If it's spring then it must be mini dress season, and 2009 is no exception to this rule. Regardless of how warm, cold, rainy, or sunny the weather might be, celebrities and stars are embracing the newest mini dress looks both on the red carpet and in everyday life.
The recent Costume Institute Gala held at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art was a dress lover's paradise, with tons of the world's best known stars showing up in a huge array of mini dress fashions. From the simple classics to the ultra modern, there was no shortage (no pun intended) of "above the knee" dresses populating the red carpet arrivals.
Actress Anne Hathaway harkened back to the 1960?s with her combination of retro hair and a mini dress of lush purple taffeta. The skirt was balloon-like rather than straight, a fashion statement that few people could have pulled off so successfully. Although the dress was certainly not the kind to suit everyone's taste, Hathaway looked lovely anyway.
On the other end of the spectrum was Madonna. The so-called "material girl" wore a dress that quite frankly looked like a shrunken pair of pantaloons left over from the Elizabethan age. The colour was not quite turquoise but not quite green, instead falling somewhere in between in a shade best described by the word "blah". All in all the outfit just didn't work on any level, but there is a bright side: Madonna?s fashion disaster offers a great lesson to others who want to participate in the mini dress trend without making major fashion mistakes.
If you want to wear a mini dress then you absolutely should "go for it", as long as you have a good sense of what works and what doesn't work on your own body. Unless you have a huge amount of confidence and a picture-perfect figure it's best to stay away from the modern/strange looks and instead opt for the modern/classic looks. Choose a mini dress that's about mid-thigh in length or slightly shorter, but never so short that your bum hangs out the back or you can't sit comfortably and modestly. If you?re looking for a splash of colour consider a mini dress with a fun and trendy print to it, like polka dots (big or small), distinctive floral, or an all over bold colour like red, royal blue, emerald green, or the like.
Of course, most of us simply want a mini dress that's comfortable, stylish, and practical for everyday living, so don't be afraid to shop around for more casual mini dress styles. Jersey knits, cottons, linens, and rayon are all great fabric choices when you're looking for a mini dress to wear at work, while shopping, or just for casual comfort and style.
