How to make maxi lengths work for the office
Isabel Spearman is a brand and image consultant who previously worked as special adviser to Samantha Cameron at Downing Street. Each week , she offers a helping hand dissecting workwear dress codes and offering a modern take on power dressing.
To ask Isabel Spearman your workwear questions, email [email protected] or follow her on instagram @isabelspearman
In this week's column, she offers winter options for the trouser-averse...
Q: I find trouser suits so unflattering, but they seem to be the only thing warm enough in the winter. Please tell me there’s another option?
A. It’s hard to get away with wearing a maxi length to work in the summer as it can tend to look like you’ve underdressed or are on your way to the beach. However, wintertime is a great excuse for covering up and embracing maxi length skirts and dresses for the office. I don’t mean full length ball gowns but ankle skimming day wear.
The key to this look is to wear them with boots- ankle, knee high, high heel or flat- whatever your personal preference as they will all suit.. Yes, you might have to pick the skirt up as you walk up stairs and they can be especially dangerous on an escalator (I still haven’t recovered from my maxi skirt being literally ripped from my body at the top of the escalators at the Clothes Show Live when I was 15.) However, these small risks are outweighed by the feeling a maxi length gives you. There is something so satisfying about a good swish and it is also a life saver for those (like me) who struggle with finding the right fit of trouser but don’t always want to show our legs. I live in a J.Crew tartan long A-Line skirt this time of year which I wear it with a poloneck or white shirt, long coat and boots and its cosy enough to keep me warm but also great for meetings.
Raey silk wrap skirt, ￡325, Matches Fashion; MICHAEL Michael Kors belted maxi dress, ￡225,Net-a-Porter
Ganni are good at longer lengths and they have a fantastic skirt with black and navy panels which would look great with a slim knit or if you need to cover your tummy, a boxy fit top. If you appreciate a good print, like I do, then choose a bold one with a darker colour in it so you can pair it with a matching knit. Raey have a lovely option.
Maxi wrap shirt dress, ￡89, Finery; Glenmore skirt, ￡210, Ganni; Somerset by Alice Temperley floral maxi dress, ￡130, John Lewis
Long dresses in a day appropriate fabric are so easy as you just have to throw them on. They generally cover up a multitude of sins and can be dressed up with a tailored jacket. A shirt dress is the easiest way to wear the longer length as it is a flattering cut and you can smarten them up with a leather belt and boots. Don’t be put off by the summery blue of the Finery dress, it will look stunning with black and last you all the way through to wearing it with bare legs. For more of a statement I love the Marella monochrome striped dress and Michael Kors have a pretty chiffon option. Just remember to watch out on the escalators.
