The ageless maxi is back . . . and it’s my fashion crush
EveryoNe has their fashion crushes, don’t they? I mean those items of clothing that make your heart flip because of all the memories.
It might date back to your adolescence, when clothes were the gateway to adulthood (any platform boots); or it could be something that fitted as if it had been made for you — and wearing it you felt like the queen of the world (strapless satin dress, red, borrowed for one night only in the 1980s).
one thing about a fashion crush you can guarantee: it won’t be a useful turtleneck or a wax jacket. Still, if you’re lucky, you’ll have one that could work again, if certain conditions were met, and come the day when this crush re-enters the fashion charts, you can revisit your fashion happy place.
If you happen to have a thing for long skirts (number three on my list), this time has now come. They’re back this summer in a big way, and the risks of looking like an old Woodstock hippy are less than zero just as long as you abide by a few basic rules, starting with go for a slimmer cut.
The long skirts I’ve worn over the years have varied from tiered and low on the hip (in the 1990s) to narrow A- line with a yolk top (Laura Ashley, 1974).
But tiers are off the table now: too virginal or too hippy, and (unless you are sapling slim) almost always fattening. Stick to simple, paredback styles, however, and long skirts have a lot going for them.
THey are age-proof, for one. you don’t have to have great legs or good skin or even smooth, depilated legs to wear a long skirt — although a decent pedicure is advisable since you’ll probably want to wear opentoed sandals (closed footwear with a long skirt can end up making you feel too covered up).
They’re a similar silhouette to baggy or palazzo trousers, but more elegant and cooler in the heat.
And they have some of the advantages of trousers (leg lengthening, easy-to-wear) and none of the drawbacks of regular skirts or dresses i.e. having to work out what to wear on your lower legs ( especially tricky in early summer when they’ve been hidden away for so long).
Worn in a nonchalant, smart casual way with a plain T-shirt or a vest under a shirt, they can be a really useful part of your summer wardrobe.
The long skirts we can do business with aren’t waisted. The top either has an elasticated waist (more comfortable and flattering than a gathered waist) or a soft yoke top with some stretch, which allows you to wear the skirt higher or lower on the hips, whatever suits you best.
Hush has a good orange maxi skirt with a drawstring waist that’s lean and nicely draped
without being clingy (£79, hush-uk.com) and Me+ em does a yoke top skirt in soft cheesecloth, with stretch, in cream with a black daisy print (£125, meandem.com).
The way to wear them now is with a waistband-grazing T- shirt (no tucking in with elastic waists), or with a vest under a jacket or open shirt, or with a waisted knit top.
FLoATy tops in gauzy fabrics, block prints, rope or cork wedges or any kind of heels, take away from the clean sporty look that keeps this new batch of maxis looking fresh. This is not, repeat not, a boho look, which is why it works for us.
A linen-rich skirt in black or dark olive green, still with a drawstring waist, is a smarter everyday- in- the- city look (£25, marksandspencer.com). Marks & Spencer’s style has a side split, drapes nicely and
looks work-ready with a vest under a stripey open shirt, plus tan or black flat pumps or sandals.
Marks & Spencer’s crisp, A-line black maxi (£39.50) is also bang on this summer-inthe-city mood. It has slouchy pockets and the attitude of relaxed, wide-leg trousers. Pair it with a cream knit shortsleeved top or a cropped, buttoned-up cotton jacket in cream, black or khaki.
Another secret to keeping the maxi looking modern and grown up is a glimpse of sandals — just enough that you don’t look like you’re sailing around on coasters (lots of longer skirts are described as maxis, but a true maxi is ankle bone covering).
For holidays you can go wild and maxis are your mosquitodefying after- dark friend. ro&Zo’s Moroccan rose print skirt (£63, jdwilliams.co.uk) will look great with that gold lurex knitted top.
Whoever said never again?!