Six of the Best maxi dresses

From the beach to parties and barbecues, maxi dresses are must-have items for fashion cognoscenti this season. Stephanie Smith selects the best on offer from the High Street and online.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th May 2010, 12:43 BST
Updated 12th May 2010, 12:50 BST

Coral silk dress

FROM: Monsoon

PRICE: 200

COMMENT: Glorious, bold, slinky, opulent yet simple dress in a wonderful colour. Make sure you get a size that doesn't cling unflatteringly.

SUITS: Medium to tall, slim and slight pears.

KEY ACCESSORY: Grey mirror bangle and silver mirror bangle, 25 each, RJ Graziano at House of Fraser.

Best SHOW STOPPER buy

Cream embellished column dress

FROM: Warehouse

PRICE: 65

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COMMENT: Lovely Grecian-style buy with racer back and fabulous collar-style embellishment. Simple and elegant.

SUITS: Slim to medium and petites.

KEY ACCESSORY: Studded segment bangle, 2.50 ,due in store mid-June at Primark.

Best CLASSIC buy

Red halter-neck dress

FROM: Elements by Amanda Wakeley at Very.co.uk

PRICE: 59

COMMENT: Flattering and striking, this figure- skimming halterneck dress will look fabulous on holiday or at summer barbies and parties.

SUITS: Large busts and curvy figures.

KEY ACCESSORY: Bronze bangle set, 14, Freemans.com

Best DAY TO NIGHT buy

Black beaded collar dress

FROM: Marks & Spencer

PRICE: 39.50

COMMENT: There's a touch of the Cleopatra about this lovely linen dressed with tie belt and great collar detail. Accessorize with gold and bronze.

SUITS: Slim to medium and petites.

KEY ACCESSORY: Wooden bangles, 8, Dorothy Perkins.

Best HOLIDAY buy

Red floral strappy dress

FROM: Oli.co.uk

PRICE: 69

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COMMENT: Slinky and fitted, this is a fresh looking dress with

eye-catching leaf pattern, broad border and neat shoestring straps.

SUITS: Slim to medium.

KEY ACCESSORY: Square bangle, 9.50, Marks & Spencer.

Best BEACH PARTY buy

Black shooting star strap dress

FROM: FeverDesigns.co.uk

PRICE: 65.99

COMMENT: With its statement pattern against black, this dress make the most of busts and has a slimming effect on the waist and hips.

SUITS: Tall and curvy.

KEY ACCESSORY: Pink and gold bangle, 5, Sainsbury's Tu Clothing.

Best SEXY buy