1 Trend, 3 Ways: Mini Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses aren’t just reserved for the older crowd. As Suri Cruise, Ming Lee Simmons, and Zahara Jolie-Pitt prove, these stylish frocks are a sweet look for little girls — and tweens! — too.

James Devaney/WireImage; David Cooper/Broadimage; KCSPresse/Splash News Online

They’re also the ultimate fall transition piece. Just add a light cardigan and your mini fashionista will be all set.

Ready to start shopping? Check out our top picks — for every budget — below!

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Splurge

Perfect for a night out with mom and dad, Studio 342‘s Colorblock Maxi Dress ($78) is beyond chic. We love how the bright pink and green stripes pop against the dark brown, as well as, the pretty back-tie sash.

Courtesy of La Bella Flora

Affordable

From its funky print to its beaded halter straps, Pink Ginger’s Mod Tween Maxi Dress ($42) will undoubtedly become a fast favorite in her closet.

Courtesy of babyGap

Bargain Buy

Talk about cute! Whether you’re shopping for toddler or tween, she’s sure to shine — literally! — in babyGap‘s Sparkly Plaid Maxi Dress ($15).

— Anya Leon

Comments

I just love Zahara and Suri!

- Manal on September 1st, 2010

Ming is so pretty!

- Shannon on September 1st, 2010

Suri’s dress looks like a tripping hazard. I’d never put a girl under about 10 in a maxi-dress – I can’t afford the ER bills!

- Jennifer on September 1st, 2010

That’s the first picture I’ve seen of Suri where you can tell she’s Tom’s and Katie’s daughter. Usually I can only see one or the other but in that picture — she’s very much a mix of the two of them!

- Sky on September 1st, 2010

Ming is gorgeous and that dress is beautiful on her

- Allie-Rose on September 2nd, 2010

Jennifer, how is a dress that ends well above the ankles a tripping hazard??!!

- Steph on September 2nd, 2010

She probably thinks Suri’s dress is a tripping hazard simply because Suri Cruise is wearing it. As far as I can tell Ming’s looks to be the longest, but none of these dresses look like ‘tripping hazards’. If you think you can’t afford your ER bills, imagine the therapy bills in your child’s future if you raise them to be so terrified of every potential accident in life they end up too neurotic to function.

- meghan on September 2nd, 2010

Ming is such a doll!

- J-Lin on September 2nd, 2010

meghan- i totally agree. maybe jennifer should put her girls in shorts only, to prevent tripping. but wait, they might get colds from overexposed legs :O

- Anonymous on September 3rd, 2010

Zahara has to be the most gorgeous child ever. Stunning!

- brannon on September 3rd, 2010

I don’t like little girls in maxi dresses unless they are formal wear. The look like little bag ladies. Mind you, I don’t like the dresses too short either.. Knee length.. now there is a nicer level for kids.

- Rach on September 5th, 2010

If only they had an adult version of Zahara’s, I love the ruffles and color but it just looks a little too old for her still.

- kait on September 6th, 2010

Jennifer, I had the same thought for the style in general. I trip myself in maxi dresses, you can step into your own darn hem, so personally I’d wait until my girl is a little older.

- Kat on September 7th, 2010

Suri’s dress looks like it is just too big on her! Imagine how big it would be on her short father! LOL. Just kidding. Still, it just looks too big. Same with Ming’s. Zahara’s looks OK… probably because of the belt that lifts it up a little.

- Lori on September 7th, 2010

I think the Cruise family just lets Suri dress how she wants and they buy her stuff taht swallows her little body cause she says “I like it”. Mini fashionista? Nope! Her shoes don’t match at all. Ming and Zahara look adorable though. I have to say that Suri looks cuter in this pic than normal….her hair is at least brushed and her feet are touching the ground instead of being carried with a bottle and blankey.

- Mel on September 8th, 2010

Ming looks so good in her dress with her headband. But what can you expect if she has a fashionista mother?

Jennifer, I agree with you.

- Joyce on September 10th, 2010