This Nicole Miller maxi dress is stunning in fuschia and has a knot detail halter with button closure around neck and draped fabric down front to create a luxurious look.

 
And this amazing maxi makes my top picks - the flamingo paisley chiffon halter dress from Badgley Mischka.

To get the look just right, its all about the shoes.

Take a look at this pair for Report Signature that goes by Pamona, with side cutouts and adjustable ankle straps;

The Report Pamona is an affordable pair and great addition to every womans closet. These would probably look great with jeans another day too.

Have you ever seen a pair of high heels that make you melt? You’re about to! This pair of Cesare Paciotti black suede cut-out sandals is the kind of dream shoe that makes want to sing. But now I just need to find a way to get them in my closet.

But this pair of sandals from Fendi might just be the show stopper you’re looking for. It boasts a 4” heel, rhinestone detail, and is every bit stylish and class.

I know how it is. I’ve been on the same quest for that perfect pair of shoes for a while, and although I have yet to find the perfect pair of heels, every so often I find something like the Christian Louboutin ‘Noeudette’ . These will definitely spice up that little summer dress and add some sizzle. They have a 3½” heel with goldtone metal tip and come complete with the signature red sole.

Could this be the perfect summer sandal? Christian Louboutin ‘Noeudette’ in Hot Pink. For me, it says ‘Let’s Salsa’!

Also available in lime green!

When I’m shopping, I guess I do things backwards compared to a lot of women. I pick the shoes, then the dress. I’ve found this just works for me better. Probably because when I picked the dress or clothes first, I usually had a little trouble finding a pair of heels to go with it. But since I started with the shoes first, no problemo!

Now for the summer dress, and I have just the thing, a few times over. Check this Norman Kamali babydoll green bubble dress! The bustier style bodice with v-neck and crisscross backstraps is just the thing when you’re sitting on the patio people watching!

 How about this beautiful off the shoulder silk ruffle dress? I love the flowing look of this one.

Or there’s a dark pink floral jersey dress I adore from David Meister. Perfect for going out almost anywhere.

There’s one other dress that I really liked. It looks so summery (if that’s even a word) and colorful. The small pic doesn’t show it off so well, but borrowing from the description… “Watercolor-hued orchids bloom on the subtly striped halter dress”. If I could only pick one, this might be it. So far, its my summer dress pick!

Well would you take a little looky what we found here! On my internet travels for clothes, shoes and, oh, I don’t know, anything else that I care to covet, I came across this little gem of a discount at this gem of a store.

They have such a masive array of products that cater for all price ranges I spent a good few hours of today browsing and wishing pay day would roll on just a little bit quicker!

My top 3 list at chickdowntown.com at the moment:

-Alexander McQueen scarf for $237 – this is a style that’s been seen on all the A-listers – what I wouldn’t give to be one of them, if not just for their access to the hottest trends around!

-Mink Pink Smooth Sailing Dress $55.00 – gorgeous simple dress and with a price tag that is far more in my price range!

-Rachel Leigh Millies Clip On Ivory $145.00 – cutest retro clip on earings. Possibly ever.

I don’t know about you, but I know that I’ll be making  like the A-listers and treating myself to this season’s most flattering dress. Unlike the typical LBD, the maxi dress is perfect for hiding all of those lumps and bumps. Perfect, just what I like!

I’ll be in good company too, with my maxi dress. Serial offenders of the maxi-dress wearing brigade include Rachel Bilson, Mischa Barton and Nicole Ritchie.

A style similar to Mischa’s dress is available from Firetrap at Oli.

Traditionally, the maxi dress tends to be floral. However, with tribal and ethnic being a key trend this season, you can get away with this too. Oli comes through for us again with this gorgeous tribal bandeau maxi, courtesy of Miss Sixty.

The maxi dress breaks the usual dress rules of distinction; it falls into the categories of beach as well as dressy. You can make a maxi dress look daytime or evening based on the accessories/shoes that you team it with.

If you want to go for the daytime look, then maxi dresses look gorgeous with gladiators. For an evening look, try teaming yours with a simple pair of wedges for understated glam. I love this pair of gladiators, found at Heels.com. The harsh studding would work great against the delicate patterns of a maxi. And the Valentine Bronze wedges would not only look great with your maxi, but the neautral shade makes them versatile enough to look gorgeous with jeans too!

A common misconception of the maxi is that if you’re short, you can’t wear a maxi dress. Let me tell you, this is wrong! True, if you’re short, you have to be a little craftier, but you can still get away with a maxi. I’ll let you in on a little secret: the trick is to go for small prints as big prints tend to drown the figure.  Alternatively, an all over colour looks great on tall and short girls alike. Blake Lively and Eva Longoria sit on either end of the height spectrum but look equally stunning in their red and orange hues.

But what to wear with such a cute summer dress? Not to worry as I have the perfect solution – this calls for a strappy sandal!

 The Rafe New York cognac studded leather ‘Rihanna’ sandals provide a certain trendy sophistication.

 
Or a pair of these tan woven leather ‘Johnsen’ sandals are an option…

But how about these Stuart Weitzman platform sandals? The gold laminated leather ‘Platzoom’ sandals look amazing!

This slip is a great start. It’s breezy, flowing, and sexy.

Add a cardigan for day wear…

And bare your shoulders in the evening.

Or have a look at this lace shift dress. Take a good look at the embroidery detail of the lace and also notice how the edges are hand-trimmed. Perfect with a pair of gladiator sandals or strappy stilettos.

And if you’re wondering what other kind of heels you might wear to complete the look, try this suede t-strap Joie

Or give the Matiko Nola a look. Show off your pedicure in these strappy wedges.

But no summer look is complete without a pair of sunnies! After endless looking I finally settled (settled?) on a few, like this pair from Gucci…

 or this simply classic pair of Dior sunglasses, a must-have;

And there you have it, a summer look that could cause whiplash from the double take when you walk by.