Maxi Dresses are all the rage come Summer. When I lived in Miami, they were de rigueur nearly year round. The floaty, breathable fabric says yes to humidity and hot weather. Also, the no-wrinkle fabric makes for fuss-free packing. I would enjoy wearing this dress on a Summer Cruise, a casual afternoon at the beach, or even dinner on the sands. The colorful print is great for all body shapes, sizes and ages. The sleeves make it comfortable for those not wanting to bare a lot of arm, while the lower neckline allows space for displaying jewelry.

One of my modern Fashion Icons is Nicole Richie. The way she mixes prints, maxi dresses and color can almost seem like a work of art. She manages to look on trend, while keeping the comfort level relatively high. Lauren Conrad, another modern day muse, lives in maxi dresses. Being a California girl at heart, it's one of her go-to, favorite pieces and Lauren does seem to own a wide variety. Being 5'6" myself, a maxi dress allows me to feel even taller and offers me the chance to wear my tallest of heels. A definite must with maxis: you need height! Which can be easily accomplished in the form of heels or wedges. This allows the dress to keep its long line intact and protects its hem from dragging along the ground. Because the print is so wildly delicious, one wouldn't want to add distraction that could possibly take away from the design. So, when it comes to choosing your accessories, try neutral based tones. Or, if you're feeling a bit bold, pick out one color from the print and expand on it. I chose the turquoise and mixed in the necklace. I wore my beige Chanel bag to add luxe, but not distract from the gorgeous printed dress.