BeWicked
Crotchless Maxi Dress Bodystocking Lingerie – Reel Me In 2368
Original price $29.45Unit price
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Fit help
Find your size
Our size guide covers every cut we carry, from XS to plus, with the measurements for each brand.
BeWicked
Heart Mesh Maxi Dress Bodystocking Lingerie – Fallen for You 2165
Original price $26.95Unit price
BeWicked
Crotchless Lace Maxi Dress Bodystocking Lingerie – Innocent Touch 2356
Original price $30.70Unit price
Maxi Dresses: Beach, Resort & Cover-Up Lengths
A maxi dress reaches the ankle or the floor. This edit is the beach and resort end of that: destination dresses and cover-up maxis from Sunsets, B Swim and others, cut to go straight over a swimsuit.
Below: what separates a maxi from a midi, how a cover-up maxi differs from a regular one, and how to size a dress you will wear over wet swimwear.
What is a maxi dress?
A maxi dress is a dress whose hem reaches the ankle or the floor. It is the longest of the three standard dress lengths: mini sits above the knee, midi between knee and ankle, and maxi at the ankle or below. Within that, a cover-up maxi is cut differently from an ordinary one: looser through the body, in a fabric that dries quickly and pulls on over damp skin, often with an open front or a slit. That is most of what is in this edit, from Sunsets destination dresses and B Swim Jacinta cover-ups to lightweight maxi styles you can wear off the beach as well. Shop maxi dresses at HauteFlair.
Mini, midi or maxi
The three lengths, by where the hem lands.
| Length | Where the hem sits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Maxi | At the ankle or the floor | Beach, resort, travel and warm-weather evenings |
| Midi | Between the knee and the ankle | Daytime and occasions with a dress code |
| Mini | Well above the knee, usually mid-thigh | Going out. See Mini Dresses |
Worth knowing: maxi describes the hem, not the shape. A maxi can be fitted, A-line, or a loose column, and the cut changes the effect far more than the length does.
Cover-up maxi or regular maxi
They look similar on a hanger and behave very differently in use.
| Cover-up maxi | Regular maxi | |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Light, quick-drying, often semi-sheer | Jersey, cotton, woven; slower to dry |
| Fit | Loose, pulls on over damp skin | Can be fitted through the body |
| Worn over | A swimsuit | Underwear, with a bra if the neckline allows |
| Best for | Pool, beach, boat, resort | Dinner, travel, everyday warm weather |
The practical test: if you will pull it on while still wet, you want a cover-up cut. A fitted jersey maxi will cling and stay damp.
Find your maxi
Pick the card that matches the trip.
A cover-up maxi is built to go on over wet skin. That single requirement is why it is cut loose, in light fabric, and why a fitted jersey maxi will not do the same job.
The HauteFlair StandardMaxi dress FAQ
The questions shoppers ask most.
What is a maxi dress?
A maxi dress is a dress whose hem reaches the ankle or the floor. It is the longest of the three standard lengths: mini sits above the knee, midi between knee and ankle, and maxi at the ankle or below.
What is the difference between a maxi and a midi dress?
The hem. A midi ends between the knee and the ankle; a maxi continues to the ankle or the floor. Both can be fitted or loose, since the terms describe length rather than shape.
What is a cover-up maxi dress?
A maxi cut to go over a swimsuit: looser through the body, in a light quick-drying fabric that pulls on over damp skin, often with an open front or a slit. It is a different cut from an ordinary maxi even at the same length.
Can you wear a bra with a maxi dress?
It depends on the neckline and back. Many maxis have thin or halter straps that need a convertible or strapless bra. Over a swimsuit, the swimsuit provides the support and no bra is needed.
How should a cover-up maxi fit?
Loose enough to pull on while still wet without sticking. If you are between sizes in a cover-up, size up; the looser fit is part of how the style works.
Are maxi dresses good for petite heights?
Yes, though the hem will sit closer to the floor. A maxi is cut to a fixed length rather than to your height, so check the stated garment length and consider a higher-waisted or slit style, which reads longer on a shorter frame.
What do you wear under a lightweight maxi?
Seamless underwear, since light and semi-sheer fabric shows every hem. Nude matched to your skin disappears better than white under pale fabric.
How do I care for a beach cover-up?
Rinse in cool fresh water after saltwater or chlorine, then air dry out of direct sun. Both salt and chlorine break down fibres and fade color faster than washing does.
Lengths and fit guidance here are general and vary by style and by your height; always check the size chart and any stated garment length for the specific piece you are buying. Style and size availability reflect current stock. Last reviewed September 2026.
Shop maxi dresses
Beach and resort maxis and cover-ups from Sunsets, B Swim and more, cut to go over a swimsuit.