasons is animal print. This animal print dress will work equally well for the summer or winter. It is a great choice for work wear or parties, just team with either a black or neutral coloured jacket or some great heels and a clutch bag.

This lightweight waterfall cardigan is not only versatile and will go with all sorts of outfits but it is also season less and works for the cooler days in the evening and summer as well as autumn and winter. The long line of this cardigan is incredibly elegant and looks great with a pair of jeans for a causal look or tailored trousers for  a smarter look.

The summer sales are a great opportunity to stock on basics at a great price. At Roman Originals, there is a great selection of tops for all occasions. For work wear, the sleeveless tops or  camisoles are great for wearing under suits and there are also plenty of smart blouses which can be teamed with a pair of smart trousers for a no effort work outfit.

A bolero or shrug is the perfect accessory for wearing with dresses on a summer evening or to keep you warm on those slightly cooler days. The cropped style of a bolero looks great with both casual and party dresses as well as jeans and t shirt. The great thing about boleros and shrugs is that they do not affect the line of a beautiful party dress.

If you don’t already have a great pair of smart or tailored trousers, the sale is  a great opportunity to get one. A pair of boot cut trousers is incredibly flattering. If worn with heels it will have a lengthening effect on your leg. It is also a real wardrobe staple which can be teamed with just about any blouse or smart top for a work outfit. This navy pair of trousers is a great colour which works with a number of trends including the summers nautical trend but will also never go out of fashion.

floral maxi dressesformal maxi dresses

You may have written off maxi dresses as a trend for young twenty something girls or very tall people, but the maxi dress is an elegant choice for ladies of any age. They have a number of great qualities which make them a flattering and feminine option for all sorts of occasions including as evening dresses, occasion dresses, casual or even beach wear. The maxi dress is moving from the realms of high fashion to become a classic style of dress that almost everyone wants to own. It is particularly suitable for summer due to its long flowing nature but maxi dresses are also great for more formal occasions in the winter or casual when made of a slightly thicker  jersey  fabric.

One of the most endearing qualities of the maxi dress is that it covers the legs completely. For those who don’t like showing off their legs it is a great way to look ultra feminine and elegant. It removes all those worries about whether to wear tights or not and whether your legs look too white. The long skirt is incredibly flattering for those with a pear shaped figure or larger legs, calves or ankles.

Most maxi dresses have an empire line. This describes the seam that runs just below the bust that creates the illusion of a high waist. The beauty of this style is that the fabric hangs loosely from just below the bust so it does not cling or emphasise the tummy area. This aspect of the maxi dress makes it especially flattering for those with an apple shaped figure or rounder tummy. The empire line is also a classic style that adds to the femininity of the maxi dress.

During the summer months, when the weather is hot you may long for something to wear that looks stylish and glamorous without being too warm. The maxi dress is the perfect choice as it is so loose fitting. It will look great for weddings or summer parties and can easily be dressed up with heels, a cluch bag and some stunning jewellery. Alternatively a more casual style of maxi dress works perfectly as a beach cover up or for wearing with sandals for everyday wear.

There are  so many choices of maxi dress available that there is something available to suit any body shape or ocassion. For those who would like to cover up their arms, it is possible to get maxi dresses with short sleeves. Alternatively maxi dresses look great when worn with a short cropped cardigan. Halter necks, high necks and spaghetti straps are also options depending on what looks best on you.

The maxi dress is a trend that looks like it is going to be here to stay for some time. Anyone can find a maxi dress that looks amazing, they just need to pick the style carefully. If you are short, a maxi dress looks great with wedge heels, you should also look for a style that has a fairly slim fit skirt. Shorter ladies should also avoid large scale patterns which can over power them.

Cocktail dress is a term that means slightly different things to different people. It is basically a little less formal than a ball dress but still quite formal or ’semi formal’. Some would describe it as the short knee length dress style worn in the 1920’s whilst others consider it a much broader term used to describe any semi formal dress with length varying according to the fashions of the time. If you are lucky enough to be invited to a cocktail party or an event that requires cocktail dress, there is huge choice of potential evening dresses that you could wear from knee length (or even mini) to maxi. Just to confuse things cocktail dress can sometimes be described as ‘informal’ on the invitations, but this term also sometimes describes smart casual. So if unsure, it is always worth checking out with the host. For men cocktail dress will usually mean a dark coloured suit and dress shirt.

Generally cocktail dresses are made from fabrics like chiffon, satin, lace and taffeta. They often have details like embellishments, sequin and beading making them something a little bit special. Cocktail dresses can be worn for any sort of party or occasion. These days the word cocktail dress is used to describe all sorts of dresses from evening gowns to much shorter party dresses. What you choose to wear will depend very much on the party that you are going to and your own individual style. Here are a few ideas:

The Little Black Dress

black cocktail dress UK

The little black dress is probably one of the all time most popular choices for semi formal evening wear or cocktail dresses. It is incredibly versatile, classic and flattering. The empire line style of this dress is a great style for those who want to disguise their tummies.

The Asymmetrical dress

asymetrical cocktail dress

Assymetrical dresses are very much on trend at the moment. The Greek goddess or one shouldered look works amazingly well with evening wear and is again a really flattering style. This velvet assymetrical dress is simple and stylish, the velvet adds a touch of luxury.

The Maxi dress

maxi evening dress

A maxi length dress that skims the floor is another trend for 2010 that translates so well into evening wear or a cocktail dress. Most maxi style dresses are empire line making them incredibly flattering. The long length makes them good for slightly more formal events or those that like to get really dressed up.

The Strapless Gown

strapless cocktail evening gown

For parties that require a more formal style of dress, a strapless gown is a great choice. The neckline is simple and allows for a feature necklace to be worn. The bodice is usually quite fitted with the skirt quite full. A laced corset style strapless dress is ideal for getting the fit of the dress just right.

As with any outfit, when wearing a cocktail dress or gown, it is important to get the accessories just right. You should pick some elaborate accessories that compliment your dress perfectly including a clutch bag and some heeled shoes and perhaps a shrug or wrap.

It is only the beginning of May and we have already experienced some very warm summer like weather. Everyone will be hoping for lots more of this weather over the coming months. But when the weather is so beautiful, what can we wear to keep cool and look stylish? A dress is the perfect answer for all sorts of situations. A smart dress works well as an alternative to a suit for work. Dresses are also great casual choices when worn sandals or flip flops for a hot summer day or holiday outfit. There are so many different styles of summer dresses to choose from including minimalist shift and shirt dresses, to bright bold and colourful prints and more subtle patterns. There are day dresses, occasion dresses and evening dresses but some versatile dresses can work for more than one of these.  Here are some of our favourites for 2010.

floral print dress

The floral dress -florals are incredibly popular during the spring and summer months and are a great way to cheer up your wardrobe and add some beautiful colours. There are plenty of different florals to choose from including small scale ditsy prints to bold and bright florals in pinks and reds. Florals dresses are incredibly feminine, they do not need much in the way of accessories. A simple tan leather handbag will work really well.

maxi dress

The maxi dress- with their long and flowing style, maxi dresses are perfect for hot weather and also look really glamorous for more formal occasions. For the most flattering style opt for a simple empire line top and a brighter border print around the skirt. Maxi dresses usually look best when worn with heels. A clutch bag will complete this look perfectly.

tie dye dress

The tie dye dress - this seasons tie dye dress is a great daytime option and also perfect for the beach or holiday. Team with flip flops and sandals and a straw hat for the beach. This dress is just right for slipping on over your swimming costume or bikini.

shift dress

The shift dress - We love the shift dress for its versatility and classic style. It is the ultimate in smart work wear for summer. This year minimalist styles are big news and a shift in a  plain or neutral dress is such a great way to work this trend.

check dress

The check dress - check shirts are a massive trend this year. A checked dress is great for those who can’t do without their checks even in the really hot weather. It is also a great alternative for those who want to wear a dress but find floral dresses too feminine.

navy shirt dress

The shirt dress - if you are looking for a smart casual dress in a classic style that will last for many years to come the shirt dress is a great choice . It is also really flattering and fits in well with this years military trend. As the neckline is quite high, you can wear slightly unbuttoned with a simple necklace or just add some chunky bangles.

empire line evening dressempire line shift dressrose print empire line dress

The empire line dress is universally loved as a classic and flattering piece. It is just about everyone’s best friend as it is flattering for most body shapes. The empire line describes dresses, tops and even jackets that have a horizontal seam just below the bust line. It is a clever way of allowing the body and skirt of a dress to hang in such a way that it skims over the stomach, hips and thighs which are often problem areas that people want to hide. It also helps to lengthen the body and is particularly flattering for pear and apple shapes.  Empire line is also sometimes described as a high waisted dress. The name of this style of dress is taken from the First French Empire.

Another key attraction to the empire line dress is that is very comfortable particularly in warm weather. The material is quite loose around the torso and legs making it easier to keep cool and move about in. It is also comfortable to sit in as the fabric around the waist is not too tight.

Empire line dresses have been around for years, in fact a basic form of empire line was worn by ancient Greeks and Romans when they wore belts under the bust to give shape to their flowing robes. The empire line has also been popular throughout history and enjoyed a revival in the sixties. Since then it has remained a key classic piece that doesn’t go out of fashion.

There are various different styles of empire line dresses with different bust shapes and varying amounts of fabric used in the skirt. Some will have pleats or folds around the empire line seam or an a line shape giving a fuller more flowing skirt This gives a romantic look which is great for evening dresses and occasion dresses. Others will have a slimmer fit for a neater look. This type of empire line is more suitable for a smarter or work dresses. There are also varying lengths of empire line dress from the mini style, to the shift dress which is usually just below knee length and the maxi dress which skims the floor.

The baby doll dress is a version of the empire line dress which became popular in the sixties. It is usually mini length with a flat and unshaped bust. A great style for hiding a round tummy and showing off legs so perfect for apple shapes.

All of the empire line dresses and tops also work really well for petite or shorter ladies. The higher waist makes the body look longer and helps to create an illusion of height, whist keeping everything else in proportion.

Empire line dresses can be very plain or patterned. Some designs make a feature of the empire line with embellishments, trim or different fabrics on the top and bottom. You can add an interesting feature to an empire line dress yourself by adding a belt or ribbon in a contrasting colour around the empire line.  Wider belts tend to look better where the skirt is fuller and narrower belts on more fitted styles.