Maxed out…
Does anyone else feel a bit maxed out? The holidays are over, and Leap Day is almost here! Ask any of my friends, and they’ll tell you I love winter. The last couple of years, though, I’ve been ready for winter to be over. So, I’m a bit maxed out when it comes to winter weather. It is warming up, but my bones are still chilled. Speaking of friends, today is also a Global Writing Challenge. I’ll have another post ready for that, and it’s all about friends! But, today is the third Thursday of February which means it’s time for an Ageless Style challenge. This month, Amy selected maxi skirts. Last month, Rosemary chose “rockin’ our jeans” as we came out of the glitzy holiday season. In the past we have done layering, Southwestern, summer denim, movie characters, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here, here and here. Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites!
A very little history…
Maxi skirts are nothing new. In fact, maxi skirts were once the norm. A flash of ankle was quite scandalous once upon a time. Beginning in the 1920s, hemlines began to slowly inch their way upward. Those flapper girls were so unseemly! Think about the 50s…do maxi skirts come to mind? Nope! The maxi skirt was not a part of the fashion world until the hippies of the 60s brought them back. Since that time, maxi skirts have waxed and waned with the whims of designers and the fashion world. Today, I’d venture to say just about any skirt length goes.
My first maxi skirt…
Sometime during what would have been called my junior high years (6th-8th grade), I convinced my mom to buy me this maxi skirt outfit from Sears no less! It was black with orange flowers. I know…it sounds a bit Halloween witch, right? The top was fitted and had a bit of a peplum. The skirt, of course, was too long, but I’m pretty sure we hemmed it. I think I only wore it to school a handful of times. My less than fashion forward schoolmates picked on me mercilessly whenever I would wear it. I do remember the top never fit well, but I don’t remember why. My guess would be that it just didn’t work for my short waisted body. I also didn’t have the fashion sense to try to style it differently. Today, I would maybe abandon the top altogether, but I could probably pull together different tops to work with the skirt.
My outfit…
I cheated on this challenge! I’m not wearing a maxi skirt at all! I am having a real love/hate relationship with my body. In other words, I love to hate it! I know I’m not supposed to say that, but I’m keeping it real here on the blog. Anyhoo! I am wearing a jersey knit dress from April Cornell. I decided to make it a maxi skirt by wearing a cotton sweater over it. The resulting look was a bit too boxy for me. So, I thought I’d try one of those Instagram hacks you see. I gathered the sweater on the inside, put a hair tie around it, and created the illusion of a waist! My neck was cold which meant I added another print to the mix with my scarf. This is really old because it’s from Old Navy. Remember when they used to have scarves in the store? Are all of the purples the exact same color? Nope, but I think they work because they don’t lean too heavily in one direction or the other.
The Lewk!
I went full on floral with my footwear though there is a bit of animal print on the inner part of the shoes. These Siren boots from L’Artiste are approaching the no can wear height. They are a skosh big but work well with orthotics and heavier socks. And, y’all already know I’m a matchy-matchy kinda person. So, of course, I pulled out the amethyst jewelry. The necklace is from Coldwater Creek when they had brick and mortar stores. The earrings appear regularly on the blog and are from eBay. The ring is from Macy’s and could be from the Effy collection. One of the things I like about this particular ring is the cushion cut of the amethyst stone.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I’m not reinventing the wheel by wearing a sweater over a dress. I know that, but it is the very first time I’ve ever done it! I like the way gathering up the sweater creates some visual interest, creating a better proportion and also adding a faux waistline. I may try this again with a different sweater over a dress and use a belt to create that waistline. So, can we talk? Are you a fan of maxi skirts, or do you prefer short skirts? What is your favorite way to wear maxi skirts? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
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Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts about denim, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you
I nearly wore a maxi dress with a sweater over it too!
Great minds, right? I just didn’t see how I could do anything new and fresh with my maxi skirts. I was happy with the result, though.
Oh Marsha, you are so clever! I like the way you styled the sweater to give you a waist. I think you look BEAUTIFUL in this – the color, the textures all work. Your hair looks amazing too – I really like the color.
I agree that all lengths of skirts are in now and I chuckled reading about your outfit from Sears. I did the same kinds of things as a kid!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I try! I was, honestly, surprised at how well this worked. I was sure the twisted up part would be all bunchy, but it wasn’t. You are so good for my ego! My hairstylist put a peach glaze on it which has turned it a bit golden. I’m still deciding. Oh, my poor mom…I nagged her and nagged her for this outfit and then refused to wear it. And, new clothes were not an everyday thing in our family.
I just love the play on words. I am not going to lie, yesterday I felt maxed out but today is a new day to try again. We’ve had a relatively mild winter so it hasn’t felt nearly as bad as most winters, plus we are heading on vacation here right away so that will break things up a bit. We wont be into spring mode until the end of April. Anyway, I love your hack of the maxi dress into a maxi skirt. This pattern and color is lovely on you and I really think you nailed this style. Super cute with the sweater over top and it makes me have all the spring vibes in winter.
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Thanks, Bo! This is definitely something I would only wear in the spring as it wouldn’t be warm enough in the winter. I’m so sorry you were feeling a bit to the max yesterday. But, I’m really glad you’re soon off to vacation! Those breaks are always so welcome!
What a great idea for the challenge! I love this outfit on you! You look so cute. This would make a great look for Easter too.
Thank you, Amy! I was very pleased with the way it came out.
These light purple colors all blend beautifully in the outfit – no need for a perfect match! I’m not a big fan of maxi length on myself; I prefer a midi skirt every time. I do have one maxi skirt but I’ve hardly worn it, and I’m guessing that it’ll be going in the upcycling fabric pile in not too long. It’s interesting that this is your first sweater over dress outfit – congrats on getting it right the first time (which I definitely did not manage myself, haha).
Thanks, Sally! I love skirts, but they’re not fitting so well right now! I wear just about all different lengths, depending on my mood! Yep! My very first try, and I’m really surprised at how well it turned out!
How gorgeous is that skirt! What a fabulous colour! I only discovered maxi skirts since a few years. Before that I never liked them weird right!
Thanks, Nancy! I have loved maxi skirts since the 60s but that doesn’t mean they loved me back! And, you are the best kind of weird!
Dang this is an amazing look and good for you for being the boss of your clothes. First with the sweater over the dress and secondly by ruching up the sweater!!
Bravo,bravo!!
Xoxo
Jodie
Thank you, Jodie! I thought the sweater was shorter than it actually was. But, I’m glad I had to tweak it a little because it’s just a much more interesting look.
This is such a pretty color palette and those boots are fabulous! What a great idea to wear your dress as a skirt!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I love purple, especially lavender.
Your outfit came out so pretty with your color choice and thinking of gathering the sweater with an elastic band. I have done that a lot with boxy tees but maybe only once with a sweater. And I really love your scarf! I love all styles of skirts but right now my two favorites in my closets are maxis. I think the print in a maxi and what you pair it can really make a difference.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you, Mireille. I was a little worried it would maybe ruin the sweater, but it didn’t. I have several maxi skirts and love to wear them. Your “souvenir” maxi is amazing!
Hi Marsha,
I LOVE the purple on you with your pretty hair! I wouldn’t have known it was a dress, but the sweater looks great with its texture over the floral. The print is very pretty and has me longing for Spring too! I always love reading the history of fashion too! Yes, oh my ! showing ankles!
Have a great weekend!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you so much, Jess! Purple is my favorite color. I was really happy when this worked out so well!
Hi Marsha we are maxed out with Summer here which has been extremely hot & humid with lots of rain. I don’t own a skirt!!!! You have inspired me though to perhaps invest in at least one for the autumn/winter season. I love the colours in your outfit and as always you look so stylish and a fashion inspiration to me. Have a beautiful week and hope the weather warms up soon. x
Thanks, Sue! I’m so glad you consider me a fashion inspiration (which I must admit makes me chuckle). I can’t believe you don’t own a skirt…you’re so gorgeous! Yes, you need to add at least one maxi to your closet. If it makes you feel any better, we got a little over 3 inches (7.5 cm) of snow. It’s currently 15 (-9.5C). I hope your weather cools off a bit…that humidity is so taxing. How is the bathroom reno going?
I love wearing sweaters over dresses! It really maximizes our wardrobes! (Haha! See what I did there?) That purple floral print is just gorgeous!
Hahaha! You are the Queen of catchy titles! This was my first time trying it, and I am sold! Thanks so much, Laura!
These colours are stunning on you! Wearing a dress under a sweater is a great idea. I love your boots, they’re really unusual. Thanks for linking!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you so much, Emma! I know lots of people have worn sweaters over dresses, but I’d never tried it. I was quite happy with the result. I appreciate the link up, too!
I am definitely maxed out…in many ways this month! I’ve had to drop some things that weren’t as important to focus on and I’m doing a bit better now.
I’m glad you’re doing better, Lisa. You are wise to drop the things you can in order to take care of things.