Maxis are an essential part of your Summer wardrobe – they keep you cool in the hot weather, and hide a multitude of sins without scrimping on style.

Jersey or tube styles are popular options with maxi dresses, and for added glamour opt for a halterneck style.  This versatile items can also be carried into evening, by covering up arms with a shrug or shawl.

These dresses hit the floor in the most fashionable way, so make sure you’re not without a maxi this season.

The latest women’s fashion news courtesy of the Roman Originals blog.

However, women’s fashion rules can sometimes go out the window when you’re on holiday, so a simple guide to make sure you feel comfortable and look your best can be useful.

With holiday ranges already been stocked in many ladies clothing retailers, it’s a good idea to buy now and save for later, leaving it until the last minute may leave you in a stress, as many holiday clothes are snapped up in advance.

This also gives you plenty of time to find what suits you best and it also means you can keep track of new collections and arrivals into stores. You have time to try the outfits on at home and make sure that they fit you correctly.

Check your wardrobe for potential pieces that you would like to take with you, and then you can eliminate what you need to buy from there.

Try on different patterns, fabrics and fittings; spend time trying on different shapes to find what flatters you the most.

Quick tips guide:

Tall and slim- the maxi dress is made for you.

Petite- You can get away with wearing horizontal stripes.

Small bust- Florals and dresses with ruffles around the bust give the impression of an enhanced bust.

Large bust- Deep v-necklines can balance you out, and make sure you are not too over-exposed.

Pear shapes- waist belts will cinch you in, and full skirts will hide a fuller bottom.

The latest women’s fashion news courtesy of the Roman Originals blog.

Whether you are looking for day dresses to wear on Christmas day, or evening dresses for parties in the lead up to the festive period, there are loads of gorgeous styles to choose from this season.

Cocktail Dress

The cocktail dress is an essential piece of clothing for any ladies wardrobe and has been a classic for years. Recently we have seen celebrities such as Keira Knightley and Heidi Klum stepping out on the red carpet with stunning cocktail dresses, and there are loads of different styles to choose from. If you have a slim body shape and want to show off your legs, then a super short cocktail will be ideal for you. Choose strong metallic, red and deep purple colours to make an impression this Christmas. You also can’t go wrong with a little black cocktail dress. If you are quite curvaceous, then a gorgeous ruffled cocktail dress will hide the areas you want to cover up, while keeping your look stylish and glamorous. There are also short styles with long sleeves, which means you won’t be showing off too much flesh. All styles of cocktail dresses can be adapted depending on whether you choose to wear them during the day or for Christmas parties.

Maxi Dress

The maxi dress is a popular trend at the moment and is a style which will suit most body shapes. The dress sits just above floor length and is a perfect choice for those glamorous Christmas parties. Vintage is such an important trend this season, that a maxi dress in this style will keep you looking extremely fashionable this year. Bandeau and halter-neck maxi dresses will show off your assets, and most styles skim the hips, so they will flatter any shape of body. There are also lots of print style maxi dresses, which is another important trend for this season. To make your maxi dress look more expensive and glamorous, just team it up with some costumer jewellery, and a pair of stylish heels or wedges.

Shift Dress

A shift dress is a great buy for Christmas parties, as the style is quite loose, which means it will flatter any body shape, and there are lots of styles and lengths to choose from. The shift dress has grown in popularity over the years, so if you adorn this trend over the festive period, you will be sure to stand out from the crowd. Some styles of shift dress include ruffled animal print, which is a trend in itself this season, and long sleeved shift dresses, which are great if you want to cover up this area. Lace fabric shift dresses are also very stylish at the moment.

One Shoulder Dress

One shoulder dresses are another style which is popular at the moment, and will give you a subtly sexy look. Styles of these dresses include pencil, which is flattering for all body shapes, and embellished one shoulder dresses, which are glamorous and ideal for wearing for Christmas parties and nights out.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The floral dress is a big hit again this spring; whether youâ??re into bold floral prints or slightly more demure floral embellishments, flowers are blossoming in all styles this season. Floral dresses are effortless and an easy yet fashionable statement.  Teaming floral numbers with a pretty piece of jewellery can easily convert practical day dresses into elegant evening dresses.

Printed dresses, not just the floral kind, are also big this spring. Our border print shift is a beautiful dress perfect for spring frolicking, and its overlapping capped sleeves fit in well with this seasonâ??s key trends – layered dresses are all over the spring/summer catwalks.

Animal print dresses are also in popular demand this season, our zebra print dress features a flattering v-neckline and shoulder tucks â?? and weâ??ve got similar tops and skirts if youâ??re willing to give the feisty animal print a whirl.

Another key trend, which was popular last spring, is the maxi dress. They are comfortable enough for casual wear â?? a picnic on a beautiful day or perhaps lunch with a friend and can look charmingly elegant for a few drinks on a balmy evening. Maxi dresses look effortlessly chic with flat sandals but you could always glam yourself up with a pair of killer heels.  By mixing prints and florals our maxi dress is bang on trend this season.

Pretty spring dresses are perfect pieces for daytime to evening transitions and with such a vast collection to choose from weâ??ll leave you with the decision to pick your favourite. Why not leave a comment on your dress of choice?