1. Sheer Maxi Skirt

Courtesy: vogue.com

As a big fan of layering and combining colors, patterns, and styles, I love that the girly look of a flowy skirt and a simple white top, when matched with a big black leather bag and studded ankle boots, actually works to bring out the black in her outfit. We’ve seen many cut-off maxi skirts this season like the one above. If your cut-off maxi skirt is not made out of flowy material but is tight, try wearing them sideways like Ivania does below.

Courtesy: Love Aesthetics

2. Jersey Maxi Skirt

Courtesy: Peony Lim

Even a jersey maxi dress that you lounge around in at home could be worn in a classy way, if not casual. Pair it with a blazer. Because of the tight fit of most jersey maxi dresses, I would prefer a t-shirt to a dress shirt.

3. Working Women's Maxi Skirt

Courtesy: unknown

Pair your solid-colored maxi skirt with a dress shirt. This could work with a pair of wide leg pants as well. You could tuck out the shirt as shown in the picture, or tuck it in and belt it. It will just depend on the fit and waistline of the skirt.

I love the look above from 2011 Paris Fashion week. It works with your regular, throw-in-everything office bag, or a portfolio with a smaller purse on your shoulder. Keep the shoes classy. I would go for wedges or heels for the summer, and ankle boots like Peony’s for the spring and fall.

4. Inspiration

Courtesy: vogue.com

Yoko Ono’s dress for New York’s 2012 spring fashion week is one of the few styles that speak the personality. It is reserved yet fun, classic and young. She shows the perfect amount of skin, wears plain sandals to accentuate the flowers, and the flower hat makes everything flow. I thought this look would be a great inspiration for maxi dress lovers. I can easily imagine myself wearing my favorite scarf with bold prints over a black maxi dress.  Thanks for reading!

The maxi dress and skirt transcends bounds. The style can be worn day or night, work or pleasure. It’s hard to believe that fall is right around the corner and since the fashion industry is always a season ahead, our favorite retailers are already beginning to transition into cool weather clothes. The maxi dress, living up to its cult following, can be worn during all seasons of the year. To dress it up, you can add a cute clutch or some statement jewelry and to wear it casually just toss on your favorite sandals and accessorize with a tote. For cooler weather, toss on your favorite leather jacket, scarf and booties and voila you have an instant winter outfit.

Skirt: Dip Dye Maxi Skirt, topshop.com, $72; Bag: Travel Bright Bag, modcloth.com, $62.99; Top: Crop Tee, topshop.com, $16; Shoes: Summer Wedge in Orange Combo, 2bstores.com, $39.95

Dress: Layered Maxi Dress in Dusty Lavendar, forever21.com, $32.80; Sandals: Sheer TBar Riveted Sandals, romwe.com, $69; Bag: Pieces Ohela Leather Satchel, asos.com, $82.85 (sale); Necklace: Rock 'N Rose Zoya Vintage Raw Crystal Necklace, motelrocks.com, £21

Skirt: Jovonna London Stone Pleated Tasha Skirt, pretaportobello.com, £65; Tank: Rag and Bone Scoop Neck Tank, int.youheshe.com, £67; Heels: Naomi Black Suedette Demi Platform Wedges, boohoo.com, $60; Bag: Leather Stud Crossbody Bag, topshop.com, $136; Necklace: Juicy Couture Luxe Rocks Pave Link Necklace, zappos.com, $148

Clockwise from top left: H&M Jacket, hm.com, $49.95; Oasis Leather Stitch Detail Jacket in Black, johnlewis.com, £168; Perry Black Suedette Platform Shoe Boots, boohoo.com, $60; Rocket Dog Sayla Bootie, dsw.com, $49.95; Light Wash Crop Denim Jacket, dorothyperkins.com, £35; Blink Whitneyy in Bronze; heels.com, $74.99

So you’ve finally invested in an ever so elegant maxi skirt. But now you face the question of what exactly to wear with this hot new fashion find. A plain tee is too loose and overwhelming for an already flowy skirt, a sweater or button up doesn’t match quite right either, and a body suit or bustier top makes the ensemble look like a one piece maxi dress. The answer then, is the cropped top bandeau. Showing just a little bit of skin when the rest of you is covered is both tasteful and trendy without seeming overly risqué.

Paris Hilton in a bright maxi skirt and jeweled bandeau.
Courtesy: Getty Images

Courtesy: Getty Images

The crop-maxi duo on the Emilio Pucci S/S 2012 runway.
Courtesy: Getty Images

In addition to its trendiness, this outfit is highly versatile. Wear the maxi-crop ensemble to a daytime lunch or out to a party at night. Pair it with flats or gladiator sandals for a laid back, boho vibe to keep it casual. Finish off the look with colorful chunky jewelry and a pretty french braid in your hair. Or, opt for elegance by emphasizing the  length of the skirt with a pair of platform wedges and simple silver or gold bangles. Wind your hair up into a loose, perfectly messy bun, or blow it out straight for a chic, classy look.

If maxi skirts and dresses weren’t fabulous enough to begin with, slits are now being added to these creations. At first we saw one slit but now we are seeing double. In this case, two is definitely better than one!

Courtesy: custardlily

L to R: Blu Moon 2 Slit, singer22.com, $165; Sparkle & Fade Chiffon Maxi Skirt, urbanoutfitters.com, $89; findersKEEPERS One More Chance Skirt, shopbop.com, $170; Ecote Double Slit Skirt, urbanoutfitters.com, $69

Double slits are a sexy version of this covered style. However, some versions are a bit sexier than others. The slits start at either the upper thigh, which is a bit more scandalous, or the mid thigh, which is subtler. I would save the higher slit for an evening out to avoid revealing too much in the daylight.

The greatest thing of all is that you can easily transfer this look to fall with the help of tailored jackets and booties.

Courtesy: vanessajackman.blogspot.com

Another thing I love about this trend is the ability to dress it up or down. You can see a woman rocking this style on the street or your favorite celeb wearing it on the red carpet.

Courtesy: Getty Image

This summer, the biggest trend in lengths is the maxi. I'm very short (5'2") and always afraid that a long dress will swallow me. I had to hem my prom dress a full foot for it to fit! But even I can pull off a maxi if worn correctly.

1) These dresses should be easy and effortless. Wear it like you own it.

Courtesy: Skinny Minnie

2) Avoid prints that are too big or bold if you're short like me. Subtlety is key; the amount of fabric will do a lot of talking. I love the color on this one, and the solid will work its magic.

Maxi Lightly Padded Bra Top Dress in Teal Splash, victoriassecret.com, $69.50

3) Stay away from clingy. Flowy dresses keep it cool and summery (and they're more comfortable too!) I love this tribal pattern from Express.

Elastic Waist Maxi Dress, express.com, $88