EASY HACK TO MAKE YOUR MAXI SKIRT A MAXI DRESS

Wanna see a magic trick I just learned? How to turn my maxi skirt into a maxi dress! I can’t believe this is so simple, why have I not done it before? If like me, you’re a huge fan of the maxi length this is an easy hack to get more out of your maxi skirts for Fall. I really don’t have a great deal to say on the technique as it speaks for itself so I’ll just show you the results. Basically, I match my top to my skirt giving the illusion of a dress et voilá! The beauty of this is obvious right? You can wear the co-ords separately or together! Moreover, it’s another way to get double duty from your closet. That’s another version of sustainable fashion to conscious consumers like us.

DRESS TO THE MAX!

For our first cab off the rank, we have the white maxi skirt and t-shirt combo. I love this fresh block of white for summer which works just as well with colour. Try this look with baby pink or forest green and red shoes for something different. Wearing head to toe of one colour is not for the faint-hearted but be brave, it’s a knockout look trust me. Plus you would always break it up by contrasting your bag and shoes as I have here.

In honour of Autumn, you could go with one of the rich berries like burgundy or purple. Orange and rust are also beautiful this time of year. Search through your wardrobe for matchy-matchy colours or simply buy a maxi skirt in the same shade as your favourite top. The whole point of this is getting two for the price of one so it’s a smart buy which equals a good investment in my book. Remember you’ll have infinite styling options using the two pieces separately since it’s a colour you already wear. I found this voluminous, bubble hem skirt on ThredUp. The ThredUp site makes it pretty easy to colour coordinate with its sidebar filters. Have a look at my post explaining the best way of searching to get exactly what you want.

Next time I’ll swap my t-shirt for a white button down shirt and add a belt to style-up this look. Changing the top will immediately alter the style of the “dress” yet again.

PATTERN MATCHING CO-ORDS FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

Up next is my patterned example of the maxi skirt hack. Creating a dress organically from a printed skirt and top combination is a little trickier although you can always buy the separates and do it that way. Here I paired my Rixo blouse with a very cheap skirt I managed to find in a charity shop. That’s a thrift store to my American’s. I think it was something like $12, I don’t remember exactly. I was so quick to rip it off the hanger and buy it before anyone saw how gorge it is. When I’m shopping secondhand for something specific there’s no point mucking around. Usually, you only get one crack at the perfect piece so don’t dilly dally if it’s exactly what you’re looking for. Chances are it won’t be there long. I couldn’t care less that the skirt has no label, my goal to find the right leopard colour in a maxi length was met. Sure it’s not exactly the same shade as my top but the tones marry well which is all you really need for this hack to work. If I add a wide belt it’ll be even less noticeable.

If you don’t happen to have a happy accident in your collection here are a few co-ords you can buy. Once again, these make beautiful pairings or stunning singles. The options are endless.

WHAT COLOUR GOES WITH LEOPARD?

In my opinion, all animal print is neutral therefore absolutely any colour works brilliantly with it. What is my favourite colour with leopard? That would be pink. Today it’s Winser London pink, Mmm yummmmy!

To demonstrate the illusion, I swapped my matching blouse for a pink boyfriend jumper. As you can see this creates an entirely different look. Going into Winter I’ll wear my black polo neck jumper and boots with the skirt for a sexy yet modest take on leopard print.

STYLE TIP – Because the sweater is a strong pink or bubblegum if you like, I chose a very pale dusty pink for my accessories. Otherwise, it’s overkill for me. But hey, you go strong if that’s what you like. I also considered adding a belt for demarcation. My choice would be a wide red belt which sadly I don’t have….yet. I’m on the lookout for a vintage 80’s style. I also dream of buying this belt one day although obviously, that’s out of the question, our budget being as tight as a fishes arse at the moment. Needless to say, it’s on my wish list. In fact, this particular design has been my favourite since the very first Gucci Marmont came out. I’m not keen on the plain leather Marmont belt we see everywhere. It’s too common now like that boring 1970 jumper, you know the one I mean.

In any case, let’s not ponder the sartorial sheep of Insta any longer. Leopard is just as ubiquitous so who am I to judge? In fact, I adore this column of leopard so much that I’ll probably wear it on repeat for the foreseeable future. Just like everyone else. Perhaps buying an actual dress in leopard print isn’t such a bad investment after all? No doubt animal print isn’t going away any time soon. Even when it does, I know it’ll resurface at some point. Everything always comes back right? I see Rixo has just launched a sensational baby pink tiger stripe. Wowzers now that’s different and irresistible! Here are a few more of my favourite pieces around now. P.S. Don’t forget to look out for snake print maxis too!

SWEATER | BERET | SHOES ONE SIMILAR TWO SIMILAR| BAG ONE TWO | SUNGLASSES SIMILAR