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Maxi Dresses Are Way Cooler in the Fall

And perfect for work, too.

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A woman in a burgundy long-sleeved maxi dress Photo: Dôen

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If the term “maxi dress” reminds you of flip-flops and only wearing one outfit on a five-day vacation, well, fair. But don’t be fooled into thinking that full-length dresses can’t be staples in your fall wardrobe, too.

They’re the ideal transitional pieces (especially if long sleeves are included, which is pretty common at this time of year) because you still get the breezy feel of a dress, but more coverage. And the conservative cut means they’ll work for most office dress codes. Maxi dresses also just so happen to be very trendy at the moment, popping up left and right in boutiques and fast-fashion retailers alike in dark colors, patterns, and florals.

If you’re worried about looking too Free People circa 2013 (see: peak boho), don’t be. You can switch up the entire look with an extra layer like a leather jacket or chunky knit, or with your shoes, whether you wanna reach for your favorite boots, loafers (backless or otherwise), or Converses.

Ahead, 10 of our favorites out right now. You should probably jump on the bandwagon, considering there are very few other pieces of clothing that look fancy while being extremely comfortable and easy to wear.

Michael Michael Kors Printed Chiffon Maxi Dress, $185
Michael Michael Kors Printed Chiffon Maxi Dress, $185
Abercrombie Short Sleeve Maxi Dress, $88
Abercrombie & Fitch Short Sleeve Maxi Dress, $88
Mara Hoffman Olive Flo Dress, $325
Doen Begonia Dress, $155
Madewell Maxi Wrap Dress, $148
Madewell Maxi Wrap Dress, $148
Wilfred Laverne Dress, $185
Wilfred Laverne Dress, $185
& Other Stories Wrap Maxi Dress, $115
Zara Long Printed Dress, $70
Mango Bow Gown, $100
H&M Chiffon Dress, $40
H&M Chiffon Dress, $40