Dresses to Impress: The A-Z of Fab Frocks and Gorgeous Gowns.... L

L is for Long dresses

My wonderful Mum once shared a styling secret with me, she told me that there can be such a thing as too much flesh! "If you are showing your arms then cover your legs", she said, and vice versa, so today's post is all about long dresses.

there are 3 main types of long dress, 'Princess' (think bridal, long prom and meringue), 'Maxi' (think boho chic) and 'Empire' (think traditional, Jane Austen and Gothic!) here's what I mean...

The long prom- often a strapless number, this type of long dress is perfect for a very special occasion when extreme 'wow' factor is required. In line with Mums golden rule, as all of the legs are covered, this kind of dress can really show a lot of upper body flesh and makes the shoulders and decolletage look gorgeous. Perfect also for pear shapes with a smaller bust, this style of dress offsets any big hips as it pouffes out over the hips rather than skimming them and outlining the silhouette.

The 'Princess' style of long dress has definitely been the  favourite of many a bride...

Victoria Beckham

Princess Diana

Katie Price

 The second style of long dress is the Maxi dress, a boho chic seventies inspired style which is once again bang on trend. The maxi dress is the name given to a very long dress, usually floor length. Often found in fabulous retro colourways and styles here are some of my favourites this season....

Dorothy Perkins

H&M

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Recognise these celebs in maxi dresses?!... Yep! Every one's in one this summer, even the cast of Sex and The City! Maxi dresses are very versatile and suit the vast majority of body shapes. they have a wide variety of straps and shaped bust lines but many of them draw their inspiration from the third style of long dress, the Empire.

Popular in the early 1800s, this style of long dress has an empire line, maximising on the upper torso with a scoop style neckline and cap or leg of mutton sleeves, this dress then has a floor length skirt. We see this kind of dress on many a period drama....

and I would love it to make a serious comeback! A very flattering and presumably also quite a comfortable style, the Empire long dress exudes nostalgic romance and femininity. Well, all I can say is hooray for the long dress, how about you?...