Maxi dresses have taken the UK by storm. Versatile, light and sensuous this dress style lets every woman hide any unsightly curves and at the same time accentuates her feminine side. Originally thought of as a dress for a hazy summer’s day the maxi dress is now so much more. There are some beautiful evening maxi dresses and twinned with leggings some shorter maxis have made a great impact on the teenage market. These bring out the slender side to fashion and it is one garment you can feel free to go ‘print mad’ about!

Styles vary wildly, as do prices, but every clothes label looking to cash in on the summer has a range of maxi dresses. Some of the best value maxi dresses can be found at TK Maxx. They stock Maxi dresses from £14.99 but in true TK Maxx style, you will have to take pot luck concerning their stock as it is constantly changing and once it’s gone, it’s gone! At TK Maxx you can find designer and high street clothes sold with up to a 60% discount on their recommended retail price so it may well be worth taking a look.

Some delightfully designed maxi dresses currently on the market include the ‘Kaliko’ Forgotten Print silk maxi dress with a traditional floral pattern making it look like a classic summer dress with only a nod to the maxi fashion. This is a great dress for those who love a classic look but want to stay in touch with fashion too.

The cost is £110. Without being overtly fashionable, this dress would be a welcome addition to your staple summer wardrobe. ‘Wallis’ has opted for dresses brimming with colour creating a collection to satisfy a beach lover's dream. The multi-coloured maxi for £55 blends purples, pinks and blues with a dress line falling down from the bust to create optimum movement. This is a romantic maxi style for the sunshine.

Maxi dresses are in fashion for all shapes and sizes but they especially suit taller women. The ground sweeping dresses accentuate your height and make you feel like a super model. ‘Long Tall Sally’s’ Belton maxi dress is a smarter look. The green, grey and black colour combination means this dress could be worn for a dinner party just as easily as a stroll around your favourite craft market. The braided belt breaks up the wide stripes of the dress creatively and adds a touch of class to this design. At £60 this panelled maxi is great if you are looking for a versatile garment.

For something completely different River Island’s ‘Denim Bandeau Dress’ for £34.99 is a delicate combination of light denim frills and shoe-string halterneck straps with a drawstring waist. This is a different take on the famously floral maxi dress and is surprisingly simple and feminine for denim. This would look great with leggings and shouts ‘roll on barbecue season!’ out loud.

Marks and Spencer has a range of maxi dresses including a limited edition paisley design dress, A Per Una floral style and even bridesmaid maxi dresses too. ‘Jigsaw’ have a whole section of their website dedicated to the maxi dress giving us tropical styles, tiered dresses and empire line designs.

One of the most sensational maxi dresses on the market can only be described as being full of ‘seductive flowing formality’. I am talking about Monsoon's red ‘Paradise’ maxi dress at £200. This is a glamorous take on the maxi dress style and a bold dress for those who want to look their best. Monsoon also sell an elegant Hawaiian Maxi Dress in blue which is less formal but no less attractive.

For a more exclusive look the catwalks have been full of maxi dress inspired designs.
Floor sweeping trains and excess material have been huge hits and floral patterns seem to have been making headlines for several seasons now. If you want designer wear Alexander McQueen has two beautiful gowns available on his UK website. The first at £3820 is the Mantis Wing Gown. This is a beautiful symmetrical design made from silk chiffon and will make your heart flutter. Alternatively the camouflage rose gown at £6250 in full length chiffon made from 100% silk with a sweetheart neckline is a stunning dress perfect for sweeping down the red carpet or sauntering into the best restaurant in town.

From designer to high street with a maxi dress you have so many options – the world is your oyster but with so much temptation, be careful you don’t max up your credit card as well as your dress sense.