Bow ties used evoke English literature professors for us but a hipster boy in a neat little bow tie makes as swoon. All the Williamsburg boys have redeemed the one once dorky accessory for us making us covet the item for ourselves. We stole their American Apparel shirts, their vests, and their Cheap Mondays so call us obsessed but we are excited for a new menswear feature to make it into womenswear. SheFinds tells us that bow-ties aren't just for the prom anymore and we couldn't agree more. The amount of designers with bow-tie dresses is somewhat astounding, clearly we aren't the only ones with a burgeoning interest. And at least this time we can't be accused of stealing this one from our boyfriends.

We were going to skip writing another maxi-dress post, but then we realized the monochrome angle hasn't been properly articulated. Like our wanting to constantly discuss the recession, we just can't let this topic go down without a fight.

The allure of a maxi dress. Picture the follow scenario:

It's a sweltering day. Perhaps you've reached the dreaded "in between" stage in your shaving/waxing/laser hair removal regime and donning a skirt would be unwise. Putting in the effort to style an outfit just isn't worth it, as you're likely to end up looking like a sweat-soaked fashion victim with your carefully selected designer duds sticking to your most unflattering bits.

Save yourself a drycleaning bill (recession, after all), because at this point, throwing on a tent-like thing sounds like a winning idea. As Spring/Summer picks up, the fashion blogosphere is buzzing with love for the maxi (as we gave them shout in our print-centric maxi post) . Our network partners Shopalicious and Margarite Elaine have been busy picking their favorite styles. She Finds discovers them at bargain prices on Bluefly, Catwalk Queen advises against ruffled versions, and Budget Babe ponders how best to wear them. We're thinking, with flats. Definitely flats. You don't want to resemble a circus freak on stilts, as the elongating, column-like silhouette doesn't require more height. Try a flat leather sandal (see our paean to Devotte shoes).

Print verus monochrome:

Because the maxi covers almost the entire body, and a busy pattern can become positively seizure-inducing when draped over a large surface area -- especially one that walks and moves. If you're nervous about print stick to the solid hues, as they tend to be slimming and are an easier, simpler way to wear this length. The idea is to use those long lines and draping fabrics to create an elegant, willowy silhouette that flatters. If you find, however, a print that you're drawn to, like we were to many of the DVF options, there are just a few styling rules to adhere to.

The rules:

We like the maxi accessorized, but don't overdo it. We're not trying to channel the jewelry-laden gypsy chic from the last time this trend came our way. Oversized earrings, a small necklace, or a couple of stacked bangles will do, and not all at once. We also like big bags to cart around all our summer essentials. If wearing a print, choose a solid leather bag, and if wearing a solid hue, try punching the look up a bit with a bright or printed canvas tote. You'll look (and feel) as cool as a cucumber.

Finally, we're maxed out on the maxi-topic. Now let's everyone slip into one and go for a celebratory ice cream cone. We promise we'll go to the gym with you tomorrow.

The monochrome spread:

The maxi dress is the older sister of the bubble dress. Both dresses were flavors of the month last summer in what felt like an endless season of cheap and easy to wear fashion that didn't ask much of the wearer or her pocket book. And yet the maxi-dress always felt like she had a little more staying power than her kid sister.

The allure of the maxi-dress isn't as simple as the bubble dress. The cute and obscuring bubble dress was the sartorial equivalent of the one hit wonder. But the maxi dress hints at so many possibilities and we don't just mean what is under the folds of fabric. It suggests a certain kind of life with leisure time, extraneous bank accounts, and a lack of concern for dirtying the fringes with concrete sidewalks (or the boardwalk). The maxi dress is casual and yet with its length it goes formal in a wink, something the bubble dress never did manage.

And we clearly aren't the only ones wondering if the maxi dress deserves another summer in our closet. Community member Margarite Elaine has tips for wearing the dress (for short girls like two of our editors she recommends having them stop just above your ankle) in any situation or on any body. But the real proof? Six of the bloggers at our DVF X Bloggers fashion shoot chose to highlight a DVF Maxi Dress including The Daily Obession, SheFinds, See Pretty Things, Shopalicious, The ShoeBlog and Clothes Pin.

Nothing is cuter than a bashful blogger, particularly when they have nothing to be bashful about. Shopalicious is a talented blogger with a beautifully designed site so naturally we find it endearing that she was nervous about our event.

Diane von Furstenberg just happens to be one of my absolute favorite designers -- but I was filled with trepidation nonetheless! What to wear? Would I trip and fall? What if I got there and couldn't decide what outfits to pick?

Clearly she had no trouble at all once she got started! She told the sales women that orange was one of her favorite colors and promptly pulled together a wardrobe of the sunny color. Our favorite was the extremely wearable Niue Wrap Dress. Another sign she didn't need to worry? Her second choice sold out on the DVF website within a day of her wearing it! Thankfully we were able to kind the Kiwana Maxi dress at another retailer.

Do you own a nice maxi dress? The thing is, the maxi dress 'thing' isn't really crystal clear until you wear one. Many women shy away from the silhouette, and truthfully, it's understandable. A maxi dress, if it isn't a high quality fabric and appropriately sized, can feel like a mumu. But, if you splurge on something really special, it will change your life. Not only is it flattering to almost any figure, it's a classy way to keep cool in the summer. Going out to dinner with your boss? Preparing for a picnic in the park? Accidently get a major sunburn on vacation? A maxi dress is the answer, we cannot stress this enough. The Matthew Williamson Leaf Print Maxi Dress is the perfect example. The initial reaction is 'Whoa, that's a lotta' dress!' but, take a deep breath, imagine it with thin gold sandals, a slick chignon, the most basic makeup, and you'll see the point. It puts all those mini skirts and babydoll dresses to shame, and we promise, you'll stand just a little bit taller as you glide across the room in this leaf print number. For more maxi dresses, see our spread below.