Lately it’s been so hot here that all I’ve been thinking about is going around in my underwear. When my husband said no to that option, I called the mayor. He too said that this was not a good idea, even if I used sunscreen. So I went with the next logical option: a maxi dress. Let’s make one thing clear — I do not look good in maxi-dresses. Most of the time they are cut very low on top with have zero support. Then I just feel fat because they hide the best of my body (the lower half) and emphasize the worst (the upper half). Because of these lessons learned, I do not own a maxi dress and do not plan on buying one any time soon. That is until I fell in love with this racerback maxi dress from Madewell:
Oh beautiful, unattainable Madewell — the store where things never go on sale. And because of this no-sale issues, I don’t even set foot inside of the store. I simply gawk at their emails and lookbooks online. Ever since seeing this dress, I’ve been obsessed with finding a racerback dress. Until today. When I made one up. Out of thin air.
I remembered an important principle that I learned in college. You see I would skip class for half of the semester and then decide to show up on test day. Lesson learned: When all else fails, improvise. So I took a racer back tank, tucked it into my long maxi skirt, belted it and was on my way. My professor would have given me an A on the outfit and a F on the test, since improvising geology terms didn’t always work to my advantage. (“Cleavage” means what shows when you wear a low cut shirt right?)
43 Responses
ps. ur so crafty and i LOVE IT. I also agree. Maxis are hard for the boob factor. Let me say tho, u rocked this and totally fooled me into thinking u were wearing a maxi!!!
TOUCHE! xo, Kim http://www.eatsleepwear.com
oo thats so clever!!
love it – you are too harilarious and just have a great skill for writing! Write a book and make a million!
Great improvising—love it! 🙂 You look great; a fantastic alternative to nudity. I've finally been giving maxi dresses a shot this year, but it is RARE that I find one that doesn't make me look like,well, a ginormous blob.
you totally had me fooled! i didn't even notice the two different labeling arrows in the picture. clearly i'm the one who just never payed attention in class & needed the teacher to explain everything twice :]
Oh my gosh it looks awesome! I would never have guessed it was a tank + skirt combo. So adorable 🙂 Also I love your side braid – I just did a 'how-to' post for summer hair and included the side braid in it b/c I just love the look. (see here: http://ordinarilyurbane.com/2010/06/12/how-to-haute-summer-hair/ ) xo
Love this! You've fooled us all.
P.S. You sport this look better than that stick thin model.
clothed much, a modest fashion blog
this is awesome. it looks like a dress to me!
Super crafty indeed Kendi! I couldn't tell at all that that wasn't actually a maxi dress, and it looks like you've got the styling of the original inspiration photo down pat 🙂 I've never been in a Madewell store btw because there aren't any around my area, but I got excited when they recently opened their online store. Do things really never go on sale there? :/ Hrmph. I seriously have a psychological block against not getting a "deal" on something, however little, this could be a real problem!
Fantastic job. I couldn't even tell it was two pieces! And yes; my small Texas town is way too hot too!
Ramblings of a Small Town Girl
what madewell are you shopping at?! i've gotten awesome deals at the madewell in natick, ma. in fact, i've never bought anything full price there unless it was with a gift card.
if you have any college age shopping partners, bring them with you because madewell offers a student discount, too.
I look awful in maxi dresses and long skirts, but this looks super cute on you! So flowy and chic!
ok, I have a very similar look on my blog today … the universe must be sending out maxi/side braid messages ……………….
wow great fake of a maxi, pretty genius actually. I wonder if that would count for anything in the gradebooks?
I freakin love this! It's perfect for traveling or um…drinking!
great improvising. The thought of walking around in underwear right now sends shivers down my spine as it is winter here, brrr.
You are a magnificent illusionist…completely thought you were wearing a maxi when I first saw the photos. Way to re-invent your own closet!
I hear ya about wanting to run around in your skivvies…it's like a sauna here in Houston!
You are such a clever lass! This is a perfect summer outfit.
And the third picture down is stunning. Talent abounds on your blog 🙂
Brilliant! And the results are so fun and funky. I plan to do the same at some point with a white tank and white skirt … all the white maxi dresses I love look a bit nightgownish …
Well done! I definitely thought that was a maxi dress.
And I love how Madewell is supposed to be J.Crew's cheaper, more attainable cousin and yet…it's not.
What?! That's a 2 piece outfit!? It so looks like a long maxi dress. When I saw Target, I figured I'd dash out to go get one just like yours tonight! I love the look! Great job improvising!
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com
Good idea!! Love it!
I have found some cute maxi's at Target that are racer backs. I also bought them a couple a sizes smaller! =O And since I'm so small up stop, it fit perfectly. And since it's wider on bottom, it wasn't so blobby looking. =)
I'm so impressed with your faux-maxi dress. You are so inventive!
Melanie@UnravelledThreads
Very inventive! I love it – it looks great!!
xox
stacieblair
I've wanted that maxi dress as well!
Madewell is just too expensive…hopefully I'll be able to make one with my new serger 🙂
I think you look fab in a maxi dress!
Gorgeous idea, beautiful girl and that close picture is stinkingly cute!!
Good god this is perfection. I love the improvisation!
The "cleavage" comment made me laugh, as I just finished a geology course (which I hated!).
Really cute look — I love how you creatively faked a maxi dress.
i love it. A+
I finally broke down and bought a maxi type dress last weekend. Never wanted one due to your exact reasons, my best parts are hidden. My new dress will be on display sometime this week if I can figure out how to camoflauge my bumps and bulges. Oh my
Very clever of you! I haven't been converted to the maxi dress yet…I just feel I'm too short and curvy for one 🙁
You convinced me!
Kendi, don't be so hard on yourself – you look great in a maxi dress! Glad to see your a convert!
Soooo good, love the improv and you look great in a faux maxi dress! (Also love that pop of blue from the pendant, it's so striking).
S
I love love this outfit! I have both that belt and necklace, and I love them 🙂
This outfit makes you look so long and lean! You've reawakened my hope for the maxi dress.
i was browsing F21 last night and they have a grey, racer back maxi. super cheap, so i thought i'd let you know!
otherwise, i love this. so casual cute. i'm kicking myself for not snatching up a maxi skirt at target last summer!!
Ahahaha cleavage! You actually are hilarious. And you look great!
adorbzzzz
i love the brown belt with the black "dress."
Loving that side braid! Very chic!
-K.D.
you look fabulous in your faux-maxi dress and I think you would look amazing in a real one.
I too was againist maxi's for awhile until I found the right one and from there my love grew.
One of my favorite's in my collection is a black razor back maxi that I picked up from the Norma Kamali for Walmart line and for $15 is was an excellent baragain.
The Madewell stylebooks make me and my credit cards weep. I love that you improvised the look–I totally didn't realize it was two pieces until you spelled it out!