How to Wear Maxi Dresses for Women Over 40

Maxi dresses have remained popular for the past few years. If you're a women over 40 who worries about looking too bohemian, this is some advice and 3 smart choices for wearing maxi dresses and maxi skirts for older women.

How to Wear Maxi Dresses: First, forget about the myth that they hide anything. Many maxi dresses cling to the body or will make you look like a large woman wearing a tent if they're too flowing. Still, any woman over 40 should appreciate anything that makes dressing fast. You'll look good as long you don't get too casual or shapeless. Black maxi dresses and skirts are versatile and easiest to wear to work. V-necks help balance and elongate your figure. Use belts to create a waistline and dark belts to look thinner. Other good accessories include longer sweaters, romantic scarves, big totes, and a signature piece of jewelry. Open-toe shoes work best. You can wear heels or wedges but keep the proportions from getting extreme. At 5 foot 2, I know that petite women can wear long skirts as long as they fit close to the body and show a little ankle. Stick to monotones and avoid big prints. These are 3 great maxi dresses for older women

Free People Pucker Knit Short Sleeve Maxi Dress: This soft crinkled maxi dress has some stretch so you can walk without looking hobbled, and the short cap sleeves will keep your bra straps covered. It's fully lined for a flattering fit in a polyester, rayon, and spandex blend that's machine washable. It's done in a subtle faded black pattern. ($108 at Free People)

Calvin Klein Sama Cashmere and Silk-Blend Maxi Dress: This elegant gray long dress with a turtleneck is sleeveless, and fully lined. It slips on and it's hand washable. I have similar styles I've worn for decades. Just add a cuff bracelet and tote bag. ($1595 at Net-a-Porter)

Gryphon Chain Link Maxi Dress: This sun dress looks carefree without being too revealing. The coral and ivory chain link print is summery but subtler than big flowers. The v-neckline and twisted shoulder straps in back will elongate your figure while the rope belt cinches your waist. The A-line skirt is cut on a bias for extra drama. Wear it with espadrilles, and a big straw hat. ($390 at Bergdorf Goodman)

Women over 40 can wear maxi dresses and maxi skirts without looking too grandmotherly.