Let me tell you, it is NOT easy to find a maxi dress that doesn’t drag along the floor like a train when you’re pint-sized, and up until a few weeks ago, I didn’t have a maxi dress in my closet because every. single. one. I’ve ever tried on has made me look like a kid playing dress-up in her mom’s work clothes.
Normally, I would’ve walked right by this Petite Paradise Halter Maxi Dress by LOFT because — hello! — maxi dress trauma, but I liked the print so much that I decided to give it a try.
And I’m so glad I did, because I freaking love this dress. It feels fantastic, for one. It’s made of a very comfy, lightweight, breathable linen blend.
Ah… Perfect for hot days like the ones we’ve been having (it’s been in the 80s in Novato lately, YOWZA!).
Then there’s the print, with the flowers and leaves. When I look down, I almost forget I’m not on a tropical vacation. I like that the whole design is bold but not too bright…if that makes any sense, LOL!
Fun fact about LOFT and prints: the nice sales associate at LOFT who helped me while I was there said that when LOFT makes printed clothes, they scale down the prints for petite sizes, and scale them up for their taller sizes, so the prints maintain the intended proportions and layout.
Maybe that’s the secret sauce behind this dress! I really do feel like the print was designed for someone of…unimpressive height (I’m 5’1″). Most of the time when I try on dresses like this one, I feel like I’m swimming through an infinity pool of fabric.
You may or may not have noticed that I’m not wearing shoes in the top pic… I’m just keepin’ it real, dawg. 🙂 But seriously, it’s the dress. I feel like I should be running barefoot through the sand or something when I wear it.
Outfit breakdown…
- Dress — LOFT (I’m wearing the petite size; it’s also available in regular and tall sizes, too)
- Earrings — Alexis Bittar
- Bracelet — Nordstrom (no longer available; here’s something similar by Charming Charlie)
- Lipstick — MAC Satin Lipstick in Steam Heat (from the new Wash and Dry collection)
- Nails — Chanel Le Vernis in Méditerranée
P.S. The dress is machine washable, which for me is a major selling point because I never end up wearing clothes that I have to take to the dry cleaners; it’s such a pain.
P.P.S. It’s also currently on sale for 50% 40% off…
I’m just sayin’!
P.P.P.S. (!) tgif 🙂
Picking up this dress for Hawaii but it 40% not 50% off. If you edit your post just delete my comment. 😉
It was on 50% for a flash sale I guess! The sales change pretty fast both online and in store. Which island are you visiting?
Kauai. I’ve been four times and I’ve never been bored. Sooo excited!
I love Kauai! Have you been to Queen’s Bath? It was one of my favorite things during my last trip.
What things do you typically do when you visit?
I haven’t been. I will be sure to put it on this itinerary!
A sunset cruise to see the Na Pali coast is a tradition. My favorite new thing is to go to the rum distillery. You get to taste test all their different variations along with their delicious rum cake and decadent caramel sauce.
Here are some pics: https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/daily-photo/queens-bath/
It helps to have decent water shoes, as getting to the area is kind of rocky and slippery.
The rum distillery sounds fun. I’d be all about the caramel sauce. 🙂
Oh my goodness that dress is everything on you! I love the colors and pattern. 🙂
Thank you! Happy Friday. 🙂
I love this dress and you look adorable in it. Interesting fact about scaling down the patterns! I also love how your lips match the color in your dress!
I can’t really wear maxi dresses or skirts, they don’t look flattering on me, unfortunately.
I almost bought that dress online yesterday when it was 50% off…I bought a really cute lace top from there too. I recently discovered charming charlie and thank goodness I don’t live too close to it because I could spend a lot of time looking around there and buying stuff.
I love that dress on you!!!!
That dress is so cute on you! Have you tried anthro’s petite dresses? I know a lot of their regular clothes come in petite sizes as well!
LOVE this on you, Karen! I was definitely eyeing it since you posted a look with you wearing this one a couple of days ago. VERY pretty and summery!
It looks so beautiful on you! I was at a Loft store a couple days ago (your fault, I bought the coral sailor shorts you posted pics of!) but I didn’t see it. I wish I had because they had a 50% off the entire store!
Cute dress! I’m short too 5’3″ . I have my maxi dresses tailored so they fit perfectly. A good tailor makes all the difference. I just add the price on to my clothes investment, especially if I catch a good sale. Most of my jeans and maxi dresses have to be tailored.I’m on first names basis with my tailor!
I just saw this dress yesterday when I was at LOFT! It looks fabulous on you!
Karen,
The dress looks so pretty on you! LOFT is so great right now. I tried on two dresses at GAP the other day and got so discouraged! I never have issues with dresses.
My only concern with this halter style is that you can’t wear a bra with it. Although, I guess you can wear a strapless bra?
TGIF!
Wow, that maxi looks beautiful on you! I love the pattern and the halter. I am really short (5 feet), and I really hesitate to wear a maxi. When they were in style back in the 90s, I bought one or two – in fact I still have one of ’em, and I wore them with huge platforms, but this time around I’m not sure. Have a good weekend, Karen!
Gorgeous dress! And you styled it so well with your accessories & makeup & hair. I’d like to avoid the LOFT because I’m trying to save & be responsible & all that stuff I don’t like. But this post, this dress, & everythang about MBB, isn’t helping me. Maybe I’ll choose another day to act like an adult, which is so overrated. Good job, dude!!!
That for sure looks great on you.
I love my maxi dresses for summer, but I am of average height (1,72 m), so they usually sit good on my.
Back in NZ I spotted a gorgeous one in a second hand store but didn’t get it and now I am regretting it whenever I think back!
That lipstick… I don’t normally get excited about MAC’s limited edition collections, but methinks me needs that lipstick.
What foundation & highlighter are you wearing? Your skin looks AH-MAZING!
PS – My husband recently told me I spend too much and challenged me to go a full month without buying anything. I was doing great, but then LOFT had their 50% off everything sale and I failed. On the bright side I got some super cute spring clothes. I was eyeing the most adorable halter top from Ann Taylor but it sold out 🙁 If you love LOFT I think you’d like Ann Taylor, it’s slightly more dressy than LOFT but they often have some more casual items and they are always running sales. I got a couple of really cute summer dresses from Ann Taylor last year.
Hi Stephanie!
Thank you for noticing. I’m wearing a new one from MAC called Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation:
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/158/35126/Products/Face/Foundation/Pro-Longwear-Nourishing-Waterproof-Foundation/index.tmpl
I’m still testing it out (I want to go to the pool this weekend to see if it’s really waterproof), but if you have any questions about I can try to answer them with what I’ve noticed so far.
I got an email from MAC yesterday announcing the launch of that foundation. I’m definitely intrigued, do you find it to be medium to full coverage? In my head I expect it to be kind of thick and tacky, is it easy to apply? I’d be thrilled with something that was even slightly sweat proof.
You look great Karen! May I ask what size you’re wearing? Wondering if the length changes with the size… 🙂
Fab colors on you, girl. You look great! Machine washable or bust!
The print is gorgeous! Very vibrant!
Monica
Gorgeous! It looks fabulous on you, too. Great colors on you.
You look amazing. I didn’t know Loft carried petite maxi-dresses along with the cute necklaces you posted earlier. I’ll have to check them out next time I’m in a store. Have a good weekend and take care.
That dress is totally adorable and looks great on you! I do love that bracelet too! I don’t know how this ever happened but husband started sewing so now I can buy dresses that are too long and he hems them. LOL. Crazy, right?
Karen,don’t you just love Loft? Between Loft and J Crew my wallet has been working overtime!! Today was at least my 5th visit to Loft in the last month or so (and let’s not talk about online shopping). It’s embarrassing… lol
That dress looks amazing on you!
You look gorgeous, Karen! And TALL :-O Usually maxi dresses make a person look shorter, but you look like a real goddess in this dress, so tall!
This dress looks great on you, Karen! The color and print are gorgeous and complement you well. I can’t wait to pull out my maxi dresses!
Being 5’2, I walk on by maxi dresses but this looks great on you. And fascinating tip about the scaling up or down on the prints!
Looks like a nice dress for short ladies, for me find a dress is can be somewhat tricky so is finding pants, the pants need to be shortened by the legs.
I am 1.53
It looks amazing on you