Trend Alert! The Abaya's Best Friend...The Maxi Skirt



Maxi dresses have been a big hit in the past two years, but now floor-sweeping maxi skirts are all the rage.

Skirts falling beneath the ankle were visible on a number A/W 2010/2011 catwalks; Peter Som, Erdem, Ralph Lauren, Sonia Rykiel, Max Mara, John Galliano, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Tibi, Aquascutum, Martin Grant, Emilio Pucci, Kenzo and Dries van Noten to name just a few!

Maxi skirts at Aquascutum, Sonia Rykiel and Michael Kors were structured, tailored pieces in fabrics like jersey which coincided with the camel trend for a smart look, perfect for office wear, while the maxi skirts at Martin Grant, Dries van Noten and Emilio Pucci dazzled in shimmery metallic and jewel colours in luxe fabrics (perfect for a night out), and at Ralph Lauren, Max Mara and Kenzo the maxis were light and floaty in floral and bohemian prints (great for casual wear).

Maxi skirts suit every body shape and are great for hiding tums and bums. However, proportion is key...you must be careful when choosing what top to wear with your maxi skirt in order to avoid the risk of looking frumpy. Maxi skirts in heavy fabrics should be balanced out with lighter, floaty tops. Maxi skirts in khaki were big on the runways, so obviously this season it is the go-to colour.

Celebs out and about in their maxi skirts (from left: Alessandra Ambrosio, Nicole Richie, Nicola Roberts, Kate Botsworth and Vanessa Hudgens)

How to wear your maxi-skirt

1. For the perfect daytime look wear a light and floaty maxi skirt in floral, bohemian and graphic prints, paired with a simple tee or tank top, a belt and gladiator sandals. Channel urban boho, not frumpy gypsy.
2. For a glamorous night time outfit opt for a plain maxi skirt in luxe fabrics like satin and velvet teamed with an embellished top and chic high heeled pumps.
3. Abaya wearers need to be careful when wearing maxi skirts in jersey and similar fabrics that static in the skirt does not make their abayas stick to their legs!
4. If there's just one piece you should buy it should be a plain black maxi skirt...this can be worn to work, for casual day time wear and for nights out...just swap around tops and accessories to take your black maxi skirt from day to night.

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