When I think about a bodycon maxi dress, Kim Kardashian comes to mind again. Primarily because very few women can pull off this type of dress, seeing how it exposes the tiniest imperfection in your body.
Styling a bodycon maxi dress is also more challenging than styling mini and midi bodycon dresses. You can’t just throw on a denim jacket and a pair of sneakers and call it a day. There are proportions to consider, shapes, and bulges with a maxi bodycon.
However, that doesn’t mean you must have a perfect figure like Kim. Thanks to shapewear and the tips we will discuss, a woman of any shape and size can pull off a bodycon maxi dress like a queen and do it decently.
But first,
What is a Bodycon Maxi Dress?
A body con dress is a figure-hugging, tight-fitting dress that accentuates the body’s curves rather than covering them up. The dress is made of a light, stretchy fabric that traces your silhouette and shows off every little curve on your body, including your knees and legs. It is also called a body contouring dress.
However, it shouldn’t be confused with a bandage dress. While they’re just as tight, bandage dresses are made of thicker fabric or multiple interwoven fabric bands to create a sculpted appearance. This type of dress is more forgiving compared to the body con dress because it accentuates and covers up your curves and imperfections.
How to Wear a Bodycon Maxi Dress
Again, pulling off a bodycon maxi dress is not easy. You risk exposing body parts you may not be proud of and looking tacky. But with these tips, you can wear any bodycon dress without feeling self-conscious or shy.
Wear the Right Size
A bodycon dress is meant to be tight and figure-hugging. If it’s loose, you will look frumpy and unkempt. This does not mean the dress has to be super tight where you can’t breathe, but it should beautifully hug and accentuate your curves.
The same goes for length. If the dress is a maxi, ensure it hits the ankles or stops right on top of your feet.
Wear the Right Undergarments
The fabric of a bodycon dress and its tightness can be very revealing. Make sure you wear the proper undergarments or, in other words, underwear that people will not see. Consider seamless panties and a bralette instead of a bra.
If you have a few bulges that you want to hide or are feeling particularly bloated, shapewear is the solution. It will smoothen out your silhouette and conceal your underwear to give you a perfect look. Wearing dark bold colors also helps to create the illusion of a slimmer, taller figure.
Layer Up
While you can wear a bodycon maxi dress as is, layering provides a bit of cover-up and style. A loose cardigan, a jacket, a blazer, or even a light coat will allow you to wear a bodycon dress to different places and in different climates.
What to Wear with a BodyCon Maxi Dress
Simple Accessories
A bodycon maxi dress is a fashion statement on its own. You only need to complement it with a few accessories that don’t try to compete with its essence. As you can see from this picture, a simple necklace, dainty earrings, and a tiny handbag are enough. And if the dress is sleeveless, you can add a watch or a simple bracelet to give your arms some color.
Bolero Sweater
A bolero sweater or cardigan is something we don’t often see these days. This piece of clothing, however, can make your silhouette look longer and slimmer. It’s also a very stylish way to wear a bodycon maxi dress without exposing your hands.
Full-length Coat
Kim Kardashian has mastered the art of wearing a bodycon maxi dress elegantly. All she does is throw on a full-length coat over it and a pair of stilettos or high heel boots. And depending on the weather, you will see her in either a winter coat or a duster coat which is very light and comfy. A long cardigan will also fall into this category.
Denim Jacket
As shown in my article about styling maxi dresses with a denim jacket, a denim jacket looks good with any maxi dress, and a bodycon is no exception. You can rock a regular waist-length denim jacket or a cropped one depending on the style you are looking for. A regular-size jacket is more sophisticated, but a cropped jacket will add some length to your torso.
Belt
I love wearing a statement belt with a bodycon maxi dress. It draws attention to your sexy waist and accentuates the hips. Also, I’ve noticed that a loose belt hides some flaws around your midsection, making the rest of your body look flawless. If you wear a statement belt, keep the other accessories very minimal.
Blazer
If you wonder whether you can wear a bodycon dress to the office, the answer is yes. All you need is a long structured blazer and the right shoes. This is also a great look for informal meetings, church, and school meetups. As usual, keep the accessories to a minimum.
Loose Sweater
Last but not least is an oversized sweater for those cold winter days. I like a thick cuddly sweater that I can fold up on the waist and it stays. But if the sweater is a bit longer, use a belt to tuck it in and make a stylish silhouette, as shown by the beautiful lady in the picture.
Shoes to Wear with Bodycon Maxi Dresses
The shoes you wear with a bodycon maxi depend on where you are going and the style of the dress. High heel boots, stilettos, or heeled sandals are the best option for that classy, sophisticated look.
But if you want something more laid back, sneakers, flat sandals, and loafers will do. They are stylish, especially if the dress has a slit. Here’s my article about the best shoes to wear with a maxi dress.
Bodycon dresses of all types are designed for casual wear. You can wear a bodycon maxi dress casually with sandals, heels, or sneakers or layer it up with a jacket, a sweater, or a coat.
You can wear a bodycon maxi dress to any formal event, including the office, with the proper layering. A long structured blazer is best, but you can also try a long coat or sweater on casual Fridays. Pair this with loafers or heeled sandals for the perfect ensemble.
