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The summer season is over Us, and if you’re looking for garments that can give you a slimmer look, a maxi dress that hides the lower belly is a popular option. Think about it: the extra material at the bottom can create a flowier skirt that doesn’t show your belly as much. While it’s certainly not necessary (you’re gorgeous just the way you are), many shoppers feel more confident wearing a less fitting style, especially on a beach vacation. With that in mind, we wanted to find flattering styles to make your shopping experience easier!
We focused on finding dresses with a more fitted top and a looser bottom. This helps to create a balanced silhouette. Best of all, we’ve selected a variety of designs to suit different types of occasions and events. We’re obsessed with every dress below, so read on to see our selection of maxi dresses that hide the tummy!
Best Formal Wear: Lulus floral faux wrap dress
Our main highlights:
- Flattering cover design
- Fun floral print options
- Nice side split
Advantages
- Adjustable straps
- Crossed straps at the back
- High Quality
- Affordable
cons
- Only two colors available
With the summer wedding season coming up, we’ve got more formal dresses on our minds – and this dress is absolutely perfect! For more beachy or casual weddings, the light option is fantastic – and if you want something more elegant, go for black.
Best Striped Dress: Topshop ombré stripe maxi dress with mesh cutout
Our main highlights:
- Slimming vertical stripes
- Beautiful ombré colors
- Nice clippings
Advantages
- Fluid fit
- Lightweight material
- Adjustable straps
cons
- Only one color option
- No reviews yet
One of the easiest ways to make your silhouette look slimmer is to pay attention to vertical stripes, and this version is completely unique! We love the watercolor effect and think the green tones can complement any skin tone.
Best Slinky Style: Open Edit ruffled maxi dress
Our main highlights:
- Slimming ruffles on the sides
- Simple and elegant appearance
- Beautiful col
Advantages
- Flattering details
- Super cheap
- Adjustable straps
cons
- Fewer reviews
- Only two color options
Slip dresses are one of our favorite styles to shop for, and this one is particularly noteworthy! While it has a more form-fitting design, it has ruffles that can seriously help disguise any problem areas that you might not feel the most confident about.
Best Bold Dress: Lost + Wander Still the One Floral Cutout Maxi Dress
Our main highlights:
- Extra lightweight material
- Flattering square neckline
- Bright and bold floral print
Advantages
- Incredible cutouts on the back
- Adjustable back strap
- Thigh high slit
cons
- Fewer reviews
- More expensive
One customer called this the “perfect” holiday dress, and we couldn’t agree more! If you’re planning a tropical getaway, this dress will look sensational, keep you cool and seriously stand out in all the shots you take.
Best Ruffle Dress: Socialite floral print smocked tiered maxi dress
Our main highlights:
- Beautiful ethereal floral print
- Comfortable smocked bodice
- Fluttering chiffon ruffles
Advantages
- Waist-cinching fit
- Dainty, adjustable shoulder straps
- Lightweight material
cons
- Fewer reviews
- Only one color option
This is another dress that would look great on a summer wedding! Aside from the fit — which we think is more than flattering — the intricate floral pattern looks practically painted onto the dress. We are beyond obsessed!
Best Sweetheart Style: Free People sun-kissed maxi dress with smocked waist
Our main highlights:
- Asymmetrical layered ruffles
- Smocked center bodice
- Beautiful sweetheart neckline
Advantages
- Simple design
- Material of 100% cotton
- Adjustable straps
cons
It’s the little details that you might not notice at first that make this dress so special. Instead of cutting vertically, the layered ruffle details run diagonally across the skirt – because the neckline emphasizes the bust beautifully. This is a classic boho dress with some bright upgrades!
Best Basic Style: Loveapella V-neck jersey maxi dress
Our main highlights:
- Best selling style
- Smoothing wide waistband
- Comfortable jersey material
Advantages
- Flattering, flowing fit
- Plenty of color options
- Regular and small sizes available
- Currently for sale
cons
We think this is the epitome of the ultimate everyday dress, and hundreds of shoppers unanimously agree! It’s comfortable, flattering and there are plenty of different ways you can dress it up or down.
Best Off-the-Shoulder Style: BLENCOT tiered flowy maxi dress
Our main highlights:
- Extra flowy silhouette
- Great for all bust sizes
- Comfortable fit
Advantages
- Lightweight chiffon material
- Embroidered polka dot details
- Adjustable drawstring waist
cons
- Can be a bit short for taller silhouettes
We’re almost always drawn to a dress with an off-the-shoulder silhouette, and this dress is no exception. It’s fully lined, feels light and airy — and it’s super versatile! Shoppers say they’ve worn it for weddings, engagement photos, and many more casual occasions. Useful!
Best Dumbbell Style: CUPSHE summer halter smocked maxi dress
Our main highlights:
- Nice relaxed design
- Super lightweight
- Perfect swimwear
Advantages
- Adjustable halter straps
- Smocked back
- Airy material
cons
Has there ever been a more perfect dress to wear to the beach? We think not! It’s made of a thin material that lets you breathe, and we’re obsessed with the neckline. Plus, it has the benefit of subtle vertical stripes, which we know are seriously slimming!
Best Cut Out Dress: The Drop Women’s Anaya Square Neck Maxi Dress
Our main highlights:
- Humble atmosphere
- Slimming side cutouts
- Trendy puff sleeves
Advantages
- Breathable tencel material
- Elastic detail at the waist
- Amazing size range options
cons
- Somewhat limited availability
We know not every shopper is comfortable with the idea of rocking a dress with cutouts, but this one has just the right style! They’re perfectly positioned at the waist to give you a slimmer silhouette, and shoppers say they show off the optimal amount of skin!
Best Party Dress: KOH KOH halter print cocktail dress maxi dress
Our main highlights:
- Flutter detail at the front
- Beautiful halter neckline
- Overlapping draped skirt
Advantages
- Amazing different floral prints to choose from
- Flattering elastic waist
- Super cheap
cons
Shoppers say they love the cut and fit of this dress so much, they’ve bought it in multiple prints! It’s ideal for a variety of occasions, and the price really can’t be beat.
Best One Shoulder Style: BTFBM One shoulder casual maxi dress
Our main highlights:
- Comfortable smocked bodice
- Voluminous layered skirt
- Beautiful striking colours
Advantages
- Slimming silhouette
- One shoulder design
- Great colors available
- Currently for sale
cons
The asymmetrical nature of one-shoulder necklines is such a streamlined look, and with the smocking on the bodice, it has enough stretch to support larger busts! This dress can make your waist look slimmer, and shoppers say they can’t get enough of the fit.
Best Elevated Casual Style: OSTOO Fluid maxi dress with print
Our main highlights:
- Hourglass-like silhouette
- Nice button details
- Cute elastic hem details
Advantages
- Super cheap
- Waist-cinching smocked center
- 40 different color and print options
cons
Of all the dresses we’ve selected for our maxi lineup, this one has arguably the best accolades! Reviewers say they can’t find anything they don’t like about it – from the flattering fit, to the amazing range of options available and, most importantly, the low price!
Best Strapless Style: Alaster Queen strapless bandeau maxi dress
Our main highlights:
- Ruffles on the bodice
- Comes with bags
- Lightweight jersey material
Advantages
- Super comfortable fit
- Stretchy fabric
- Easy to style
cons
We had to bring a strapless maxi because we’re shopping for summer, and this dress is too perfect for the season! You can make it casual or dressy with the right accessories, and reviewers say they’re obsessed with the soft feel.
Best Wrap Dress: PRETTYGARDEN summer maxi dress with wrap
Our main highlights:
- Hem detail with ruffles
- Adjustable waistband
- 27 different prints available
Advantages
- Pull-shoender belt loop
- Lightweight material with stretch
- Top class dress
cons
- Sizing may vary slightly
To round out our extensive collection, we had to add one of the best slimming dresses overall – a wrap style! This one comes highly recommended by shoppers who love all the details that make it flattering and comfortable.
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