Yellow is the colour maxi dresses tend to get wrong, which is why one that ticks all the boxes is worth getting excited about. Too pale and it saps colour from the face, too orange and it won’t read as yellow at all, it’ll read as costume. Ones that work land somewhere in between butter and mustard, or go full blown saturated citrus that reads as neutral against tanned/deep skin and statement against fair skin. Whichever route you go down, it needs to be worn with conviction. That bittery bit of pale yellow in a floaty synth fabric is your enemy. That shade of yellow always looks cheap under fluorescent lighting.
Fabric does half the work for you when it comes to a maxi.
Yellow will show every crease/pull/exist mole differently to darker colours, so pick something with a little bit of weight and drape to it. Viscose, a heavier cotton, a good crepe will hang beautifully rather than cling or blob around your hips. Study how it falls when draping it over your hand rather than on a hanger.
A bias cut or a skirt with a gathered waist creates shape without the need for a fitted bodice, which is important when wearing something that’ll already draw attention to your torso. Square or sweetheart necklines work hardest here; they disrupt the solid colour which can otherwise overwhelm your frame, and having a defined waist; be that a tie, seam or belt, will keep it from looking like a solid yellow cylinder draped over your body.
Styling one isn’t as tricky as most think. Tan leather sandals or espadrilles will keep it cool and suitable for daytime, but throw in a pair of heels and gold jewellery and it’s instantly evening appropriate without changing out of the dress. A structured straw bag or slouchy leather works well against yellow, as does popping a cream/white cardigan over your shoulders when the weather won’t quite cooperate. Denim tends to fight with yellow more than anything, so save your jacket for paler/yeller washed-out yellows.
Yellow is a dress for daytime ceremonies; weddings, garden parties, holidays and anything where the natural light is good. It photographs beautifully, looks instantly put together without being too formal and will give you that ‘fancy!’ vibe with minimal effort on the day itself.
![Printed Sleeveless Maxi Dress [YE] (Z252MSE003)](https://images2.productserve.com/?w=200&h=200&bg=white&trim=5&t=letterbox&url=ssl%3Acdn.wconcept.com%2Fproducts%2F7204674%2F47%2F720467447_1.jpg&feedId=21675&k=a563c5f25e67773d8e3519e2d9381b7c9da36ef3)
